A Windows PC of similar quality to what Apple offers (built quality and specs) is not that much cheaper
I don’t think that’s true, at least if we’re talking about hardware. The only thing that I think really makes this argument is the screen, because you need to go really high end to get the same quality screen (if it exists).
If we mostly stick to CPU, RAM, storage, etc, then you can get a really competitive PC for about half the cost. I bought a decent ThinkPad new about 7 years ago for $500 (E series), which was pretty competitive w/ the Macbook Pro in terms of specs, and I still use it to this day. I didn’t go top-of-the-line, so the CPU was a little worse and it had integrated graphics, but I could absolutely find a similar build to the MBP for $1k or so, probably less. The MacBook Air and Mac Mini, however, is a lot harder to find a competitor for and I think their value is quite strong with that form factor.
If we include software, then yeah, macOS offers a ton of value, since you get a decent office suite and a bunch of other utilities included with it, whereas w/ Windows, you just get trial versions of subscription software. So valuing the included SW in macOS vs Windows really depends on the individual.
Windows is just bad
Agreed. I only buy “Windows” laptops to install Linux on, and on my last laptop, I got a $40 discount because I told the sales rep I wasn’t interested in Windows and they gave that to me.
That said, the value that Windows provides that other OSes don’t is compatibility. macOS can’t play Windows games, and Linux can’t play some games that work on Windows. If you need that compatibility, the value assessment is a lot different than if you could switch platforms without giving anything up.
Yeah, but if you look at the whole picture and not just specs, the hardware isn’t priced that badly. Like you said, a similar screen would only be found on high end devices and I would argue you can’t even get a trackpad that is as good as the one on a MacBook from any other manufacturer. You also get a pretty decent webcam and speakers and the aluminium chassis is exceptionally good too. If you don’t care about those things then I understand looking mainly at specs, but if you do these things add up to a really good user experience.
Don’t get me wrong though. I don’t want to shill for Apple here. There are some things that are just obscenely expensive. The cost of RAM
and storage upgrades is an insult. Or the Mac Pro wheels or basically anything “small” (adapters, the Apple cloth etc.).
Sure, if you’re looking for exactly what Apple offers, then they offer a decent value. But if you want any changes, you’re SOL.
I personally don’t care about half the things they ship standard (screen, camera, chassis, trackpad), I really care about things they charge extra for (RAM, storage), and I like some things offered by other manufacturers (TrackPoint + mouse buttons from Thinkpad, repairability, keyboard feel, etc). I also don’t really like macOS, even after using it for years at work.
For me, they offer poor value. For someone else, they offer good value. It all comes down to what you value.
I don’t think that’s true, at least if we’re talking about hardware. The only thing that I think really makes this argument is the screen, because you need to go really high end to get the same quality screen (if it exists).
If we mostly stick to CPU, RAM, storage, etc, then you can get a really competitive PC for about half the cost. I bought a decent ThinkPad new about 7 years ago for $500 (E series), which was pretty competitive w/ the Macbook Pro in terms of specs, and I still use it to this day. I didn’t go top-of-the-line, so the CPU was a little worse and it had integrated graphics, but I could absolutely find a similar build to the MBP for $1k or so, probably less. The MacBook Air and Mac Mini, however, is a lot harder to find a competitor for and I think their value is quite strong with that form factor.
If we include software, then yeah, macOS offers a ton of value, since you get a decent office suite and a bunch of other utilities included with it, whereas w/ Windows, you just get trial versions of subscription software. So valuing the included SW in macOS vs Windows really depends on the individual.
Agreed. I only buy “Windows” laptops to install Linux on, and on my last laptop, I got a $40 discount because I told the sales rep I wasn’t interested in Windows and they gave that to me.
That said, the value that Windows provides that other OSes don’t is compatibility. macOS can’t play Windows games, and Linux can’t play some games that work on Windows. If you need that compatibility, the value assessment is a lot different than if you could switch platforms without giving anything up.
Yeah, but if you look at the whole picture and not just specs, the hardware isn’t priced that badly. Like you said, a similar screen would only be found on high end devices and I would argue you can’t even get a trackpad that is as good as the one on a MacBook from any other manufacturer. You also get a pretty decent webcam and speakers and the aluminium chassis is exceptionally good too. If you don’t care about those things then I understand looking mainly at specs, but if you do these things add up to a really good user experience.
Don’t get me wrong though. I don’t want to shill for Apple here. There are some things that are just obscenely expensive. The cost of RAM and storage upgrades is an insult. Or the Mac Pro wheels or basically anything “small” (adapters, the Apple cloth etc.).
Sure, if you’re looking for exactly what Apple offers, then they offer a decent value. But if you want any changes, you’re SOL.
I personally don’t care about half the things they ship standard (screen, camera, chassis, trackpad), I really care about things they charge extra for (RAM, storage), and I like some things offered by other manufacturers (TrackPoint + mouse buttons from Thinkpad, repairability, keyboard feel, etc). I also don’t really like macOS, even after using it for years at work.
For me, they offer poor value. For someone else, they offer good value. It all comes down to what you value.