on 15/10/01 13:40, [EMAIL PROTECTED] at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Similarly equipped?????? > > I tried to do something similarly equipped and the closest I could get > with a 1.7P4 was $3299. And, that was without firewire or gigabit > ethernet. Adding those aftermarket would yield almost as many free > slots in the Dell as a G4. > > First, you have to start at work stations on Dell's site, not home > computers.
Hmmm. Disagree with you on that one: a work station!!! What advantage that people will *use* does the workstation offer over the souped up home market PC? I'm looking at the PC as something in between the iCraps and the towers. GB ethernet is virtually useless for home and business users (unless you're doing HUGE file transfers over networks). iMacs don't function as a great computer. The following complaint has often been put forward. From a consumer POV there is no intermediate computer. The iMacs are useful for the flush-toilet society. Buy a "cheap" computer. Use it for a few years and throw it away. The G4s are useful for the hyper-power user. They come with lots of expansion, mega CPUs and mega features. There is no intermediate -- you can't get an iMac with expansion potential and with a long expected life! Business-wise this is great for Apple, but it's horrible for the consumer and the environment -- either you shell out lots of $$$ or else you buy a disposable computer. It feeds the throw-away mentality from which far too many suffer. There *is* actually an intermediate on a limited scale: the used top-of-the-line computer. A used G4 or B&W G3 (I think the Beige G3s are just too old now, especially with a 66 MHz bus) fit that price-performace ratio + expandability but they lack the warrantee that accompanies a new computer. Anyway, here's the Intel thingy I originally wrote... I bought a B&W G3 instead of a slightly faster (and more expensive) iCrap last for three reasons: (1) RAM expandability -- 3 extra slots vs 1; (2) support for large monitors (17" is the *minimum* size now for many); (3) better video; and (4) easy upgrade of CPU. iCraps are beautiful computers if you only intend to keep a computer for 2 or 3 years. I like to run mine into the ground, and, as such need something where I can upgrade RAM & processor! If I were outfitting a unit *and* Windoze XP does turn out to be a good OS the comparable clone becomes the better value. A workstation is *much* more than most people need (as is the G4 tower) while the iCrap is less than what some who get the iCrap need (15" monitor being its biggest detractor, closely followed by a non-upgradeable CPU). A friend of mine ended up buying 3 iCraps because he wanted to upgrade its speed. Had he blown the money he did on those 3 machines on a B&W G3 he would've been able to sink the savings into CPU upgrades (a B&W G3 with upgraded 500 MHz G4 is still a better machine than the current crop of 700 MHz G3 iCraps). You can outfit that home computer to whoop the G4's butt in terms of speed vs. $ cost (along with all the "bells and whistles" that the G4 offers -- firewire, USB (built-in on all PCs now), audio, video, ethernet (I wouldn't bother with GB b/c I don't see a use for it: 100 BT is fast enough for heavy-duty back-up purposes) & 10 BT for internet + gaming). Ok this is kind of messy -- in short: G4s are not a great value (IMNSHO) when you can outfit an Intel system (and Windoze software *is* easier (& cheaper) to get for Intels... especially with U of T site licences ;) with the same power CPU + audio + video + networking + firewire for $1000 less, and the iCraps aren't a worthwhile computer with their 15" monitors, non-upgradeable CPUs and limited RAM slots (I've upgraded my G3 piecemeal and saved a bundle as things got cheaper (I'm at 320 MB now and will soon be at 576 for the price of a 256 MB DIMM which was *half* of what I paid for 64 MB for my iCrap Rev A (but, to go to 768 I'll have to pull the 64 :( ). Despite this huge long e-mail dissing the G4's price vs. a P4's price I'll still remain loyal to Mac OS X (& indirectly Apple) until/if Windoze ever comes close to matching Mac OS X in simplicity and integration (it doesn't have to be perfect like Mac OS but it has to be good). L8r. -- Mac Canada is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Shop Canadian, visit Mantek Services <http://www.mantek.mb.ca> Low Prices That Will Keep YOU and Your MAC Smiling Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Mac Canada info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/mac-can.shtml> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/mac-canada%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
