[0cf8612b2e1e]

> $10k is easily double what a beast workstation has traditionally cost

I was thinking similarly. Not Mac, but $4-5k will get you an extremely well specced Dell/HP workstation suitable for nearly anything. Staying under $5k can also make it easier to push it through finance where higher price premiums typically require more paperwork.

[kergonath]

Here (research lab doing computational materials science), we get a €8k workstation every three years or so. AFAIK there is no review from the accounting people below €15k. In any case, honestly, the expense is tiny compared to the salary and other costs of whoever is using it for 3 years (close to a quarter million overall).

[0cf8612b2e1e]

> …the expense is tiny compared to the salary and other costs of whoever is using it for 3 years

No argument there, but a line is drawn somewhere on ease of purchasing and it usually falls short of $10k.

[mensetmanusman]

Inflation adjustments are needed.