I don't think that price differential exists any more. The prices are pretty equivalent for comparable specs. Plus, with Macs you get the great ILife suite. But even if Macs do cost more I submit it's worth it. I just retired my Powerbook after 5 years (it still works fine, I just wanted something new). I don't know many Windows laptop users with five year old machines. I got my money's worth and then some.
No, the cost difference is still there.
You have to compare apples to apples (no pun intended).
A Windows machine with the exact same specs as the Mac can be had at far less, I’m talking $600 range.
So I’m not going to pay an extra large premium because it has a plastic Apple on the front.
The cheapest MacBook is $1,100 according to Apple’s website...for 1 gig RAM, 120GB HD, running 2.1 GHz Core 2 Duo.
If you spec out a Dell, for example, I can get an Inspiron model with same processor, 2 gig RAM and 250 GB HD for $900.
While Macs and PC prices are getting closer, there is still a fairly significant premium on Macs.
Oh and my wife has a Gateway Notebook for going on 6 years now, never had a problem....so now you know one who’s had one for longer than 5 years. ;)
The Windows box I just replaced was almost 6 years old, and it’s going to be my wife’s and replace her 10 year old machine (which used to be my machine). Unless you’re addicted to the latest and greatest PCs last a good long time, really if I wasn’t a gamer I wouldn’t have replaced the machine, that’s why it’s becoming my wife’s.