When your buy something from apple your paying 1K for the apple logo on the front. =P
If you want a server appliance get a Raq550. I use to hate them after getting a raq3i myself 2 years ago. (Way over expensive with outdated hardware) They seemed to have changed their ways. Starting at $1700
http://www.cobalt.com/about/press/2002/020513.html
Try
www.acmemicro.com and get a system with supermicro 1U chasis and motherboard. P3T system with at least a gig of ram for under 1K
My 2 cents =) I learned allot by spending more than I need to on hardware.