Macworld: Feature: Comparing prices: Mac Pro versus PCs Macworld has published an excellent, detailed article comparing prices on the new Mac Pro line with those on Dell's Precision Xeon-based line. The article is accompanied by a very thorough table showing all the specs for each machine, and the end result is unmistakable--and should be un-debatable, too: The Mac Pro dual-2.66GHz Zeon (dual core) is more than $1,000 less expensive than the Dell Precision 690 with nearly identical hardware specs. The Mac Pro comes in at $3,048, while the Dell will cost you $4,395! They can't be identical, of course, so here's what I can see of the differences in a quick scan:

1. Apple (+): 16GB RAM, Dell (-): 8GB
2. Dell (+): Faster Superdrive
3. Dell (+): Nvidia Quadro FX 3450 is faster than Apple's, both have 256MB VRAM, both 1 dual-link, 1 single
4. Apple (+): Four configurable PCI Express slots to Dells three non-configurable slots.
5. Apple (+): Four Firewire inputs, 2 800MB, 2 400MB to Dell's 2 400MB inputs.
6. Dell (+): Eight USB ports to Apple's 6.
7. Apple (+): Optical Toslink Audio In and Audio Out, Dell has no optical ports.
8. Dell (+): Various ports for legacy PC hardware (PS/2, Parallel, Serial)
9. Dell (+): Dell 19" Ultrasharp 1970FP display (a $250 value bundled for free); Apple has no "free" display
10. Apple (+): Software!! The usual great Mac bundle, versus nothing on the Dell.
Great job, Macworld! Thanks for documenting this so carefully.