But on the plus side, most of the software was far cheaper than the PC equivalents when it wasn’t actually free. For example, I was using Sony Vegas that cost $700 when I bought it. The equivalent program for the Mac is Final Cut Express for $150. Plus FCE was easier to learn and use. In fact, I found many free tutorial videos.

I have NeoOffice, a Mac-Optimized version of OpenOffice that does everything MS Office does and is free. I have other programs that were either free on under $50. So I gave saved a bundle on software.

Yes, I can play all my PC games and they run faster and better with nothing more than Crossover Games. No dual boot, or Windows emulators needed.

Then there are the things that come with OSX that cost extra with Windows systems like Preview for all files including PDFs (take THAT Adobe), a spell checker, a group of widgets like a translation program and unit conversion applet, etc. True some of these are also available as free 3rd-party programs for Windows, but do they all work as perfectly as one built into the OS??

Finally, the quality of the build itself exceeds any PC I have ever owned. Even the KB is the best.

Apple is counting on this. You’re defending a business practice that some might call highway robbery.

There is nothing at all that can account for the markup except greed and the knowledge that people are stupid. Don’t defend those who are trying to exploit you.

But to be fair to apple, the last example is with Error Correcting Code (EEC) ram. It is more expensive to manufacture than regular ram. It is usually only used in specialized server and super computer hardware.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EEC_RAM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_random_access_memory#Errors_and_error_correction

That’s TWICE what Dell and others want. Ridiculous.

If you just need a dual core laptop with Intel integrated graphics, you could get one from Acer for less than PhP 40K.

On the other hand, Mac OS and the “Apple experience” of owning these products are… priceless! No?

let me know if you already tried it.

I think the better comparison would be stock configuration. Compare a brand new out of the box macbook and a brand new out of the box branded windows laptop… HP or something else with the SAME or SIMILAR configuration. Hard drive, RAM, video card ? should be enough …

Besides I can sell DDR2 667 RAM for P2,500 for Kingston 2GB stick. DONT BUY RAM FROM APPLE !

visit my site http://mactrader.multiply.com/

You will find out a Macbook is cheaper than a similarly configured laptop from HP or maybe even Dell. And a macbook has a camera in front !

Plus, it runs both Mac OS X and Windows.

hehehe

I think the better comparison would be stock configuration. Compare a brand new out of the box macbook and a brand new out of the box branded windows laptop… HP or something else.

You will find out a Macbook is cheaper than a similarly configured laptop from HP or maybe even Dell. And a macbook has a camera in frot !

Plus, it runs both MAc OS X and Windows.

MacBooks aren’t perfect, and I wish to God Dell offers warranties here in the Philippines, but they don’t and Apple is the best option.

One more thing about owning a Mac. You cannot use Internet Explorer. I cannot open the apply box on JobsDB because it only supports Internet Explorer.

If you’re crazy about taking pictures and home movies, a MacBook will quickly be your best friend.

alienware too

In fairness, the reason the examples seem so much more expensive is that they are bigger, 2GB modules compared with the Dell’s 1GB DIMMS.
Even from Crucial, 8 2GB DIMMS of that spec are $1758 + Delivery – OK that is less that half the Apple price, what can I say – don’t buy RAM from Apple!

I couldn’t agree more. Apple products are indeed nice looking, they perform well, but in the end, they’re just not practical to buy. They’re more hype rather than functionality.

And i guess the whole “more expensive and classy” image Apple has is the reason behind why fanboys and girls so like to look down on others who aren’t so impressed with Apple.

Here’s a link that some might find funny: http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=iphone

The rest …

I am getting myself a new machine when I have saved enough money … and by that time … it’s gonna be back to WINDOWS!

In the past year or so I have even read comparisons about Apple actually being cheaper then some of the PC brands. This was by a few Computer Mag’s, not apple propagandists web sites. The mac pro -> high end Dell, the iMac against Gateway One and the Dell all in one. So I was intrigued to see the opposite here that Apple Macs are still WAY EXPENSIVE.

BUT all I saw here was Apple charges more for Ram, and that you compared different amounts and types. I saw that you compared upgrading 1GB in a Mac to 4GB (a 4x increase) compared to 2GB in the HP to 4GB (a 2x increase). I also learned you compared SO-Dimms (notebook memory) in the iMac and Macbook to regular desktop dimms in the HP.

After a little searching, I also learned a few more things…………

There are many grades of Ram and the ones for Mac are higher priced (for PC and Mac) It seems the Mac, for better or worse, requires a more stringent ram requirement.

There have been numerous articles about Ram costing more at Apple FOR YEARS and advising people to purchase elsewhere. (google -> apple ram price cost)

SO, while I think you have a very valid article, the title is very incorrect. Maybe Apple systems are more expensive, I didn’t have enough time tonight to do comparisons between MACS and PC’s, but they have been done many times.
But this is like having an article saying computers at CompUSA cost more, because their add-on ram cost more (I was always shocked RAM cost 2x – 3x more than online at CompUSA)

I normally do *slight* research on the cost of any upgrades when I buy a system. The last two were a Dell laptop and a cheap e-machine desktop.
Any shopper will compare the spec’s against what else is out there, or in the store. But If you want a bigger HardDrive, more Ram or better VideoCard, most people will compare what it costs elsewhere. Look at Pricewatch or Google for what you want. If its slightly more, I always buy from the manufacture since its less work and includes a warranty. But if its a LOT less I will buy it elsewhere, even if I have to pay to have it professionally installed.

So, WHile I agree, Apple charges too much for Ram (and Much more then HP from the above example, I didn’t check other manufactures)
From what I read in your article that does not mean MACS are more expensive unless you force the person to purchase ram from apple.

My Bias… I have recently been considering buying an apple laptop and have been reading articles about them.
BUT FOR ANY CURRENT LAPTOP…… I found I can buy 4GB of Ram for $93 generic to $149 crucial http://www.ramseeker.com/memory/MacBook_(KITS)-4gb/
And a 250GB HardDrive for under $150 http://www.nextag.com/250gb-2.5/search-html

Please compare price/feature in price comparisons in the future. Not add-on’s unless the article is about add-on’s.
Thank You

Are you contemplating on getting a Mac?

As what the others mentioned already… those memory upgrades are optional. It is almost always cheaper to get the model/unit with the lowest ram config possible and just buy a new pair of ram sticks with a higher capacity from a reputable brand.

Then just take out the orig sticks and replace it with a new pair of ram sticks so you won’t encounter stability problems in using different ram sticks. What to do with the old sticks? you can always sell them

You may want to check out http://feedback.longbeard.info/ for some good deals on macs and more affordable memory upgrades.

just my 2c

happy new year to all

The bundled softwares that comes with mac and a bunch of nifty features made them stand out than any consumer OS and machine around. Commercial Mac softwares are still relatively cheap compared to PC.

IMO, in general, it’s still cheaper compared to PCs and you really get what you paid for.