This is pretty goofy “proof”. For one thing people don’t replace computers every year, or even every two years. And even in things that people do replace regularly analysts know that high resale value doesn’t make it cheaper, it makes the second more affordable but that’s different. Then of course there’s the lame assumption that Windows users just throw away computers when they’re replaced, simply not true, we might not resell them but that doesn’t mean they stop being used, my wife has my previous machine, and the one before that will go to one of a variety of friends and relatives.
This machine was for the kids (15 and 11) so I took the eldest to CompUSA to help pick out a computer. On a Saturday there were about a dozen shoppers and little staff. We looked at the HP's, Compaqs, Acers, and store brands. A couple of machines were higher-end, but pricey. Few of them were fully functional. We couldn't find anyone to help us. When I started adding up all that we would need (new version of Office, new anti-virus, etc.) it was closing in on $2K. We could have cheaped out, but Vista ran like a dog on machines with less than 2 GB of RAM and built in graphics. My son really didn't like Vista. He was used to XP and called Vista "confusing." We then went to the Apple Store. Same day, but a world of difference. There were about a dozen employees servicing at least two dozen customers. The store was clean. The machines were all working. We were assisted right away. We ended up with a 20" IMac with 2 GB of RAM for about $1400. We did add IWorks for $79 which includes Office compatible word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software. The new Leopard OSX is amazing and, according to my son, easy to use. If we feel an urge to use XP, the Mac comes with with Boot Camp and after installing his old copy of XP, it runs much faster than his old computer.
I have been a Wintel person since before Windows. I have owned many computers and have managed NT and Server 2003 networks with over 30 users. Between an expensive OS, constant threat of viruses and spyware, driver issues, hardware issues, etc., Microsoft has pushed me over to the other side. I will probably still deal with Windows at work (when I am on someone else's dime) but for my money, my time, and my sanity, I am buying Macs from now on.
The computer cost me $1600 back then, and the 10 years I've used it, it cost me $160 a year when you break it down. I know the resale value is nil, but the parts I used to upgrade it were able to be used in other computers.
My Dell Dimension 4700C was a steal at $327 or something back in 2005. Came with a 17 flat screen LCD and a 3.2 P4 processor with a 40gb drive and 256 mb of memory. I added 4gb of memory ($150 steal) another multitude of hard drives (5 400/500gb drives) less than $80 each when they were fairly new to the market.
I still would like a Mac just for the sake of owning one and for curiosities sake. I mean there is nothing right now where I am kicking myself in the butt, saying I wish I had a Mac because I can't do "x". That said it would still be nice, and then after owning both, I could compare both. If I got bored with the Mac, at least I wouldn't lose much cash, especially since I'd be buying used to begin with.