Mac or PC?

[stuff99]

I know there might be biases posting here but hopefully you guys can give me a non biased answer

Hi there I need your opinion on something.

A friend of mine needs to get a computer, just for simple stuff...minor photo editing, internet browsing, emails, MS Office stuff...Her budget is around $700 CAN max.

I found a used Mac mini with a 1.66 ghz intel core duo chip, upgraded to 80gig (which I agree lacks but Hardrive isn't a big issue) hardrive, 2gb of ram for $700

She wants all legit software including the operating system.
The mac apparantly is barely used in the office that is selling it but they must keep the receipt for accounting purposes but I can get a photocopy of it.

I was wondering am I better off getting a Dell or HP computer for the same price range for her needs or is the Mac mini a good deal for that price? (with the same upgrades on the mac site after tax it will be around $1100-1200)

Please advise.

Thanks!

 

[stuff99]

To put things into perspective this is the Dell computer that she can get with that price range:

Processor:
Pentium® D Processor 820 with Dual Core Technology (2.80GHz, 800FSB)
Operating System:
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium

Memory:
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs

160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™

CD or DVD Drive:
16x DVD+/-RW Drive

Video Cards:
Free Upgrade to 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 7300LE with Turbo Cache - $60 Value

Sound Cards:
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio

The dell comes with a keyboard and mouse as well as a dvd burner which the mac mini doesnt come with.

 

[Eidorian]

I wouldn't upgrade a Mac mini to that point. Once you break $900 it's best to go with an iMac.

The Dell as post above isn't that bad either.

 

[stuff99]

the mac mini is already upgraded to that point...by the seller and hes selling for $700 Canadian...

 

[Eidorian]

Refurbished iMac then or the Dell.

For $700 CAN the mini isn't that bad though.

 

[stuff99]

well for sure a refurbished imac is out of the price range...

I'm also naturally cautious about refurbished products....

 

[Eidorian]

well for sure a refurbished imac is out of the price range...

I'm also naturally cautious about refurbished products....

It's not like it doesn't have a warranty and Apple won't take it back if it's DOA. Search the forums for remarks on refurbished Mac desktops.

 

[mokeyjoe]

Well I'd go for the Mac - that's why I bought one! Unless she's using any particularly high end apps the extra power you'd get with a PC of the same price is outweighed by the exta hassle and maintenance required to keep the PC performing well IMO. In fact when you consider the vulnerability to spyware and the like and the security software she should probably run, the lower power Mac will probably outperform the PC in real world terms.

I don't always recommend Macs over PC's - recently I advised a friend to get a Vaio over a Macbook, in his case he was running scientific software for Windows only and as the Vaio had a bigger screen and better specs it was probably best for something that was a desktop replacement.

For her purpose though the Mac would be ideal I reckon.

I assume she already has a monitor etc?

 

[juanster]

i think, if she already has a monitor key boardn mouse go for the mac.. if not go for a pc package....

 

[stuff99]

Yes she does have her own LCD monitor so that is not a problem
and to answer eidorian, Imacs are over her price range anyways...

 

[xlii]

I'd say it's a tossup. Which OS does she prefer? The Mini has a much smaller footprint than the DELL. The 2 GB in the Mini is nice. I'd suggest this, have you taken a look at inexpensive DELL laptops?

 

[stuff99]

she prefers desktops...

She doesnt mind either O/S

what do you mean by the mini has a smaller footprint than the dell?

How does the dell compare to this HP model for around the same price:

* AMD Athlon X2 Dual Core 4200+ that works with 1GB PC4200 DDR2 SDRAM (expandable to 4GB) to create rich and powerful multimedia experiences.
* 250GB SATA (7200RPM) Hard Drive
* NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE graphics with turbo cache with 128MB dedicated memory. Up to 319MB Total Available Graphics Memory as allocated by Windows Vista.
* I/O Ports: 6 x USB 2.0 (2 front, 4 back), 2 x Firewire (IEEE 1394, 1 front, 1 back), 15-In-1 Memory Card Reader

 

[TigerShark]

The old motto how the speed isn't everything still applies. I'd go with Mac in this particular case based on a budget and needs. Macs also in the long run require much less maintenance. I vote Mac.

 

[cube]

To put things into perspective this is the Dell computer that she can get with that price range:

Processor:
Pentium® D Processor 820 with Dual Core Technology (2.80GHz, 800FSB)
Operating System:
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium

Memory:
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs

160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™

CD or DVD Drive:
16x DVD+/-RW Drive

Video Cards:
Free Upgrade to 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 7300LE with Turbo Cache - $60 Value

Sound Cards:
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio

The dell comes with a keyboard and mouse as well as a dvd burner which the mac mini doesnt come with.

For $699 she can get a more modern and efficient CPU, plus a 19" LCD:

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 3600+
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium
19 inch E197FP Analog Flat Panel
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
16x DVD+/-RW Drive
Free Upgrade to 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 7300LE with Turbo Cache - $60 Value
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
1 Year Next Business Day Onsite/In Home Service and Tech Support

But it doesn't say if it's the old 3600+ (90nm, 256KiB cache) or new the new one (65nm, 512 KiB cache). They are both rated at 65W anyway.

If she wants to save some cash, she could just go for Sempron+17"+integrated graphics+Vista Basic for $499 (but this is not XP, so maybe it's safer to go with the X2).

 

[stuff99]

For $699 she can get a more modern and efficient CPU, plus a 19" LCD:

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 3600+
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium
19 inch E197FP Analog Flat Panel
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
16x DVD+/-RW Drive
Free Upgrade to 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 7300LE with Turbo Cache - $60 Value
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
1 Year Next Business Day Onsite/In Home Service and Tech Support

But it doesn't say if it's the old 3600+ (90nm, 256KiB cache) or new the new one (65nm, 512 KiB cache). They are both rated at 65W anyway.

If she wants to save some cash, she could just go for Sempron+17"+integrated graphics+Vista Basic for $499.

Is this from dell as well?

 

[stuff99]

I saw this from bestbuy for $669.99 CAN

* AMD Athlon X2 Dual Core 4200+ that works with 1GB PC4200 DDR2 SDRAM (expandable to 4GB) to create rich and powerful multimedia experiences.
* 250GB SATA (7200RPM) Hard Drive
* NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE graphics with turbo cache with 128MB dedicated memory. Up to 319MB Total Available Graphics Memory as allocated by Windows Vista.
* I/O Ports: 6 x USB 2.0 (2 front, 4 back), 2 x Firewire (IEEE 1394, 1 front, 1 back), 15-In-1 Memory Card Reader
* Included Software: Microsoft Works 8, HP Total Care Advisor, Norton Internet Security 2007 (60 Day Complimentary Updates), Roxio DVD/CD Creator, Muvee Autoproducer

Is this better than the dell? I'm not too familiar on how Athlon chip sets work...

 

[RRK]

To many other people are finding out about my precious. Tell her to get a PC.

 

[cube]

Is this from dell as well?

Yes, dell.ca

 

[mustard]

One thing to keep in mind if wanting to stay legal and cheap regarding software is the cost of MS Office compared to iWork.

Through Dell
MS Office Home & Student is $149
MS Office Small Business is $279
MS Office Pro is $399

Apple
iWork is $79

iWorks is not nearly as robust but something to consider if just word processing is needed.

 

[Eidorian]

NeoOffice and/or OpenOffice.

 

[cube]

NeoOffice and/or OpenOffice.

None of these deal properly with MS Word forms.

 

[Eidorian]

None of these deal properly with MS Word forms.

First person to mention forms.

 

[cube]

I saw this from bestbuy for $669.99 CAN

* AMD Athlon X2 Dual Core 4200+ that works with 1GB PC4200 DDR2 SDRAM (expandable to 4GB) to create rich and powerful multimedia experiences.
* 250GB SATA (7200RPM) Hard Drive
* NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE graphics with turbo cache with 128MB dedicated memory. Up to 319MB Total Available Graphics Memory as allocated by Windows Vista.
* I/O Ports: 6 x USB 2.0 (2 front, 4 back), 2 x Firewire (IEEE 1394, 1 front, 1 back), 15-In-1 Memory Card Reader
* Included Software: Microsoft Works 8, HP Total Care Advisor, Norton Internet Security 2007 (60 Day Complimentary Updates), Roxio DVD/CD Creator, Muvee Autoproducer

Is this better than the dell? I'm not too familiar on how Athlon chip sets work...

Faster CPU, bigger hard disk, LightScribe, but slower RAM, integrated graphics, and no monitor.

 

[dartzorichalcos]

She should get a mac like a Mac Mini or a MacBook even. If she needs to use some specific Windows applications, she could try Boot Camp or Parallels. So my vote is Mac, not PC.

 

[Cybergypsy]

PC until QC gets better.........I also think Vista is amazing..........

Love macs but after all the issues I have bought a 499.00 Hp and it blows my macbooks away.........