In the last topic of this forum, Functions & Features,  I listed the criteria for choosing my new computer.

Here’s how that looks after some thoughtful, but not comprehensive research:

I am not wedded to either a Mac OS X or PC Windows 7 machine, but one big advantage of the Mac is that OS X, running the Parallels or VMWare software can simultaneously run Windows programs.  There is not a similar product for Windows 7, although there are some emulation programs and some suggest the Kalyway Dual Boot (see for example, http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Installation_Guides/Kalyway_DualBoot_10.5.2 or http://oreilly.com/windows/archive/PearPC.html.

After some research two choices topped the list:

1.     Mac Pro with i7 processor, quad core,  27” Cinema Display or Dell 27” monitor.

2.     Dell Studio 9100 XPS Intel i7-930 Quad-Core. Dell 27” monitor.

Cost

The costs I quote below are retail as quoted by Dell or Apple unless otherwise noted.  There may be discounted prices available. 

The Mac Pro cost about $4,100 from the Mac Store and a 27” Apple LED Cinema Display cost $999.   The Dell monitor retails for $940 on Amazon.com and $1,100 at the online Dell store. The total cost is upwards of $5,000.

The Dell Studio XPS 9100 configured similarly on the Dell online store, including 27” monitor, cost about $2,900.  Add Microsoft Office update and TV tuner and the price is about $3,200.

Enter the iMac 27", i7

Then a friend mentioned the new 27” iMac i7. It had pretty much the same specs as the Mac Pro at a fraction of the cost.  The Apple Store gave an estimate of about $2,700.  Adding VM Fusion, Elgato Eye TV, and Office 2008 and FileMaker Pro added about $775 for a total of about $3,500.

I didn’t have an all-in-one in mind, but this machine was getting rave reviews and it met my needs.

Because I had underestimated the power of the iMac, I thought I may have missed a comparable Dell.  So spent a few minutes looking at the XPS One, the Dell all-in-one.  And while it had some nice features it really was not comparable to the Mac Pro, Dell XPS 9100, or iMac 27”.  It had a smaller screen with lower resolution, slower processor, and duo core rather than a quad core.  

Dell 9100 vs. iMac 27"?

In my final analysis it came down to the iMac vs the Dell 9100, both Intel i7 quad core machines.  The disadvantages of limited expandability of the iMac were more than offset by its considerably lower cost than a comparably equipped Mac Pro.  And while Dell has a large array of choices, in the end the 9100 with the i7 processor seemed like the best choice.

Dell or Mac… Dell or Mac.  I really liked Final Cut (only on the Mac for $1000), but all my past experience was with Windows.  What would be the learning curve?  But the iMac could also run Windows using VMWare or Parallels software.

The resolution in the next topic….