Analysts: Mac buyers still pay more than PC buyers for same hardware 'guts'

For example, Apple's refreshed $599 Mac Mini costs 40% more than Asustek Computer Inc.'s similar $430 Nova P22 mini PC. The Mac Mini's slightly faster CPU, integrated graphics chip and RAM are somewhat balanced by the Nova's larger storage and faster DVD-ReWriter drive.

Or compare the midrange Mac Pro with Gateway Inc.'s upcoming FX6800-05 PC. Both use quad-core 2.93-GHz Intel processors and ATI Radeon HD 4870 graphics cards, 6GB of 1,066-MHz DDR3 RAM and a 1TB 7,200 RPM SATA hard drive.

The Mac Pro uses a Nehalem-based Xeon chip intended for servers, while Gateway uses the Core i7-940 desktop CPU. The Core i7, introduced last fall, is similar to Nehalem, but it lacks the latter's new memory chip set that, according to Lao, can speed up performance for compute-intensive tasks up to 13%.

That advantage is undercut by the Mac Pro's weaker components and higher price. The Gateway's video card comes with an extra processor and 2GB of "honkin' fast" DDR5 RAM perfect for gamers, said Lao, as well as an 80GB solid-state drive for faster Windows booting. An 80GB Intel SSD costs $380 at retail.

Yet the Gateway, at $2,999, costs $450 less than the $3,449 Mac Pro configuration.

In the case of the all-in-one iMac, Apple's machine had a slim edge over the competing Dell XPS One 24, while being $100 less in price and 15 lb. less in weight.

In the end, Mac fans argue that "speeds and feeds" mean little because they don't take Mac OS X's performance or the Mac's looks into account. But that's a topic for another barroom argument.

Running the numbers

Two mainstream analysts polled by Computerworld said that looking at the hardware alone, Apple continues to charge about 30% more than Windows PC makers. A quick analysis by Computerworld of Apple's refreshed products with their closest equivalents in the Windows world supports the contention that Apple products generally remain pricier, though not consistently in the same range. Prices are good as of March 3, 2009.

Note: The superior product in a category is in boldface.

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