Torsten, go leave your Windows droppings elsewhere. My article clearly compares a dual G5 to a dual-processor Dell Xeon (not a P4, not a single processor system). The Dell has an option for a second processor, so, to make the comparison as equal as possible, I added that to the Dell configuration. Here’s what my detailed accounting of the two pro-class desktops says about the Dell processor:

Dual Xeon 3.2GHz*
* Corrected for equivalency as calculated at SystemShootouts.org . The dual 3.4 GHz Xeon selected originally was a $600 upgrade.

Seriously, though, this is exactly how Microsoft and the PC ecosystem stays in business: They count on ignorant consumers not being able to compare Apples with whatever it is they’re offering. Like our friend Torsten here.

Why do you think MAC finally gives up on IBM and moves to Intel instead?

The best/worst example, is when you compare a DUAL G5 to a single core, sinlge chip P4. That shows you dunno WTF your rambling about my friend.

So please, do us all a favour and shut up when you know zip.

Thanks (this is not personal)

Helmuth Kool

First, I want to thank everyone for the kind words about my site; I put a lot of work into it, so it’s nice to hear some words of encouragement from time to time (yes, I have some Google ads on the site, but they pretty much just cover the hosting costs).

Second, I wanted to clarify a couple of points, just for the record:

1. Many of the references to my site treat the Processor Comparison chart as if it’s the end-all/be-all of benchmark measurement. If you read through the background below it, you’ll quickly see that the “performance equivalences” I list are, ironically, the LEAST accurate and MOST biased part of the site, simply because there are so many variables involved.

Hopefully, most of this will become a moot point once Apple switches to the Intel processors, though of course there will still be the AMD factor, etc…

Aside from the processor comparisons–and to a lesser extent, the video cards–every other feature compared between the various systems should be pretty objective. The *data* listed is 100% accurate; the “winner” listed (bold-faced yellow) in each catagory may or may not be objective or subjective depending on the situation (ie, an 80 GB 7200 RPM hard drive is pretty obviously better than a 40 GB 5400 RPM drive; for software, it’s a bit fuzzier, since opinions can vary widely about which particular piece of software is “better” overall).

In my comparisons using the specs I would personally find acceptable, I found a Mac mini cheaper than an equivalent Dell Dimension B110, but I found the 14″ iBook to be a couple hundred dollars more than the equivalent Dell laptop (I forget which model).

The most striking comparison I made was between the 17″ iMac G5 and a Dell Precision 380 w/a digital 17″ LCD. You mention above that you would probably buy a Windows machine if you were a hard-core gamer. For the price of the Precision, you could get an iMac AND an Xbox 360!

How ’bout them Apples?