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

	DATES CONFIGURED: 2/04/03 - 2/08/03 Must Include 13.8"+ (viewable) display NOTE: SONY does not currently offer any complete systems (w/monitor) for under $950! READ THESE IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS & EXPLANATIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING!!!
All images and logos are copyright of the respective companies listed.

Company

Apple

Dell

HP/Compaq

Gateway

= Best of Field
(where appropriate)

iMac G3

Dimension 2350

Presario 6000

300S

Design/ Styling

Snow

Black Tower

Platinum Tower

Mobility:

All-in-one design
Built-in handle
33 lbs. total

Numerous pieces;40-60+ lbs. total

Component Access?

Quick access to memory & wireless cards

Thumb screws for panel removal & component access

Cords/Cables:

4 cables/cords

10 cables/cords

Desk space Used:

255 sq. inches

all PCs take up appx. 300 - 400 sq. inches

Noise Volume:

Nearly silent
(convection cooled)

Loud (cooling fan)

Energy Use:

150 Watts total
appx. $27 / year

appx. 300-400 Watts total; appx. $60-$80 / year

Processor:
Rating Notes

650 MHz P4
600 MHz PowerPC G3

1.4 GHz P4
2.0 GHz Celeron

2.3 GHz P4
1.8 GHz Athlon XP 2200+

1.4 GHz P4
2.1 GHz Celeron

L1 Cache:

64k

32k

128k

32k

L2 Cache:

256K on-chip

128K on-chip

256K on-chip

128K on-chip

L3 Cache:

Memory Type:

SDRAM PC100

DDR PC2100

DDR PC2100

SDRAM PC100

Frontside Bus:

100 MHz bus

400 MHz bus

266 MHz bus

400 MHz bus

Memory Amount:

128 MB (1DIMM)

256 MB (2 DIMM)

256 MB (1 DIMM)

Max RAM:

1.0 GB (2 slots)

512 MB (2 slots)

Hard Drive Capacity:

40 GB

60 GB

40 GB

Hard Drive Type:

Ultra ATA 66

Ultra ATA 100

Ultra ATA 66

Ultra ATA 100

Hard Drive Speed:

5400 RPM

7200 RPM

5400 RPM

CD-ROM:

24x CD

40x CD

48x CD

CD-RW:

40x10x CD-RW

32x10x CD-RW

48x24x CD-RW

DVD-ROM:

16x DVD

DVD-/+RW:

Floppy Drive:

Yes

Zip/Other Drive:

PCI/AGP Slots:

0 available / 1 total

2 / 3

2 / 4

1 / 3

Internal Bays:

0 available / 1 total

0 / 1

1 / 2

0 / 1

External Bays:

0 available / 1 total

0 / 3

1 / 2

Mouse Included:

USB Optical mouse

USB Optical 2-button scroll wheel

2-button scroll wheel

USB Ports:
available = after keyboard & mouse

2 on CPU side
+ 2 on keyboard = 4 total
2 USB 1.1 available

4 on CPU back
+ 2 on front = 6 total
5 USB 2.0 available

4 on CPU back
+ 2 on front = 6 total
6 USB 2.0 available

FireWire Ports:

2 @ 400 Mbps

1 @ 400 Mbps

Available Legacy Ports:

Legacy-free

1 Ser, 1 Par, 1 PS/2

1 Ser, 1 Par.

Graphics Card:

ATI Rage 128 Ultra

Integrated Intel 3D

Integrated ProSavage

Intel Integrated 3D

Video RAM:

16 MB (dedicated)

"up to" 48 MB (shared)

"up to" 32 MB (shared)

"up to" 64 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

16" viewable CRT

13.8" viewable CRT

Max. display res.:

1024x768

1280x1024

1024x768

Microphone/Line In:

Built-in microphone
Line-in jack

Line-in jack; microphone jack

Headphone/Line out:

2 Headphone jacks
Line-out jack
Digital-audio ready

Headphone jack; Line-out jack; digital-audio ready

Speakers:

integrated Harman-Kardon
stereo speakers

Harman-Kardon
HK-206 stereo speakers

JBL Platinum
stereo speakers

GCS 300 Speakers

10/100 Ethernet?

Yes

Yes (via PCI)

Gigabit Ethernet?

56k Internal Modem?

Yes

Yes (via PCI)

Yes

Wi-Fi Card?

optional 802.11b
(11 Mbps)

Bluetooth Card?

optional

Hardware Extras Included:

HP DeskJet 3820 printer
w/promotion

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)

Save-as PDF Support:

Native (any file)

(requires 3rd-party app.)

Word Processor Included:

AppleWorks 6.2
(Word compatible)

WordPerfect 10
(Word compatible)

MSFT Works 7.0

WordPerfect 10
(Word compatible)

Spreadsheet Software Included:

AppleWorks 6.2
(Excel compatible)

Quattro Pro 10
(Excel compatible)

MSFT Works 7.0

Quattro Pro 10
(Excel compatible)

Presentation Software Included:

AppleWorks 6.2

Database Software Included:

AppleWorks 6.2

MSFT Works 7.0

Drawing/Painting Software Included:

AppleWorks 6.2

Calendar/PIM Software Included:

iCal, iSync

CorelCENTRAL 9

MSFT Works 7.0

Planning/Project Software Included:

Web Browser Included:

Internet Explorer 5.2

Internet Explorer 6

Internet Explorer 6
Netscape 7

Internet Explorer 6

E-Mail/Address Book Included:

OS X Mail/Address Book

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

Quicken New User
TaxCut Deluxe

Money 2002
Quicken New Users

Reference Software Included:

World Book OS X

Encyclopedia Britannica

Encarta Online

Encyclopedia Britannica

Digital Photo Management:

iPhoto 2

Image Expert Std.

Digital Video Editing:

iMovie 3

MovieMaker 2

Music Software/
CD Burning Software:

iTunes 3
Disc Burner

MusicMatch 6.0
(Unknown?)

Veritas RecordNow

Easy CD Creator

DVD Burning Software:

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/Services

1 month Earthlink

6 months Earthlink

1 yr. AOL

Virus/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

3 yr. ltd./at-home
lifetime phone

Quality of Products & Service:
Consumer Affairs

"Good Guys"

"Rogues Gallery"

Navigation?

Easy

Fair

Easy

Customization Allowed?

Some

Full

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

$799

$699

$778

$713

+ Ground Shipping:

No Charge

$99

$30

$99

Total Price
as configured:

$799
tax not included

$798
tax not included

$808
tax not included

$812
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

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