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?
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.
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.
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.
Some Mac HDs are solid state... but not the majority. When you compare like level machines with similar equipment, Apple computers are usually competitive or even lower priced than the competition. Apple has chosen NOT to compete in the bargain basement level of computer. Apple's lowest priced computer is the MacMini at $599. Apple also prefers to please its stockholders by making a profit.