mac vs pc pricing: round 2 – notebooks… fight!!!

by Chiyin on Aug 13th, 2008 @ 11:46 am

In a previous post I compared an iMac with a similarly configured Dell XPS One desktop and found that their prices are fairly close. This time, I’ll take a look at notebook computers and see how they compare. Will the common assumption that Macs are more expensive hold true with notebooks? Or will it be debunked as with the desktops? Let’s find out…

On this occasion, I’ll be comparing a MacBook and a Dell Inspiron 1420. The reason I chose these 2 computers is because  their configurations are fairly similar, having almost identical hardware/software options. Also, these notebooks are geared towards the everyday user, like a student. Most users won’t be needing the power of an Alienware or MacBook Pro, if you can afford an Alienware then I don’t think cost is going to be a factor.  With that said, lets take a look at the computers

MacBook

• Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz
• 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM
• 250 GB SATA HDD
• 13.3″ Widescreen Display
• Intel GMA X3100 Graphics Processor
• 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• Built-in Bluetooth, Wireless-N, webcam
• Mac OS X Leopard
• iLife ’08
• iWork ’08
• Applecare

Dell Inspiron 1420

• Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz
• 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM
• 250 GB HDD
• 14.1″ Widescreen Display
• Intel GMA X3100 Graphics Processor
• CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
• Built-in Bluetooth, Wireless-N, webcam
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Adobe Photoshop Elements + Premiere Elements
• Microsoft Works 8.5
• DellCare Value

In contrast with the all-in-one desktops, I was able to very closely match the configurations of both computers. The only exception being the screen size, the Dell has a 14.1″ screen while the MacBook comes with a 13.3″. Other than that both machines are almost identical, I even chose Alpine White for the Dell, so they are the same color. So, how the prices compare?

MacBook

• $1,927

Dell Inspiron

• $1,426

Clearly in this case the Mac is a lot more expensive than the PC, a hefty $500 difference. So, I guess the Macs are still more expensive in the notebook department. But if all those rumors are true, we could be seeing a drop in price when the line refreshes sometime next month. Or to keep consistent with Apple’s modus operandi, maybe we’ll see the introduction of a new feature/technology while the keeping the same price range. In either case I think Apple will be very well positioned to compete with the PC market.

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View 2 Comments
Apples & Oranges

1.
1. dizzy

   August 13th, 2008 12:18 pm

   

   I think the next refresh will bring a very small price drop of maybe $100 dollars and some really new groundbreaking features. I believe these factors will make the $400 or $500 difference more than worth it…plus how else am I going to code apps for the iPhone without a mac?

2.
2. Macbook Windows ♦ Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro News

   October 17th, 2008 6:57 pm

   mac vs pc pricing: round 2 – notebooks… fight!!! – Macbook Windows ♦ Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro News…

   [...] nerio made an excellent post today on their site [...]……

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