Hmmmmmm. Let's see.
Mac OS V 10.3 ~$180-200 plus 4 upgrades in the last 3 years.
Windows XP ~$30-90
Case closed.
1) MacOS 10.3 comes with the Mac Mini at 499$ I very much doubt the hardware for the mini was only 299$. Now the 30-90$ you were quoting is the OEM cost, to go to comp USA and buy a copy of WinXP professional for 299$ (or the really underpowered home edition for 99$). After you buy your Windows OS dont forget to go pick up a 50$ virus suite, and some firewall software, want decent CD/DVD burning software go shell out for that as well. Overall OSX provides a good bang for the buck.
plus 4 upgrades in the last 3 years.
Aww dont be so sad that longhorn just keeps getting pushed further and further back. Look 10.1 runs just fine and Apple still releases security upgrades for it, just because Apple has a living system that gets better from one year to the next does not mean that the one my mother got in 2001, or the one my wife got in 2003 does not work fine today.
Hmmmmmm. Let's see.
Mac OS V 10.3 ~$180-200 plus 4 upgrades in the last 3 years.
Windows XP ~$30-90
Case closed.
Hmmmmmmm. Let's REALLY see with the actual facts instead of prices you made up!
In the Mac world
Mac latest version OSX OEM free with any Mac purchase.
Mac OSX.3, retail price = $129
Mac OSX.3 five license "Family Pack", retail price = $199.99 or $40 per computer.
Upgrades
Upgrades from X.0 to X.1 = free!
Upgrades from X.1.0 to X.1.6 = free!
Upgrades from X.1 to X.2 = $129
Upgrades from X.2.0 to X.2.8 = free!
Upgrades from X.2 to X.3 = $129
Upgrades from X.3.0 to X.2.8 = free!
Each .1 step includes MAJOR software upgrades and NEW applications easily worth the $129. Each .x.1 step includes security, speed, and application enhancements. That's 25 upgrades of whoch only two were charged for.
In the PC Windows world
Windows XP Professional OEM suggested retail $199.99
Windows XP Professional OEM street price $129.99 - $159.99
Windows XP Professional suggested retail $299.99
Windows XP Professional Upgrade suggested retail $209.99
Windows XP Home Edition suggested retail $199.99
Windows XP Home Edition OEM suggested retail $129.99
Windows XP Home Edition OEM street price $59.99 to $79.95
Incremental upgrades = free!
CASE CLOSED