Google is popular because it is free.
I could dump every Google product "quicker than minute rice" and not skip a beat. Not because Google isn't cool but because I realize my fondness for Google product is enhanced because of their cost. Google's not winning any UI awards anytime soon.
Picasa...pfffft that was hot stuff like 5 years ago. LOL
I guess if I wanted to be on the "trailing" edge of technology or if I wanted to follow a company that is clueless about new technology I'd follow Microsoft. The company that sold a bill of goods it couldn't deliver upon its inception (DOS) and then proceeded to buy its way into every market (Office etc). Microsoft knows exactly where it wants to go...when others have illuminated the path.
No too sure why a Windows 7 version with a Taskbar that is finally extensible in some way suddenly puts Apple on the low ground.
The game has changed. No Apple still delivers desktop features
Grand Central Dispatch -desktop
OpenCL - initially desktop
Applescript- Desktop
but the $$$ are in the mobile sector where Microsoft really cannot leverage their Windows and Office duopoly.
Thus Apple is and should be focused on the iPhone/iPod and App store and the tip of the spear that will stab Microsoft's heart into cardiac arrest.
Hodgeman rocks. There's no reason for Apple to be mean spirited here. Justin Long and Hodgeman both do a good job and work well together IMO.
I don't really want to see anything change other than good and competitive humor.
Anythings better than the bland boring "I'm a PC" adds that Microsoft pays for. Ughhh
Apple TV is not my problem. The ridiculous pricing of media on iTunes is. I wouldn't be clamoring for Netflix downloads or Hulu support if I felt the affordability of content on iTunes was good.
Sub $500 USD Mac? Easy.
Take current 2Ghz Mac mini.
Remove FW800 port.
Remove Optical Drive.
Voila $499 and a better solution for multi Mac households.
Netbook is a fad and a bad one at that.
Where's the mythical Mobile Internet Device (MID) supposed to sit if Netbooks are everywhere from $250 to $700?
I believe they're mainly selling because of cost and then small size which of course the more expensive aren't all that small.
The question asked was "why are Macs more expensive" and substantive reasons why were given. It's up to each individual to decide if the extras or the simplicity is worth the $$$$.
You will never win a value argument because value is an intagible "feeling" so the best thing is to explain the features/benefits of Macs and leave it with that.
But what is irrefutable fact is that that Dell Inspiron quoted is not delivering the same level hardware features at half the cost of a Macbook. This "is" quantifiable.
Correct a Hyundai can do much of what a BMW can do but within the context of this post we cannot castigate BMW for charging a premium for the of the features they offer that are superior.
The attempt was to say an entry level Dell laptop is half the price of a comparable Apple laptop but upon further inspection it became clear to many that the two weren't as comparable is initially suggested.
For a basic user this may mean nothing but if we are to ask why Apple charges a premium we now have our answer.
ZFS isn't cutting edge ?
OpenCL isn't cutting edge?
Cocoa isn't cutting edge?
Core Touch isn't cutting edge?
Hardware does not own a monopoly on technological innovation. In fact the move from proprietary hardware to commodity hardware has been going on for decades thus the true innovation of a platform is encapsulated within its software in many cases.
You bring up an excellent point and to bring that to bear here I have no problem with someone saying "I need a 15" laptop for less than $600" I'm going to recommend a PC 0 of the time.
However, and my incredulity should be evident, I've never seen anyone logically make an argument that Apples cost twice as much without resorting to curious omissions and some twisting of facts.
I think Hadley's core argument rings true. Macs are more expensive and if Apple wants the numbers they have to become cheaper. I'm just not so sure Apple cares about marketshare when profits are paramount on Wall Street.
Why not compare a Hyundai Elantra with a BMW 330 then? We can question why Bavaria has the gall to charge $40k when the Hyundai has power windows, 4 wheels, 5 cup holders and a gasoline engine.
Specs the denote performance or lack thereof are paramount folks. If you want to compare be prepared to defend your opinion if your product does not match up 0.
Fellas
It was NEVER about the hardware. You don't buy a platform based on hardware you buy it based on software. You compute on Macintosh because it runs Mac software and you prefer this Apple computing paradigm as opposed to Microsoft's Windows.
The laptop comparison is broken. When doing a comparison the specs should be complete.
The Macbook enjoys standard 11n wireless to the Dell's 11g
The Macbook enjoys a 3 advantage in bus speed
The Macbook enjoys powered 1394 Firewire
The Macbook enjoys Gigabit Ethernet
The Macbook enjoys a 1MB cache advantage
The Macbook enjoys standard Bluetooth
The Macbook enjoys Mini DisplayPort
And last but not least the Macbook runs OS X and 3rd party Mac apps which is why we compute on Macs. Do you pay a premium for Macs? Yes but you never pay twice as much for the same computer from a comparable vendor and product.
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