Clark Venables' Trichotomy:

Go to Dell's web site and choose a computer with the same features as the new top-of-the-line iMac (of course, the form factor isn't an option). When I do that, I get a Dell Dimension for $2,618.00. That's with a wireless card, with a 80 Gb hard drive, and with a DVD-recordable drive, but no iPhoto or iDVD. When I price the iMac, I get $1,898.00 (with the Airport card). Surprised? Dell may advertise lower prices, but by the time you swap out the cathode ray tube monitor for a 15' flat panel display, buy a Microsoft productivity suite (you MUST choose one), add a SuperDrive ($399), swap out the mouse for an optical one (standard with the iMac), the Dell actually costs more.