I haven't needed to install anything off a CD in quite a while. Sometimes the computer will connect to the internet and automatically download a driver if needed.

Just an an example, I hooked up a new all-in-one printer and didn't have to install anything to make it work. There were some programs that came with it, but they weren't required to make it work. Same goes for my Sony digital camera. Just pulled it in, and little window popped up and showed me all the photos.

So aesthetics, Iphoto and Imovie (which are just software right?) and a fast internet connection are worth $1,000 more than a similarly equipped PC? There must be something else that justifies the difference in cost.

One fella mentioned being in the Graphics business for the past 20 years, and from what I've heard this is definitely one category where the Mac wins hands down. I don't do much of that stuff, so that's not much of a selling point for me.

- NCSU

 

No, go back and look at what I listed. Quit trying to make yourself feel better by try to make me feel bad for a computer that I bought and better fits me.

 

im also a new user...only on day 4.

I go to ASU (kinda obvious, no?) I can already tell you after three days of class that this Mac (with its neoprene case) is considerably lighter then my old HP is. That thing was like a brick in my backpack, I can barely tell the mac is there

 

There is a program you can download that will record your professor's voice in class so if you miss something you can go back and listen again. The mic on Apple's macbooks are pretty sensitive.

 

haha no way? thats awesome. I'll have to see if i can find it

 

Sensitive aren't we?

I'm not trying to make anyone feel bad, or good. I'm just trying to understand why Mac laptops cost so much more. Did I ever say that Macs suck or the PCs rock? If anything they seem fairly comparable now, so I assume there must be something else that makes them cost so much more. I thought maybe there were some really cool features that I was unaware of.

- NCSU

 

I think the gap has closed in the case of Macs being better for graphics. At least the graphics I do. I don't do video editing so I wouldn't know on that end. But PCs are just as capable as the Mac with graphic applications from what I've heard and read. I just have no desire to switch my whole department over.

I will tell you what my wife said about Macs. She worked 10 years at a hospital using a PC. Quit when we had our twins then went to work as a para-teacher at the school when the girls started kindergarten. Our schools use Macs. She became familiar with the Mac. That's what we have at home, too. She just rejoined the work force last fall. After he first few days on the job I asked how it was going, if she liked it, etc. She said the people are great but she hated going back to the PC. She says it just seems antiquated compared to the Mac. Just not as smooth and easy to navigate.

It doesn't matter to me at all what computers people use. Use what serves your needs best. It just "seems" Macs tend to give people less headaches are more user friendly. I'm not say ALL people. But most everyone I know that has switched has said that.

 

It sounds like to me people like the Max OS over Windows... The actual computer power itself is redundant.

 

Hammer meets nail.

 

So it's the OS that you're paying a premium for? That would make more sense to me.

I would probably agree that Macs are easier to learn if you're new to computing or have very limited knowledge.

- NCSU

 

Agreed here, too. You just described probably what 70-80% of computer users?

The entry level desktop computers are really on parity with each other as far as performance and price. I've posted this link before but I was even surprised by it.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/tech...s/4258725.html

 

The problem I have with the comparison there is that they are using the cheaper Imac to compare to a pc but the only reason to buy an Imac is because you don't want to shell out $2500 for a pro. So why not compare the $1500 imac to the best $1500 pc? How many people need the entire computer built into the monitor? Not many I would say, so why not compare a mac pro $2500 to the best desktop pc you can buy the $2500 bucks?

 

No feelings hurt... I just know a lot of people like to tear down one product to build up their own.

 

The reason a mac would cost more than a pc in terms of the hardware.
PC's are built of plastic put together while the apple is an single piece aluminum body.

It also cost money to fit components into the tighter and sleeker body (like the MacBook Air especially)

You also have a camera/video camera and microphone built in

The LCD screen is standard and the lighting for the keypad
The DVD/CD drive is all internal instead of a tray that pops out the side.

 

I'm so confused. So the cheaper iMac still outperformed (in some areas) the PC and cost less.

Can you even buy a PC thats costs $2500

Here birddog let me light your brain on fire. The Mac I'm using right now was around $4K. That didn't include the monitor.