- Jul 19, 2001
- 38,572
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The Truth About the Apple Tax
- Thread starter aphex
- Start date
KeypoX
Diamond Member
- Aug 31, 2003
- 3,655
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problem with that article is that they compare apple to retail pc prices. Who pays retail for pcs? IE: Dell seems to always have 400 off 1200 or something similar on there website.
Apple needs to take more of a price leader approach if they wanna be mainstream. I dunno if they want to be mainstream though. I feel so bad for people that believe everything they see or read.
Quick story, this girl in my stats class has a macbook. And this class is stats done via phstat (an excel addon) which is not compatiable with mac. I tried to help her run xp or vista via bootcamp or a vm. But she was so scared of viruses that she attempted the class by hand. While this is not impossible, it was a time management problem. Bottom line she gave up basically an easy B or A. And got a C. Because she is afraid of viruses.
Apple needs to take more of a price leader approach if they wanna be mainstream. I dunno if they want to be mainstream though. I feel so bad for people that believe everything they see or read.
Quick story, this girl in my stats class has a macbook. And this class is stats done via phstat (an excel addon) which is not compatiable with mac. I tried to help her run xp or vista via bootcamp or a vm. But she was so scared of viruses that she attempted the class by hand. While this is not impossible, it was a time management problem. Bottom line she gave up basically an easy B or A. And got a C. Because she is afraid of viruses.
I don't think Apple wants to be mainstream. They want to keep an image of having something 'better' to offer. I'm not sure how long they can keep that up to be honest. I don't mind paying the "apple tax" mainly because I want more than just the internals. But at the same time, Apple just seems to cater to either the everyday joe shmoe or high end. That damn middle ground just isn't there.
And that girl was just unfortunately stupid.
Apple is doing product differentiation approach over being a cost leader. I like their model now and I'm willing to pay the premium over a Windows based laptop.
Another thing to think is that a lot of the parts on apple computers are not generic run of the mill shit so there's extra costs.
Another thing to think is that a lot of the parts on apple computers are not generic run of the mill shit so there's extra costs.
Well, yes and no. Since the switch to Intel, the argument is more valid, but there are plenty of instances where Apple has put into their systems part that no other vendors have access to, either temporarily, or ever. Look at the CPU in the Air for example. Or the MiniDisplayPorts on the MacBook/Pro now. The glass trackpad (or even the previous standard trackpad that had either 2 finger or full multitouch capabilities). The Sudden Motion Sensor, although no longer rare, is not exactly in use in every laptop made. I think all Lenovo Thinkpads have them, some of the Latitudes, and Vostros, and some others have them as well.
Or, just looking at the newest MacBook/Pros, the nvidia chipset they are running is, to the best of my knowledge, not in use anywhere else right now, at least not in the mobile space.
Their premiums aren't worth it though. I think the only people who "need" macs are final cut editors and anyone else using professional programs only available on Apple computers. Everyone else is using it for a reason other than necessity (it's cool, it's better than windows, it's purty, etc.) and Apple's prices mixed with this current economy is going to be bad business imo.
Nothinman
Elite Member
- Sep 14, 2001
- 30,672
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I don't even know what's special about the CPU in the Air and the trackpad on my old ass Dell notebook that I can't even remember the model name of had multitouch. I know there are minor differences but every manufacturer has them. Sometimes they're as small as changing the PCI ID so that it shows up as Compaq ethernet instead of Intel but even that costs them something so it's not like Apple is alone in that.
It was a custom requested CPU made by apple... basically, it was first dibs on low powered small c2d chips. And multitouch on your old ass dell? I would like to know more about that, and to what extent it had it. I know a lot started to have the side/bottom scroll thing which was neat, but I have not seen anything close to Apple's implementation by others until recently.
I too would like to hear about this alleged multitouch. It is one thing for the trackpad to detect multiple inputs and then freak out (which my old alienware did) and another entirely for it to detect the difference between 1 finger moving, and 2 fingers moving (and then 3 and 4 on the newest ones) and know if it needs to move the cursor, or scroll the page.
I don't have any idea why it happened, but I've become a complete Apple fanboy over the past year or so. I own an Ipod touch and a macbook, two things I never would have CONSIDERED owning a year ago. They're under-featured compared to competitor products, and while the Ipod touch is snazzy, I'd hardly call the Macbook (the white plastic variety) a shining beacon of stylish-ness.
The Apple tax article above is flawed because it's going by retail prices. You can always get a discount on PC products. You can almost NEVER find a good deal on new Mac products. Not to mention they leave out several glaring flaws, like the lack of a PC-Express card slot, or even a frigging SD card reader on the Mac products.
I don't do graphics-intensive work, think OSX vs. Vista is pretty much a draw at this point, and use my PC desktop 80% of the time anyway. People like me buy macs and pay the Apple Tax for the same reason people buy Mercurys instead of Fords: We're idiots who pay for a name only.
The Apple tax article above is flawed because it's going by retail prices. You can always get a discount on PC products. You can almost NEVER find a good deal on new Mac products. Not to mention they leave out several glaring flaws, like the lack of a PC-Express card slot, or even a frigging SD card reader on the Mac products.
I don't do graphics-intensive work, think OSX vs. Vista is pretty much a draw at this point, and use my PC desktop 80% of the time anyway. People like me buy macs and pay the Apple Tax for the same reason people buy Mercurys instead of Fords: We're idiots who pay for a name only.
as a guy who just switched from my pc laptop to a macbook . . . I for one am sold on Apple's products. Little things here and there that simply makes life easier for the user. Case in point, the ability to just swipe with four fingers to access expose and switch apps is so simple yet effective that its a wonder that it wasn't used earlier . . . I was playing around with pages and tried my hand at making some wedding invitations for a friend and much to my surprise, my RSVP address was already in the RSVP box area. Little things here and there just makes you feel like they're going the extra mile to make our lives easier.
and while a bunch of the hardware is similar to their pc counterparts, in terms of looks and build quality, this macbook is above and beyond any dell/hp offering . . .the closest thing may be a high end sony or alienware but then again, their price range is much higher than the entry level macbook i got for 1300.
and while a bunch of the hardware is similar to their pc counterparts, in terms of looks and build quality, this macbook is above and beyond any dell/hp offering . . .the closest thing may be a high end sony or alienware but then again, their price range is much higher than the entry level macbook i got for 1300.
I agree JC86. There's a lot of little things with Apple that just makes it a whole lot. I will stick with Apple for a while now. There's no need for me to go back.
Their fit and finish is stunning. The materials and fabrication techniques they employ are exemplary. The software integration from the os to the app suites along with having a *nix CLI and overall *nix app working compatibility is fantastic. Resale value is far superior to any kind of pc laptop.
They continue to move forward and do a lot of things right and as a technology enthusiast (because lets face it after working 12hrs in front of computers coming home and sitting with your laptop for another 4 to design amps, speakers,embedded devices and robots can only euphemistically be called enthusiasm) supporting them sends the message that all these secondary non-geek-appreciated facets of technology and user interfaces are important and make for a nonpareil experience.
Simply-- near sightedness is being passed off as pragmatism in this cost/performance analysis.
They continue to move forward and do a lot of things right and as a technology enthusiast (because lets face it after working 12hrs in front of computers coming home and sitting with your laptop for another 4 to design amps, speakers,embedded devices and robots can only euphemistically be called enthusiasm) supporting them sends the message that all these secondary non-geek-appreciated facets of technology and user interfaces are important and make for a nonpareil experience.
Simply-- near sightedness is being passed off as pragmatism in this cost/performance analysis.
I don't see what is idiotic about it. I prefer OS X over Vista. So what is my choice? Hackinstosh is more of a hobby thing to me. I like the real deal. To me, they are not a draw.
Even if you do give the nod to OSX, I'm not sure that exactly invalidates all the other stuff I pointed out. The point I was trying to make is that if Apple were a startup company, and no one had ever heard of them, and these laptops were just now coming out, they'd be a complete failure. People are willing to pay what they do for Macs at least partially because of the "mystique" or whatever from owning them.
That goes for anything. I'm sure if Porsche just started out with their prices they'd probably not make it as well. It's all speculation. It takes time to get to where companies are.
Dude...
Porches also have cutting edge performance and styling. You're seriously trying to make the claim a Ford vs. a Porchse is the same thing as a PC vs. a Mac?
I highly doubt that. If some no name company came out with what the new macbooks are today, they would get noticed, fast. The fit and finish of first glance apple products is where apple has always had a strength (they have however, effectively kept their flaws fairly quiet). But they would have to have the build quality there, not just a knock off.
After holding a macbook air, there is simply nothing like it. Would I pay $1800 for one? no. But it is an amazing piece of hardware. I'm sure the new macbook/pros are the same. From what I've read, they are very nice, and the 'brick' process really does show.
Throckmorton
Lifer
- Aug 23, 2007
- 16,829
- 3
- 0
how so? you create the shell w/ one piece of aluminum, less parts, less things to break, less gluing/welding. Excess is aluminum... recycle it.
Though, given all that, I'm not sure if it really is a net positive or not, at least environmentally. It looks like a bit of water is uses in the cutting/milling processes. I'm sure it's a net positive in the long run for Apple financially though.
I played with some of the MacBooks and Pros at the Apple store last friday.... and I have to say... they are incredibly solid. Once I can find the cable to my camera, I will upload a couple of pics I snapped, showing my 2 year old MacBook right next to the brand new one. The screen difference is incredible to say the least. Also, I was concerned about how sturdy the bottom door would be (the one that comes off so you get access to the battery and hard drive) and those concerns were completely laid to rest. The whole things felt incredible well put together, like a thicker more powerful Air really.
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