2 years later ; Mac Pro vs. Dell

[Amethyst]

The picture tell everything
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/6744/macprovsdellprecision69.jpg

2 years later...
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6017/2yrs.jpg

[wawanarchist]

It's the sad truth... But did anyone mention that you cant run osx on a dell! :eek:

[slicedbread]

It's the sad truth... But did anyone mention that you cant run osx on a dell! :eek:

Sure the numbers aren't directly comparable since the hardware is differet, but anything even near a $1500 discrepancy is quite alot to pay for one OS over another.

[wawanarchist]

Sure the numbers aren't directly comparable since the hardware is differet, but anything even near a $1500 discrepancy is quite alot to pay for one OS over another.

Just to make it clear, I was being sarcastic, I think Apple is brutally overcharging for all of their new updates

[Quu]

It's the sad truth... But did anyone mention that you cant run osx on a dell! :eek:

But you can and that is what Apple is in court to fight. I hope they lose at this point maybe it will lower their stupid prices.

[Chaos123x]

looks really good till you see the Quadro in the Dell, those things are expensive.

[wawanarchist]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a studio xps, after 25% off I can get 8gb of ram, a good video card, 500gb hd, and the 2.66 i7 chip with dells top of the line 24" ultrasharp for $1,400...

[SteveMobs]

This is too funny. I can understand when a company keeps its prices high to maintain exclusivity and demand. But if you also try to pitch a low end computer (mini) it kind of defeats the purpose. I hope they feel a big hit when these things are on sale, that no one buys them, and they are forced to lower the prices.

This is getting really gay Apple.

[Chaos123x]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a studio xps, after 25% off I can get 8gb of ram, a good video card, 500gb hd, and the 2.66 i7 chip with dells top of the line 24" ultrasharp for $1,400...

Have fun in Windows land, I bet you will be back soon.

Farewell.


(actually if going Windows at least wait for Windows 7 to come out)

[slicedbread]

Just to make it clear, I was being sarcastic, I think Apple is brutally overcharging for all of their new updates

sarcasm doesn't translate well on the internets...! :)

[wawanarchist]

sarcasm doesn't translate well on the internets...! :)

Don't I know it... It's always good to let people know

Have fun in Windows land, I bet you will be back soon.

Farewell.


(actually if going Windows at least wait for Windows 7 to come out)

I'm sure I will be back, and if you look at my thread "G5, I'm so sory..." you can help me decide between what I buy next

[yippy]

That comparison isn't even fair. The two computers use completely different processors and system architectures.

The Studio XPS is using a desktop core i7, a $600 processor. The Mac Pro is using a Xeon X5500, a $1300 process. The Studio is only capable of having one processor, the Mac Pro can handle two.

Compare to a Precision and you might have an argument but you will find the prices are MUCH closer.

[SteveMobs]

Quick thought, what if the price increase is there to compensate for the fact that snow leopard will be a free upgrade?

Think about that.

[Pressure]

It's not the same processor or motherboard.

[Chaos123x]

Don't I know it... It's always good to let people know



I'm sure I will be back, and if you look at my thread "G5, I'm so sory..." you can help me decide between what I buy next

Double check the specs and see if you can make a Hackintosh out of your Dell.

I would go for a 2008 8-Core 2.8ghz myself, and grab a 4870 card.

[wawanarchist]

Double check the specs and see if you can make a Hackintosh out of your Dell.

I would for a 2008 8-Core 2.8ghz myself, and grab a 4870 card.

So would I, if I could afford it

[Umbongo]

That comparison isn't even fair. The two computers use completely different processors and system architectures.

The Studio XPS is using a desktop core i7, a $600 processor. The Mac Pro is using a Xeon X5500, a $1300 process. The Studio is only capable of having one processor, the Mac Pro can handle two.

Compare to a Precision and you might have an argument but you will find the prices are MUCH closer.

While not exactly the same they are both using $284 processors. But I am interested in seeing what the UP Precisions are like, they surely won't be more than $1500 based on the XPS pricing. The DP Precisions will likely be closer to Apple's prices.

edit: The single processor Mac Pros are using a Xeon W3520 with the option of a Xeon W3540.

[Chaos123x]

So would I, if I could afford it

Check Craigslist and Ebay this week.

I bet some people are selling theirs cheap to get Nehalem.

[wawanarchist]

Check Craigslist and Ebay this week.

I bet some people are selling theirs cheap to get Nehalem.

Ebay is a hell hole when it comes to mac, theres always like 10 people who will keep on bidding until it is well over the price it should be, I have been checking craigslist though, and I wish I had access to the macrumors marketplace, alas, I am but a newb... Anyone here looking to sell? I doubt it

[Amethyst]

The Studio XPS is using a desktop core i7, a $600 processor. The Mac Pro is using a Xeon X5500, a $1300 process

Nope Mac pro "Quad-Core" using Xeon 3520 that = Core i7 920 , both price / performance

[m1stake]

That comparison isn't even fair. The two computers use completely different processors and system architectures.

The Studio XPS is using a desktop core i7, a $600 processor. The Mac Pro is using a Xeon X5500, a $1300 process. The Studio is only capable of having one processor, the Mac Pro can handle two.

Compare to a Precision and you might have an argument but you will find the prices are MUCH closer.

The Dell and the Mac Pro have small differences. They use the same processor, but the Mac has ECC memory support. The 920 is a $230 processor most days. The single quad Mac Pro is using a 3500 series processor. The single quad Mac Pro only has one socket.

It's a sad day when ECC memory is the only difference between these computers, and yet they have a $1500 gap in price. Does that make any sense whatsoever?

Quick thought, what if the price increase is there to compensate for the fact that snow leopard will be a free upgrade?

Think about that.

Leopard wasn't a free upgrade for people that bought iMacs the month before. Even if SL is a free upgrade for some people, it hardly makes up for these unreasonably high prices. At most it'll be $129, which certainly doesn't even begin to cover the rest of this 40% mark up.

A disclaimer. I spend a lot of money when I buy a computer. Expensive hardware isn't a problem. But the idea is that I get what I pay for. Q6700 for $250, fair. 8800GTX, $600, fair. The computer that used to be in my signature was more than $2,000 when I built it (Q6700, 8800GTX, 2 x 250GB, 3GB, 680i board, etc), and it has been worth the money. Apple's "Pro" computer is at least $700 too expensive for what it really is, and it shows.

[jfriedman8]

Well for what it's worth....

I decided last month I had it waiting on a new MP. I went for the Studio XPS maxed out. Blue ray, 2.93 ect... With the 25% off it was still around $2000. I figured I could deal with Vista and Dell. For the most part, my dell experiences have been excellent, no build quality problems whatsoever, no vista issues, no driver problems.... Until this box came. The box is in perfect shape, no dents, nothing. I pull the actual computer out. There is this banging noise inside, i think nothing of it. I plug in and boot up.... Nothing.... The black screen comes up saying there is no boot device. I move it over to make sure everything is plugged in right, and theres that banging again. I realize, that's gotta be the hard drive. I open it up and sure enough the HD isnt attached to ANYTHING. its just swinging around in there. Upon further inspection, I see the SATA connector it broken, so it cannot properly attach to the HD. The plastic connector was in two pieces thus not allowing the data to be read. Needless to say, this one went back for a refund.

Here I am a month later, and I just ordered my new Mac Pro through the ADC student store. I went with the 4 core 2.66 i7 Xeon and the high end graphics + 2 DVD drives and the wireless card. I figure I'll upgrade everything else myself. So in the end, I got what I wanted. OSX and Vista, a better built machine, good customer service, an expandable unit without digging through wires and just a more reliable machine.

Also... the dell isnt a Xeon processor, arent those more reliable and better built long term?

[Amethyst]

A disclaimer. I spend a lot of money when I buy a computer. Expensive hardware isn't a problem. But the idea is that I get what I pay for. Q6700 for $250, fair. 8800GTX, $600, fair. The computer that used to be in my signature was more than $2,000 when I built it (Q6700, 8800GTX, 2 x 250GB, 3GB, 680i board, etc), and it has been worth the money. Apple's "Pro" computer is at least $700 too expensive for what it really is, and it shows.
+1

for me the new mac pro must cost around 1700-1900, When we saw at pc component price

[m1stake]

1. a better built machine, 2. good customer service, 3. an expandable unit without digging through wires and just a 4. more reliable machine.

Also... the dell isnt a Xeon processor, arent those more reliable and better built long term?

Lemons happen. As far as 1, 2, 3, and 4 are concerned, you're in for a surprise.

[Pika]

The links of those images are broken. I cannot see anything. :(

[Amethyst]

my main ideas of this theads is..

Point at apple 's marketting strategy with mac pro

last 2 years , them promote a mac pro as the best workstation for the money

Quad-Core 2.66 GHz Xeon at dell price - $1000
8-Core 2.8 GHz Xeon at dell price - $1200, Hp price -$2000

but Now

Mac Pro $2499
Nearly mac pro spec from Dell = $1000

at Febuary 2008

Mac Pro Standard Configuration (MA970LL/A)

Two 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors
2GB (two 1GB) of 800MHz DDR2 ECC fully buffered DIMM
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB (two dual-link DVI ports)
320GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s; 7200 rpm; 8MB cache
16x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVDฑR DL/DVDฑRW/CD-RW)
Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR

Price : $2,799

HP xw6600 Workstation
2 X Intel Xeon 5440 2.83 12M/1333 QC 1st CPU
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 290 256MB PCIe
HP 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-667 ECC FBD RAM
HP 250GB SATA 3Gb/s NCQ 7200 1st HDD
HP 16X DVD+-RW SuperMulti SATA 1st Drive
HP USB Standard Keyboard
HP USB Optical Scroll Mouse
Windows Vista Business 64 Bit

Price : $4,856.00

Dell Precision Workstation T7400 Energy Star
2 X Quad Core Intel Xeon Processor E5440 (2.83GHz,2X6M L2,1333)
256MB PCIe x16 nVidia NVS 290, Dual Monitor DVI Capable
2GB, DDR2 SDRAM FBD Memory, 667MHz, ECC (2 DIMMS)
320GB SATA 3.0Gb/s,7200 RPM Hard Drive with 8MB DataBurst Cache™
Genuine Windows Vistaฎ Business 64-bit, with Media

Price : $4,075

[yippy]

For the single processor Mac Pros then you might be right.

But for the 8-Core Mac Pros they have to be using the much more expensive 55XX series Xeons and in that range I bet we will find that Apple is quite competitively priced.

[m1stake]

For the single processor Mac Pros then you might be right.

But for the 8-Core Mac Pros they have to be using the much more expensive 55XX series Xeons and in that range I bet we will find that Apple is quite competitively priced.

They're laughable offenders just like the single. $3,200 for 2.26Ghz? Megahertz myth nothing, these chips are going to have a tough time pulling away from the 2.8 dual quad... Which is $400 less.

[Umbongo]

For the single processor Mac Pros then you might be right.

But for the 8-Core Mac Pros they have to be using the much more expensive 55XX series Xeons and in that range I bet we will find that Apple is quite competitively priced.

While other vendors may charge similar prices Apple have still gone from a $2,800 system with two $800 processors to a $3300 system with two $375 processors.

[nanofrog]

They're laughable offenders just like the single. $3,200 for 2.26Ghz? Megahertz myth nothing, these chips are going to have a tough time pulling away from the 2.8 dual quad... Which is $400 less.

Granted, clock speed between the two architecture's aren't equal, but the gap in this particular case, will make it tough for the 2.26 E5520 to consistently beat the 2.8Ghz E5462. I think the individual test results will go back and forth per specific test, but not necessarily demonstrate a clear winner.

The X5550 (2.66GHz) would be required for that. Possibly the E5540 (2.53GHz) could as well, but by a very small margin.

[nanofrog]

While other vendors may charge similar prices Apple have still gone from a $2,800 system with two $800 processors to a $3300 system with two $375 processors.
This is the pill I'm having a hard time swallowing. :(

[milo]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a studio xps, after 25% off I can get 8gb of ram, a good video card, 500gb hd, and the 2.66 i7 chip with dells top of the line 24" ultrasharp for $1,400...

Actually, go with either 6 or 12 gigs of ram, it's three channels for best performance.

[milo]

The Studio XPS is using a desktop core i7, a $600 processor. The Mac Pro is using a Xeon X5500, a $1300 process. The Studio is only capable of having one processor, the Mac Pro can handle two.

Wrong, the comparison is the MP quad, which uses a xeon 3500, which is identical to the i7 other than the ability to use ECC ram. And the quad box can't handle two, there is only one socket.

It's actually a pretty decent comparison.

It's not the same processor or motherboard.

Sure, it's not the same, but the only difference in processor is ECC ram. I'm not sure about the motherboard, but is there any evidence that the MP quad mobo provides any real advantage? I doubt anyone would consider ECC worth $1500.

And don't forget that the MP quad maxes out with LESS ram.

[Infrared]

Granted, clock speed between the two architecture's aren't equal, but the gap in this particular case, will make it tough for the 2.26 E5520 to consistently beat the 2.8Ghz E5462. I think the individual test results will go back and forth per specific test, but not necessarily demonstrate a clear winner.

The X5550 (2.66GHz) would be required for that.

If that is the case, then a UK buyer will have to pay £3,618 for a
machine that is consistently better than last year's £1,712 model.
(That's the price of the 8 x 2.66GHz machine in Apple's UK Store.)

[nanofrog]

If that is the case, then a UK buyer will have to pay £3,618 for a
machine that is consistently better than last year's £1,712 model.
(That's the price of the 8 x 2.66GHz machine in Apple's UK Store.)
:eek: :eek: Ouch!!! :(

I knew the prices in the UK tend to be higher, but not that high. :rolleyes: :(

[Eidorian]

I love that picture OP. It's a great shame on the single socket Mac Pro.

[nanofrog]

I love that picture OP. It's a great shame on the single socket Mac Pro.
I agree. ;) Apple went too crazy this time. :eek: :p

[e²Studios]

I love OS X however the premium they are charging to use it is plain absurd. I was waiting for the new Mac Pros but ended up parting together a system for much less than what Apple is charging. Does it run OS X, no, not legally at least but it also costs substantially less.

For $1300 I setup this system:
Intel Core i7 940
Corsair 3 x 2GB 6GB RAM
Seagate 1.5 TB HD
Nvidia GTX 285
Intel DX58SO Extreme Series X58 MB
Antec Steel Case
Samsung DVD DL +/- R/RW Drive
Corsair 750W PS

While it certainly will lack the great look of the Mac Pro, as well as OS X it is something I am willing to live with considering the huge price differential between the two. Apple seriously needs to consider their pricing, I was always pro Apple until I woke up and saw how much they were ripping me off when it came to hardware.

While Windows may "suck" compared to OS X (They both have their pro's and cons'), I would rather have the extra money in my bank than using OS X for an overinflated price.

Right now my biggest issue is moving licenses.. Adobe is telling me i have to upgrade to CS4 in order to move my CS3 license from OS X to Windows, you would think they would make it easier....

[Salavat23]

I love OS X however the premium they are charging to use it is plain absurd. I was waiting for the new Mac Pros but ended up parting together a system for much less than what Apple is charging. Does it run OS X, no, not legally at least but it also costs substantially less.

For $1300 I setup this system:
Intel Core i7 940
Corsair 3 x 2GB 6GB RAM
Seagate 1.5 TB HD
Nvidia GTX 285
Intel DX58SO Extreme Series X58 MB
Antec Steel Case
Samsung DVD DL +/- R/RW Drive
Corsair 750W PS

While it certainly will lack the great look of the Mac Pro, as well as OS X it is something I am willing to live with considering the huge price differential between the two. Apple seriously needs to consider their pricing, I was always pro Apple until I woke up and saw how much they were ripping me off when it came to hardware.

While Windows may "suck" compared to OS X (They both have their pro's and cons'), I would rather have the extra money in my bank than using OS X for an overinflated price.

Right now my biggest issue is moving licenses.. Adobe is telling me i have to upgrade to CS4 in order to move my CS3 license from OS X to Windows, you would think they would make it easier....

{Don't} buy a Core i7 940. It is twice more expensive than the 920, and only marginally faster. Plus both overclock to the same levels anyway.