Apple Macbook (13") - £929
2.0GHz Core 2 Duo CPU
2GB DDR3
Geforce 9400M graphics
160GB HDD
Dell Inspiron (15.6") - £538
2.0GHz Core 2 Duo CPU
2GB DDR2
Radeon Mobility HD4330 graphics
160GB HDD
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CPU: Same.
Memory: Now, DDR2 vs. DDR3 won't make very much difference at the low-end. Same within 1-2%.
Graphics: Checking various websites and doing ballpark figures with the specs, the HD4330 is around the same as the 9400M. Essentially, the 9400M is 1/8 of a (desktop) 9800GT, and the HD4330 is 1/10 of a (desktop) HD4850. The HD4850 is about 25% faster than a 9800GT, so the two cards are roughly the same. Any advantage the 9400M may have is wiped out by it being integrated and thus having terrible memory latency and speed, as well as using up some of that 2GB RAM.
Screen: Dell wins.
HDD: Same.
Price: Dell is 60% of the price.
Result: Dell.
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Oh, a powerful computer? How about a full gaming desktop? Let's say you'll dual-boot OS X and Windows to get the full Mac experience but Windows gaming, and I'll throw in Windows on that Mac for free.
Mac Pro - £1899 or £2058 (Higher price is reasonable GFX card)
2.66GHz Core i7-equivalent CPU
3GB DDR3
640GB HDD
GT 120 graphics (pitiful, wouldn't run any game) or HD4870 (+£150)
Dell Studio XPS - £679 or £789 (Higher price is reasonable GFX card)
2.66GHz Core i7 CPU
3GB DDR3
640GB HDD
HD4850 graphics
CPU, RAM, HDD: Same.
Graphics: HD4850 is within 10% of an HD4870. Apple wins by a small margin here. Oh, if I used the GT 120 graphics the Mac would lose heavily even to HD3650.
Price: Dell is 40% of the cost of a Mac.
