I haven't plugged my computer in for 3 days now. Moderate use.

--> Incorporating OT: I'm running Windows 7 RC on my Netbook. It runs very well. It's like all of the additional features/graphics of Vista, + some better ones, + some utility features, - all the pork Vista gained. I'm satisfied.

 

I paid under $2000 for my desktop computer from Dell with Intel core2 quad q8400 processor, ATI 4850 512k video card, 4G ddr2 ram, 500gb hd 7200rpm, dvd rw and 30" 3008 wfp monitor.. with vista 64 bit home premium with free upgrade to window 7.

 

I got close to it with general light web/office useage. There really isn't any getting around the fact that my Thinkpad came with half again as much battery capacity as a comparable Macbook.

As for price parity... well, no, they aren't. But keep repeating the lie and I'm sure even more ignorant people will believe it than already do.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16834220577
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/...mco=NjcxMTU0Mw

$2250 Macbook vs $1500 Asus.
Macbook has DDR3 1033 and the 9400m (integrated) +9600m videocard
Asus has DDR2 800 and a GTX 260M

No doubt about it, the Macbook has a nicer case. And some people swear by Mac keyboards, although I personally detest the unresponsive squishy bastards myself. The Macbook is a premium product and if that premium is worth it to you then by all means, have at it. Until Mac's catch on enough that software starts being ported to it it's all moot to me. There's no way I'm paying the Steve's trend-whore cover just to turn around and pay the Microsoft tax on top of it.

 

Once again, you're not comparing computers with similar hardware, so you're not getting a fair comparison.

Fwiw, all I did was show that PCs can cost as much as if not more than Macs - that is the whole point. Sure you can get PCs for less money then Macs, but its a myth to say that Macs are just overpriced.

Everyone keeps going back to hardware as the only argument to buy a PC. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the real value of a Mac is the operating system. The price premium you pay for its ease of use and stability is just like that of a BMW 5 Series. You can get a G8 GT that will beat it on a track and by the numbers, but there's a lot of other things you don't get - concierge at the dealer, nicer trim, little touches like the interior lighting, etc. If that's not important to you, then the G8 GT is a great car that will fit the bill for a lot less money. Same goes with Windows - if you are okay with a non-lux package.

Mac sales have steadily increased by over 30% for the past 5 years and didn't slow appreciable with the recession, so there's obviously something that is driving people to Mac OS X that overpowers the price argument. Whatever that is, its something PCs with Windows don't have and talking about price is not an effective argument to stop people from buying Macs.

Its great that the cost of PCs has come down so much - now just about anyone can afford to get a computer and get online, which is great. But with anything, there's the basic and then there's the better, and Macs are the better.

 

One may install the Mac Software on the PC hardware. In fact, I'm considering doing it with this Netbook, to fairly test OS X and 7 back to back.

If it's really about the software, buy a cheaper PC that will do what you want hardware wise... then install Mac OS X?

I understand what you're saying about it being a premium commodity, like the BMW 5 Series... but unlike Mac Book Pros, not every college student is driving one.

I love premium commodities. But I feel more alienated by snobby-smugness in a Mac Store than I do at the Porsche Dealer.

Part of my point is that people keep trying to justify why they're being the more expensive Mac. It's a sexy premium package. That's fine, just realize that's what you're paying for, as you can do the OS + Hardware for far cheaper. I'm just tired of Mac owners acting like their computer is God's gift to the microchip. They're good computers, but like everything, have their ups and downs.

 

There is a lot of value in having everything work correctly out of the gate, be reliable, and using quality materials with excellent fit and finish. There's more a computer than hardware, or the ability to get a system running with a little elbow grease. Focusing on price alone is why so many would-be Apple competitors introduce copycat product after copycat product that just never takes off - they also focus on price rather than the experience you get with the Mac OS. Why else would so many people be buying Macs if a PC was equal for less money?

I'm sorry you feel people that own Macs are snobs, but that's a personal issue that isn't shared by many of us. There will always be die hard PC/Windows fans that will never love a Mac, but that doesn't mean the Mac is not worthy of that affection. For the everyday user, Macs just offer a better solution.

 

Apple has been replacing macbook pros because there was a tiny scatch on the screen / 1 deal pixel despite the dead pixel policy / squeaky key / etc. As far as the mac forums go -- apple seems pretty good about customer service. The problem is the individual apple stores -- I've heard some real horror stories (like any other story) -- I'm sorry one of them probably happened to you. I'm with you, mac genius stuff is stupid however no more dumb then something like geek squad. However, there is always someone out there who would use them.


As sakai GT said, PCs do offer a better bang for the buck - no one is arguing that. Mac simply doesn't cover the low end market in much the same way BMW doesn't cover the low end market. You can get a faster cheaper car for less then a 335i but you won't get all the "extras" the BMW comes with. You want the extras? Your going to have to shell out the money for a similarly priced vehicle and it's no different with mac. You want something that compares apples to apples with a mac, your going to have to pay a "similar" price to obtain it with a PC.

Not everyone will like OSX just like not everyone will like windows 7. That's why we have choice

 

I had a really good no-pressure buying experience at an Apple store. I wanted to test some software and they promptly brought it out of the box and installed it on a computer for me to check out. Very helpful, and I didn't sense the snobbery.

Quick2k

 

From today's Wash Post - article on upgrading to Windows 7:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...l?hpid=sec-tech

 

I agree with you, to an extent. When referring to their Customer Service, I was less referring to their ability to physical repair a computer, and more the people in the store, and the people on the phone. I called in to Apple Tech Support for a friend a few days ago, they had me perform the same task 3 different ways (they were only different due to the UI, they performed the same actual function). He then had me use the "diagnosis tool." It was very intelligent, it told me something to the point of: "It doesn't work." The guy then transferred me to some supposed expert in that area--she had me do the same thing all over again, and then she told me: I guess it just isn't compatible, sorry. Useless. (And expensive.)

I agree it's a premium thing, what I didn't agree with was what I interpreted Saki to be saying: that he could get the BMW for less than the Honda Civic. It's an emotional decision, you're getting a premium product. That's fine, I bought my Porsche as an emotional decision... I don't necessarily need leather, or the ability to get to 60 in less than 5 seconds.

I understand the premium appeal, but I suppose this one just doesn't do it for me. I think part of it is the lack of individuality in Apple products.