[SLO-BOB]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Actually by specs I meant the hardware which is the basis for a direct cost comparison.

I know that, but comparing specs is meaningless if your needs are super basic - like mine.

I would never advocate spending $1,000 for a machine when a $500 box will suffice for the application for which it is being deployed.

That's where I'm coming from.

It's simply not fair to imply the Dell with a lower hardware spec is half the price of an Apple or even another Dell with a higher hardware spec.

I'm not so sure I implied that at all. If so, it was not my intention. I'm sure the Macbook is a "better" machine by spec than the Dell I bought, and more comparable to a like priced Windows machine. Even so, the Mac won't perform simple tasks any better than the cheapy Dell. That's my point in comparing price. If Apple made a $600 unit, I would definitely consider it.

You are in the business so people take stock in what you say.

I'm not in "the" business as much as in business. Either way, no one listens to me anyway.