[elblanco]

$1700 for the next to lowest end offering is too high. Dell doesn't even break $1000 territory until you get to their upper end offerings. For $1700 you could buy two computers and a laptop (or two computers and two netbooks).

[davidmathers]

Dell doesn't sell a 27-inch 2560 by 1440 LED display. I would pay $1000 for it today if it were for sale. Some people would pay more than me.

[parka]

I would get a Dell 27-inch 2560 by 1440 LED display if there's one too. Just wish that Dell can manufacture one with great energy savings. That will be the deal winner.

Currently, I'm using a 2006 Mac Pro. It's still freaking powerful but I really can use with more pixels on my screen.

[elblanco]

I was talking about the computers. $1700 is far too much for a low end system, monitor or no monitor. Those specs (sans display) are available for <$500. I'd put the price on this system at no more than $1400 at the high end. Apple is making a very nice margin on this kit.

But to that end the iMac isn't a LED display either, it's LED backlit.

If I could find a $1000 27" 2560x1440 LED or O-LED display I'd be in line in front of you.

[davidmathers]

I'm not following you.

  $800 for the display
  $500 for the computer components
  $100 for the aluminum case
  $100 for the wireless keyboard and hi-tech mouse
  $100 for OS X and iLife
  $100 for beautiful industrial design

$1700 sounds like a fine deal to me.

I'm tempted to buy one right now, but I'm forcing myself to wait for the first component refresh that will come in 6 or 8 months. Core 2 Duo is about to go obsolete.

[Tichy]

What kind of calculation is that? Pulling numbers out of the air?

[kburn]

You can keep lowering your component prices on your list till this makes sense to you. But let's be honest, you'd buy this machine no matter what because that's simply what you are into. The value proposition argument doesn't factor into fanhood.

not a knock, just an observation, I'm thinking these look pretty sexy as well

[davidmathers]

I find it hilarious that just a short way up the page someone is telling me you don't have to buy one because I so obviously loathe Apple products, while you're telling me my love for them is so strong that you'd buy this machine no matter what.

All I do is speak the truth.

[jacquesm]

> All I do is speak the truth.

I think you should let them come to an agreement first before they can jointly accuse you.

[elblanco]

Since when is $200 for design figured into the cost equation? And who pays $100 for a wireless keyboard mouse combo?

$20 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823164...

you are at least $280 off on price.

[davidmathers]

Looks and form factor matter to me and are something I'm happy to pay for. I'm not saying they should matter you. If you'd rather save $300 and buy a computer in a standard plastic box, with trash peripherals that are only rated 1 egg, then you're welcome to it.

The number of people who spend $300 on just a case + power supply from newegg when doing a custom pc build is not small.

[elblanco]

Fair enough.

But even when I threw together my last monster home machine from newegg I don't think I spent more than $150 on case and power, and I even went hog wild with lights and all kinds of fans and other sexy things.

Just because Apple felt that they needed to spent who knows how much R&D on a new plastic unibody mold that nobody is impressed with much, in order to house perfectly stock budget hardware doesn't mean that I think I should pay for that.

[potatolicious]

Did you really just link, as an alternative to Apple's keyboard/mouse, a product whose first review is "Garbage"?

You figure design into the cost equation all the time in your life - why would one wear anything except Wal-Mart t-shirts otherwise? Ease of use, quality of construction, and yes, even styling, is incredibly important in all aspects of life.

[elblanco]

Just showing that $100 is outrageous for a wireless mouse and keyboard.

Here's one for just a hair more with solid reviews. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126...

It's not hard to find reasonable quality at a good price point.

[jsz0]

Why would you not factor in the design? Goto NewEgg.com and price out some nice Lian-Li cases. They're expensive. Yes, you can get a junky finger slicer case with loud fans and tacky lights for ~$50 but that's not what I want

[elblanco]

Why does th design matter beyond "look at me, I'm using an overpriced collection of stock hardware". It's the old saying "you can't polish a turd". Commodity hardware is always going to be commodity hardware no matter how shiny the case is.

[Devilboy]

The 30" monitor (2560 x 1600) from Dell alone is almost $1700! Sure the Apple's monitor is slightly smaller but you get an entire computer with it!