Lately we have had a lot of requests, from both visitors and clients, for our recommendation regarding which computer to invest in. It's a tough question, because there are so many different ways to go. The first thing to decide on, of course, is whether you prefer an Apple Macintosh or the PC. There are others, such as the Linux operating system, but for the majority of users it really boils down to MACs vs. PCs.

There have probably been thousands of articles and millions of debates about the pros and cons of both the MAC and the PC, with staunch advocates on either side. We know from our own experience that there are more similarities between the two than differences. Both use a GUI, or graphical user interface. That means they have drop down menus, windows that open containing programs and documents, the ability to run multiple programs at the same time, and a standard user interface for the programs they run to make it easy for a user to move from program to program.

MACs have certain advantages over PCs and visa-versa. Over the years, many people have come to prefer one OS over the other, but that's pretty subjective. The fact is that PCs outsell Macs by something like 20 to 1, so there is a much greater variety of hardware and software available for Windows than for Macs. And, because there is a larger market for Windows hardware and software, prices are generally lower.

We have used everything from home built systems to custom built work stations, both PCs and MACs. Currently we do our programming and graphic design on both G4 MACs and on PCs, so to us it's all about what you're most comfortable with. Below we have provided you with a look at the "specs" for two very popular current systems: A Dell Dimension Desktop PC and an iMacG4, both with links to where you can purchase either system. Make your own choice and good luck.

Dell Dimension Desktops

Exceptional Price and Performance! NEW DimensionTM 4550 desktop offers you Intel® Pentium® 4 power enhanced by 333MHz DDR SDRAM memory technology for the user who seeks everything from superior multi-media and application to flexibility at a great price!

This system has the following key features:
Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 Processors for affordable performance at speeds of up to 3.0 GHz with 533MHz front side bus. Memory: 128MB to 1GB DDR SDRAM at 333MHz for exceptional performance. Storage: Ultra ATA EIDE Hard drives up to 200GB to meet your storage needs. Drive Bay Options: Dual optical drive bays with your choice of CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, or CD-RW/DVD combination drive and DVD+RW/+R drive to meet your multi-media needs. Video Graphics: Cutting edge DDR NVIDIA Graphics and advanced ATI Rage Ultra 4X AGP graphics and New ATI Radeon 9700 graphics available for robust color and clarity. Ports: includes 6 USB 2.0 ports to support NEW 2.0 USB technology (2 front & 4 back ports), one serial port and one parallel port. Monitors: Large monitors - up to 21" (19.8" viewable) CRT displays and 20" Flat Panel displays provide easy viewing. Sound: Premium sound cards and brand-name speakers with subwoofers provide high-quality sound. And last but not least Software: Dimension 4550 systems come pre-loaded with Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system, click here to learn more. Plus you can choose your productivity software - WordPerfect® Productivity Pack with Quicken New User Edition or Microsoft® Works® Suite 2002 . Or, you can upgrade to Microsoft Office® XP Professional or Small Business edition. click here to learn more.

Macintosh iMac G4

The iMac is more than just another personal computer - it's the center of your digital world. It's the digital hub through which you can create, organize and share all your digital music, movies and photos. Its breathtaking form follows its cutting-edge function to help you do your best creative work.

This model is configured with a 1GHz PowerPC G4 processor with the Velocity Engine for blistering performance, an 80GB Ultra ATA hard drive and 256MB DDR SDRAM (expandable to 1GB). In addition to the 133MHz bus speed, the iMac features the SuperDrive, which records CD-Rs at 16X, rewrites CD-RWs at 8X, reads CD-ROMs at 32X, records DVD-Rs at 4X and reads DVD-ROMs at 8X (max. speeds), as well as two FireWire ports and three USB ports (plus two more on the keyboard). For your communications needs, it includes a 56K V.92 modem, 10/100BaseTX Ethernet and a slot for an optional AirPort Extreme wireless networking card. Hovering above the 10.6" circular base is the 17" LCD flat panel that supports resolutions up to 1440 x 900 in millions of colors. Pull it toward you and the metal swing arm pivots downward while the screen still faces you. It effortlessly pivots 90 degrees vertically and 180 degrees horizontally; tilt settings let you place the screen at virtually any angle imaginable. The display is controlled by nVidia GeForce4 MX graphics with 64MB DDR video memory and has a contrast ratio of 300:1, a typical brightness of 200 nits and viewing angles of 90 degrees vertical and 120 degrees horizontal. It comes with Apple Pro Speakers, the optical Apple Pro Mouse and Apple Pro Keyboard. Mac OS X 10.2 is pre-installed.