Is the Apple Macbook over priced for its specs?

Question

I mean in Australia it costs like $1600 and it doesnt even have a proper graphics card or dedicated graphic memory. It has a low end intel card instead that just shares with the main ram. Should I just go with like a Dell inspiron with vista instead? The main reason I'm leaning towards a PC is because they are generally cheaper. Macs look cool but!!! argghhh i cannot decide

Answer 1

You actually get a lot for the extra money.

1. OSX - the most secure, stable, and user friendly operating system on the market - it's built on top of UNIX which is what governments, militaries, and any organization with a lot of critical data that needs to stay online and secure 24/7
2. Apple has the best customer service in the industry.
3. A longer lasting system. I am currently using a PowerMac G4 that is 7 years old and running the latest version of OSX, the latest version of MS Office, Adobe CS3, I'm constantly authoring DVD's and doing a lot of other processor intensive projects, but my 7 year old Mac consistently out performs my wife's 1 year old Dell because OSX is actually engineered to optimize your system resources and not be a bloated turd. You wouldn't want to even try to run today's Windows software on a 7 year old PC. As if running today's Windows software on a PC of today wasn't filled with enough headaches.
4. You get a system that from the ground up was designed with you in mind. Every Apple product is engineered and designed to be a work of art. They are all about the user experience and they want it to be a good one. This truth is evident right down to their packaging. Their products aren't packaged in plain boring brown cardboard boxes... It's sleek, it's sexy, and it's exciting! It's just like opening a beautifully wrapped gift on Christmas morning!

People will say that "oh, they're only for designers" or whatever. This is not true. The fact of the matter is they are for anyone that wants a hassle free computing experience. Apple's computers just work. And they work exceptionally well. It is true that most Apple customers in the past have been advertising agencies, creative shops, designers, publications, etc.... Notice a trend??? All are places that have a lot of money on the line if a deadline is missed due to PC problems. When your company's money and future are on the line you can't afford to be down even for a second trying to troubleshoot ridiculous PC problems. Now this same mindset is getting bigger and bigger in the consumer side.

I switched 7 years ago and now that I have I can't think of one single reason of why I waited so long. I wasted 20+ years troubleshooting PC problems... I literally sold all of my PCs the day after my first Mac was delivered. And I'll tell you what, I've never had a PC last me 7 years. I've never had a PC last me 2 years. Had I stuck with PC's in the time I've had my Mac I'd have burned through 3 PCs and gearing up to burn through a 4th. So yeah, it was more money than a single PC.... but was MUCH cheaper than 4 PCs.

Get a Mac, you will love it. It will take you about a week to get used to the new environment, but it is so beautiful, well thought out, and just plain enjoyable!

And of course a computer repairman is going to say stick with a PC.... they'd all be out of jobs if the world all at once switched to Mac.

Answer 2

I recently had the same issue - cheaper windows based laptop or take the plunge for a macbook (what I was looking at). I choose the Macbook. I've just had too much aggrivation with PC's and laptop's that run windows and decided I needed something with a better reputation for stability. My wife has a HP laptop that came with Windows XP installed and we have yet been able to get SP2 to install and run stable on it. I put it on, I uninstall it. I've even re-installed the system completely a couple of times and it's always the same. As soon as SP2 gets on it, it crashed, reboots randomly, locks up, etc... SP1, no problems so we are sticking with it (downgrading if you prefer). I also built a Vista machine and went through the headache of installing hardware driver, uninstalling hardware drivers (mainly for a memorex DVD burner and the Asus Motherboard). My Macbook just hums along and is really not that bad. It does get a bit noisy when it gets hot and the fan kicks in. It also has the latest WiFi N. So far it hasn't truly given my any fits except for the time I plugged my cannon camcorder in, it didn't recognize it and I thought the firewire port may not be working. But I tried again the next day and no problems so perhaps I didn't have it firmly plugged in? I've had the mac for about a month now, but I have to say I've been pretty happy with it so far and both my wife and I are starting to prefer it over our other "toys"

Answer 3

I tried going to PCs but we couldn't deal with the operating systems always having problems. How often do you hear a Mac owner complaining about computer problems or not being able to figure out how to do something?

I have over a dozen computers. They are all Macs. These are used to serve my professional photography business. If all you do is look at the internet, write a report now and then, play games, or crunch numbers maybe the PC is the way to go.

Of course, it seems like every time Apple comes out with something new all the PCs try to copy it. So maybe with Apple you're paying for research and development.

Answer 4

Unfortunately both Australia and NZ both have to pay a bit more for Apple gear due to their smaller markets in relation to the US market.

Macs are well specd for designers, video editors and engineers but not for gamers since Apple doesn't properly cater for the gaming market so if your wanting a laptop more for gaming a PC would be better suited although Macs do run Windows.

Answer 5

i got a mac book. im on it right now clearly. im not a wiz with all your mumbo jumbo "proper graphics card" and "graphic memory" .. and cant you always upgrade your intel card mac right? and why do you think pcs are cheaper? its like digging food out of the trash - the food is free but its moldy. just buy a sandwich. its not free but it doesnt have mold. hahah ok
dont get the computer because 'it looks cool' and dont get a mac because its a "mac' and all the silly stereo types. go to the stores and get a feel for each computer. go with your instinct and visualize yourself at home, on your laptop.

Answer 6

I personally think so. The specs are not impressive, you are paying for the "Apple" mystique.

Answer 7

I use my imac because I want to, I use my toshiba because I have to.

Answer 8

there wonderful