i think not. this is hoping the quad cores will reduce in price.

So far as I've seen, Apple likes to make outrageous claims about the power and design of their hardware. However, most of the readers of this site could build their own system with essentially the same parts for a lower price.

I suppose what I'm saying is that I don't accept the concept of branding as a value-added service.

3GHz 8-core Mac Pro with 2GB RAM, 250GB Hard Drive, 256MB Video Card, CD-RW/DVD etc etc

$4296

2.66GHz 8-core DELL Workstation, same spec as above (ie. no monitor, no floppy).

$5756

The faster Mac Pro is $1500 CHEAPER than the DELL

ok it's $$$ but the comparison still stands, one 'could' build our own, but I think those quad cores are quite expensive.

At last a machine that can run Vista properly!

More cores is nice and all that, but what about those sick of Microsoft and are looking for a Mac desktop who a) have a couple monitors and don't want another b) aren't interested in a bunch of laptop components and c) don't want to waste the money or electricity on a server class system?

I'll buy a Mac Mini if I have to and if they ever update it to a Core 2 but I'd much prefer a Mac Pro with desktop motherboard/CPU/RAM.