You are comparing wrong version: The version that match VS.NET is NOT C#Builder Architect, is C#Builder PERSONAL and that cost less than 100 US for comercial rigths or download for free for personal use. I can say after work 2 years with VS.NET and use C#Builder personal that VS.NET is not clear superior than lower SKU of Borland offering, that its, C#Builder can do anything that do VS.NET, for less (the only thing i miss is full support for vb.net, but for a product called C#...).


Architect is for people that want a complete ALM tool, not a only a compiler+IDE, The Borland offering in all higer sku include implementation of MDA, a superior UML thanks to together (far superior in words of the a main guy in DevDays in my country, only MS can match in next 2-3 years he say), also exist other tools like starbase and other that i don't know. Plus you get developer licences of Oracle, DB2, Interbase, Sql Server, native driver for all databases listed, real code refactoring and other things. Sure a MSDN suscription is very valuable but is for get plataforms, but comparing tools for development Borland is now in other camp, ruling this camp of ALM only with IBM-rational and for now is at the top.

Also, with Delphi 8 is the same plus a very productive VCL than work fast than very slow Winforms...and have the ability for do win32-.net with the same laanguage, no a all or nothing position