[csmuk]

Upgradeable, replaceable parts, redundancy, better storage options, cheaper, doesn't accidentally get trash put in the top. And that's just the case.

I have nothing but contempt for the Mac Pro design - it's style over substance to the extreme.

[girvo]

And I like it's style, and Windows won't cut it, so for me the trade offs are okay :)

Hence, depends on your definition of better. Computers are trade offs. Always have been. Your choice of trade offs is not inherently better than someone else's.

(this is academic, btw, I'm not getting any of the computers in question)

[csmuk]

All computers are trade offs but when you start trading sensible things for appearance then it's just idiocy.

It's the Ugg boot of computers. Looks pretty and keeps your feet warm but you can't get it wet and it isn't waterproof, they fuck up your feet and fall to bits.

I'd rather have a pair of Berghaus explorers, warm and dry feet and for them to still be on one piece after a 20 mile hike (HP Z820).

Don't really care about the OS - you can get where you need to with virtualization.

[girvo]

I disagree, but I think I'll leave it at that, as I'm obviously not explaining my point well enough...