Battle Countdown: Apple Dual G5 & iPod vs. Dell & DJ

The wait is almost over. But NOT quite. Mine Apple says my new dual 2.5 ghz G5 (ordered back in early June) is due to ship later in August. The battle lines are drawn. The countdown has begun. The combatants? Apple’s new G5 vs. Dell. The new iPod vs. the Dell DJ. Blow by blow coverage begins here.

It’s not a David and Goliath confrontation. Well, maybe in a couple of ways. Dell sells more PCs than any company on the planet. Apple’s new dual G5 PowerMac arguably may be the fastest desktop (that G5 tower will NOT fit on my desktop) ever. Apple’s iPod is the market leader for portable music. Dell’s DJ is a contender aiming to knock off the champ with a low price.

Do you even know anyone with a Dell DJ?

Back in June, shortly after Apple’s announcement of of new PowerMacs, I ordered a dual 2.5 ghz G5. Apple said it would be shipped on or about July 30, 2004. I checked the Apple store everyday. Order a new G5 now and you’ll wait four to six weeks for the liquid cooled SuperComputer.

Apple now says mine will be here after August 20. Let the countdown begin.

I’ll do a shootout comparison between the new G5 and the Dell, comparable models, comparably equipped, comparably priced. Everyday applications will be used; Microsoft Office, a Photoshop bake off, MP3 ripping, some video rendering, and some server functions. It’ll be fun. Apple’s slick supercomputer and a top Dell PC running Windows XP.

Why stop there?

At the other end of the scale in power and size are the portable MP3 music players. In this corner, and wearing the white trunks, Apple’s new generation iPod, the reigning champ. In the other corner, probably slouched and weakened from lack of nutritional market share, the desperate Dell DJ.

It’s a high tech version of Shootout at the OK Corral. Apple vs. Dell. Don’t you just love these things?

When?

Click Here for the iPod vs. Dell DJ battle. Guess who wins?

Whither art thou, 2.5 ghz PowerMac G5? Few reports of shipping models have been heard. Both the 2 ghz and 1.8 ghz versions are in ready supply, both at the nearby Apple Store and the online Apple Store, or your favorite Mac watering hole.

I’ll have a full report of the battle within a day or so after opening the box containing that liquid-cooled Mac SuperComputer wrapped in aluminum. Apple says, “Shipping on or about August 20.”

I can’t wait. This is better than Frazier and Ali. Better than Bush and Kerry. Better than the press and Theresa Heinz Kerry. Better than Michael Dell telling Apple’s Steve Jobs to shutter the company (where would all Dell’s ideas come from?).

Coming soon, the Countdown to Battle: Apple’s dual 2.5 ghz PowerMac G5 vs. Dell. Meanwhile, for the iPod vs. Dell DJ battle, Click Here.

Check out the daily list of our 9 Word mini-Reviews at NoodleMac, and Kate's daily in-depth Mac software reviews at PixoBebo.