simmorya Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 IMO I reckon if Apple wants to keep it's market share down under 15% in the future they will need to keep making the hardware more expensive. Does anyone else agree that if the Mac OS X market share increases over 15% this will change and possibly destroy the whole "Mac" platform from the way we know it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nashy Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 What.... Did you even think about that before you posted it. More sales = more money.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazzyyfool Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Apple at the end of the day don't make crappy budget PC's with Celeron processors. And FWIW the MacBook Air is way cheaper than the Sony equivalent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simmorya Posted February 10, 2008 Author Share Posted February 10, 2008 (edited) Sorry its hard for me to explain what I really mean. I know my first post sounds dumb. What I really mean is that for people that have used Mac OS X for a long time probably dont want its market share to jump significantly. Especially if It would make the system more vulnerable. My guess is that Mac OS X has been so reliable and hasnt had a massive hit of viruses like Windows because it doesnt have large market share. Do veteran Mac users want to see Mac OS X get a larger market share or are they happy with the way things are? Im just saying if the market share of Mac OS X jumps significantly things will change with Mac OS to accompany it, the only way I can see Apple reducing this is by driving costs of its Mac hardware higher and higher. Is Apple happy to have a more vulnerable Mac OS just for more $$$ in the future? Edited February 10, 2008 by simmorya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matrix XII Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 and then people would start developing viruses for them.. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betasp Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Let me put it this way... I don't care what Apple's market share is as long as they continue to make machines that work the way I expect them to work, not the way some engineer thinks they should work... that is all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goji Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Let me put it this way...... as long as they continue to make machines that work the way I expect them to work, not the way some engineer thinks they should work... that is all. :blink: Did you just cancel out your whole argument? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simmorya Posted February 10, 2008 Author Share Posted February 10, 2008 Let me put it this way...I don't care what Apple's market share is as long as they continue to make machines that work the way I expect them to work, not the way some engineer thinks they should work... that is all. Umm.. Steve Jobs? Does he make everything the way HE wants? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XPTech Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 I honestly think that Apple has a fair range of PC's aimed from low end (mac mini) to high end (Mac Pro) - for the quality of machinery and the pure ease of use of the OS, you get what you pay pay for to be honest. When I switched to my mac mini, I think i spent around ?900 after all the additions but I'm not grumbling - it's the best computer I've ever had:)) Bonus is - opensource/freeware and shareware software development for osx is simply top notch in quality and there is something for everyone. In the long run it evens out I reckon in price comparison to what you spend on repairs and all to any other PC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathachew Veteran Posted February 10, 2008 Veteran Share Posted February 10, 2008 The "overpriced" nature of Macs compared to PCs has leveled out, especially over the course of the last three years when Macs when to Core 2 Duos. A feature and spec comparison of a Mac vs any other PC will show that it can sometimes be even, less, or more, depending on the system it's being compared to. One of the things that's stopped me from getting a Mac is that: I don't want a laptop I want something more powerful than the MacMini I don't want a monstrous system in the Mac Pro I don't want to remote into my current PC if I get an iMac I can think of two ideal solutions: Allow video in signals from additional PCs, such as a MacMini or a PC that I already have Create a less powerful, and thus more affordable, Mac Pro Anywho, Macs being more expensive than PCs is not as valid of an argument as it used to be, because a Mac is a PC, with some subtle differences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshBluebird Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 The "overpriced" nature of Macs compared to PCs has leveled out Thats not what I can see. Not sure about the desktops, but for laptops, apple still overcharge (by a lot too). For the same price I paid for my Inspiron 1520 (2.2Ghz C2D, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, 8600MGT), I would get a macbook with a worse CPU, less RAM, a smaller HDD and integrated graphics. To get something from apple to match what I paid ?700 for, I would have to spend ?1300 (and even then I get a smaller HDD). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
se7en.hu Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Is Apple happy to have a more vulnerable Mac OS just for more $$$ in the future? It wouldn't be more vulnerable if it had a greater market share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wannes Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 I actually like the idea there are only a few Mac users compared to Windows users. I do notice that since the iPod's popularity that Apple gets more "known" to the unknowing public and that people will look at an equivalent for Windows, being Mac OS or Linux. The only cutback with Apple is its price indeed but they got cheaper as time grew. If you look back a couple years you'll see that an Apple desktop and/or laptop was way more expensive as they are now, yet we still can't call them "cheap". Though I do believe that Apple hardware will get cheaper as time continues evolving. It's an inevitable fact. They will get more money for research and development, production and so on allowing them to make the hardware cheaper. However, with that being said, I think you're right about Apple hardware remaining to be more expensive than Dell, Sony, HP, ... which all run Windows standard. That market still is bigger and, in my opinion, will always remain to be bigger. Nonetheless, Apple is doing a good job with their hardware. Ps. As for the viruses, sooner or later there will be Mac OS viruses around. You can't stop them being created as the number of users keep growing. It wouldn't be more vulnerable if it had a greater market share. The OS may not become more vulnerable, people will still try to find ways to create viruses. A virus is not necessarily created with bad target goals. One may create one for his assignment in college but when it gets leaked ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathachew Veteran Posted February 10, 2008 Veteran Share Posted February 10, 2008 Thats not what I can see. Not sure about the desktops, but for laptops, apple still overcharge (by a lot too).For the same price I paid for my Inspiron 1520 (2.2Ghz C2D, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, 8600MGT), I would get a macbook with a worse CPU, less RAM, a smaller HDD and integrated graphics. To get something from apple to match what I paid ?700 for, I would have to spend ?1300 (and even then I get a smaller HDD). Each product is different, but I ran through a comparison with the top of the line Inspiron and matched it as best as I could with the MacBook, with the MacBook being $123 more, however this didn't include the $249 for the Apple Care plan, which makes it $372 more. Comparing the MBP against the Inspiron is like comparing a Honda to a Corvette or Ferrari. Compare the top of the line Dell to the MBP and that gap isn't so big. And unless I'm mistaken, the MBP has dedicated video card, while the MacBook and MBA do not. Is it more expensive? Yes, but not as much as it used to be. Macs are more comparable when you get to into the desktops. HPs iMac look-alike costs more, and gives you far less, thus making the iMac a better deal. The Dell XPS one (most expensive) is a little more than a 20" iMac with comparable specs, with the only exception being the iMac doesn't have a BD player (not yet). There is no Dell XPS 24", so I can't compare that. The cheapest iMac and XPS One are almost the same price (iMac slightly cheaper). So the price comparison varies, but not in all cases is the Mac more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petroid Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 The biggest component Apple overcharge on is memory. But it's not just Apple, 2GB of Kingston 667 "MacBook" ram is easily $150AU more than the standard Kingston 667 ram. I'm not even sure if there are any differences in the product other than the model number. Guess which one I use in MacBooks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1759 Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Apple's strength is OSX, and shiny white, whiteness boxes, with some aluminum bits thrown in that wow the less geeky. I find Apple's designs to have become totally sterile and too plain, but that's probably just me. With Apple, I think you'll just have to make a compromise - is iLife really that great? no, but it's decent, with a good GUI (maybe not iMovie 08), but good enough for simple things like touching up photos. The hardware selection is nothing to write home about either, but it's easier to maintain than a Hackintosh. Most of their lineup is really nothing to write home about IMO, but at least they all have C2D's. The IGP on the MB and Mini (which is what I have) are weak, but Apple gets away with it. I bought a Mini, as it was the cheapest OSX computer that didn't have a built-in monitor (yes, Apple, some people still actually use desktops :rolleyes: ). The premium that Apple charges for RAM and HD upgrades is just asinine. OSX is simply better than Windows in the end though. I like Vista, and SP1 has fixed some of the bigger issues for me, mainly the network file transfer speeds, and overall, it's more responsive, but certain things are just simpler on OSX, and the BSD base is nice. However, all my research/writing/programs is done on my PC's, as I use Excel/Access/SQL Server for my research projects, and Apple is dragging their feet on Java 1.6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTD Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Smaller market share than MS = good More expensive = good. The kicker = products that are different, that inspire, that excite, that people want. Keep it more exclusive, more expensive, and you differentiate yourself from the pack of box-makers all running whatever mind-numbing version of Windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wannes Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Is that why you have Mac? To be different? *sigh* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicane-UK Veteran Posted February 10, 2008 Veteran Share Posted February 10, 2008 Keep it more exclusive, more expensive, and you differentiate yourself from the pack of box-makers all running whatever mind-numbing version of Windows. Its that sort of schtick that gives us Mac users a bad reputation as being eliteist jerks. I use it because I prefer it. I don't use it to be 'different' thanks very much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zivan56 Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 All the people I know that use Macs buy them because they want to be different (and they have an iPod to be *different* as well). Then they end up asking me how to set up the gcc toolchain, x server, and whatnot to compile a Linux program that does something they could do with 2 clicks in a Windows program. Kind of hilarious actually... And don't get me started about the hardware differences, it's really entertaining listening to someone with no knowledge of computer hardware point out how Apple makes better chips and memory and whatever term they can throw at you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XPTech Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Its that sort of schtick that gives us Mac users a bad reputation as being eliteist jerks. I use it because I prefer it. I don't use it to be 'different' thanks very much! I agree with that Chicane - I don't personally want want myself branded as an "elitest jerk" and certainly don't go about it that way. I actually chose mac over a windows machine because of the work i did - design/creative - and found out that it's much easier to use and can do so same stuff as any PC can - so purely preference. I actually always have used windows machines as well. All the people I know that use Macs buy them because they want to be different (and they have an iPod to be *different* as well). Then they end up asking me how to set up the gcc toolchain, x server, and whatnot to compile a Linux program that does something they could do with 2 clicks in a Windows program. Kind of hilarious actually...And don't get me started about the hardware differences, it's really entertaining listening to someone with no knowledge of computer hardware point out how Apple makes better chips and memory and whatever term they can throw at you. you must know some fanatics then, as opposed to the actual "users" - i have an ipod yeah, because it's a good personal music player and works nice with itunes - from a practical point of view, not just to look good - i'm not that nasal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osirisX Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 More expensive = good. Get off Steve Jobs' **** now :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fukachu Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 i am happy having a small market share. i feel where it is about now is good, there is enough going on that more companies are catering for mac users better but it is still small enough to not attract a lot of attention from viruses/malware. At the end of the day i'm just hoping that with Apples growth it creates more innovation in the industry. Imagine what could be coming to us if apple and microsoft were level on market share and had to keep coming up with great new ideas to maintain customers.. it would be interesting times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miuku. Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 So what if they're more expensive? Compared to the time I have to spend fixing Windows issues, I can get work done on the Mac or Linux for the matter. In the end their TCO is MUCH lower than the hours and hours of fixing myriad problems that can cripple an entire business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jgrodri Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 I think calling someone an elitist jerk for wanting to differentiate himself is going a bit too far. Personally, I think the appeal of mac's comes from a combination of the ease of use and that feeling of now following everbody else. I'll be the first to admit that i am a bit elitist: I do enjoy some of the finer things in life: all the way from going out for sushi, going to a caf? and reading a good book, through having a better computer. It does bother a little (very, very little) to see so many more people use mac's. specially when its people who have no idea what they got it for.I've had people ask me why msn mesenger wont install on their mac (the .exe), I see that as such waste of potential because you might as well have gotten a cheap dell. It really makes me sad to see people buy mac's just because they hear they are better. I agree that they are, but if you dont know why or how, then chances are you are not going to take advantage of that better side. this post obviously completely disregards people who need a mac, such as image and video pro?s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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