Building a Windows PC for the same price as the new Apple Pro Display XDR stand

The new Apple Pro Display XDR looks gorgeous. It has insane specs on paper and is likely well worth the hefty $5,000 starting price tag. But the strange thing about this professional stand is it doesn't come with a stand. Most people who buy one will likely have their own mount or stands available, but Apple is selling a "Pro stand" that fits this display for $999 — the same cost of the no-longer-available Apple Thunderbolt display. Since everyone is laughing at the absurdity of this stand, I thought it would be neat to see what kind of Windows PC we could build for the same price.

To stand or not to stand

The New Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR are appealing, especially to Mac users, but the hefty $5,000 starting price tag (it goes up to $6,000 for a matte version) is a dealbreaker for most people. That's not even including the stand, which will set you back an extra $999. You certainly pay for what you get here, but we had to wonder what we could build for just the price of the stand alone.

This PC would set you back $1,040. It's perfect for 1080p gaming, but would require the addition of a monitor, peripherals and a Windows 10 license. Still, it provides an idea as to just how pricey this stand is for anyone looking to get the most from their budget.

Whether you agree with Apple's decision to launch a $999 stand alongside its impressive Pro XDR Display depends on how you view the product. Premium products such as this display are able to get away with incredibly pricey optional extras. Just look at the automobile industry and the price of options for a new McLaren supercar. Would you want an aluminum stand or a PC as powerful as the one we put together?

It all starts with the case. The NZXT H500 is a mid-tower with more than enough room to build this PC.

Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.