to any of you who believe Apple's propoganda that Macs are virus proof, I would like to have you look at these:
http://www.securemac.com/applescript-tht-trojan-horse.php
There's an OSX trojan.
http://www.osnews.com/story/20827/New_Mac_OS_X_Trojan_Found_in_Pirated_iWork_09
... and another one...
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/041709-first-mac-os-x-botnet.html
... and a botnet that utilizes only Macs...
http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/12/03/rspluge.trojan.manifests/
... and a trojan that has several variants...
Your Macs are not immortal.
And... have a look at this:
It's actually pretty easy to compare a Mac and a PC side-by-side, even against a custom built machine.
Apple doesn't manufacture their own motherboards. They're made by FoxConn, a Taiwanese company. They're of no better quality than the stuff that FoxConn OEM's for any PC brands.
Apple's video cards are likely also made by the same OEM using Nvidia's reference design (just like most other video card manufacturers).
Knowing this, I'll spec out a Mac Pro on Apple's site, then custom build a PC using BETTER parts with pricing from Newegg and we'll see which one comes out cheaper.
One note about the video card: The Nvidia card that Apple offers it's Mac Pro users is based on the "Geforce GT 120". Further investigation revealed that the GT120 is nothing more than a Geforce 9500GT rebranded for OEM applications (like Apple's cards).
Aiight... Let's look at a Mac Pro, shall we???
Price: $3,149.00
Specifications
One 2.93GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon` (
Mind you, Apple refuses to let us know which version of the processor they use! There's three versions of this processor)
8GB (4x2GB)
640GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 512MB
One 18x SuperDrive
Apple Mouse
Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad (English) and User's Guide
now... Let's look at what I was able to put together over at Newegg, shall we?
Price: $2,562.89
Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price
1
PLEXTOR 22X DVD/CD Writer Black IDE Model PX-870A LightScribe Support - Retail
Item #: N82E16827249052
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$44.99
1
GIGABYTE GZ-FA2CA-AJB Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811233026
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$20.00 Instant
$159.99
$139.99
1
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136319
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$74.99
1
ASUS ENGTS250 DK/DI/1G GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814121333
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy $25.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$149.99
1
IOGEAR GKM512 Black USB Standard Spill-Resistant Desktop Keyboard and Mouse - Retail
Item #: N82E16823176012
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$29.99
1
Antec 77064 Thermal Grease - Retail
Item #: N82E16835129002
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$2.99
1
Kingston HyperX 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model KHX1333C7D3K4/8GX - Retail
Item #: N82E16820104163
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$239.99
1
Intel BOXDX58SO LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813121361
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
$249.99
1
Dynatron G666 60mm Double Ball Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835114086
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$34.99
1
Intel Xeon X5570 Nehalem 2.93GHz LGA 1366 95W Quad-Core Server Processor Model BX80602X5570 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819117180
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
$1,439.99
1
XIGMATEK MC NRP-MC851 850W ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V Ver. 2.92 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16817815003
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$35.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate $189.99
$154.99
Buy a Mac - $3,149.00
Build a PC - $2,562.89
Price difference - $586.11
Now... A couple of notes here:
- Intel motherboards are made by FoxConn. The SAME OEM that makes them for Apple.
- The video card that Apple supplies with their Mac Pro machines are a generation behind. The GT100 series is only available to OEM's and is nothing more than a Geforce 9 class GPU rebranded.
- Because Apple refuses to name the series for their processors, the one used in the Mac Pro could actually be a level or two below the Gainestown-series Xeon Quad Core I have listed.
- I didn't include an operating system for this machine 'cause it's up to the individual to pick between XP-64 bit, Vista64, or Win7-64, though I could have easily done it. Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit can be had from Newegg for only $179.
One could also drop in an even faster processor and STILL be cheaper than a Mac