The Mac Observer: AAPLTalk System Shootouts - US$800 Desktop System Shootout

DATES CONFIGURED: 7/18/02-7/20/02
Must Include 13.8"+ (viewable) display

NOTE: SONY does not currently offer any complete systems (w/monitor) for under $1,100!

READ THESE IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS & EXPLANATIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING!!!
All images and logos are copyright 2001 to the respective companies listed.

Company

Apple

Dell

Compaq

Hewlett Packard

Gateway

= Best of Field
(where appropriate)

iMac G3

Dimension 4500S

Presario 4000

Pavillion 511n

500SE

Design/ Styling

Snow

Black Slimline Tower

Black Tower

Grey tower

Platinum Tower

Mobility:

All-in-one design
Built-in handle

35 lbs. total

Numerous pieces

45+ lbs. total

Numerous pieces

55+ lbs. total

Numerous pieces

60+ lbs. total

Numerous pieces

65+ lbs. total

Component Access?

Quick access to memory & wireless cards

Thumb screws for panel removal & component access

Screwdrivers required to remove paneling

Total Cords/Cables:
(CPU, Display, Web, Speakers, Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone)

4 cables/cords

10 cables/cords

Deskspace Used:
(CPU + Display)

255 sq. inches

300 sq. inches

337 sq. in. (appx.)

380 sq. in. (appx.)

Noise Volume:

Nearly silent
(convection cooled)

Loud
(cooling fan)

Energy Use:
Energy Notes

150 Watts total

appx. $27 / year

appx. 300 Watts total
appx. $60 / year

appx. 320 Watts total
appx. $58 / year

appx. 370 Watts total
appx. $65 / year

Processor:
Rating Notes

650 MHz P4
600 MHz PowerPC G3

1.2 GHz P4
1.7 GHz Celeron

1.0 GHz P4
1.4 GHz Celeron

900 MHz P4
1.3 GHz Celeron

1.8 GHz P4
1.8 GHz Pentium 4

L1 Cache:

64k

32k

L2 Cache:

256K on-chip

128K on-chip

256K on-chip

L3 Cache:

Memory Type:

SDRAM PC100

DDR PC2100

SDRAM PC133

DDR PC2100

Frontside Bus:

100 MHz bus

400 MHz bus

100 MHz bus

400 MHz bus

Memory Amount:

128 MB
(1 x 128)

256 MB
(1 x 128)

128 MB
(1 x 128)

Max RAM:

1.0 GB
(2 slots)

512 MB
(2 slots)

1.0 GB
(2 slots)

Hard Drive Capacity:

40 GB

20 GB

40 GB

20 GB

Hard Drive Type:

Ultra ATA 66

Ultra ATA 100

Ultra DMA 66

Ultra ATA 100

Hard Drive Speed:

5400 rpm

CD-Rom:

24x

48x

24x

40x

CD-RW:

16x8x

24x10x

DVD-Rom:

16x DVD

DVD-/+RW:

Floppy Drive:

Yes

Zip/Other Drive:

PCI/AGP Slots:
Available / Total

0 / 1

0 / 2

2 / 4

2 / 3

Internal Bays:
Available / Total

0 / 1

1 / 2

External Bays:
Available / Total

0 / 1

0 / 2

1 / 4

1 / 3

Mouse Included:

USB Optical
(2-button wheel mice available)

PS/2 2-button
scrollwheel

Optical 2-button
scrollwheel mouse

USB Optical
2-button scrollwheel

USB Ports:
available = after keyboard & mouse

2 on CPU
+ 2 on keyboard
= 4 total
(2 available)

4 USB 2.0 in back
+ 2 USB 2.0 in front
= 6 total

(6 available)

2 in back
+ 2 in front
= 4 total
(4 available)

4 USB 2.0 in back
+ 2 in front
= 6 total
(5 available)

Firewire Ports:

2 On-board

Available Legacy Ports:

1 serial
1 parallel
(2 PS/2 used by keyboard/mouse)

2 serial
1 parallel
(2 PS/2 used by keyboard/mouse)

1 serial
1 parallel
(2 PS/2 used by keyboard/mouse)

1 serial
1 parallel
(2 PS/2; 1 used by keyboard)

Graphics Card:
Rating Notes

ATI Rage 128 Ultra

Integrated Intel 3D

Intel Integrated 3D

Video RAM:

16 MB (dedicated)

"up to" 48 MB (shared)

"up to" 8 MB
(shared)

"up to" 11 MB
(shared)

"up to" 32 MB
(shared)

VGA Out?

Yes

DVI/ADC Out?

TV Out?

S-Video Out?

Dual Display Support?

(Mirroring)

Display:

13.8" viewable CRT
(integrated)

13.8" viewable CRT

15.9"
viewable CRT

Max. display resolution:

1024x768

1400x1050

Microphone/
Line In:

Built-in microphone
Line-in jack

Line-in jack

Headphone/
Line out:

2 Headphone jacks
Line-out jack
Digital-audio ready

Headphone jack
Line-out jack
digital-audio ready

Speakers:

Harmon-Kardon
stereo speakers
(integrated)

Harmon-Kardon
HK-206 stereo speakers

JBL Platinum
stereo speakers

Polk Audio
stereo speakers

GCS 300 Speakers

10/100 Ethernet?

Yes

Yes (via PCI)

Yes

Yes (via PCI)

56k Internal Modem?

Yes

Yes (via PCI)

Yes

802.11b Wireless Card Included?

Integrated 802.11b Antennae?

Yes

Hardware Extras Included:

Included OS:

Mac OS X 10.2;
Mac OS 9.2;
BSD Unix;
Apache Web Server

Windows XP
Home Edition

Windows/DOS Support:

DOS/95/98/ME/
2000/XP
(via Virtual PC)

DOS/95/98/ME/2000/NT/XP

(Native)

Mac OS Support:

Mac OS 8,9,X

(Native)

Mac OS 8 only (via emulation)

Linux OS Support:

Various flavors (Native)

Unix OS Support:

Various flavors (Native)

Java 2 Support:

Native

(must be downloaded)

Word Processor Included:

AppleWorks 6.2
(Word compatible)

MSFT Word XP
MSFT Works 6.0

MSFT Works 6.0

MSFT Word XP
MSFT Works 6.0

Save-as PDF Support:

Native (any file)

(requires 3rd-party app.)

Spreadsheet Software Included:

AppleWorks 6.2
(Excel compatible)

MSFT Works 6.0

Presentation Software Included:

AppleWorks 6.2

Database Software Included:

AppleWorks 6.2

MSFT Works 6.0

Drawing/Painting Software Included:

AppleWorks 6.2

Calendar/PIM Software Included:

MSFT Works 6.0

Planning/Project Software Included:

Web Browser Included:

Internet Explorer 5.2
Netscape 4.7

Internet Explorer 6

E-Mail/Address Book Included:

OS X Mail
Outlook Express 5

Outlook Express 6

Media Player Included:

Quicktime 6
DVD Player
Media Player 7 avail.
RealOne Player avail.

Media Player 8
DVD Player
Quicktime 6 avail.
RealOne Player avail.

Financial Software Included:

Quicken 2002 Deluxe

Money 2002

Money 2000

Quicken New Users

Money 2002

Reference Software Included:

World Book OS X

Encarta 2002 Std.
Streets & Trips 2002

Encarta 2000

Encarta Deluxe Online (1 yr.)

Encarta 2002

Digital Photo Management:

iPhoto 1.1

Image Expert Premium

PictureIt! 2002

ArcSoft My Photo Center

Digital Video Editing:

iMovie 2

MovieMaker 2

Music Software/
CD Burning Software:

iTunes 3
Disc Burner

MusicMatch 6.0

MusicMatch 6.0
HP RecordNow

Games Included:

Chess
Otto Matic

Mine Sweeper, Asstd. classic games

The Sims!
Mine Sweeper, Asstd. classic games

Additional Software Included

FaxSTF
Palm Desktop
Asstd. system software

Asstd. system software

Free ISP/
Other Services

1 month EarthLink

6 months MSN

Virus Susceptibility/
Security Issues

45 known viruses

50,000+ known viruses (see FBI warning)

Built-in Firewall?

Yes

Warranty:

1 yr. ltd./mail-in
90 days phone

1 yr. ltd./at-home

1 yr. phone

1 yr. ltd./at-home
90 days phone

1 yr. ltd./mail-in

1 yr. phone

1 yr. ltd./at-home

1 yr. phone

Quality of Products & Service:
Consumer Affairs

"Good Guys"

"Rogues Gallery"

Navigation?

Easy

Poor

Easy

Customization Allowed?

Some

Full

Limited

Full

Subotal:
(includes rebates, add-ons, etc.)

$799

$708

$718

$799

$699

+ Ground Shipping:

No Charge

$99

$85

$30

$99

Total Price
as configured:

$799
tax not included

$807
tax not included

$803
tax not included

$834
tax not included

$798
tax not included

The information above is as accurate as I could make it based on a reasonable time studying the respective companies' Web sites. There is no guarantee that these configurations, prices, and features are the best that one could come up with; assorted bundles, free internet access, free extra memory, and so on can most likely be found for any of the above systems. The point of this chart is to demonstrate that Apple's lineup holds its own against any brand-name computer, even in areas in which it has traditionally had resistance. In short, do not base your purchasing decisions solely on this chart or information. Neither I, nor The Mac Observer will be held responsible or liable for any purchase decisions you make based on this presentation.

Charles Gaba started the AAPLTalk System Shootouts at AAPLTalk.com, and has brought them to TMO. Charles is the creative talent behind Brainwrap Web Design.

AAPLTalk System Shootouts Archives

Back to The Mac Observer For More Mac News!

Today's Mac Headlines

[Podcast] Podcast - Apple Weekly Report #135: Apple Lawsuits, Banned iPhone Ad, Green MacBook Ad

We also offer Today's News On One Page!

Yesterday's News

[Podcast] Podcast - Mac Geek Gab #178: Batch Permission Changes, Encrypting Follow-up, Re-Enabling AirPort, and GigE speeds

We also offer Yesterday's News On One Page!

Mac Products Guide

New Arrivals
New and updated products added to the Guide.

Hot Deals
Great prices on hot selling Mac products from your favorite Macintosh resellers.

Special Offers
Promotions and offers direct from Macintosh developers and magazines.

Software
Browse the software section for over 17,000 Macintosh applications and software titles.

Hardware
Over 4,000 peripherals and accessories such as cameras, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice and more.