Apples to Apples

The Mac Pro price of $2,999 for the entry-level unit is going to pose a challenge to Apple’s cause. Forgetting the pure element of sticker shock that’s likely to scare away some in the prosumer crowd, the Mac Pro line exists within an odd paradigm: too much computer for most, but overpriced for those who can actually make use of all the bells and whistles. For comparison’s sake, consider the high-end 27″ iMac that starts out at $1,999, a full $1,000 cheaper. With the iMac, users are still getting four cores’ worth of computing power from an Ivy Bridge Core i5 processor.

Video Editing

For the bulk of graphic design and desktop publishing professionals (a core Mac Pro demographic) the 27″ iMac is going to be more than adequate. Admittedly, the hyper-threading capabilities of the Xeon E5 processor of the new Mac Pro do offer advantages for video editors. With the backlash after the release of Final Cut Pro X, however, the industry isn’t as tied to OS X as it used to be. For those who aren’t married to Final Cut as their editing suite of choice, chances are they will be able to build their own custom Windows-based rigs with comparable hardware for about 60%-70% of the Mac Pro price.

Design Dilemmas

Putting the price discussion aside, the new chassis structure of the Mac Pro brings more problems to the table. There’s no denying that the circular design is a welcome visual departure from the tower-based architecture that consumers have grown accustomed to in desktops. Style points aside, however, the big drawback to this chassis is that it’s essentially incapable of any significant expansion. Apple claims that Thunderbolt 2 is its answer to the lack of internal drive bays, but is there an option for users who need more than four USB 3.0 ports?

Asking customers to drop $2,999 on a high-end desktop and then spend anywhere from $300-$400 for each additional Thunderbolt enclosure is another challenge facing Apple. For those who work with a lot of external devices, the new Mac Pro may not be the ideal machine.

Ivy Bridge to Nowhere?

Mac Pro devotees have finally gotten their wish: an updated product line on Ivy Bridge architecture. But the expense and lack of expansion capability may prove a roadblock for some. What do you think of the new Mac Pro? Is it worth the price tag?

Image courtesy of Flickr

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CNET has come up with a simple chart that breaks down the specifications for both iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C, and one of the first things you’ll likely notice is the significant difference in price. Whether you purchase the phone with the two-year contract discount or bite the bullet and pay full price, the 5S is going to cost you roughly twice as much as the 5C at the checkout counter. If you’re the type that likes to be on the bleeding edge of technology, this probably doesn’t come as too much of a shock. Money is typically no object to iPhone loyalists who always like to have the latest and greatest device in their hands.

For those of you on a budget, the iPhone 5C is likely going to be the more appealing choice because of its price point. Before you take the upgrade plunge, however, be sure the move is going to be worth your while. Otherwise, you could find yourself shelling out your hard-earned cash for a phone that isn’t that much better than what you already have.

If you’re currently carrying an iPhone 4S or earlier, then the 5C will definitely be a worthwhile purchase due to the fact that you’re going to see a substantial quality increase in both speed and screen size. For those of you who own an iPhone 5, however, you may want to consider sitting this one out if the 5S isn’t within your price range. The 5C is essentially a repackaged version of the phone you’re currently toting around, with the only major difference being the color choices.

If money isn’t a factor and both phones represent a meaningful upgrade from your current device, then you’ll want to consider the most significant difference between the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C: the processor.

The 5S features Apple’s new 64-bit A7 processor, which operates at nearly twice the speed as the A6 processor found in both the iPhone 5 and the 5C. If you’re an avid mobile gamer or enjoy shooting high-definition video with your phone, the A7 chip makes the 5s the hands-down winner in both respects. On top of that, the device also features burst-mode photography that allows you to shoot up to 10 frames per second with the push of a button. This feature is a must if you’re looking for good action shots from your smartphone.

In the end, what it really comes down to with these phones is features vs. value. The iPhone 5S has all the bells and whistles that you would expect from a newly released Apple product, but the 5C offers a cost-effective upgrade route for those who don’t already have an iPhone 5 in their hands.

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