Macintosh Free: The Reality

Price of the computers is an important issue, especially to college students. Take a look at the comparison.

-15.4-inch TFT display with 1440x900 resolution -1.83GHz Intel Core Duo with 2MB shared L2 Cache -667MHz frontside bus -1GB (single SO-DIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM -100GB 5400rpm Serial ATA hard drive -Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW) -ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory price as of Feb 13, 2006: ------$2,499.00-------- source of information and price: http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?family=MacBookPro

-Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2400 (1.83GHz/667MHz FSB) -Operating System (Office software not included) -Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 -1GB3 Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz -80GB3 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive -FREE!8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability -Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) -Trend Micro PC-cillin with AntiVirus and Spyware removal 36-months -Office Software (not included in Windows XP) -Microsoft Office Basic - Includes Word, Excel, and Outlook email -Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11a/g Mini Card (54Mbps4) -3 Year Limited Warranty5 plus 3 Year At-Home Service6 plus Nights and Weekend. price as of Feb 13, 2006: -------$1,971---------- source: http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/entnb_e1705?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

These two computers, one from Apple and another one from Dell have almost identical configuration, including even THE SAME PROCESSOR. Dell also includes free software and support, and extensive hardware, ex: wireless and so on. But the price is the main issue..... what can I say, apple's greedy.