Should We Pay Twice as Much for a Mac?

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511 Comments

jisrael, on 08/07/2008, -18/+135This would be a lot more convincing if they actually compared machines with identical specs. Bluetooth and Wifi are not included on the dell machine and while he mentions that those bring the price up, he doesn't specify how much. He could have beefed up the Harddrive on the mac as well for a more accurate price comparison. He failed to mention the remote control included with the iMac, which may not be a huge deal, but it is a heavily used peripheral in my house...

I'm not saying he's wrong, I'm just saying this wasn't nearly as in-depth as the story purports. Also, I think Apple is trying to keep up with demand while PC makers are trying to create it.
wedges, on 08/07/2008, -34/+106the bottom line is that buying the Inspiron they mention means you've got to run Vista. sure, you can install Linux or a crashy version of OSX86, but let's be honest: most mac users buy them because they run OSX.
BrendanSheehan, on 08/08/2008, -18/+69What idiot averages the prices of PC's and compares that to the average price of Macs? If you average the price of all cars, that small car would look like a bargain at its price, but that would depend on the model, and what you needed the car for, wouldn't it? That, and computers are even more complex than cars, with more reasons to choose wisely.
inactive, on 08/08/2008, -41/+82Could we please stop digging these stupid articles. Listen, if you're not willing to pay for a Mac, don't buy it. Knock yourself out with Vista, okay? Problem solved. Go join the underdogs with 89 percent of the market, with the operating system that's "not that bad." No one wants to hear you whine about how you can build a computer for a $1.50 plus tax and how much you hate imaginary Mac people in Starbucks. Go play some Counter-Strike, bitches and stop picking on my shiny, virus free box of love.
ghunt, on 08/08/2008, -7/+44No one if forcing you to buy one. Buy a Apple if you want, Buy a PC if you want. STFU already about the damn prices.
phenolic, on 08/08/2008, -21/+58I'm not a Mac fanboy, but I have a MacBook Pro that's about 1.5 yrs old. My wife has a new HP machine which is just as expensive, and has better specs (more ram, faster processor, better video). Running XP (yeah, I do this as well as OSX) I out perform her somehow, especially when multi-tasking. The HP also overheats when gaming and shuts down after a few hours of play. I think Mac's control of hardware (and perhaps better R&D and QA) gives them an edge.
inactive, on 08/08/2008, -14/+50Wifi to the 802.11n spec, an LED backlit monitor at a higher resolution, ability to drop in 4 gigs of ram and have it all recognized, firewire 800, aluminum case, backlit keyboard...the list goes on and on. A year of applecare (my macbook pro has broken twice in the year that I've had it, and both times the fix was under an hour at the apple store and FREE)

These articles are always written and agreed with by those who don't actually own a mac.
mbelleghem, on 08/07/2008, -15/+43No need to repeat writing it, but maybe repeat reading it. Specifically, the part where it says average selling prices. That's average selling prices for the marque, not average selling prices for identically configured machines. Just because the average selling price of a new BMW is higher than the average selling price of a new Ford, that doesn't mean there's automatically less value for money in BMWs.
AuroraAlpha, on 08/07/2008, -37/+63The bottom line is that people like Macs because they come with a level of engineering and customer service required for a $1,500 machine. This is why I never understood why comparison machines were always against the cheapest machines possible. Windows works great when you have $1,500 hardware, it does not work well on $500 hardware that people like to purchase. If Microsoft were smart it would set a minimum price of $1,000 on all systems and most of its problems would go away. If want to compared a PC to a Mac find a decent one, like a mid-level Thinkpad, not a bargain bin dell.
trevah, on 08/08/2008, -14/+39No.

There, problem solved.
hmunkey, on 08/08/2008, -21/+45That really doesn't warrant paying twice as much. Apple overprices their products by a lot.
Blitzenn, on 08/08/2008, -7/+30I am a windows user, but this comparision is really unfair. Mac notebooks are not that far out of line. Yes a little more expensive, but if you actually try to match the specs on a Mac notebook with a comparable Windows notebook, you come out surprisingly close.

As I said, I use Windows and don't even own a Mac, but just because someone reprints an ad from a newspaper, doesn't mean the numbers are factual or right. Stop the nonsense.
shadoweva09, on 08/08/2008, -3/+22The problem with the Inspiron is not Vista, it's that dell does not enable RAID and ahci in the bios like intel recommends for its chipset. doing that will speed it up to a normal speed. (enabling raid and ahci will void your warranty, and cause vista to blue screen everytime it boots because it will use the wrong hard drive driver until you install/repair vista.) It seems 99% of Vista problems are caused by the manufacturer anyway. (1 gig memory vista systems, this bios thing, etc...)
inactive, on 08/08/2008, -5/+23Dugg for "Box of Love"
AxeSwinger, on 08/08/2008, -5/+23But are you comparing a BMW vs. Ford when comparing Mac vs. PC?

I've never owned a Mac but plan on buying a new laptop, so this topic is of interest to me. I get the whole Mac elegance thing. But, are there any significant differences between the two when you compare; computing power, frame material, software availability, warranties?

My current laptop is a Dell, I paid for the "oh *****" warranty and it's been replaced three times because of my abuse or negligence. If materially there is no difference between the two systems I'm going to get another Dell. While I really like the styling of Macs I just can't see spending extra money.

I understand the whole virus argument as well; but I've never gotten a virus because I'm not an idiot and use common sense, which seems to be better then the best anti-virus software on the market.

If Macs can command a more then double premium is it because of the operating system, and is it truly worth it? Not trying to get fan boys up in arms either way. I'm just looking for that random Internet opinion.
inactive, on 08/07/2008, -27/+43I was gonna do an involved comparison but then I noticed the black MacBook costs $100 more than the white MacBook (even though everything else is exactly the same), and realized that single fact blows your whole 'engineered' hardware argument out of the water.
inactive, on 08/08/2008, -5/+21Go to Apple store, then upgrade the white MacBook hard drive to 250, now look at the price difference. What do you see?
netwookiee, on 08/08/2008, -4/+20Not to mention all the crapware on a PC that helps to offset the cost.
pintomp3, on 08/08/2008, -7/+21i was unaware they use the same engine and drive train.
drunkenoaf, on 08/08/2008, -2/+16So that you don't have to click through TUAW, here's the Tom's hardware article:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/apple-mac-leop ...

Article title: "The Apple Mac Cost Misconception : Macs and Their Prices".

How does this ***** get dugg all of the time?
PrometheusBorn, on 08/08/2008, -19/+32Pop Quiz: Who's the bigger loser?

A. People who buy a product that they thoroughly enjoy, namely a Mac, and get so excited about it so they share their experiences with others.

B. People who get flustered whenever they see an article on a Mac and feel the need to personally attack those who do like their computers. Most of these people never used a Mac long enough to get proficient with it, so they probably don't understand how someone could be so happy with their computers. Probably why they resort to personal insults.

Hmmmm......
cmiller1, on 08/08/2008, -4/+17Why does it have to be because its trendy? They design fantastic machines and have a great OS, I know lots of old *nix geeks who have macbook pros and powerbooks now because the whole solution just works so great for them. And unix geeks aren't exactly known for being trendy, stylish guys either, http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf ...
Ossuary, on 08/08/2008, -4/+17Bluuuuuuuuuuuuuugggggh. K, here goes...
If you don't like something, don't buy it.
mbelleghem, on 08/08/2008, -7/+20160gb < 250gb
vilago, on 08/08/2008, -6/+18when it comes down to it, you get what you pay for. i have an apple tibook that is going on 5.5 years old and it is running stronger than a 2 year old dell laptop that my gf doesnt even use anymore because it's so slow and buggy it's intolerable. seriously, stop hating and stop making judgments before you even own one. using one for 15 minutes to surf the web doesnt count as using one. give it 2 weeks and i garantee you will be hooked.
manitoba98xp, on 08/08/2008, -11/+22The statistic is accurate, but misleading. While the average purchase price for the Mac is certainly higher, Apple does not compete in certain markets (the budget or midrange midtowers, to be specific). So if you compare equivalent pieces of hardware (Dell's XPS M1330 to the Macbook, for instance), you'll find relative parity.

The differences in price aren't nearly the chasm this suggests – it simply means that Mac users tend to spend more money on their machines, not that they wouldn't if forced to use other brands.

(And before you bring up the iMac, look at the XPS One, or the Gateway One, or any of the other "integrated desktop" solutions offered by other vendors. It's simply more expensive to compress parts into that form factor.)
TheCash, on 08/08/2008, -6/+17Yeah... had I not had to fight Apple tech support tooth and nail over my Macbooks discoloration after 1 month, overheating, warped/cracked case, annoying high pitched whine + screen flicker, I might completely agree with your argument.
alperea, on 08/08/2008, -13/+24only a true fanboy would warrant a 1000$ increase for an os. I'm not saying OSX is bad, but it's definately not worth 1000$.
Kazimieras, on 08/08/2008, -3/+14If your PC is crashing, having malware installed, etc then you are NOT using it properly. A mac may be more appropriate for you and your skills, but don't bash the device if you can't use it properly. That is like someone claiming stickshift sucks since they only can drive automatics.
TheCash, on 08/08/2008, -8/+18I think the problem here is that while Mac's are sold at a good price when their product lines are refreshed, those refreshes are too far and few in between to stay price competitive with PC makers. As the technology becomes outdated, most makers reduce the overall price of the model accordingly. Apple does not. That is going to hurt them in the long run if they don't change this, causing their growth to plateau. Once that happens, their stock prices will follow likewise. That's not a good business strategy.

No matter how you slice it, $100 bucks for 1 gig of ram, or for a black case instead of white, is GD highway robbery.
thecwin, on 08/08/2008, -2/+12Sheep? That argument would only make sense if Apple sold more computers than Dell or HP.

Perhaps one reason people get macs is because "family geeks" (like me) tell their friends and family to get one. Every time I've told someone to get a PC, I end up fixing it for them every other week. Regardless of what people say about Apples, I've never had to help anyone with theirs after initially showing them how it's different to Windows, except for when a power adaptor burned out, which happened to me too. Apple replaced it overnight delivery. Dell are a massive PITA when that happens and unofficial replacements almost never work properly. Occasionally I do recommend a piece of software or hardware for their Macs though.

Most people I know who own Apple laptops never take them outside the house, typically the laptops remain stored under their beds or in drawers, and they have never seen or paid attention to the Mac adverts. I don't think image really concerns them. The people I know who own a Windows computer, I wish would just get a Mac. Maybe then I could both keep my friends and get my own ***** done in the evenings. :)
MtheoryX, on 08/08/2008, -2/+12OK, let's be realistic.

You don't know nearly enough Mac users to be able to base your claim on anything besides speculation.

I suppose that it's unheard of to purchase a Mac for Final Cut Studio (or any of the other pro apps, like Logic Pro)? Oh, surely all those companies using/switching to Final Cut instead of Premiere and Avid are just doing it because it's "...shiny, trendy...", right?

Just because you dislike the brand does not mean you know the reasons why people purchase said brand. In short, you're an idiot.
cawpin, on 08/08/2008, -2/+11RTFA - They have a similar machine comparison and it's still twice as much. I have a MBP and I love it but Macs ARE more expensive for equal hardware. There also isn't NEARLY as much free software available for them. Let me add to that. There isn't as much USEFUL free software for Macs. Everybody wants their little app to be their money maker. If they were $5 like they should be, and not $20, I might consider buying one.
dromeditor, on 08/08/2008, -2/+11@AuroraAlpha: except you missed the point in the article that BETTER hardware in the PCs was cheaper than the INFERIOR hardware in the Macs.
Aitese, on 08/08/2008, -3/+12If the HP is shutting down without you telling it to, your wife's got herself a broken laptop there. Why would you let her still use it?
Coffeedemon, on 08/08/2008, -0/+9Windows Vista (Home Premium) works pretty damn well for me on a $349 dollar Acer with a GeForce 8600 and using a mix of old and new devices... I've had one lockup in a year.

...I mean, if we're just throwing around anecdotal BS here today.
santaliqueur, on 08/08/2008, -3/+12I love how the anti-Apple guys are more fanatical than the "fanboys" they try to mock.

I love Macs, but anyone who buys memory from Apple is an idiot, or ignorant. Memory is as cheap for Macs as it is for any PC. I'm sure you already knew that. Your post certainly wasn't meant to instigate intelligent conversation.
stevelucky, on 08/08/2008, -14/+23let's get real. comparing the hardware is kind of a lame comparison anyway. people buy mac's because they like OS X, not because they come with an intel dual core processor. while the hardware on mac's are great, there's a reason people are willing to pay a little more. having been a pc user since dos (and employed in the IT field), i made the leap to OS X about 2 years ago and have been happier ever since. for me, OS X is so much more reliable and flexible. i love it and that's why i bought my imac and will buy another when this one dies. even if that means spending a few more dollars.
imnojezus, on 08/08/2008, -2/+11You're right, it has nothing to do with the inherent security of the architecture. Obviously the script kiddies just can't be assed to find all the wiiiiide open attack vectors on millions of boxes because no one would notice a Mac virus. It'd be completely ignored by the internets and the main stream media. How could we be so foolish?

/sarcasm
hexydes, on 08/08/2008, -2/+11Really? On my Vista HTPC, I installed Vista, and that's it, I haven't had to do anything else. I'm not a Microsoft fan either (I don't care either way, I use Windows/Mac/Ubuntu almost equally), and I think Vista missed the mark on quite a few things. However, to pretend like one would never have a problem with a Mac but would have daily struggles with a PC is ridiculous. If you know what you're doing, you'll almost never have a problem with either of them.
scarper86, on 08/08/2008, -7/+16"...my macbook pro has broken twice in the year that I've had it..."

That's quite a ringing endorsement for Macs. I own a Mac, but if mine broke twice in one year I wouldn't be singing its praises. It's amazing what people will excuse just to remain blindly faithful to a corporation.

A-hand-me-down dirt-cheap Toshiba laptop that cost all of about $400 on sale 2 years ago was used hard by my nephew and now runs 24/7 as my music jukebox in the rec room and I haven't had a single problem with it. Yet many would laugh and say that it's a piece of ***** compared to your superior Mac that's been in the shop twice. Hmmmm
Snokage, on 08/08/2008, -6/+14im suprised you can afford anything after buying all that *****
joel8x, on 08/08/2008, -8/+16Just because you can buy a machine with lower quality parts at a cheaper price does not make it a better deal. I love Dells and Apples alike, but for different reasons. My MacBook Pro compared to my wife's Dell Inspiron is very lopsided in price - hers was about $650, while mine was close to $2500. Mine has never had a problem. Hers has had the hard drive replaced, the power supply replaced, the internal power jack repaired, and the batter replaced twice (once was for that recall). Plus, mine looks almost as good as the day I got it, while the finish where you rest your palms on hers has worn completely off. I could resell mine today and get over a thousand dollars. I would be lucky to get a couple of hundred for hers.
Chewie67, on 08/08/2008, -0/+8And that Ford GT would cost five times what the BMW would cost.

So in essence you are saying "For the laptop you actually want, the Mac is cheaper"
Azerael, on 08/08/2008, -5/+13If you want a laptop, get a Mac; they're the best laptops you'll find. If you want a tower, build your own PC; it will kick the crap out of any prefab computer for a significantly better price.
cyberfreak01, on 08/08/2008, -10/+18i think you hit the nail on the head there. People are paying the extra because it's a Mac, not because the hardware is so great. They like the design, they like OSX, they like having something different and trendy.
arjie, on 08/08/2008, -2/+10Aitese: The XPS M1330 comes with a remote control too, I forgot to mention that. :D Funny though.

salome: I have had experience with Dell, I called them from Madras - gave them my Bombay address. The day after my flight landed in Bombay (Sunday) they were there at my new address, 5 minutes ahead of the time scheduled, and they gave me two calls - one the day before and one 30 mins before coming. The tech was polite, methodical (I watched him take apart the case to upgrade RAM) and friendly. I gave him a 10 on the email feedback. You have no idea what you're talking about. The only way Apple could have been better is if they upgraded my stuff for free (which I'm told Dell sometimes does if your motherboard fries under warranty). I'm not sure if I included AppleCare in the calculation, because I don't seem to have that listed in the table, but fine, count it included. That still doesn't bring the Macbook anywhere close to what I want.

The XPS has IEEE1394 (that's Firewire).

You can get a Vista DVD 64-bit from Dell upon request. I originally had 3GB RAM, so I didn't bother. The Macbook has no 3GB option. The motherboard does recognise 4GB of RAM, salome.

Actually salome, I am one of those people who carefully evaluates how much hardware I get for what cost. I install a Debian-based distro on my laptops usually, you see, for that is what I prefer. If the Macbook had been better value for money hardware-wise, I would've bought it. It wasn't. I took the time to look up what I was getting and then took the best deal. Really now.

I don't have a religious affiliation to my computer like you seem to. Why I am making these posts is if I hadn't taken the trouble to research costs and gone by the comments of people like you, I would have moved from my HP NX 7300 to a Macbook with lower specs than the Dell machine I have. I just want other people to know that what you claim (that prices are comparable) is incorrect. Again, if you think OS X is worth it, you're welcome to mention that, but don't mislead people.
elveis, on 08/08/2008, -0/+8I'm sick of these Mac vs PC "articles". Who cares. Buy what you like and quit arguing the same points over and over and over...
FonzsXe, on 08/08/2008, -10/+18WOW, the article compared a 4GB machine to the lowest price mac!!! try getting a mac with 4GB.....but first get a second mortgage you mindless sheep!
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