True to my “counter arguments that aren’t being made” spirit, I’d like to quickly challenge the common criticism delivered by most PC “Power Users.” You know the ones. They harp on about how they can find the exact same hardware for fractions of the prices seen on the Apple store. They’ve built their own PCs in the past, and they find Apple’s refusal to allow them to do this with OS X to be an insult to their intelligence.
The trouble with this mindset is that what you’re saving in hardware, you’re sacrificing in software. If each hardware component is a brick, software is the mortar that holds it all together. I’d rather pay more for the bricks in order to get mortar that is designed to work perfectly with the bricks than get a deal on the bricks and get mortar that lets the wind through like a heavy screen door.
Buying a PC because the hardware is cheaper is like buying a Steinway with rusty strings. I wish we could lay this one to rest. Apples (no pun intended. seriously.) shouldn’t be compared with oranges, just as cats shouldn’t be compared to famous ski resorts.
I think that argument may have (only just) been viable when Apple were using semi bespoke hardware based around the Power PC infrastructure. Doesn't really hold any ground now that they are using generic Intel Chips, Chipsets and components, still have limited compatibility with hardware such as Graphics cards and are now dual bootable with Windows. Sad truth is, you can get matchin spec on a PC based system (hardware) that will cost 30-50% less than a MAC. As for the OS - are you basically saying that while the hardware cost is comparable, what's actually being paid for at a premium is OS X?? Back again to the old chestnut of completely open design options if you want to build a system to run games on and yep, the requirement of Windows... I have feeling the truth is still the additional payment for a lifestyle product as opposed to a computer needs factoring in and the fact that any serious gamer, modder or systems buff tends to go PC - and if they want a solid enviroment/OS, they run Linux or Unix (you know, that little product that OS X borrows heavily from....)
Good post and analogies. I recently switched to a mac after years with windows, and only now realize what I've been missing.
It's the software you're mucking in all the time that's important!
To steal a phrase: It's the software stupid!
I think you've left out an important factor- TIME. PC tinkerers are willing to invest the time it takes to acquire the individual components that meet their (game's) demanding specifications, assemble them into a (hopefully) working unit, and (crossing their fingers) hope it boots up when they power it on, install all the drivers required for their specific components if they're not automagically recognized by their choice of Windoze OS, then load their vaunted GAMES. Then, at last! they get a chance to try the whole thing out for the intended purpose. Is it any wonder why these folks are so insistent that they can easily beat the cost of a Mac? They forget to count the cost of the TIME -the days or weeks they invest in the endeavor. Mac tinkerers just buy their preferred system Built-To-Order, add the necessary peripherals, plug 'em in and tinker with their music, photos, graphics, videos, and websites with all the useful software Apple sees fit to provide for FREE!
Okay, as a switcher who recently purchased an iMac, who has built his own PC several times, and runs Linux at work, I have to say that, while I love my Mac (and am thinking about getting a MacBook Pro), the argument above is pretty weak sauce.
First of all, forget cost comparisons on similar specs. Macs have great designs and integrated features. This integration goes well beyond software glue, as my experience with the wee little Mac remote reminds me whenever I use Front Row.
But they're also status symbols. Even acknowledging the similar spec argument is like saying a Mustang is a viable alternative to an Aston Martin because they're both real wheel drive, have V8s, and have similar horsepower. Just don't even go there.
Second of all, as much as I love OS X and adore my Mac, Apple does things that ARE insulting to my intelligence that go beyond the computer itself. For example:
--$99 a year for a frickin' .Mac account that only allows me 100 MB of storage? When I can get online storage from Amazon S3 services for $0.15/GB? Do you think I'm stupid?
--While I'm at it, let me use iDrive with a WebDAV service of my choice. Allowing me to only to use it with .Mac is as locked-in as Microsoft.
--Not putting Gigabit Ethernet in the new 802.11n Airport Extreme is sucky, and yes, insulting to my intelligence. You put a GigE port on the Macs, but not in the router? Do you *want* me to go to Netgear or Linksys?
--Apple prices for RAM upgrades? Yes, insulting to my intelligence, especially when you purposefully make RAM user upgradeable.
In any case, the list could go on and on. I adore my Macs and prefer OS X, but Apple *is* sometimes insulting to one's intelligence, or at the very least, paternalistic.
i think if one is that smart he can easily get around apple's barriers and do whatever he wants with his computer... there's always someone running OSX on a very old mac, or shoehorning a newer mac inside a discontinued iconic one...
apple is not insulting one's intelligence. it's challenging you to use it.
plus, if you buy a mercedes at a premium price, you can still buy cheaper parts somewhere else to put in it rather than going to the authorized dealership and paying more money for it... but come on, is a mercedes. u gotta take good care of it.
Apple is controlling but you get what (they think*) you need and little that * you don't...
My iBook came with 802.11b/g. My brother's "Trashiba" (his words) didn't. My iBook has no legacy ports, his Toshiba has 'em all. His is nearly 4" thick and an exaggerated 20lbs.
He's already talking about replacing his "Trashiba" (w/a MBP)..I'll use my iBook for another 2+ years and then give it to my kid.
In short, Apple sells computers like Wills Wing sells hang gliders. This is a good thing..XPS model # xyz4534cccDyO means nothing to me.
I kind of wish that people would stop making the "time" argument in regards to the cost of a PC. I was looking into building my own machine awhile back - because I build things as a hobby. Most people spend roughly 16 hours a day not working. Are they wasting money? Is an activity (such as building a PC) suddenly now costing money? No.