Hi there. I was wondering:
Has anyone actually bought a new X86 iMac or found out otherewise which hardware Apple uses in the new machine? I mean, if there would be a list, we all could try to get as close to the "original" hardware as possible (for lower costs, of course).
Does anyone have the hardware inventory ???
Willem
Netherlands
"original" hardware as possible (for lower costs, of course).
This is impossible. Hi-end technics do cost so much because they are hi-end (high quality, high performance, beautiful look and so on). You think Apple places those digits in the price only by their own will? They buy some cheap hardware, assemble it and say "We did it, so it's $1300 worth!". No. It is all worth it.
Also the OS price and tech support cost is included in Mac's price. If you assemble something similar on your own, you care about it and you pay to some unspoken software giant for the OS that you make then look like the OS of their rival (which is actually less expensive). Finally, it all will sum into those $1300 again.
Better try to assemble a really powerful computer for your own needs, not to mimic Mac. IMHO, people trying to get their PC looking like Mac, while having payed twice lower, are just crazy. And they all will have to pay the very same sum anyway.
I buyed a PC for my girl the last sunday. We had only $500 for it. So I took her hand, looked in her eyes and asked: "What do you want to do with this computer?" She said: "I have to work on my science project and to practice in Corel Draw for having job in future. I don't need gaming and video performance." Then we took our money, went to computer shop - and guess what? We byed a perfect PC for her. All, including 17" monitor - for less than $500!
You always should select an instrument that fits your needs for particular task. You hardly ever need a chisel hammer, tho it's a damn cool and powerful thing 
Why is this in x86 forum?
And since i see where this is going, one more word about it and you're going to the corner.
Apple has a list of configurations for all of their computers so i don't why why you couldn't just go to apple.com and read the specs there.
And as much as you want it, your frankenstein machine will never be a Mac.
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So I took her hand, looked in her eyes and asked: "What do you want to do with this computer?"
You old smoothie Rimmer 
Apple uses EFI instead of a BIOS, currently afaik there are no mass-produced retail motherboards that use EFI instead ot eh BIOS. Also I woulnt be supprised if the graphics cards use a diffrent firmware, grantid this can be flashed.
So bulding your own mac only got a tad bit easier in that you dont have to find a mac processor anymore, thats basicaly the only real diffrence now. Prior to the switch you had to buy a processor and motherboard, besides that macs are all off-the shelf hardware.
It is true though that the hardware costs less then a finished mac, but when you purchase a finished mac you pay for assembly, support, the OS, case design, etc.
@unbelever: I think we need to eliminate the x86 and apple hardware forums, because now they are infact the same things now 
All, including 17" monitor - for less than $500!
Where do you get a cheap monitor like that!?
This is impossible. Hi-end technics do cost so much because they are hi-end (high quality, high performance, beautiful look and so on). You think Apple places those digits in the price only by their own will? They buy some cheap hardware, assemble it and say "We did it, so it's $1300 worth!". No. It is all worth it.
retail price is determined by supply and demand, not the price of manufacture. apple is able to price their products high because there is a lot of demand.
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