Mac and PC Price Differences Grow, Does it Impact Your Purchase?

[YSSMAN]

A lovely little story on the price differences between Macs and PCs popped up on Digg (and Diggnation) recently. To get to the meat of the issue...

On Saturday, Aug. 2, I got to wondering about Mac versus Windows PC pricing after seeing two HP notebooks on sale at the local Target. One of them, a 14-inch model, the HP DV2946NR, sold for $699.99 and packed 4GB of memory and a 320GB hard drive. Capacity for both features is twice that of the $1,299 MacBook--and shared graphics is 356MB compared with a meager 144MB for the MacBook. I wondered: If Vista notebooks are selling for so little and packing so much, how does this compare with Mac desktops and notebooks?

Today I contacted Stephen Baker, NPD's vice president of industry analysis, about computer average selling prices at retail. That HP notebook is right on mark: ASP for retail Windows notebooks is $700. Mac laptops: $1,515. Yeah, right, they're more than twice as much. But there's more: The ASP for Mac desktops is more than $1,000 greater than for Windows PCs, and Mac desktop ASPs were higher in June than they were two years ago.

Mac: $1,199; 2.4GHz Intel Core Duo processor, 20-inch widescreen display (integrated), 1GB DDR memory, 128MB ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT graphics, 250GB hard drive, 8x double-layer DVD burner, Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11 g Wi-Fi, Webcam and Mac OS X 10.5.

Inspiron 518: $739 (after $150 instant savings); 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Quad processor, 19-inch widescreen monitor, 3GB DDR memory, Intel GMA X3100 graphics, 500GB hard drive, 8x DVD burner and Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1.

As Alex pointed out on the show, the perceived differences between Macs and PCs has (at least for some) gone down to a negligible level in the past year or so, but when you get around to actually researching the issue, the Apple continues to be a more expensive option.

As the school season starts picking back up here in the United States, I continually hear stories about how people are spending more than $1500 for otherwise "stripper" laptops from Apple, and it always comes as a major shock to me. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love their products for their ease of use when it comes to video, music and photo editing... But at least in my opinion, I've never been able to justify the price difference when it comes down to an actual power output.

On the show, Kevin leveled the difference at the "sexy design" and the fact that it has "a better OS" and "a better works suite" than what is offered on most PCs. While I do find that agreeable under most circumstances, I don't think it justifies a price difference of $800-1000+ on most comparable products.

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So, the big question:

Does the price difference end up effecting your purchase decision, or do you just accept that as something that "happens?"

 

[Tornado]

My friend paid $2,000 for a base MacBook Pro. He could have bought one of those big monster Dells for the same money, and gotten a much better screen, a faster hard drive, twice as much RAM and a considerably more powerful GPU (plus the fun gimmicky stuff like external media controls and those silly LED lights). I personally don't think OSX is that much better than Vista to warrant throwing all of that crap away, and I don't get why people going into college just toss their money at Apple without even looking at the competitors on the market.

 

[YSSMAN]

I'm perplexed as well. Unfortunately it seems that Apple has been tossed into the "hip" category with Hollister and North Face, all things that I tend to find a cheaper and more-reasonable alternative to while accomplishing the exact same thing. Don't get me wrong, the Apple computers are amazing machines when you really dig into them (I've yet to find a PC that could have outdone that G5 I had in High School to run Final Cut Pro with), but for what I do (and what most people do), I just don't understand how they're justifying the price.

 

[Only_in_f1]

Ah this is timely. I am off to college and all of my editing so will be done on a Imac. As this PC was bought over 1 and a half years ago as a cheap PC that will do a job for an amount of time I knew a change would be coming along soon.

I looked at an Imac with the things I needed/wanted came too £1,300. I then priced up an Alienware PC as I really want a gaming PC and that came too £1,500 with a 1GB graphics, Vista Prem and so on. £1000 is my maximum really via savings and any money I get from working and so but I can get a tad more and shave so off the price by sacrificing some features.

So can anyone help me. Which should I choose?

 

[Tornado]

It depends on a few things, really, even ignoring any power differences between the two.

Do you want the ability to upgrade the computer as time goes on? Are you stuck for space? Do you have a lot of Windows programs right now? Do you have any experience with Mac products in the past? Are there any other alternatives from other PC manufacturers?

 

[Joey D]

Now here is something I've always wondered, since all a Mac is is a PC running a different OS, would it be possible just to get rid of Windows and put on OSX? If so why wouldn't one just buy the cheaper laptop and install OSX on it?

 

[CDailey]

OS X will not install on non Mac hardware out of the box. It is possible to do it though. Google "Hackintosh."

 

[Tornado]

There have been people who have gotten ahold of leaked pre-release copies in the past and done it. The main problem is that OSX is designed for very specific hardware, so if you have a GPU (for example) that wasn't also offered in Macs you won't be able to get drivers for it. Because Macs are so narrow in the hardware they use (so control drivers are only ported for certain pieces of hardware), driver issues are a big thing if you try to put it on a PC.

 

[Joey D]

Alright, I see that it is possible and that quite a few people do it. Honestly I think I would rather go that route if I had to have a Mac. I don't really care for Apple products though, I hated the 3 iPods I had because they broke on me for no real good reason and every Mac computer I've used left me with the feeling of "what's the big deal?" I suppose it's because I grew up with Windows starting off with 3.1 and progressing through every update except Vista because I can't stand it.

 

[Only_in_f1]

It depends on a few things, really, even ignoring any power differences between the two.

Do you want the ability to upgrade the computer as time goes on? Are you stuck for space? Do you have a lot of Windows programs right now? Do you have any experience with Mac products in the past? Are there any other alternatives from other PC manufacturers?

Yes I have checked to see if the programmes I use now work on Macs and its a resounding, No.

On my work experience I spent a week on a mac and liked it.

As for alternative would anyone like to suggest any?

Thanks for the help Toronado

 

[Tornado]

What were the specs of the Alienware and iMac you looked at?

 

[emad]

Macs are more reasonably priced after a full hardware refresh - try waiting for a redesign or hardware overhaul of any mac computer and compare to competitor's prices.

As for that 19 inch notebook, it's a bit specialized in its functionality. I definitely don't see myself carrying something that large around in my shoulder bag. it would be good for lan parties or as a portable workstation, but not for a road-warrior.

All that said, Apple's pricing scheme has me buying a PC for my next machine. There is just too vast a difference in performance between the overpriced and crappy Mac Mini and the recently overpriced Mac Pros (out of date GPU and Apple hasn't dropped the prices to match changes in CPU costs)... I need something in the $1k range and neither product from Apple provides that.

 

[Only_in_f1]

Mac:

Hard drive: 500GB Serial ATA Drive
Memory: 2 GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1 GB
Processor : 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 6MB shared L2 cache
Optical drive3 : 8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Graphics : ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB of GDDR3 memory

OR I get a 24" Imac with : Graphics : # NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS w/512MB GDDR3

Alienware: Area-51™ 7500

Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E8400 3.00GHz 6MB Cache 1333MHz FSB ~
Graphics: 1GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 280 OR 896MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ GTX 260
Memory: 4GB - 4 x 1024MB
OS: Genuine Windows® Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1
System Drive: 500GB SATA 3Gb/s 7200 RPM
Storage Drive: 500GB SATA 3Gb/s 7200 RPM
Optical Drive :20X Dual Layer DVD±RW/CD-RW Writer
Monitor: 17" Dell UltraSharp 1708FP Black Flat Panel LCD Monitor

My alternative is a XPS 630

 

[Tornado]

The Alienware is an exponentially better computer, even with the GTX 260. A Dell XPS could probably be built with the similar specs for a bunch less than the Alienware on top of that.

 

[Only_in_f1]

You think so? I've never really been of for building a pc like that. I guess overall it could be cheaper... Ill give it all a think. Thanks for your help again.

 

[YSSMAN]

So can anyone help me. Which should I choose?

Spec for spec, a PC is almost always going to be the cheaper alternative. More people are going to know how to work with them, and like previously pointed out, they're easily expandable as the times change.

That all being said, it really depends on what you're planning on doing with your computer to make the best decision. If my life depending on editing photos, video and music, I'd have the Mac in a heartbeat. For anything else, the price difference is not justified. Especially when ASUS will sell you a perfectly good laptop that will reach the internet and do word processing just as well as anyone else for well under $500 US.

Its give-take I guess. I love Apple products, but I'm not enough of a tech elitist to require one in my home. Unless its an iPod, then I accept nothing less (har har).

 

[Muzaffar]

OS X will not install on non Mac hardware out of the box. It is possible to do it though. Google "Hackintosh."

Yeah, I've seen a video of this one person on youtube who has his HP Pavilion running with Hackintosh and get all of the application running.



If it were really simple to do it, I would totally buy some cheap laptop and install osx86. But the problem is it wouldn't feel like the real Mac, and the PC would always miss one or two components on the Mac. I'm really having a problem now that my PC has died, and would like to find a good laptop to use for work. A MacBook Pro is really on my mind right now, but some other offer like a Lenovo U330 or an Asus would be good as well.......

 

[Jondot]

Truth be told, if I needed a laptop now and I had the budget of a basic MacBook (ie £699) to spend on one... I probably wouldn't get a Mac. I'd probably buy an HP with Vista and then immediately roll it back to XP.

If I had the budget of MacBook Pro, though, I'd go for another one. Undoubtedly. I mean sure, I'd get 'a lot more' with a Dell or an HP or whatever, but the Pro is just fantastic to use everyday. The feel of the thing is just... mmm...

And it's not just me being a Mac fanboy or anything - find me an HP or a Dell with a metal finish and with screen and speakers as good as this and I'll gladly consider it.

 

[Robin]

To me the prices of Mac stuff would never attract me if I was working to a low budget but as something to splash out on maybe....

I have also never been a full time user of OS and it would take too much getting used to and some programs I use would require boot camp... so in essence I would buy a mac to look nice and run windows on it... so not much point really.

You would have thought since using intel mac prices would have dropped, and they have, but not substantially enough to compete with much faster falling PC prices. Its almost like the fix the price to keep some level of exclusivity because you can buy equivalent gadgets / spec to all apple products for a cheaper price.

Robin

 

[Only_in_f1]

That all being said, it really depends on what you're planning on doing with your computer to make the best decision. If my life depending on editing photos, video and music, I'd have the Mac in a heartbeat. For anything else, the price difference is not justified.

Thing is, all my college work will be on an Imac. Yet for everything else, a Windows PC. Ill have to wait till I get to college in a few weeks before I make a decision but im still in between.

 

[TheCracker]

If you get a Mac you can run Windows on it via either Boot Camp or Parallels. Best of both worlds.

 

[stumpydino]

spent a fortune trying to keep my pc just working okay, repairs, buying new bits etc and i gave up with it after 4 years of tearing my hair out and got a mac over 3 years ago and have not spent a penny since. the mac was bought for just under a grand plus education discount, in the mean time my family has gone through 3 laptops. it seems a lot for mac to begin with but in the long run the reliability saves plenty more.

 

[Blake]

So, the big question:

Does the price difference end up effecting your purchase decision, or do you just accept that as something that "happens?"

Yes, price does effect my purchasing decisions. For roughly the cost of a basic MacBook I got a high-end PC. In my mind there is no way that a Mac is worth the extra money, and I’d probably never buy one when the price difference is so high. Unless Microsoft decides never to release a decent OS again, in which case I may have to re-think.

 

[HACKr]

Truth be told, I wouldn't be the first to recommend you get a Mac. Sure, I love the OS, but in all reality, the hardware isn't too extremely reliable anymore. Back in the day, you could buy a new Mac, slightly expensive, but much higher performance than the average PC, with extreme reliability as well. Nowadays, ever since the big iPod boom, Apple has become 'cool.' Now they can get away with charging huge prices for crap (Macbook Air FTL) because it's Apple, it looks cool, and someone's gonna buy it. I might add their reliability has gone down the tube as well. The only Mac I'd recommend over your PC is the Mac Pro. It is stable, reliable, extremely powerful, and expandable, just like most Macs used to be. If you want a laptop, get yourself an HP. Hate Windows? Then get an HP and run Ubuntu. Me, I'm fine with my G4. It's from 2001, it's only got a 450 mhz processor, but it has never given me trouble and continues to run amazingly. It's still got plenty of headroom to expand too.

 

[Jondot]

I would disagree with the 'buy HP for build quality' theory. I've got an HP Compaq laptop and the build quality is some of the worst I've experienced. Within the space of a year and a bit, the CD drive developed a mind of its own, the mouse button fell off, the backlight became more like candlelight than anything else, one of the USB ports malfunctioned, the battery life wore down to 5 minutes and eventually the port where the power lead goes in went wrong too. And cosmetically it just got sort of... ruined, but that was to be expected I suppose. And it developed that typical characteristic of slowing down horribly, needing a reinstall... and then slowing down again a few days later.

And it's not like I threw it off a cliff or anything - in its whole life it never left my house, and just went between about 3 rooms. Then again it weighed so much that I couldn't have ventured outside even if I wanted to.

I mean new, it was great. But after a year of use it disintegrated, essentially.

With regards to Mac quality, I've never heard any complaints from people I know with them. I think it's a case of the more they sell (and the more people pay for them) the more complaints you hear. I mean they're not German in terms of build quality, but I don't think they're all that bad. It wouldn't surprise me that they've gone a bit downhill, though. It particularly wouldn't surprise my copy of GTA San Andreas that's got trapped in there on several occasions.

 

[V1P3R]

^HP sucks...

I will be sticking with PCs thanks and more precisely, I'll be sticking with Lenvo/Thinkpad for their 1337 "nipple" mice. I LOVE THOSE enough that I'm willing to pay more if it has it.

 

[Blackbird.]

^HP sucks...

As much as I disagree with that statement building a PC is the best way to go unless you're talking about notebooks.

 

[Robin]

Unless Microsoft decides never to release a decent OS again, in which case I may have to re-think.

I have high hopes for Windows Seven seeing as Vista was the biggest joke since Windows Me... If they mess that one up then I may build a hackintosh buy a mac and switch to OS.

Robin

 

[V1P3R]

As much as I disagree with that statement building a PC is the best way to go unless you're talking about notebooks.

Well it's kinda pointless to build a laptop and expect it to last. I am going off of how badly made my old one was, but I don't think the new ones will be that much better.

 

[Casio]

I brought a HP notebook 18 months ago, and it still works as perfectly as when I first got it. I take around with me every single day too. Never failed on me once.