I think belgolas just killed the thread with his post , there's no point of discussing anything any more lol
I don't think large, almost desktop replacement laptops can be compared to macbooks. The only thing I'd consider comparing at this point is the HP Envy. Almost as expensive as the MBP, looks the same but is much more powerful and can probably make a mean hackintosh.
There is also this rumor that Mac lasts longer than a windows Machine. Well that is utterly false. If you look at some recent studies Apple has a failure rate similar to Sony laptops. While HP is the worst Dell surprisingly lasts just as long as Apple computers. There are some windows companies that last longer than Apple. Although Apple does have the highest customer satisfaction.
The hardware might not last longer but it sure does hold its value considerably more.
For me aesthetics plays a huge part of it. Apple has been leaps and bounds above other manufacturers in this department for years. Just recently other manufacturers have started to make nicer looking computers (i.e. Dell Adamo).
I'll also say that the 27" iMac is a great price considering the display it packs. Considering the U2711 is $1200+ and it doesn't even use LED backlighting.
The iMac desktop footprint also is nothing to complain about, for people who have very limited space or don't want a tower crammed somewhere out of the way it's a nifty design. It'd be nice to see them include an SSD option once they refresh the iMacs but there seems to be a fair bit of time before they do that, unfortunately. I'm willing to rip a panel off a MBP to fire an SSD in, but not quite sure about dismantling a whole iMac :haha:
My iMac :biggrin:
It was actually very easy to do. But I agree there should have been an SSD option from the start.
Unix is the base from both Linux and OSX came from which makes it the same core-wise. Same code....different Interface.
I agree there is always a lot of fud. Windows guys and Mac guys have NO clue about the opposite products.
Yes you can get a much cheaper computer from a windows company but I will NEVER buy my mom a windows PC as she is not tech savvy enough. My brothers and I bought here a Mac mini for her birthday. After getting a few upgrades, monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers it came very close to 1 grand (several years ago). At that time I could have built her a much cheaper computer but not as small and not on Mac. She is the kind of person that calls customer service because she forgot to push the monitor power button(should have gotten her an iMac ). Funny thing though the Apple genius couldn't figure out the problem till I can home and I just pushed the monitor power button lol.
My dad on the other hand owns his own business and needs windows because the programs he uses is not on Mac. So I built him a $700 computer monitor, keyboard, mouse, OS (thank you technet ) included. It is pretty fast as it also has a SSD in it. He doesn't use the internet much so has never had a virus and I never had to fix anything for him. While my mom still complains about something though it is always user error.
There is also this rumor that Mac lasts longer than a windows Machine. Well that is utterly false. If you look at some recent studies Apple has a failure rate similar to Sony laptops. While HP is the worst Dell surprisingly lasts just as long as Apple computers. There are some windows companies that last longer than Apple. Although Apple does have the highest customer satisfaction.
There is also this rumor (M1dget even keeps saying) that Macs are similar in price. If you look at this MacBook Pro - Buy MacBook Pro notebook computers - Apple Store (Canada), then look at this LU Computers. That Asus 15" is cheaper than the 13" higher end Macbook. It is MUCH faster, MUCH higher resolution, and overall better. The only thing hardware wise the Mac has better is the battery life. Meanwhile if you look at this NCIX.com - Buy ASUS G51JX-QB1 Intel Core i7 720QM 8GB 500GB 15.6IN FHD GeForce GTS360M BD-ROM Win 7 Prem Notebook - G51JX-QB1-CBIL In Canada. it is cheaper than the 15". It is much faster, much higher resolution, double the ram, can play 1080P blue-ray as because it has a blue-ray drive. Again the Mac only has battery life. Oh and both of those laptops come with more accesories for FREE. Plus they both come with a free laptop bag.
But you can't argue price because some prefer that OS over others. So you can't really argue that one is better than the other. With a Mac you have an awesome easy to use computer. You have the best computer for movie, and audio creation for the average Joe. Meanwhile with windows you can do everything the Mac can do but somethings just not as good or as easy.
So this thread really has no purpose other than if you are a windows guy that doesn't need the features of the Mac OS then yes it is overpriced. But if you are a Mac guy that needs or wants those features than no it isn't overpriced at all.
I never could argue about the look of of the new aluminium Macs, from a sheer aesthetic view, they kick almost everything's ***. The iMac desktop footprint also is nothing to complain about, for people who have very limited space or don't want a tower crammed somewhere out of the way it's a nifty design. It'd be nice to see them include an SSD option once they refresh the iMacs but there seems to be a fair bit of time before they do that, unfortunately. I'm willing to rip a panel off a MBP to fire an SSD in, but not quite sure about dismantling a whole iMac :haha:
Here is my stance on the subject: If someone comes to me asking what kind of mac they should get, I'll help them pick out the right Mac. If someone asks me what kind of "computer" they should get, most likely I will recommend a windows 7 machine.
My view is that the differences between the windows 7 and OSX are not big enough to make up the price difference. 99% of the people I know dont care if windows uses GDI, a registry, or whatever, as long as it works fine. And windows 7 has worked great. I actually only got back into the PC world about 6-8 months ago. not long after windows 7 came out. Before that, I was a hardcore Mac fanboy. I had an iMac, a Macbook pro, and a white Macbook. I still have my 17" macbook pro but am seriously considering selling it while it still has good value and maybe getting something either cheaper or a gaming laptop. I paid $2300 for the thing and am seriously regretting it...
Plus I don't really like the choices that apple offers. The cheapest tower is $2400 with mediocre hardware. The iMac forces you to buy what some people consider a $700 or $1000 display. Mac mini has no high-end choices. The laptops get really hot, not just CPU temp, but the case itself becomes really uncomfortable. I know other laptops do this too, its just something I've ended up hating with my Macbook pro. watching youtube videos scorches my lap....
Based on these problems, I know that I wont be getting another Mac in the foreseeable future. although, if they release OSX to be installed on any Pc, I would probably at least try a dual boot, even though I have no need for it.
and in the end, my answer is basically Yes, they are overpriced.