Writing for The Wall Street Journal, Walter S. Mossberg recommends Apple’s OS-unlimited iMac over Dell’s OS-limited XPS One for several reasons.
“First, there’s the software. I believe Apple’s operating system, Leopard, is superior to the new Windows Vista operating system, the only choice on the XPS One. In my tests, a reboot of the XPS One took more than twice as long as a reboot of the iMac,” Mossberg reports. “And I regard Apple’s built-in software, especially the iLife multimedia suite, as superior to the Dell’s built-in software, which includes a group of Adobe multimedia programs that are less well integrated and more complex.”
“Second, the iMac, unlike the Dell, is immune to the vast majority of malicious software floating around, so you don’t have to run annoying, memory-hogging security programs. The first time I turned on the beautiful Dell I was met with a warning that I had ‘multiple security problems,’” and was led to install a security suite in a complex and tedious process,” Mossberg reports.
“Third, defying popular perception, the iMac costs less than the XPS One. The base, 20-inch iMac costs $1,199 — about $300 less. And even if you double the memory, and add a wireless keyboard and mouse to match the Dell, it’s still $1,399 — $100 less than the base XPS One (though Dell is currently running a sale that wipes out the $100 gap). Even the cheapest iMac has a dedicated video card with its own memory, something the base XPS One lacks,” Mossberg reports. “Plus, while Dell offers only 20-inch screens on the XPS One, Apple has higher-end iMacs with huge 24-inch screens for the same price, or less, than the higher-end Dells.”
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Too Hot!” and “Judge Bork” for the heads up.]
Of course what you guys neglect to mention is that he also claims that the XPS One is the first Windows computer to match or maybe exceed an Apple! Sounds like Apple’s lofty design language has finally met its match.
@Jordan,
That’ subjective, and frankly, meant to help bail the failing DELL out of the hole they’re in.
It’s called “pity praise”
Anyway, it’s a copy of a design Apple has used for years – is THAT an accomplishment?
Nope.
@ Tremor
Remember, the ledes are *not* written by the reporter, so Mossberg most likely didn’t even see the headline.
Yes, it’s a copy if anything that’s an all-in-one is a copy. But the design is clearly different. And while hardware design is subjective, you can’t argue with the extra features it has in terms of hardware. Also, if design is subjective, so is software preference.
The main problem the Dell is it’s a Dell, and Jordan it can’t touch a Mac fan boy.
It’s the pricing that’s really finally moving people. The whole ‘Apples are way more expensive’ meme is still out there and still going strong, and it needs to be slapped down with extreme prejudice.
Mac users only use Windows for two things:
Games
Apps that are programmed for Windows-only code, like Active-X.
PS users would load OS X because it’s just better.
I don’t blame Apple for not allowing OS X on PCs – it would be a support nightmare.
I can only think of Young Frankenstein when I see a PC.
Sorry, just the way it is.
PC folks have called Macs toys for decades, yet PC folks buy PCs for games?
That’s funny.
Re: MDN’s use of “os-limited”
I don’t think it’s unfair for them to point out that the hardware is, in fact, OS-limited compared to Macs. Whether this is a fault in design or a result of Apple policy is irrelevant- the fact remains that Macs can run all the OS’s the non-mac can, and can run Mac OS in addition, making the non-mac OS-limited.
It’s actually rather an important point, since if you’re going to choose between a PC and a mac of comparable features and price, you might want the greater flexibility of dual booting Mac OS and Windows rather than just having Windows and Linux. I assume that’s why MDN continues to mention it.
Dude you could of got a (crashing) Dell and their support in Bangalor and Mumbai!!!
I saw a DELL XPS in person (I live in Austin) and its the best looking DELL that I’ve seen. Still I would never buy an XPS. Windows actually runs better on ugly crappy looking PCs.
The Dell folks are not very original. First they copy the iMac’s design. Then they call it the “One,” which is the name used by Gateway for its copy of the iMac.
Whatever… For the next five years (or more), almost every non-Apple computer will be forced to sell with Windows Vista. The only alternatives are to downgrade to XP or try a Linux variant. Apple is just starting its incredible Mac sales run.
“Cool. So if I compile a version of Linux tonight and include a block that will not allow it to be installed on Macs, I can then claim that all Macs are “OS Limited” because they won’t run the distro that I had to hack so that it wouldn’t run on a Mac????”
No… even if anyone did do such a thing (and, BTW, feel free to knock yourself out with that), a claim of Macs then being “OS limited” would not be true. Macs would then be just “less OS limited” than PCs.
Besides… if I know the hacker community, someone else would just hack your hack so that it would run on a Mac.
Back to square one.
You know… it’s really a shame the Jonathan Swift isn’t alive today.
Macintosh’s Travels, anyone?
I don’t understand why it’s such a big issue WHY a PC is “OS limited”. The fact is that they are.
If I’m someone who wants to run any OS out there, my only choice is a Mac; it doesn’t MATTER why. If you want to run ANYthing, get a Mac, period.
Peace.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />
Olmecmystic
Oh yeah! My iMac should be arriving today! 2.8GHz 24″. Can’t wait to get the beast!
No-ones ever mention Apple’s lightning fast delivery over dells turtle like 3 week delivery.
Eg, I order my MacBook on one day, and it arrived 3 days later. I order my iMac on a Sunday (23rd Dec) they said it would be 2-4 days before it was shipped – it was shipped from Shanghai on the 25th, and arrived in Melbourne today, which last time meant it was delivered that day.
We ordered a Dell laptop (chunky ugly thing) from dell from my brother, and it didn’t arrive until 3-4 weeks later than they said it would be there. It took many calls to find out what was going on, each response was “it’s on it’s way and should be there shortly”. It never was…
Says a lot about customer experiences with the two companies right there.
“I have the Journal article in front of me, and the headline reads “Dell’s All-in-One PC Has the Guts, Design to Compete With iMac”. Confusing that he winds up recommending the iMac given the title.”
Newsflash – Mossberg writes the ARTICLE. He does NOT write the headline. This is true AFAIK for all newspapers in print. Dunno about online efforts…
The 24″ iMac is a beauty of a machine. If you can afford the extra bucks over the 20″, then go for the extra screen real estate.
24″ iMac is a beaty. Friend of mine bought it for his wife. Now the only problem that his wife has is how she can keep him and the boy away from her computer. They don´t want to use their own Windows PC´s anymore.
HA the dell has a 2.2 GHz processor while the imac has but a 2.0 GHz processor….nevermind the negligible 9% difference….