But, how overpriced is it really? It’s always difficult to compare a Windows PC with an Mac apples-to-apples, especially since we don’t yet know exactly how the Mac Pro’s configurations will price out. But going piece by piece, will you realistically be able to get more power and expandability in a PC you buy or build for far less money? The answer isn’t as simple as you might think.
THE POWER IN THE TOWER
Let’s start with the size of the case itself. With a return to the tower form, this year’s Mac Pro is a modern remake of the first-generation Apple pro desktop that preceded the transition to last year’s trash can design. With a completely removable aluminum enclosure that provides 360-degree access to the internals, Apple promises a design that’s modular, serviceable, and upgradeable, providing users with years of use.
Those are traits in which a traditional desktop PC excels. However, the footprint-to-power ratio the Mac Pro aims for might be something new.
The Mac Pro has increased in footprint, growing from an 11-pound canister to a 40-pound tower.
To accommodate its new design, the Mac Pro has increased in footprint, growing from an 11-pound canister to a 40-pound tower. Measuring 20.8 × 17.7 × 8.58 inches, the Mac Pro is one of the most compact desktops you can buy today that supports quad-graphics. How do some of the familiar faces in the world of high-powered gaming PCs stack up?
Well, the Mac Pro weighs more than double the 18-pound Origin Neuron, which comes in a more compact body. HP’s similarly-sized Omen Obelisk measures 23 pounds, while Alienware’s Aurora R8 gaming desktop adds a top carry handle to its more bulbous 32-pound chassis. Though these PC competitors may be more compact and lighter than Apple’s flagship computing powerhouse, all of these Windows 10-powered systems have some serious limitations compared to the Mac Pro in terms of performance expandability. Most notably, you’re limited to dual-graphics and fewer opportunities for PCIe expansion.
Read more at digitaltrends.com