Low End Shootout: Apple Mac vs. Dell Dimension.

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Part 2—Price Shootout: $799 eMac vs. $549 Dell Dimension.

For this comparison I’m going to leave the base, low-end eMac as is. No extras. Not even RAM. Just as everything Mac OS X runs better with more RAM, so it would be for the Dell. The Dell comes with a 40 gigabyte hard drive (same as the eMac) but has a promotion which upgrades that to 160 gigabytes. But you have to order today.

The Dell Dimension is missing a number of things that the eMac has standard, built-in. One is the CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive. No such animal on the Dell unless you have more money.

The Dell Dimension has USB 2.0 ports, but no Firewire. Most digital movie camers (not all) use Firewire. $49 is an average price for a two/three port Firewire PCI card.

Guess what? According to Dell’s web site, if you want to burn data CDs you need CD burning software. RecordNow (popular on low end PCs) will set you back another $35 from Dell.

The Dell comes with “integrated audio,” whatever that is. Let’s assume it’s audio in/audio out connectors, just like the eMac. Except the Dell doesn’t come with speakers. Those are an extra $9.00 for the low end Dell A215 Speakers (they can’t be much worse than those in the eMac… can they?).

Dell doesn’t supply you with Microsoft Office unless you pay extra. On a low end machine MS Office is overkill and doesn’t compare to AppleWorks. Microsoft Works is a closer comparison and that costs $26 extra.

Dell charges $18 for the Dell Jukebox Plus. Dell says it rips and burns CDs faster (than what? doesn’t say). Windows Media Player 10 does that, too. So no extra charge (assumes WMP 10 is included). However, Dell doesn’t include comparable software to iMovie, iPhoto, or iDVD, or GarageBand.

Let’s assume that Microsoft’s Movie Maker is included and comparable to iMovie (it’s a stretch, I know… work with me).

Guess what? Apple includes a neat little Mac OS X application called Setup Assistant. It’s an easy way to transfer applications and settings from an old Mac to a new Mac. It’s free. Dell charges $50 for the Detto IntelliMover to do the same thing.

There’s other software bundles, games, etc. that make it difficult to compare exactly between the two machines. Apple includes World Book encyclopedia. Dell makes the Encyclopedia Britannica 2005 available. For a price.

Check my math. It looks like this to me:

Apple eMac basic model: $799.
Dell Dimension 3000:  $837.

Surprised? Now, which of the two machines, comparably equipped, would you prefer to have? Wait. The Dell still doesn’t have anything to compare with GarageBand. Or iCal, or iSync, or Address Book, or iChat AV (yes, AOL’s AIM is free—try it and tell me what you think), or just the lickable goodness of Mac OS X or the wonderful pinnings under of Unix.

Or, security. Did I mention security? I know. I’m not playing fair now. Excuse me.

What did I miss? $38 is not much difference, especially since it’s the eMac that’s at the low end of the dollar comparison. Oh, did I fail to mention that iTunes, iMovie, iPhoto, and iDVD (need a SuperDrive) all are integrated and play well together?

Hmmm. That means I must have forgotten the integration of Mail, iCal, Address Book, and Safari—with iSync.

Did I forget anything else? Is that a decent comparison of the two machines? Granted, Apple doesn’t even sell a plain old vanilla Mac box in the $500 range. But when you start to compare what you get at the so-called “low end” it’s an unexpected and favorable Mac surprise.

For a business that needs to get a networked PC in the hands of a lowly employee to do email, web browse, word process, and spread sheets, the Dell is often the “box” of choice. Of course, for real, uninterrupted work, the eMac can be a productivity haven for any business. Comfortable at home and less filling, too.

If you don’t need all that software, well, go ahead—knock off a few bucks. Every cent you save on the Dell up front can be spent on virus protection software, security software, spyware protection software, and the service technician.

Comments? Am I off base or spot on? Share your thoughts and experience with other readers. Click the Comments link below.

Click Here to read Tera’s reasoning on why Apple has abandoned the low end market. In reality, “low end” is in the eye of the beholder. An eMac isn’t a cheap Windows PC box. It’s not supposed to be, it doesn’t have to be.

Still, even the lowly eMac compares favorably.