Are Mac stuff generally more expensive?

[saiz66]

When I was looking at notebooks... I just looked at the macs briefly just to see wha the price ranges are.. and they were really expensive.. and I was told by a friend that generally all mac things are more expensive.. is that true? And why?

[NeoXY]

you mean the hardware?..well that's because Apple use better material to make their notebooks stronger and better. It last a lot longer....

[saiz66]

and that also goes with their desktops and stuff right? i had a lot of pc desktops and they lasted till.. well till now... also i had never had a laptop that didnt last for a long time... neither have i heard of any for that matter.

[NeoXY]

err....well...it's just that since apple make everything them selfs, I guess their quality control and such is better unlike for example you can get some cheap generic stuff that don't last as long...:/

[User6060]

also they're prettier, you're paying for research into what will look stunning and turn heads.

[strekship]

Because apple uses its own hardware. Even though apple notebooks are built strong, i think IBM could give them a run for their money.

[PureEdit]

The desktops seem more expensive, but the laptops are often cheaper then a really good wintel laptop. Dell laptops are not the best quality and that is why they cost less.

[chmsant]

Everything with apple is propriatary. You are paying for a sleek, well designed product (desktop or portable), that has a great service record, and has great tech support along with it. These machines just work, and so you end up paying a slight premium for a premium product. Now dont get me wrong, i'm not an Apple fanboy... as I have been using windows since i was little, but I wouldnt mind having a Mac around the house.

[scratch42069]

I used to work at a place that did packaging for Apple and yes, Apple has better quality control over their products so yeah you're paying more for the quality of the product.

[Pox]

apple laptops are slightly more expensive than wintel models, but not by much... the powerbooks are awful good value, considering apples quality. their desktops aren't the best bang for buck though.

[NetRyder]

I'm not sure why everyone has the impression that Apple uses its "own" hardware...

CPU - Not made by Apple

RAM - Not made by Apple

HDD - Not made by Apple

GPU - Not made by Apple

...you get the idea.

Even their mobile machines are manufactured by third-party OEMs in Taiwan, many of which manufacture machines for x86 hardware vendors like Dell and HP as well:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/06/13/co...o_build_15_4in/

http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/Article1...&pages=A1&seq=1

Edited May 20, 2005 by NetRyder

[Matt T]

I'm not sure why everyone has the impression that Apple uses its "own" hardware...

CPU - Not made by Apple

RAM - Not made by Apple

HDD - Not made by Apple

GPU - Not made by Apple

...you get the idea.

585945735[/snapback]

Correct. Apple do not use their own hardware when it comes to those listed above (since Apple does not make hardware like that) - but they do build the entire computer + the software that comes with it. Compare that to Microsoft making the software (and sometimes a few hardware devices) and another company like Dell or HP building the PC, it can be a mess. I remember calling HP because I had problems with my computer - I was told to call 4 different companies and they all said I should call HP :wacko: I don't have a Mac so I can't compare that to Apple Support, but I'm sure it would be alot easier since Apple build everything themselves.

saiz66: if you compare Apple notebooks and desktops to those of PC manufacturers, Apple are generally a little bit more expensive but remember quality is everything. Compare things like graphics cards between those used in Macs and PCs and you will spot a difference. And also keep in mind that the speed of processors used in Macs are different to the speeds of those used in PCs (eg. a 2GHz Mac is faster then a 2GHz PC).

Edited May 20, 2005 by Cubiz

[Innuendo]

All the previous reasons factor into it but the main reason is due to one of the basic laws of economics....Supply & Demand.

Apple is the only company who sells Macs. If you want one you have to buy it from them and they are free to set the price at anything they wish. There are no clones and no competition like there is in the IBM-PC Compatible world so if you don't like Apple's price you'll either have to just suck it up or do without a Mac.

[MonkeyClaw Veteran]

not really, its more because of quality than supply and demand. apple produces quality products, stuff that lasts a long time. sure they are the only ones but that isnt a huge factor in price. another thing is, a lot of the services offered by apple are still based in america. it is all desgined in the us, tech support is based in the us, etc...

That is one of the big contributing factors in the pricing, it costs more to keep a bunch of production and service in the states rather than going to india or china for tech support and designing. but the main factor is still quality control and the effort put into designing.

[Yvo]

Personally my belief its a little bit of everything. In business its not just one factor that decides everything, rather multiple factors.

1. While Apple may not design the actual components, the final product is that of higher quality. Ever opened a PC before and look at all the wires. Open a Mac and you'd be amazed.

2. Apple products do look very nice and it takes money to have prototypes made and engineered to a quality standard

3. Apple is the only sole supplier of the Mac.

NetRyder - Their machines may be made by 3rd party manufacturers however the Chinese make the machine according to the schematics delivered by the manufacturer meaning if Dell were to deliver a better schematic for their laptops, maybe less people would complain about them.

Btw... if a mod can fix the title to "Is Mac stuff generally more expensive?" everytime i read the thread title I smile.

Edited May 20, 2005 by Yvo

[Bluetooth]

Duh dude. Mac stuff is waay more expensive. Its worth it though. I love my powerbook (and my iBook) and hope to get a mac mini and a g5 this summer :D

Josh

[Lasker]

is more expensive because all mac stuff have a high standard quality than pc stuff, inclusive the software make by apple, in which most of then are for professionals and some are the standard in the industry of movies and music

[blik]

Apple hardware holds its value better compared to PC's though...

[Rudy]

Apple hardware holds its value better compared to PC's though...

585948843[/snapback]

sure does, just check ebay....

[NeoXY]

yep....apple stuff are A+ quality...I had my powerbook for a bout 2 years now....nothing wrong with it...works like a champ..:D

[chmsant]

sure does, just check ebay....

585948852[/snapback]

no kidding... i've been trying to get a powerbook/ibook on ebay for a while and the auctions just keep topping out above what I can afford....

[MonkeyClaw Veteran]

its great in terms of resell value, i mean im gonna be set with my pb, when im ready to sell it in 5 years, it will have the max amount of ram and by my estimates, i should get a only a couple hundred dollars less than what i bought it for. they are really awesome machines.

[ncoday]

err....well...it's just that since apple make everything them selfs, I guess their quality control and such is better unlike for example you can get some cheap generic stuff that don't last as long...:/

585945402[/snapback]

That is a load of Apple PR BS. They just want a monopoly on the whole process.

Thus... no competition on Apple HW, means they can charge ridiculous prices and people either pay it or go to Linux/Windows!

I think the only reason Apple has not also got investigated like Microsoft is they just don't have the marketshare and the lawmakers don't feel like bothering.

[ncoday]

I'm not sure why everyone has the impression that Apple uses its "own" hardware...

CPU - Not made by Apple

RAM - Not made by Apple

HDD - Not made by Apple

GPU - Not made by Apple

...you get the idea.

Even their mobile machines are manufactured by third-party OEMs in Taiwan, many of which manufacture machines for x86 hardware vendors like Dell and HP as well:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/06/13/co...o_build_15_4in/

http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/Article1...&pages=A1&seq=1

585945735[/snapback]

You are correct, however the CPU/Mobo are only allowed to be sold to Aple. I cannot go down to the local computer store and build a mac using whichever case and powersupply and video card I want to and then load OS X.

[ncoday]

Compare things like graphics cards between those used in Macs and PCs and you will spot a difference. And also keep in mind that the speed of processors used in Macs are different to the speeds of those used in PCs (eg. a 2GHz Mac is faster then a 2GHz PC).

I am going to have to disagree here.

The standard shipping video card in the top of the line G5 is an AGP ATi 9600Xt-variant??

That is a load of BS!!

The only other option is a $450 upgrade to a 6800 variant??

You are stuck with crap or severe overkill for most people!!

People should be able to install whatever video card they want such as in the PC area, but b/c Apple is so close-minded, that is not going to happen!