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Why Should the MacBook be more expensive than Windows Laptops?
- Thread starter SXR
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A UK Dell XPS M1330 is actually cheaper than a MacBook.
A Dell XPS M1330 with a 2.2, CCFL screen, 160,2GB 8400GS graphics card,HDMI port and express card slot costs £869. The MB with the same specs but without some of the features of the Dell XPS M1330 costs £969.
You can also get a better deal if you call into order a laptop with Dell. They also do students discounts as well. The entry model MB also does not have a DVD drive but the entry model XPS M1330 does.
I don't know how one can say that the XPS M1330 is thicker. It is slightly thicker at the back but it is thinner at the front and the screen is thinner. It is also lighter as well weighing 4.3lbs with a 6 cell battery.
The iSight is nice but many computers now come with built in webcams. I actually own a XPS M1330 and the webcam software is actually quite pretty advanced.
Vista has improved on some of the media capabilities adding Windows Media Centre and other things. Windows Movie Maker has improved as has Windows DVD Maker. Windows Mail has also improved and iPhoto in my opinion is no better than Vista's in built Windows Photo Gallery. I am not a really arty person so on neither of the operating systems do i make use of the extra media related programs other than Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Sound Recorder, Windows Media Centre, Windows Media Player/iTunes and the Live Mail.
Vista does not have Garageband and iWeb and that is about it. It does also offer some other things that Mac OSX does not offer as well. The free Works CD came in handy to me as it meant that this time unlike i did with my Mac i would not need to buy any word processing software like iWorks. I also wanted a basic paint program when i bought a Mac that ended up costing me £60. I downloaded some stuff but they were not really good enough so i ended up buying some software.
The MB is a nice laptop you maybe able to get some PC's for better value but without upgrading the MB the prices are not that bad.
I like MacOSX a lot but i also like Vista as well. Ideally i would like to run both operating systems if Apple brought out a computer that suited my needs. I don't get problems with viruses as i am careful with what i download. I got some software protection free with my notebook so i use it but if i did not get it free i would not be using any virus protection.
My Dell XPS M1330 2.2, LED screen, Vista Ultimate, 8400GS, 2GB, 250 5400, free modem, 2x6 cell batteries, Fingerprint reader, N Wifi, Bluetooth Works, 3 years Mcafee and a 4 year at home warranty ended up cost me £955. This model also comes with a remote. The same spec MB but without a dedicated GPU or the LED screen and some of the other features of the XPS M1330 would end up costing me over £1,400. The Dell also comes with pre installed software also like Dell Media Direct which is pretty good also.
Battery life is good also with the 8400GS i can get about 4 hours battery life in normal use and about 5 hours just word processing etc. The LED screen probably helps with the battery life.
A Dell XPS M1330 with a 2.2, CCFL screen, 160,2GB 8400GS graphics card,HDMI port and express card slot costs £869. The MB with the same specs but without some of the features of the Dell XPS M1330 costs £969.
You can also get a better deal if you call into order a laptop with Dell. They also do students discounts as well. The entry model MB also does not have a DVD drive but the entry model XPS M1330 does.
I don't know how one can say that the XPS M1330 is thicker. It is slightly thicker at the back but it is thinner at the front and the screen is thinner. It is also lighter as well weighing 4.3lbs with a 6 cell battery.
The iSight is nice but many computers now come with built in webcams. I actually own a XPS M1330 and the webcam software is actually quite pretty advanced.
Vista has improved on some of the media capabilities adding Windows Media Centre and other things. Windows Movie Maker has improved as has Windows DVD Maker. Windows Mail has also improved and iPhoto in my opinion is no better than Vista's in built Windows Photo Gallery. I am not a really arty person so on neither of the operating systems do i make use of the extra media related programs other than Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Sound Recorder, Windows Media Centre, Windows Media Player/iTunes and the Live Mail.
Vista does not have Garageband and iWeb and that is about it. It does also offer some other things that Mac OSX does not offer as well. The free Works CD came in handy to me as it meant that this time unlike i did with my Mac i would not need to buy any word processing software like iWorks. I also wanted a basic paint program when i bought a Mac that ended up costing me £60. I downloaded some stuff but they were not really good enough so i ended up buying some software.
The MB is a nice laptop you maybe able to get some PC's for better value but without upgrading the MB the prices are not that bad.
I like MacOSX a lot but i also like Vista as well. Ideally i would like to run both operating systems if Apple brought out a computer that suited my needs. I don't get problems with viruses as i am careful with what i download. I got some software protection free with my notebook so i use it but if i did not get it free i would not be using any virus protection.
My Dell XPS M1330 2.2, LED screen, Vista Ultimate, 8400GS, 2GB, 250 5400, free modem, 2x6 cell batteries, Fingerprint reader, N Wifi, Bluetooth Works, 3 years Mcafee and a 4 year at home warranty ended up cost me £955. This model also comes with a remote. The same spec MB but without a dedicated GPU or the LED screen and some of the other features of the XPS M1330 would end up costing me over £1,400. The Dell also comes with pre installed software also like Dell Media Direct which is pretty good also.
Battery life is good also with the 8400GS i can get about 4 hours battery life in normal use and about 5 hours just word processing etc. The LED screen probably helps with the battery life.
Don't get me wrong , Im not here to defend Windows Laptops ( Im saving up for a MacBook myself! ). Theres a HUGE hype around Apple's products and thus they are popular and Apple can live with that price. Actually, I have been blinded by the damn VAT. The MacBook ITSELF is 881 euro. Thats great for what you get , you get Mac OS X that can run windows aswell, great software like mentioned earlier AND ... an Apple product.
Some time ago , I was thinking what to get. The Creative Zen V Plus or the iPod Nano ( The 2G one was in office at the time
). I ended up getting the nano and I love it . I think because im so happy with the iPod I want to get a mac , or other Apple products. People call that the Halo effect. If I bought the Creative Zen V Plus , I'd probably be less excited about the MacBook.
The base model is what Im going to get. Specs are fine. All the people I know are trying to convince me to get a Windows laptop because its several hundred euros cheaper and therefor i will get it faster. But Im not really excited about the Windows laptops... I want a Mac.
From time to time they keep bumping the MacBook's speed up a bit , I hope they will lover the price some day , too. ( Before I get it of course )
And the operating system is WAY better , I think.
Some time ago , I was thinking what to get. The Creative Zen V Plus or the iPod Nano ( The 2G one was in office at the time
). I ended up getting the nano and I love it . I think because im so happy with the iPod I want to get a mac , or other Apple products. People call that the Halo effect. If I bought the Creative Zen V Plus , I'd probably be less excited about the MacBook.The base model is what Im going to get. Specs are fine. All the people I know are trying to convince me to get a Windows laptop because its several hundred euros cheaper and therefor i will get it faster. But Im not really excited about the Windows laptops... I want a Mac.
From time to time they keep bumping the MacBook's speed up a bit , I hope they will lover the price some day , too. ( Before I get it of course )
And the operating system is WAY better , I think.
Whether people like it is irrelevant, it still costs money to make.
here's the bottom line:
apple charges more because they are producing their own software not licensing it.
Leopard costs more than that, way more. $129 is the upgrade cost, as everyone buying it will have an existing copy of Mac OS X, which they paid for in full when they brought their computer.
Also, Apple makes like EXACTLY what I want , EXACTLY what I like. Microsoft seems to make everything for business users..
Apple makes stuff for people to have fun and be productive. And just the design is awesome. If you were to compare Apple and Microsoft, then I think , Apple would be the pearl in the bag of ****.
Apple makes stuff for people to have fun and be productive. And just the design is awesome. If you were to compare Apple and Microsoft, then I think , Apple would be the pearl in the bag of ****.
Oh, and apple puts in very high model processors. Even though that laptop may have a core 2 duo, it is most likely a 1.66 or 1.83 core 2 duo, which in terms of price is quite a difference from the 2.0 or 2.2. Also, the macbooks are now santa rosa while the PC is probably not.
Nothing. It's just a plain PC.
Windows vendors have to pay Microsoft for OEM licenses, so Macbooks could be cheaper if anything by including OSX. There's no problem covering the development costs with all the OSX licenses they sell, be it bundled or standalone.
Windows vendors have to pay Microsoft for OEM licenses, so Macbooks could be cheaper if anything by including OSX. There's no problem covering the development costs with all the OSX licenses they sell, be it bundled or standalone.
Mac's aren't using the Santa Rosa platform either... Not using the Intel Wireless chipset.
You are from belgium. I dont know if you are familiar with tweakers.net but if you look at the list and take a look at what prices the 13.3-12.1" laptops are selling...
http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/cat/...d=specification&orderSort=asc&orderSpecId=359
Some are cheaper but have worse spec. Others are more expensive and offer roughly the same. I even went to dell to configure myself a "macbook" but I couldnt get anywhere near the price. I know of some laptop manufacturers like zepto.. they are cheaper but I dont know if they are reliable. So far I found a lenovo v200 for roughly the same price. But its just as big as the macbook and offers a smaller screen (12.1). Thats all I could find.
oh... I read lots of laptops with lots better specs than macbooks for less price in the folders of Media Markt or Saturn (new shop)
laughing - I could find the same specs, but I couldnt find another laptop with the Apple logo on it. ill keep digging , though.
Yes, but the difference is Microsoft has a huge market and is dealing with large economies of scale. Far, far larger than Apple, so they can offer very good deals to OEMs.
No, because you still have to account for the cost of producing the OS.
Exactly, part of the cost of a Mac covers the OS. If you make it cheaper, Apple won't be able to cover the cost and make the same margins, which means less profits. So that kind of is a problem.
That's assuming the sales don't increase dramatically. Apple have probably calculated that a major cost reduction wouldn't result in enough sales to make up the deficit in the margins would have made had they sold at a higher price.
Oh, its possible to find them alright. I saw an Acer Emerald for around NZ$1199 - the down side, its 2 x thicker than the MacBook, ran Windows, which is a no-starter for me, the processor is less than stella for battery life and the fact its a PC loaded with bloatware.
I'd sooner pay the extra for a slimmer, faster laptop loaded with Mac OS X plus other goodies.
Cost= (Manufacturer profit margin)x(features)
Yes, you can get a core2duo Windows machine for much cheaper. And you can get a bigger hard drive. But go to Dell, try to build a machine (XPS?) similar to the MBP and you'll be looking at a price tag over $3000. The rest of the machine is so much better-bluetooth, wireless N, gigabit ethernet, camera, firewire 400 and 800, DVI, a real graphics card...
And no, giant hard drives don't belong in a laptop. That's what external drives are for. The MBP is 1" thick.
Finally, things work. And when they don't, AppleCare will fix them.
In my opinion, Apple computers are more bang for your buck.
Yes, you can get a core2duo Windows machine for much cheaper. And you can get a bigger hard drive. But go to Dell, try to build a machine (XPS?) similar to the MBP and you'll be looking at a price tag over $3000. The rest of the machine is so much better-bluetooth, wireless N, gigabit ethernet, camera, firewire 400 and 800, DVI, a real graphics card...
And no, giant hard drives don't belong in a laptop. That's what external drives are for. The MBP is 1" thick.
Finally, things work. And when they don't, AppleCare will fix them.
In my opinion, Apple computers are more bang for your buck.
Excellent post, thought i would have to ask, who is feeling more ripped off? The purchaser of a Mac or PC? I love my PMG5, I hate my Dell. The Dell cost about 1/3 less than the PMG5, but the Mac has been far more reliable. The dell has gone through both of the original hard drives, and a sound card, the PmG5 has not had a single problem yet. The dell is 1 year older than the duel 2.7 G5.
As for the included software, Where was the DVD player in XP? Disc writing utilities? They were included as "crapplets" not as standard software. Plus i would rather pay more for a machine that can do things "out of the box", Rather than have to be at the mercy of the hoop master to do anything.
If apple is ripping me off, then what is dell doing? Apple meets a set expectation for their products, you know what you are getting and what it will do. With PC companies there is more of a massacred of function for price, in that people expect more from the cheaper machines than they are capable of exhibiting. This may be why apple has distinguished their computer lines in to pro non-pro, and yes, we are paying for this too it seems.
more expansive?
At least it's a real word.
ex·pan·sive /ɪkˈspænsɪv/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ik-span-siv] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
Perhaps you missed the OP is European? I think you're out of line with this comment.
Back to topic Macs are a little more expensive because you're not just paying for a computer. You're buying a well designed machine with integrated software that delivers an experience much more pleasurable and reliable than that of a pc.
Vista estimated cost is at least 5 billion. Solaris 10 cost is 500 million. You can use Solaris as a good estimate, given Apple only has to support few hardware combinations and that development is not a mess.
No one mention how good their wireless reception is good? There are also problem when connecting to wifi with pc notebook.. While apple has the best reception and super easy to connect.. Just one click when comparing to keep trying 1x times with pc laptop..
Plus macbook doesnt get slow much after a long time of use.. While windows get super slow after a few months and you have to format it a few times in a year..
Vista might improved, but it require high end computer to make it smooth. I guess at least 2gb ram??
So apple has much better quality in terms of hardware and software..
and you have to use the same spec pc laptop price when MacBook first came out. Since pc laptop drops very fast. I can be sure that MacBook isn't more expensive than pc laptop! They are actually cheaper than same spec pc laptop a year ago. And the resale value is much higher...
i switched to mac for a year, and i would NEVER switch back to pc.
Plus macbook doesnt get slow much after a long time of use.. While windows get super slow after a few months and you have to format it a few times in a year..
Vista might improved, but it require high end computer to make it smooth. I guess at least 2gb ram??
So apple has much better quality in terms of hardware and software..
and you have to use the same spec pc laptop price when MacBook first came out. Since pc laptop drops very fast. I can be sure that MacBook isn't more expensive than pc laptop! They are actually cheaper than same spec pc laptop a year ago. And the resale value is much higher...
i switched to mac for a year, and i would NEVER switch back to pc.
the only comp I know that could be speced similarly to a macbook is the M1330 dell. Its actually more expensive if you put in exactly the same specs as a macbook. THe M1330 can though spec higher than a macbook and has the option for its own dedicated graphics and is a pound lighter tho..but still
as much as I use to be a hard core PC user, I have to admit that Apple has their stuff down pat. I've been using their Mac OS since August and I've had not one issue when it comes to OS stability.
I love the fact that when I install new hardware like a printer, a mouse or even a Bluetooth device, the Mac OS doesn't flinch. unlike Winhoze that brings up the whole "found new hardware" bs screen which then sometimes installs the device on its own, and sometimes it doesn't. my Mac OS does what it needs to do (in the back ground) without bothering me.
^ that's the main reason why I like my Macs so much. of course looks comes in second place along with Apple's great reputation. too bad Billy Gates can't say the same thing about his stuff. lol
I love the fact that when I install new hardware like a printer, a mouse or even a Bluetooth device, the Mac OS doesn't flinch. unlike Winhoze that brings up the whole "found new hardware" bs screen which then sometimes installs the device on its own, and sometimes it doesn't. my Mac OS does what it needs to do (in the back ground) without bothering me.
^ that's the main reason why I like my Macs so much. of course looks comes in second place along with Apple's great reputation. too bad Billy Gates can't say the same thing about his stuff. lol
Totally concur with the "qualitative" reasoning. Case in point: After many years of being in the IT field, and a strong PC advocate ("open architecture, build/upgrade yourself, no proprietary handcuffs, price, etc, etc"), the day came when a client delivered a G4 and a powerbook, and asked me to upgrade the RAM in them ... and I was done. The fit, finish, feel, tactile feedback, obvious engineering forethought ... I was in love. It has taken me until just this past week to finally order my first Mac [17" MBP 2.6Ghz, 200GB 7200, Hi-rez], and it shipped today!
More expensive? You bet it is - and worth every penny if you truly appreciate the difference(s).
It's another world.
pcg
Actually, I am quite surprised to see that kind of mistake (expansive instead of expensive) made by a non-native English speaker. "Cheap" vs. "Expensive" would be among the words that a beginner learns within the first one or two years of learning English, but "Expansive" definitely isn't. On the other hand, for example "expansiv" is a German word of Latin origin that is very close in meaning to the English "expansive". Very unlikely to get this particular word wrong.