What Apple product/s do you use?

[Zaroth]

Just because I'm bored at work.

Our Macbook. Base model. MSRP. Everything you want.
pub.meta.shop_mac.family.mb.title - Apple Store (U.S.)

MSRP $1,000

13.3 inch screen
1280x800
2 GB Ram
2.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo
250GB 5400rpm harddrive
Nvidia 320M
1 year warranty

Here is an Asus that is a MUCH better computer, but I'm trying to compare price here.
Newegg.com - ASUS U33 Series U33JC-A1 Notebook w/ NVIDIA Optimus Intel Core i3 370M(2.40GHz) 13.3" 4GB Memory DDR3 1066 500GB HDD 5400rpm NVIDIA GeForce 310M + Intel HD

MSRP $1,000
On sale for $749 and $599 after mail in rebate. Even at the full price this computer destroys the Macbook.

13.3 inch screen
1366 x 768
4GB Ram (2x the Macbook)
2.4 Ghz i3 (Not even in the same ballpark as the 2.4 in the Macbook)
500GB 5400rpm Harddrive (2x the Macbook)
Nivida 310M

Here is a DELL computer because... I dunno... Why not.
Newegg.com - DELL Inspiron 15R (i15R-1570MRB) Notebook Intel Core i3 380M(2.53GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory DDR3 1333 640GB HDD 5400rpm DVD±R/RW Intel HD Graphics

MSRP $649

15.6 inch screen( couldn't find a Dell of comparable power in the size)
1366 x 768
4GB (2x the Macbook)
2.56Ghz i3 (Another i3)
640GB 5400 rpm Harddrive (2.5x the Macbook)
Intel Graphics
1 year warranty

Can you honestly tell me you would pay 350 more for that Macbook vs this computer?

Wait though, maybe you want a laptop you can confuse people into thinking you have a Macbook Pro. I bring you the HP ProBook.

Newegg.com - HP ProBook 4320s(XT939UT) NoteBook Intel Core i3 370M(2.40GHz) 13.3" 2GB Memory DDR3 1066 320GB HDD 7200rpm DVD Super Multi Intel HD Graphics

MSRP $679 on sale for $579

13.3 inch screen
1366x768
2GB RAM
2.4Ghz i3
320GB 7200rpm harddrive (much better than the slow 5400rpm harddrive in the Macbook)
Intel Graphics
1 year warranty

Maybe your a Sony guy. Sony's VAIO laptops are very nice laptops.

Newegg.com - SONY VAIO S Series VPCS135FX/S Notebook Intel Core i5 480M(2.66GHz) 13.3" 4GB Memory DDR3 1066 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel HD Graphics

MSRP $1,009 (uh oh, we might be in trouble here) $959 after sale

13.3 inch screen
1366 x 768
4GB RAM (2x the Macbook)
2.66Ghz i5 (Waaaaayyyyyyy better than the processor of the Macbook.
500GB 5400rpm harddrive (2x the Macbook)
Intel Graphics
1 year warranty

This computer rips the Macbook to shreds and it is from overpriced Sony...


This is the MSRP to MSRP comparison you were so butt hurt over.

This was just kind of skimming Newegg, so if you want some more I can probably find a few more laptops to tear apart Apples offerings.

[Zaroth]

Quoting a bare bones HD from New Egg is basis for a personal build. You're putting it together, not buying it out right from the manufacturer.

-John

I was pricing the cost of a replacement Apple harddrive vs a high end alternative drive. My point being if the HD fails on your Apple computer and you dont have a warranty your going to pay 200 dollars more for a lesser harddrive. I posted a barebones harddrive because I'm talking about it from a tech standpoint to replace a harddrive. This is pretty standard stuff here. I'll spell it out a little better next time.

I'm not riled up. I'm just bored at work. Damn all these properly functioning cheap PC's.

[stealthify]

I was pricing the cost of a replacement Apple harddrive vs a high end alternative drive. My point being if the HD fails on your Apple computer and you dont have a warranty your going to pay 200 dollars more for a lesser harddrive. I posted a barebones harddrive because I'm talking about it from a tech standpoint to replace a harddrive. This is pretty standard stuff here. I'll spell it out a little better next time.

What is the point of this? Despite being covered for the first year regardless, you'd be a fool to spend the extra money buying a replacement harddrive from Apple after that. The drives in Apple's products are no better or of "lesser" quality than in their PC counterparts, and this point has already been covered:

Apple computers, in many ways, aren't far removed from their PC counterparts. Sure, they're refined and made to "look all pretty" both inside and out -- but our RAM, harddrives, processors etc are not some sort of proprietary Apple brand.

This is a non-issue.

My calculations put Apple value at anywhere from -$40.00 to -$790.00.

At least that's how I see their value.

And Jeremy, I thoroughly enjoyed your post, but I'm one step ahead of you:

your average computer user isn't you, me, Jeremy or Alan -- but rather someone like our brothers, sisters, friends or half-dozen others that use computers for the most simplistic of reasons

all these (bonuses) are subjective - to some, the value of each of the above points might be worth more than I labeled them as. To others, it might not be worth much at all. The point being, spec for spec we're comparable, but when you really open your eyes on what other values are involved there's a quite a bit out there being ignored by the nay-sayers.

That's pretty much all that is needed in response to your post.

You're not the average user, you didn't mind taking the massive time to really learn your systems and devices, and (to you) finding and downloading drivers is a piece of cake. For your average user, not so much. It certainly is a lot easier (at times) than it used to be, but I can't tell you the last time I had to hunt down and install a driver on my Mac -- and I, too, would have no trouble doing so if needed.

And by the way, that family pack you speak of, that's the upgrade alone price - not the price of buying a fresh copy like I was referring to for Snow Leopard. Which by the way, I just went to double check, and it turns out it's actually only $29 ($49 for a family pack = $9.80 per computer). Yep, obviously subsidized because Apple makes its true money on hardware and services (and it shows), while Microsoft makes its true money on software (and it shows).

Both companies are in it for the money, both companies went about it in a different (but not particularly incorrect) way. But it certainly seems to piss off some haters like they're owed something.

ps - I might just agree with you on the dog vs cat thing. At least in regards to home security.

[Zaroth]

What is the point of this? Despite being covered for the first year regardless, you'd be a fool to spend the extra money buying a replacement harddrive from Apple after that. The drives in Apple's products are no better or of "lesser" quality than in their PC counterparts, and this point has already been covered:

Correct. Since this was "already covered" I didn't figure I would have to restate it, but let me quote yourself to answer this.

your average computer user isn't you, me, Jeremy or Alan -- but rather someone like our brothers, sisters, friends or half-dozen others that use computers for the most simplistic of reasons

You and I both know that Apple products are just rebranded versions of computer hardware( I stated above that Apple uses Seagate harddrives and IPD stated they use Foxconn motherboards) My brother, sister, and your average person does not know this however. They will send their laptop into Apple when it breaks and get bent over because Apple charges 3x as much for the same hardware.

When I say inferior hardware I mean if I put my 1000 laptop against your 1000 Macbook my hardware will be better (more ram, bigger harddrive, faster processor... see above for examples) making the Mac hardware inferior... because my hardware is superior in a dollar for dollar comparison.

[stealthify]

They will send their laptop into Apple when it breaks and get bent over because Apple charges 3x as much for the same hardware.

So, you're saying Apple is a bad company for doing this?

I suppose we should throw all brands in the fire with them then. This is no different than car manufacturers and their respective dealerships: you'd be losing money hand over fist on having them do the out-of-warranty work. Are we prepared to say we completely hate Mitsubishi, Dodge and all other car manufacturers because of this? Unlikely.

That is the cost of misinformation from those PC fanboys telling potential Mac purchasers that their computers will use some sort of proprietary hardware inside it. That in order to upgrade it, they must replace it, etc. This is also the cost of taking your product BACK to the manufacturer to service it (outside of warranty), and this is not exclusive to Apple. Do you really want to go down that road?

[Zaroth]

So, you're saying Apple is a bad company for doing this?

No. I never said that. Have to make money somehow. Justifying it's more expensive because it has a litttle Apple on top is a little shady though.

I suppose we should throw all brands in the fire with them then. This is no different than car manufacturers and their respective dealerships: you'd be losing money hand over fist on having them do the out-of-warranty work. Are we prepared to say we completely hate Mitsubishi, Dodge and all other car manufacturers because of this? Unlikely.

In that 3x amount I gave earlier I wasn't including the cost of labor. That was only for the part before labor. I charge $20 to swap out a laptop harddrive. How much does Apple charge on top of the 3x equipment cost.

That is the cost of misinformation from those PC fanboys telling potential Mac purchasers that their computers will use some sort of proprietary hardware inside it. That in order to upgrade it, they must replace it, etc. This is also the cost of taking your product BACK to the manufacturer to service it (outside of warranty), and this is not exclusive to Apple. Do you really want to go down that road?

No. This is the kind of information that Apple and Jobs imply saying "This isn't a PC" "You pay more for our computers because they are special!". Believe me, us PC fanboys love breaking the Mac boys hearts about how run-of-the-mill their hardware is.

[stealthify]

Justifying it's more expensive because it has a litttle Apple on top is a little shady though.

This is where you're missing my point. It's not more expensive because it has a little Apple logo at the top, it's more expensive because you're buying it directly from the manufacturer!

This statement applies to the rest of your post.

[Zaroth]

This is where you're missing my point. It's not more expensive because it has a little Apple logo at the top, it's more expensive because you're buying it directly from the manufacturer!

This statement applies to the rest of your post.

Ah, finally we are in agreement. If you want good performance without paying out the ass... you need to buy non Apple. It took a while, but I'm glad I finally got through.

[stealthify]

Do I even need to dignify that statement with a response?

[UTRacerX9]

I wonder what kinds of things you guys argue about with your girlfriends/wives...