Apple Tax Investigated- Part II: Prebuilt Systems
This is the second part of a multi-section article on the reality of the Apple Tax by comparing the 24" iMac (early 2009) to several other options. For Part I, click here
Prebuilt systems are easy. They already have software loaded and are ready to start right out of the box. Many computer companies even allow a consumer to customize a desktop to some degree to better match their needs while sending preconfigured base models to consumer electronic stores like Best Buy and Staples. They are more expensive than the sum of their parts, but plenty of folks have been happy enough paying a premium for ease.
Please note that pricing changes constantly. Costs reflected in this section and the article as a whole are based on snapshots. Special pricing terms will be noted as best we can.
Dell Studio XPS Desktop
Dell has quickly become a household name for providing numerous options to consumers and businesses alike at an affordable price. In recent years, they have expanded beyond mall kiosks and their website to distribute prebuilt machines to other computer retailers. They did not have, as I had hoped, a Core 2 Duo machine with DDR3 RAM for direct comparison to the iMac. What they did have was their Studio Desktop XPS system.
CPU: 2.66GHz Core i7 Quad-core
RAM: 4GB (4x1GB) DDR3 1066
HDD: 640GB 7200RPM, 16MB cache
Optical: 16x Super-Multi
Display: S2409W 24” Flat Panel, 1920x1080 (+$340)
Video: ATI Radeon HD 3450, 256MB
Other: Monitor mount 10W speakers, no mic, no webcam, 2 year full warranty
OS: Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Final Price: $1249 (after instant $149 off) or $1319 with video card upgrade, from Dell.com
Apple Tax: $250 or $180 depending on configuration, less after mic/webcam purchase
The Studio XPS doesn't have a webcam or microphone, nor does Dell carry a worthy selection, but those can be purchased at retail for (certainly) less than $100. The standard video card will compete with the 9400M, but an extra $70 will cover an upgrade to an ATI Radeon HD 4670 which can function respectably for media applications and even some light gaming. Dell isn't the best resource for computer monitors, but keeping in line with "prebuilt" having all the components obtainable from the same store seems fair. The selected display uses 16:9 aspect ratio versus the 16:10 on the iMac, but they have similar display area and there is very little loss in actual resolution. The big takeaway from this should be the CPU. Although the clock speed of Studio XPS's processor is the same 2.66GHz of the iMac's Core 2 Duo, the extra two physical cores in the i7 (for a total of 8 logical cores with hyperthreading) and a much more advanced architecture put the XPS on top easily. Even with the added cost of the video card upgrade, webcam, and microphone, the XPS is still cheaper than the iMac.
Lenovo IdeaCentre K220-K3644B
Lenovo may not be number one on the minds of the average consumer, but their business line of notebooks is a force to be reckoned with. They don't sell desktops traditionally in retail stores, but I found an IdeaCentre model on Newegg that was worth a mention.
CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5200
RAM: 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1066
HDD: 500GB (unspecified RPM)
Optical: BD-ROM/DVD Recorder
Display: ASUS MK241H 24” monitor, 1920x1200 with HDMI ($280 after $20 instant savings)
Video: Integrated, but we’ll add an ATI Radeon HD 4670 for $83
Other: no speakers or microphone, integrated 16-in-1 card reader, integrated 1.3MP webcam in monitor
OS: Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Final Price: $1002 = $579 (after instant $20 off) + $60 second hard drive + $280 display + $83 for video card, from Newegg.com
Apple Tax: $498, $558 if 500GB is enough hard disk space
The E5200 is a sizable downgrade from the 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo, but it is still a CPU of choice in strict-budget gaming PCs known for flexibility in overclocking (may be locked in this prebuilt unit) and respectable performance for the price. For basic usage, the difference shouldn't be too noticeable. The hard drive is smaller than the one in the iMac, but a purely optional $60 extra will grant another 500GB and put the system a hair over $1000. We are still using the same 4GB of DDR3 1066 memory and 24" monitor with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The IdeaCentre uses a weak integrated graphics chip by default, so this option included a DIY upgrade to the same Radeon HD 4670 featured in the Dell Studio XPS build. No speakers or microphone in the bundle, but a usable set can be had, as we'll see in the next section, for less than $40, keeping the Apple Tax above the $450 mark.
Cyberpower PC Gamer Xtreme XT
For consumers that lean closer to the enthusiast level but are still wary about doing a build themselves, there are several online stores that do custom PC for high performance needs. The build quality suffers when compared to the likes of Dell, Compaq, and Acer, but these stores allow for much more flexibility and higher performance at a lower price. Cyberpower PC is not the most reputable name out there (mostly seems to be issues with damage during shipping and poor customer support), but plenty enough customers are happy enough. For this third system, our goal was to maximize performance while keeping below or not much higher than $1500.
CPU: 2.66GHz Core i7 Quad-core
RAM: 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 1333
HDD: 1TB, 7200RPM
Optical: LG 20X Super-Multi, 16X DVD-ROM (dual drives)
Display: Generic 24" LCD display
Video: ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB (motherboard supports 3-way SLI and CrossFire)
Other: Liquid cooling system, no speakers, webcam, or microphone
OS: Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Final Price: $1533
Apple Tax: See Comparison below
We broke the $1500 mark, but only by $33. We could have scaled back to only 3GB of memory for $59 less, but we didn't want to undershoot the iMac in memory size. In addition to having 50% more memory than the iMac, it is faster (1333MHz versus 1066MHz) and in triple-channel rather than dual-channel. We get back the Core i7 processor, get a faster DVD burner with a second optical drive to go with it, an extra 360GB of hard drive space, and a fantastic video card. It should be noted that the video card options on the iMac line top out at an Nvidia GT 130 at the $2199 price point and that struggles to compete with the Radeon HD 4850 (detailed link at bottom of article) which itself lags well behind the XT's 4870 (link for review of the 4800-series). As if that weren't enough, the motherboard included can support up to three video cards at once for future upgrades and even greater graphical performance. The monitor was the only 24" Cyberpower PC had for sale, included as an option in the build.
Comparison
Depending on how much compromise you are willing to make, a computer comparable to the 24" iMac, complete with 24" monitor of its own, can save over $500. To meet or exceed the iMac, the Apple Tax drops to around $200 depending on options. But for $1500, the competition comes down to the iMac versus the Gamer Xtreme XT. The XT boasts a better processor, more memory, faster memory, more hard drive capacity, a faster DVD burner, an extra drive, a much better video card, and a liquid cooling system that ensures that heat won't be an issue with further upgrades. While it may cost a little more, this extreme (rather "Xtreme") difference in performance is the Apple Tax you'd have to pay for that aluminum finish and Apple logo. Here, it's a mighty large compromise and it should certainly weigh on the minds of prospective Mac buyers.
NEXT IN PART III: DIY Systems - We're going to build a couple of PCs to compare to the 24" iMac. There will be builds to match the performance of the iMac and builds to get close to that $1500 mark.
Prebuilt systems are easy. They already have software loaded and are ready to start right out of the box. Many computer companies even allow a consumer to customize a desktop to some degree to better match their needs while sending preconfigured base models to consumer electronic stores like Best Buy and Staples. They are more expensive than the sum of their parts, but plenty of folks have been happy enough paying a premium for ease.
Please note that pricing changes constantly. Costs reflected in this section and the article as a whole are based on snapshots. Special pricing terms will be noted as best we can.
Dell Studio XPS Desktop
Dell has quickly become a household name for providing numerous options to consumers and businesses alike at an affordable price. In recent years, they have expanded beyond mall kiosks and their website to distribute prebuilt machines to other computer retailers. They did not have, as I had hoped, a Core 2 Duo machine with DDR3 RAM for direct comparison to the iMac. What they did have was their Studio Desktop XPS system.
CPU: 2.66GHz Core i7 Quad-core
RAM: 4GB (4x1GB) DDR3 1066
HDD: 640GB 7200RPM, 16MB cache
Optical: 16x Super-Multi
Display: S2409W 24” Flat Panel, 1920x1080 (+$340)
Video: ATI Radeon HD 3450, 256MB
Other: Monitor mount 10W speakers, no mic, no webcam, 2 year full warranty
OS: Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Final Price: $1249 (after instant $149 off) or $1319 with video card upgrade, from Dell.com
Apple Tax: $250 or $180 depending on configuration, less after mic/webcam purchase
The Studio XPS doesn't have a webcam or microphone, nor does Dell carry a worthy selection, but those can be purchased at retail for (certainly) less than $100. The standard video card will compete with the 9400M, but an extra $70 will cover an upgrade to an ATI Radeon HD 4670 which can function respectably for media applications and even some light gaming. Dell isn't the best resource for computer monitors, but keeping in line with "prebuilt" having all the components obtainable from the same store seems fair. The selected display uses 16:9 aspect ratio versus the 16:10 on the iMac, but they have similar display area and there is very little loss in actual resolution. The big takeaway from this should be the CPU. Although the clock speed of Studio XPS's processor is the same 2.66GHz of the iMac's Core 2 Duo, the extra two physical cores in the i7 (for a total of 8 logical cores with hyperthreading) and a much more advanced architecture put the XPS on top easily. Even with the added cost of the video card upgrade, webcam, and microphone, the XPS is still cheaper than the iMac.
Lenovo IdeaCentre K220-K3644B
Lenovo may not be number one on the minds of the average consumer, but their business line of notebooks is a force to be reckoned with. They don't sell desktops traditionally in retail stores, but I found an IdeaCentre model on Newegg that was worth a mention.
CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5200
RAM: 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1066
HDD: 500GB (unspecified RPM)
Optical: BD-ROM/DVD Recorder
Display: ASUS MK241H 24” monitor, 1920x1200 with HDMI ($280 after $20 instant savings)
Video: Integrated, but we’ll add an ATI Radeon HD 4670 for $83
Other: no speakers or microphone, integrated 16-in-1 card reader, integrated 1.3MP webcam in monitor
OS: Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Final Price: $1002 = $579 (after instant $20 off) + $60 second hard drive + $280 display + $83 for video card, from Newegg.com
Apple Tax: $498, $558 if 500GB is enough hard disk space
The E5200 is a sizable downgrade from the 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo, but it is still a CPU of choice in strict-budget gaming PCs known for flexibility in overclocking (may be locked in this prebuilt unit) and respectable performance for the price. For basic usage, the difference shouldn't be too noticeable. The hard drive is smaller than the one in the iMac, but a purely optional $60 extra will grant another 500GB and put the system a hair over $1000. We are still using the same 4GB of DDR3 1066 memory and 24" monitor with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The IdeaCentre uses a weak integrated graphics chip by default, so this option included a DIY upgrade to the same Radeon HD 4670 featured in the Dell Studio XPS build. No speakers or microphone in the bundle, but a usable set can be had, as we'll see in the next section, for less than $40, keeping the Apple Tax above the $450 mark.
Cyberpower PC Gamer Xtreme XT
For consumers that lean closer to the enthusiast level but are still wary about doing a build themselves, there are several online stores that do custom PC for high performance needs. The build quality suffers when compared to the likes of Dell, Compaq, and Acer, but these stores allow for much more flexibility and higher performance at a lower price. Cyberpower PC is not the most reputable name out there (mostly seems to be issues with damage during shipping and poor customer support), but plenty enough customers are happy enough. For this third system, our goal was to maximize performance while keeping below or not much higher than $1500.
CPU: 2.66GHz Core i7 Quad-core
RAM: 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 1333
HDD: 1TB, 7200RPM
Optical: LG 20X Super-Multi, 16X DVD-ROM (dual drives)
Display: Generic 24" LCD display
Video: ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB (motherboard supports 3-way SLI and CrossFire)
Other: Liquid cooling system, no speakers, webcam, or microphone
OS: Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Final Price: $1533
Apple Tax: See Comparison below
We broke the $1500 mark, but only by $33. We could have scaled back to only 3GB of memory for $59 less, but we didn't want to undershoot the iMac in memory size. In addition to having 50% more memory than the iMac, it is faster (1333MHz versus 1066MHz) and in triple-channel rather than dual-channel. We get back the Core i7 processor, get a faster DVD burner with a second optical drive to go with it, an extra 360GB of hard drive space, and a fantastic video card. It should be noted that the video card options on the iMac line top out at an Nvidia GT 130 at the $2199 price point and that struggles to compete with the Radeon HD 4850 (detailed link at bottom of article) which itself lags well behind the XT's 4870 (link for review of the 4800-series). As if that weren't enough, the motherboard included can support up to three video cards at once for future upgrades and even greater graphical performance. The monitor was the only 24" Cyberpower PC had for sale, included as an option in the build.
Comparison
Depending on how much compromise you are willing to make, a computer comparable to the 24" iMac, complete with 24" monitor of its own, can save over $500. To meet or exceed the iMac, the Apple Tax drops to around $200 depending on options. But for $1500, the competition comes down to the iMac versus the Gamer Xtreme XT. The XT boasts a better processor, more memory, faster memory, more hard drive capacity, a faster DVD burner, an extra drive, a much better video card, and a liquid cooling system that ensures that heat won't be an issue with further upgrades. While it may cost a little more, this extreme (rather "Xtreme") difference in performance is the Apple Tax you'd have to pay for that aluminum finish and Apple logo. Here, it's a mighty large compromise and it should certainly weigh on the minds of prospective Mac buyers.
NEXT IN PART III: DIY Systems - We're going to build a couple of PCs to compare to the 24" iMac. There will be builds to match the performance of the iMac and builds to get close to that $1500 mark.