Posted on 03/23/2009 10:16:23 PM PDT by Swordmaker
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
Geez, that was quick — already one post pulled!
I was just gonna ping you, didn’t know if you posted this or not.
Now I have my answer.
Are Mac hard drives solid-state? Just why are Apple machines so much more expensive?
Macs make some people go over the edge.
Me? I love ‘em ...
They're not, actually.
Apple doesn't address the bottom-feed low end of the personal computer market place. If you compare similar technical specs, including things like how well the hardware is made (quality and value-retention), and how much you have to spend on software to get a robust and reasonably secure system, Macs are generally LESS expensive than the equivalent Win-PC.
But because you -can- buy a cheaper (both quality and cost) Win-PC in the low-end market where Apple doesn't compete, the perception is that Macs are more expensive.
Having had literally scores of personal computers over the years (started in the late 70's), including home-brew, Apple, IBM-PC, clones, Macs, loads of Win-PCs, Linux, Unix, etc., I can tell you that Macs deliver better value than a Win-PC, all other things equal.
The absolute highest value for the dollar is probably Linux on home-brew generic Intel hardware, but that's not everybody's cup of tea.
Yeah, I've noticed that Swordmaker has had more than the usual fill of anti-Apple trolls tonight.
> Me? I love em ...
I like 'em (I'm typing on one now), especially the hardware quality. I've used pretty much everything you can name, over the years, and settled on Mac-Intel hardware as the best of all worlds because I can run everything else in virtual machines when I want; or even BootCamp to put it on the metal (I put Fedora on my old PPC Mini hardware).
But I wouldn't call myself an Apple "fan" per se. I use what makes the most sense for the task at hand. Sometimes that's a Mac, sometimes not.
Glad they make you happy. ;-)
That’s probably why I could put a machine together with just the things I need for under $500 on CyberPowerPC.
Apple does have a low-end line it’s called the mini.
I agree with your point about the best price to performance ratio is to purchase a core 2 duo or a phenom2 box and install your favorite flavor of linux.
yes, and you can really get a boat load of hardware these days for 500 bucks.
Dell is usually running a special where you get a computer and 21" LCD for $400 or less and free shipping
These computers are perfectly OK for what 85% of buyers want to do
This website is great source for Dell specials of all kinds. Computers. laptops, peripherals etc
The only reasonably priced Macs are made by Psystar
Plus that is why Macs last longer then PC’s.
For the most part they have the same basic guts: processors, hard drives, etc. One of the big expenses comes in the case. It's not a box with a bunch of parts chucked in, but a case custom-designed for those parts, with optimal airflow, quiet operation, usability, durability and aesthetics. They are so custom that several times Apple has had to invent new manufacturing techniques and/or materials and then work with the factories to make them capable of building the cases (the new single aluminum billet notebooks are a prime example). Other OEMs basically tell the factories "make a case that looks like this" and that's that.
They extensively R&D their cases and how the hardware integrates, and R&D costs money. The iMac's aluminum enclosure is one solid sheet with no seams. The microphone holes next to the camera (see if you can find it in a picture) are micro-laser drilled so that sound passes through, but you can't tell they're there. Somehow the tilt requires almost no force to move, but still stays in place (I'm thinking they balanced the iMac around the hinge point). Even the plug-in power cable looks built-in.
And then there's the packaging. The PCs I've opened recently were a basic box, some folded cardboard, and the system tucked in there. Unpacking the iMac was like opening a Christmas present. Apple tested and researched every second of a person's unpacking experience, including getting rid of those damned twist ties.
I don't know about you, but a company that cares to do all of that to give me a better experience and product deserves my money. If you just want X amount of computing power at the lowest possible purchase price, that's fine too, but it's not the philosophy behind a Mac.
The Mini is the low end of Apple's line, but with the lowest-cost model being about $600 initial purchase cost, there are a lot of Win-PCs whose initial purchase cost is a few hundred less. By "bottom-feed low-end" I was talking the $300-$400 PCs you see at the big-box stores and such, typically subsidized with crapware.
(Personally I like the Mini a lot hardware-wise -- have two of 'em.)
Apple's low-end line is quite a bit higher than the overall industry's low-end. A $300 system is likely to have an old Celeron or Pentium and Vista Home Basic (IOW, a purposely crippled OS).
If apple products sold for less they would not have as much money to donate to liberal politicians and policies.
They are one of the biggest gay rights supporters in CA.
MYTH: Macs are more expensive than Windows Machines.
TRUTH: Apple does not sell any underpowered (512MB ram) machines. Mac does not sell any screen smaller than 24”. No more 20, 19, 17 or 15 inch screens for their desktop lines. The resolution on their laptop machines is also significantly above those of the low end PC market. They do not use low end Celeron or crippled CPUs either.
The lowest cost Mac you can buy new is last years remaining inventory of MacMini withe GMA graphics for $445.
If you compare that price to any other cheap PC, the quality, resale value, and hardware of the price comparable PC is still blown away. And this mini is over 2 years old in design.
The new Mini is $599 and hase 10 times the graphics power of the previous model. Many are using this new mini for 1080p media servers for home theater purposes.
In short, while Apple only carries mid to professional grade systems, even in these categories, Mac remains cheaper than comparable PCs.
None of these factor in cost of use. No anti virus costs in labor or capitol. No defragging or other PC required services are needed on Mac. No hardware or driver upgrading is needed with an OS update. No malware, spyware, or any of the hair pulling want to kill something frustration costs.
Mac, may seem more expensive if all you see is a cheap plastic box with a DELL on it for $399 and have no concept of the corners cut, the little to no resale value and how much more it will cost to upgrade it to barely functional while keeping your sanity.... but Mac is the best value by far.
Saw you were catching a lot of flak! :) Sorry.
Personally, I appreciate your input and your help!
I love Freeper, and using a Mac makes it so much easier to surf or do anything. As soon as I get the money, I’m buying the hubby one.
As for this pc piece of junk at work, I think it is beyond even your admirable skills to fix.
Thanks!
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