In my last topic I had narrowed down the choice for a new computer to two Intel i7 quad machines: the Dell XPS 9000 with a Dell 27” Monitor or iMac 27” Cinema display i7.  Both were in the $4,000 - $5,000 range with appropriate software before discounts. 

Despite my long experience with Windows, I was leaning toward the iMac because it could also run Windows in parallel with OS X, I really liked Final Cut for movie making, and the Apple Care and one-on-one classes sounded great and those type of classes at that price were not available from Dell.

Finally, I ordered the iMac.  The salesperson at the online Apple Store that I had called multiple times over the past several months was there to take the final order. He was very helpful in finding the best configuration and price.

Almost immediately after the order cognitive dissonance set in.  Would I regret that decision?  What would I do with all my Windows software and knowledge?

But then I had a hair-brained idea – why not try both machines, and start a blog about the experience? 

So, with no expectation of a response, I wrote an email to Michael Dell and Steve Jobs.  I found their emails online and wrote something like this (each was slightly different), and this excerpt is the crux of my pitch.

Dear Steve and Micael

I am writing to ask you to support a daily blog I plan to write comparing the IMAC i7 with a comparable configured Dell XPS Intel i7-920 Quad-Core.  I am a long time PC user, but must upgrade my ancient Dell system to the next generation.  I narrowed my search to these two machines with similar specs, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to write about a functional comparison.

Surprisingly there are no thoughtful functional comparisons found online.  One compares price, another benchmarks software, another gives first impressions.  Most start with a bias.  None provide the type of practical comparison I have in mind.  I have no bias in the PC vs. Apple discussion, and I can give an informed view of how these two comparable machines meet my day-to-day computer needs.  I am largely a stay-home-dad and PTA activist, with a sideline as a health care consultant, web developer, and film editor.  Besides the expected office functions, I use statistical programs, database software, and film editing programs.  I often multi-task.

In doing some background checking for this proposal, I found an interview given by Erin Nelson, Chief Marketing Office of Dell.  She said, “[Apple] definitely focuses on part of the audience that focuses on beautiful design…  A mom isn’t only putting the focus on how beautiful the design is, but also ‘how do I manage the money in my life, how do I help with the kids’ homework?’  She wants someone to be her advocate and enable her to do what she wants to do.”  Phil Schiller’s and your own comments on the iMac take some issue with that premise.  You both emphasize that design is part of function and that the integration of software and hardware make the iMac a more positive experience.  In your introduction of the original iMac you said that one of its main purposes was to enable web connectivity.  So, for me, the question is, “How do these two machines compare in meeting the practical needs of the sophisticated home user?

To my surprise both companies contacted me in short order.  Not the big cheese, but someone in their Communication Departments.  Dell was far more generous and arranged a comparison machine, a Dell 8100 with a i5 3.2 GHz, 8 GB memory and a Dell 27” (U2711) monitor .  They said there was no Dell 9000 available.  Apple said they would provide technical support should I need any technical issues answered.  Within a few weeks the packages started to arrive.  The machines are not perfect matches, with the biggest difference being the Apple iMac is an i7 Quad and the Dell XPS 8100 is an i5 Duo.  Here are the specs on the two machines I am comparing.

The iMac arrived first. 

The next topic will be about my first impressions and setting it up.