Low End Shootout: Apple Mac vs. Dell Dimension.

To be fair, it’s almost impossible to compare apples to apples. Sure, both Apple and Dell make computers (the addition of Microsoft Windows on the Dell notwithstanding). In many cases the computers serve the same purpose; email, web browsing, word processing, music, digital photos, spreadsheet, and so on.

In general functionality, there’s not much difference between the two platforms. Many will argue there is substantial difference in the “quality” of functionality with even hard-core Windows media pundits favoring the Mac platform.

Tera implied strongly in a recent article that Apple had all but abandoned the low end of the market; the sub-$500 PC. Since the lowest of Apple’s low end is the eMac and it’s priced at $799, that would appear to be the case. Apple doesn’t compete at the low end, right?

I decided to be sure and did a quick comparison of the low end Dell Dimension 3000 on Dell’s online store to Apple’s eMac. The results are quite surprising; perhaps more to Windows PC users than Mac users.

First, let me point out that a fully direct comparison between a Mac and a Dell PC is nearly impossible. The eMac comes with a number of components (Firewire, for example) that costs extra on the Dell. The eMac also comes with plenty of software that is not easily compared with Windows applications.

Second, the eMac costs more than the Dell. That’s true only if all you want is the box, and what’s running on the box, or connected to the box doesn’t matter to you. Boxes are cheap.

Since the whole idea of a shootout is to compare like-for-like (or, as close as you can get) then the landscape changes considerably.

Finally, a point made by many Windows users is that there’s just NOT as much software available for the Mac as for Windows. When I’m tossed that bone, I usually respond with, “How many applications are there for Windows? How many do you use? Did you know there’s about 10,000 applications available for the Mac?

The conversation improves from that point forward.

Most Mac users will recognize all the basic features of the low end eMac. Mac OS X (the same one that ships with the PowerBooks or dual 2.5 ghz PowerMac G5), iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, and GarageBand. Then there’s Mail, Safari, iCal, iSync,  iChat AV, AddressBook, and much more.

Most low end PCs are loaded with Windows software, too. So much so that Windows users are often overwhelmed with the choices. That seems particularly true with virus protection software, but I digress.

Regardless, to compare apples to apples it’s necessary to add a few items to the lower priced Dell Dimension.

Part 1—Features Shootout: eMac vs. Dell Dimension 3000
The eMac comes loaded and ready for work. Setup could not be much easier, although the eMac is surprisingly heavy coming out of the box.

Apple eMac

The comparison is with the Dell Dimension 3000 desktop PC. The base price is $549, although discounts are available. Yes, it’s Windows.

Dell Dimension 3000

Software? That’s extra on the Dell. Firewire? That’s extra on the Dell. Speakers? That’s extra on the Dell. Productivity suite? That’s extra on the Dell. Get the idea? Let’s bring the Dell up to speed so we can compare apples to, well, uh, apples.

Click Here for Page 2 and a comparison of final prices—eMac vs. low end Dell.