Mac users' elitism

kitten_caboodle · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:17

masterk said:
Might be more about the fact that Windows machines are ultimately more accessible the world over.

that was sort of what I was getting at. I'm having a bad day, worked til 3am last night

Mr_White · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:18

Raikiri said:
True, but PCs can offer the same level of performance, more flexability and more upgradability for less money

It depends how you look at it, only the scheme of an uber-budget PC do you think you're getting the same or more performance for your money, when really you're not, you're just getting a computer for less money.

PhilthyPhil · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:18

Raikiri said:
Although most Macs do look very nice (bar the G4 and Toaster Cube ), I don't think they are worth the extra cost. Also the lack of games would get on my nerves, I would have to use windows so I may as well have a PC.

Personally I think the iMac is fugly. While the Mac Pro looks nice, with prices starting from just under £2k it's not really an option.

dirtydog · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:20

Mr_White said:
It depends how you look at it, only the scheme of an uber-budget PC do you think you're getting the same or more performance for your money, when really you're not, you're just getting a computer for less money.

Come again?

Raikiri · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:21

dirtydog said:
Come again?

So he basically just said you're getting a PC with the same performance for less money, which is what I said? :confused:

dirtydog · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:22

I'm not quite sure what he said because it didn't make sense

Mr_White · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:23

dirtydog said:
Come again?

The fact is, when you take into terms the hardware, components and performance you're getting, they're really no more expensive than a PC, it's just because they don't start in the cheap end of the market, that you think you're getting less for your money, when you're really not.

If you wanted a PC to get on the internet for as cheap as possible, then Macs would look expensive since you'd be looking at £400 minimum for a mac, instead of £150-£200 for a PC.

UKTopGun · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:24

Ah good old Windows vs Mac debates.

Can always tell your on a hardware forum

PhilthyPhil · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:24

Mr_White said:
It depends how you look at it, only the scheme of an uber-budget PC do you think you're getting the same or more performance for your money, when really you're not, you're just getting a computer for less money.

17" iMac

1.83GHz C2D
512mb memory
160gb hdd
17 inch tft

From a well known PC manufacturer for the same price

2.13GHz C2D
2GB memory
320GB hdd
19 inch tft

I know which I would be buying

clv101 · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:25

dirtydog said:
If Macs are so good and Windows PCs are so bad... why do Macs only have a minute share of the market? Funny that.

Has anyone got any market share figures for different sectors. That 5% figure is often quoted, it's 5% of global annual computer sales?

I'd like to see Mac market share of laptops, market share of personal/home users, students etc...

I suspect the Mac share is much larger than 5% in those markets, and growing rapidly. The 5% figure looks low due to the massive volume of computers sold into the corporate environment... which while clearly important is isn't really relevant to a discussion on "Mac users' elitism" or on what the general public actually thing.

Mr_White · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:26

PhilthyPhil said:
17" iMac

1.83GHz C2D
512mb memory
160gb hdd
17 inch tft

From a well known PC manufacturer for the same price

2.13GHz C2D
2GB memory
320GB hdd
19 inch tft

I know which I would be buying

Hardly a like for like comparison, you look at an all in one PC similar to the iMac and it's not going to look so expensive then.

clockworks · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:26

Why do so many people think that Macs cost more than PCs?

Sure, it's possible to buy a super-cheap PC, built using out of date components. If, however, you compare like for like, some Macs are actually cheaper than comparably specced Windows PCs. Try building a PC to match a Mac Mini. The components might be cheaper, but a smart SFF case and silent PSU will push the price above the Mini.

I've been using PCs since the days of Windows 3.1. I recently bought a Mini, and I use both OSX and XP on it. I much prefer OSX.

kitten_caboodle · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:26

PhilthyPhil said:
17" iMac

1.83GHz C2D
512mb memory
160gb hdd
17 inch tft

From a well known PC manufacturer for the same price

2.13GHz C2D
2GB memory
320GB hdd
19 inch tft

I know which I would be buying

The top one??

PhilthyPhil · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:27

clv101 said:
Has anyone got any market share figures for different sectors. That 5% figure is often quoted, it's 5% of global annual computer sales?

I'd like to see Mac market share of laptops, market share of personal/home users, students etc...

I admit I had a hard time finding any detailed and up to date statistics, it would certainly be interesting if there are any

dirtydog · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:27

Mr_White said:
The fact is, when you take into terms the hardware, components and performance you're getting, they're really no more expensive than a PC, it's just because they don't start in the cheap end of the market, that you think you're getting less for your money, when you're really not.

If you wanted a PC to get on the internet for as cheap as possible, then Macs would look expensive since you'd be looking at £400 minimum for a mac, instead of £150-£200 for a PC.

Ah so you are trying to say that for the equivalent hardware specs, PCs and Macs are priced the same? Well that is not correct, put simply

The prices on the Apple website are frankly staggering.

dirtydog · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:29

clockworks said:
Why do so many people think that Macs cost more than PCs?

Sure, it's possible to buy a super-cheap PC, built using out of date components. If, however, you compare like for like, some Macs are actually cheaper than comparably specced Windows PCs. Try building a PC to match a Mac Mini. The components might be cheaper, but a smart SFF case and silent PSU will push the price above the Mini.

The Mini argument is a straw man because cases that small for PCs are hard, if not impossible to find. To build a PC of that spec for that price would be extremely easy. £400 for a basic spec machine without even a keyboard, mouse or monitor? You could get a similar performing Dell with those things for £100+ less. Which is no doubt why Dell has about double the computer market share that Apple does.

PureAppleJuice · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:31

dirtydog said:
If Macs are so good and Windows PCs are so bad... why do Macs only have a minute share of the market? Funny that.

Because originally I'd say they built machines that were essentially unecessary for the end user, and were beyond their time. It is only of recent that they've managed to grip some market share.
For the record I don't own a mac

alexakasloth · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:32

Cogent said:
finaly someone out there that understands!

That mac users are getting ripped off because they think it's cool?

kitten_caboodle · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:33

$loth said:
That mac users are getting ripped off because they think it's cool?

or how about - I'm prepared to pay more because I prefer the machine and the way it works? Why is that being ripped off? It's called personal choice. Besides I get a pretty hefty discount on Apple anyway, and I don't think I've ever paid much more for an apple machine than I have for a PC. My PC laptop actually cost more than my i-book (but I bought it a few years ago)

clockworks · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:34

dirtydog said:
The Mini argument is a straw man because cases that small for PCs are hard, if not impossible to find. To build a PC of that spec for that price would be extremely easy. £400 for a basic spec machine without even a keyboard, mouse or monitor? You could get a similar performing Dell with those things for £100+ less. Which is no doubt why Dell has about double the computer market share that Apple does.

IIRC, Evesham built a PC very similar in design to a Mini - cost about £600, and had a tendancy to overheat. Don't suppose they sold many.