Why so much?

[rdf8585]

I switched a year ago and like OSX... it's something more people ought to use. And Apple has gotten much more competetive on the desktop market with the Mini, but why are their laptops so expensive? The next computer I buy likely will be a laptop - my Dell is over 3 yrs old - but the fact they are so much more is a major deterrant.

The MacBook starts at $1099. OSX/iLife. You get a 1.83 C2D, 512 RAM, 60 GB HD, a 13.3 screen, a combo drive, and 64 MB VRAM.

For $70 less, I can get a Dell with MCE 2005 (+ Vista upgrade), a 1.8 ghz Turion 64x2 Mobile processor, 2048 MB RAM, a 120 GB HD, a 15.4 in screen, 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability, and an ATI Xpress 1100 card with 256 MB VRAM.

As good as OSX/iLife is - and I don't especially care about iLife being included - the decision there shouldn't be hard for people that need to be somewhat careful on how much they spend. The MacBook is just not competetively priced, but why?

I'm not saying they should offer crappy $399/499 laptops, but they need something around $699/799 if they want to get more people buying their laptops. I know I would be more likely to, but they're just blown out of the water hardware wise by other places. I remember getting excited last year when thinksecret and other places were talking about a $799 ibook. Of course that never came true and I bought this Mini, which is easily the worst mistake I ever made as far as personal purchases go (shoulda waited and i knew it)

[xfiftyfour]

This topic has been discussed to exhaustion.

Apple will never offer a laptop that low, nor do they need to. People pay the premium on their hardware because, coupled with the OS, they're stable and virus-free. Additionally, they have the monopoly on OSX, which, to many people, is worth the premium alone. Lastly, they're nice to look at. And sexy sells. Dell laptops? Not sexy. Apple laptops? Sex-a-licious. ;) :p

[rdf8585]

I guess even if you like OSX, you're not automatically the right person to get a Mac. I'm more about getting the most bang for the dollar than anything else, and FWIW, I haven't had any viruses etc on a PC since I was a dumb high school kid 4-5 yrs ago.

I was just at an Apple store a week ago... they are designed nicely but I just would expect to get more for the money. It's a shame.

[Sesshi]

As I may have remarked in another post, Apple is best off driving people to higher-end hardware than they would normally consider. Most people who buy an iMac would have gone for a lower-midrange PC if they'd gone the Windows route. Most people who would consider a Mac Pro would have gone the upper-end PC, not the workstation that the Pro is. Macbook Pro? If they'd stayed in the Windows world they probably wouldn't have gone with the price-comparable uberduper Fujitsu / Sony models which beat out the MBP.

This way, the Apple halo effect is enlarged and they still don't have to be compared like for like by the entranced customer.

For those of us who buy uberduper PC hardware to begin with, the Apple halo effect is not so pronounced. But despite the gripes about build quality, I think Apple have acceptable value for money these days at the respective spec/design/price points.

[JAT]

Can we just lock this thread now? People who like Dell do not see the advantages of an Apple laptop, and therefore should just buy the Dell. Decide which you are and act accordingly.

[tdhurst]

The MacBook starts at $1099. OSX/iLife. You get a 1.83 C2D, 512 RAM, 60 GB HD, a 13.3 screen, a combo drive, and 64 MB VRAM.

For $70 less, I can get a Dell with MCE 2005 (+ Vista upgrade), a 1.8 ghz Turion 64x2 Mobile processor, 2048 MB RAM, a 120 GB HD, a 15.4 in screen, 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability, and an ATI Xpress 1100 card with 256 MB VRAM.


Then just buy the Dell.

Have fun with windows.

[rdf8585]

Sorry I brought up "Dell," but I could apply the same argument to HP or some other major PC brands.

I thought it was a legit question and wanted to know why. If they can make affordable desktops, they should do the same for laptops.

[Allotriophagy]

Oh God.

Guys, he is right.

He has a majorly serious and important point.

I cannot believe we missed this for so long.

I am throwing my iMac in the bin.

And the PowerBook.

And the iPod.

Oh God.

[Koodauw]

Well you don't need to mock him.

To some people low cost up front is more important than say less hassle and mess further down the road. I think it depends on what type of person you are. I have a friend who has an iMac, and he likes it, but without fail he brings up the price every time he says something about. Some people you just can't please.

I think the OP just needs to figure out what you want your computer to do, and if the an Apple will do it for a satisfactory price.

[rdf8585]

Browsing, chat, word documents, spreadsheets, dvd playback, streaming audio/video listening/viewing are the bulk of what I would do. The Mini I have can do most of it, but not too quickly, and it has trouble with some internet video thanks to a puny 32 MB VRAM and an old processor.

[Endow]

.

[jsw]

Of all the explanations I've seen, the best is this: Apple charges a premium because they can. People buy their laptops, market share is rising, profits are great.

I wish they cost less, but, until people stop buying them in such record numbers, they'll stay priced as they are.

[PDE]

There really are some thick headed posters around here....Sorry but the man's got a legit question.Why must people be so protective of Apple...

I for one don't understand it.Is the actual raw material that constitutes Apple hardware/enclosures really that expensive?I would defintely like to see OSX on sale to see how much they would sell it for.

I mean most people I know call me crazy for thinking about getting a MBP...and well that's ok by me.I'm )I hope) getting a quality product.I just dont understand why Apple doesn't want/can be more competitive as far as prices go and try to catch that share of the market(i.e. most people).


Are they trying to prove a point;educating people saying "this is how much a computer packed with an OS should cost"?

I agree. If we could count on getting high quality computers that were not defective, it would be worth it. However, in the past few years they have not been that reliable and quality control problems have been rampant. Just look at the macbooks and macbook pros and all the issues there have been with them. Are they worth the high premium? Yes if you get a good one, but no if not. I've spent hundreds of hours dealing with faulty apple computers this year, making me feel that it wasn't worth it at all. Also, I no longer think Apple uses particularly high quality components compared to other manufacturers so we're paying for design, looks and maybe good service. AND, macos!

[Elisha]

Of all the explanations I've seen, the best is this: Apple charges a premium because they can. People buy their laptops, market share is rising, profits are great.


here's my opinion, market share is rising because MAC moved to Intel, making it possible to run Windows. not because of OSX. feel free to argue about it.

i only bought the macbook so i can run Windows on it. the reason i chose the macbox is cause it is small and beautiful and not cause of OSX.

OSX is nice an all but not as flexible as XP viruses or not.

[Fredou51]

here's my opinion, market share is rising because MAC moved to Intel, making it possible to run Windows. not because of OSX. feel free to argue about it.

i only bought the macbook so i can run Windows on it. the reason i chose the macbox is cause it is small and beautiful and not cause of OSX.

OSX is nice an all but not as flexible as XP viruses or not.

jsw was not saying that people bought Mac because of OS X. He was saying Apple keeps the price higher because people still buy their computer and let's face it, Apple hardly keeps up with demand right now. Also, from a business point of view, it's might be better to sell less computers with a better margin. Apple hire full time specialist to study what ratio of price versus computer sold is the most profitable. You even say in your post that you bought a Mac and it's not for OS X or iLife but because of the look of the computer. That another of their selling point versus other pc manufacturers. jsw is right, as long as people buy them, the prices will stay high.

Frederic

[Elisha]

yes i definitely agree that the looks is a selling point and so is the build quality.
its so solid and the weight is perfect.
but OSX is a small selling point compared to those and the ability to run XP.

[zap2]

Sorry I brought up "Dell," but I could apply the same argument to HP or some other major PC brands.

I thought it was a legit question and wanted to know why. If they can make affordable desktops, they should do the same for laptops.

It not about you use Dell, if a PC maker is cheaper and you feel that price makes it cheaper and better go out and buy it! Most of use feel in the long run price + look+ easy of use make Macs a better deal, but if you think the low entry price is important go buy it.


Really the Mac Mini is not that great of a deal, if cheap and fast but you do pay for the size. The iMac is a far better deal then the Mini. For 300 USD you get double the harddrive space and a faster harddrive, Core Duo 2, keyboard and mouse plus a 17'' LCD.

You pay for the Mini for how tiny it is...but its SO worth it!(but then again I think all Macs are worth the price!)

[iW00t]

Is Dell the best you can do? Come back again when Fujitsus and Thinkpads are cheaper than the Apple. It seems like each time people go on about how expensive macs are, the best justification they got is how much Dell is cheaper. Why Dell? Everyone knows how crappy Dell machines are, you just get what you pay for.

[cecildk9999]

It really comes back to the design and the premium we agree to pay for it, both in the OS and the hardware. Apple is less insulated now than before with the introduction of Intel, and they have made the effort to stay fairly competitive in terms of offering the latest tech hardware (this can be debated, but..). And while there have been very vocal complaints about shortcomings/quality issues in the computers, most people still seem to have a better experience on the Mac than they ever did on their PC. I also think that the machines hold their value better (in terms of what they can do, not what they resale for) for longer (again, possibly a change with Intel); my old mac lasted me 4 years, and could have kept going if the hard drive hadn't failed; it certainly outlasted any PCs I had owned up to that point. I know that this is all subjective, but when it comes to the premium we pay, these sorts of justifications are hard to quantify in a way that will absolutely convince others.

[deadpixels]

maybe apple pays their chinese sweatshop workers better?? so you should pay the price with a smile on your face knowing you're doing some good too :D or you can ask apple if they could make their chinese work twice as much for half of the pay so you an get your laptop cheaper :confused:

[Sesshi]

maybe apple pays their chinese sweatshop workers better?? so you should pay the price with a smile on your face knowing you're doing some good too :D or you can ask apple if they could make their chinese work twice as much for half of the pay so you an get your laptop cheaper :confused:

Nope. They're made by the same company employing people on the same terms and they're paid the same as when turning out other equally mediocre quality but far less pretty computers.

[Sun Baked]

This topic has been discussed to exhaustion.

But you won't get exhausted if you don't exert any effort in a forum search. :p

Nope. They're made by the same company employing people on the same terms and they're paid the same as when turning out other equally mediocre quality but far less pretty computers.

Yes, I don't think Apple is searched you the worst/lowest bidder anymore these days -- but sticking with a small group of trusted vendors which bid against each other with a check on outside vendor prices to keep em in line.

But these companies do work for other people cranking out everything from crap to premium PCs.

[Eraserhead]

Sorry but the man's got a legit question.Why must people be so protective of Apple...

Because it is an incredibly boring topic that keeps getting raised every five minutes, if I went on a PC forum and said "What about Viruses/Spyware?" in every thread every five minutes everyone would tell me to shut-up and rightly so.

[gauchogolfer]

but OSX is a small selling point compared to those and the ability to run XP.

I'd say that this is way off base, considering the attraction for OS X to almost everyone on this forum. Also, think of how many threads there are titled "Why won't Apple release OS X for PCs?". For me, OSX is THE reason I have my powerbook, followed by aesthetics and build quality/feel.

[deadpixels]

Nope. They're made by the same company employing people on the same terms and they're paid the same as when turning out other equally mediocre quality but far less pretty computers.
i know, i was kinda half kiddin' , china delivers good and bad, in other terms,you get what you pay for :D

[Carguy172]

Is Dell the best you can do? Come back again when Fujitsus and Thinkpads are cheaper than the Apple. It seems like each time people go on about how expensive macs are, the best justification they got is how much Dell is cheaper. Why Dell? Everyone knows how crappy Dell machines are, you just get what you pay for.

What is with you people and dell have you ever owned a dell if you have then you would know their service is very good and so is their quality, I swear this really pisses me off you guys say macs are so good if they are how come there is so many problems people have with them.

im not saying dell is perfect either but you don't have to say there crap i don't go around saying apple is crap don't judge dell if you haven't owned one.

[iW00t]

What is with you people and dell have you ever owned a dell if you have then you would know their service is very good and so is their quality, I swear this really pisses me off you guys say macs are so good if they are how come there is so many problems people have with them.

im not saying dell is perfect either but you don't have to say there crap i don't go around saying apple is crap don't judge dell if you haven't owned one.

Alrighty then. I concede to you on this one, so Dell is great. Why are you even here?

Nobody took you to gunpoint and forced you to buy a Macbook/Pro. Don't like it, don't buy. Like it but find it expensive? Tough.

[EvryDayImShufln]

Ok I think I found the answer to this thread. It lies in the Turion processor.

If you configure basically any dell with a C2D processor of equivalence to the one in the Macbook, you will find the price to be very similar.

The best comparison in my opinion is the dell M1210 configured with 2.0 C2D, 1 gig ram, 120 gig hard drive, bluetooth + cam + remote

Dont forget the mac comes with a bunch of stuff that we usually take for granted, such as the camera, bluetooth, remote,

Anyhow the dell ended up being over a hundred bucks more (canadian dollars). And that was with XP home, not even pro.


All this to say that apples are not so overpriced like everybody thinks. Although you do pay a premium, you usually get your money's worth without realising.


Here is my experiment now:
I will create 2 PCs, one being a dell one being an apple, top of the line. Now I understand dells are more customizable but I will try to make everything identical:

DELL = 3738$ (CAN)
APPLE = not sure apple store wont load, dont know why, but around 3200 or less (high estimate)

Anyhow I know the dell has some features that the 17 inch apple doesnt, (crazy good videocard), but at least they are in the same price range. Plus the 17 inch apple is a hell of alot thinner, lighter, nicer looking, etc.

HOWEVER, although people diss dells up, they are not actually half bad these days. Apparently they are pretty solid laptops (the XPS line I mean).

Anyway I hope I proved something, if I'm wrong about anything tell me, I'm anxious to hear it.

[Elisha]

I'd say that this is way off base, considering the attraction for OS X to almost everyone on this forum. Also, think of how many threads there are titled "Why won't Apple release OS X for PCs?". For me, OSX is THE reason I have my powerbook, followed by aesthetics and build quality/feel.


nah....its the build and intel. OSX is so limited. but thats exactly why some people like it cause it doesn't offer too many options.

i love options, but hate OSX.

[Endow]

-

[rdf8585]

I don't think everyone wants stuff like Front Row - if it was an option, I wouldn't get it - so why not offer a basic, no-frills laptop for less?

[stealthman1]

For the same reason Mercedes Benz doesn't offer a basic, no-frills roadster.

[Sesshi]

Because it is an incredibly boring topic that keeps getting raised every five minutes, if I went on a PC forum and said "What about Viruses/Spyware?" in every thread every five minutes everyone would tell me to shut-up and rightly so.

Then you'd probably get a discussion of what's good. And everyone will trash McAfee and Norton of course.

A machine which is built as relatively indifferently as a Dell but isn't designed to be is a problem however you look at it. Build quality issues don't affect many of you? You're more patient than I am - but I suppose that's what it takes to be a fanboy :rolleyes:

[Sun Baked]

Then you'd probably get a discussion of what's good. And everyone will trash McAfee and Norton of course.

Won't work, no matter how many times you drag their icon and company to the trash the company will still exist. :(

Almost like a virus... :o

[A is jump]

I think its simply a different business model.
Apple does charge more, because they have a monopoly on the OS. this allows them to charge a higher premium for the computer itself, reaping them good profits.
Dell sells alot more computers, and the market for PCs is alot more competitive. therefore they kinda have to price them that low... and their profit margin is probably rather low.
didnt apples net worth surpass dells just recently? That in itself is a testement to the business model apple employs. Dell sells a heck of alot more computers than apple, yet apple is making alot more money. sounds like smart business to me.
I also wish they cost less... however I"m not one to complain, since I really like the way they look, and perform, and their customer support is GREAT. oh... and Logic pro doesnt run on a pc... so that settles it for me.

[grum]

I dont know about in America, but over here the difference between like for like dell and apple prices is really not that much at all. I am a switcher (ordered a macbook) and I always thought apple's stuff was overpriced, but if you actually try to configure a dell with nearly identical specs, there is very little difference in price.

[deadpixels]

I dont know about in America, but over here the difference between like for like dell and apple prices is really not that much at all. I am a switcher (ordered a macbook) and I always thought apple's stuff was overpriced, but if you actually try to configure a dell with nearly identical specs, there is very little difference in price.
it's actually th same in th u.s, its been all over the net a while ago when apple introduced the first intel macs but some people just don't wanna see it :D

[mkrishnan]

here's my opinion, market share is rising because MAC moved to Intel, making it possible to run Windows. not because of OSX. feel free to argue about it.

i only bought the macbook so i can run Windows on it. the reason i chose the macbox is cause it is small and beautiful and not cause of OSX.

OSX is nice an all but not as flexible as XP viruses or not.

That's a nice argument. The only thing that really even comes close to being able to answer it is...


reality.

Look at Apple's sales charts. Put a a little thumbtack in the announcement date for Intel products, and see if there's any support for your argument (there isn't).

[YS2003]

I don't think Apple products are expensive. I think they price their products optimally based on their target customers, market segments, and business model.
Frankly speaking, I like Apple products to be priced higher than other run-of-the-mill PC products. It's like a higher price of admission. For people with not enough discretionary money, my comments would be offensive; but, Apple is not in the charity business and it is a profit generating enterprise.
Some PC companies are not making any cent on their PC sales (some of them are loosing money for each PC they sell and make up the loss with accessory sales).

[Eraserhead]

Then you'd probably get a discussion of what's good. And everyone will trash McAfee and Norton of course.

:p, you get the idea, it is boring going over Mac vs PC costs. I'm not talking about build quality, as I haven't used enough computers to know if Dell's build quality is higher or lower than Apple's, you'd need to work in a large IT department supporting probably 100 of each, maybe as many as 1000 to get a good feel (though my Stats is too weak to give substantive figures.) for build quality.

A machine which is built as relatively indifferently as a Dell but isn't designed to be is a problem however you look at it.

Good point, though I have mentioned here (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=3087173#post3087173) that I think the design of my Macbook is better than the Dell Latitude X300, so even though I can't criticise the Dell for build quality, I think I can criticise for bad design ;).

[Elisha]

Look at Apple's sales charts. Put a a little thumbtack in the announcement date for Intel products, and see if there's any support for your argument (there isn't).

show me the chart then instead of just talking about it.

[grum]

OK so im sad and have nothing better to do with my life, but i just configured a 12" dell (nearest screen size to 13.3" macbook) to as near to macbook specifications as possible.

Components
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5600 (1.83 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows® XP Professional, SP2 (incl Operating System Re-Installation CD)
Premium XPS Service, 1 Year (incl. Gaming and On-Site Support)
12.1" WXGA (1280x800) TFT Display with TrueLife™ and integrated 1.3 mega pixel web cam
1024MB 533MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2x512)
80GB (5,400rpm) Hard Drive
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW with Software
Intel® Media Accelerator 950 Graphics Up to 256MB shared graphics memory
6 Cell, 56Whr Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Accessories
Intel® Pro WLAN 3945 Internal Wireless (802.11a/b/g 54 Mbps) for Core 2 Duo Processors
Dell™ Wireless 350 Bluetooth 2.0 Module (up to 3Mbps) with Enhanced Data Rate
No Carry Case
No Floppy Drive Option
Services & Software
No Security/Anti-Virus Protection
Microsoft® Works 8.5 - English
No Photo Organising & Sharing Software/No Photo Editing Software
Also Includes
Internal Keyboard - UK/Ire (QWERTY)
N11X25 - XPS M1210 Better
Inspiron Order - UK
English - System Documentation & UK Power Cord
English - Adobe Reader 8.5.8
65W AC Adapter
56.6k V.92 Capable Internal Modem & Adapter
Premium XPS Service, 1 Year (incl. Gaming and On-Site Support)
Dell Internet Order.
Network Assist - 90 Day Trial
Resource CD - contains Diagnostics and Drivers

Price for all that is £1,184 - nearly as much as the low-end macbook pro. You also dont get any of the iLife applications or equivalent, and a slower processor than the mid-range macbook. It also doesn't include any virus protection software. edit: AND you get a remote control with the macbook.

For £870, using educational discount (which dell doesn't offer) I just ordered a 2ghz core 2 duo macbook with 2 gigs of RAM. I'd like to see someone try and explain how the mac is more expensive.

The dell is also fugly as hell compared to my sexy macbook :p

http://www.notebookreview.com/assets/12605.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/97/228646035_643e39a08b.jpg?v=0

edit: AND the mac can run windows as well as OSX

[eskalation.dk]

IMO it comes down to the build of the laptop, i dont feel im paying a premium for apple products!

Apple has put so much R&D into their laptops, which has probably banked apple for millions.. that makes the laptop more expensive, they have a great design, that also costs money to create - and allows them to charge more for their laptops, look at Bang & Olufsen for example, their TVs are really expensive, but actually, on the inside they are just philips!
Furthermore the laptop is filled with nifty details such as the MagSafe, the trackpad, SMS, keyboard illumination, webcam and so on... again ideas and research..

So of cause these laptops become even more expensive than pcs, but seriously, its not that much? i just tried putting together a dell m1710.. almost same config, only the dell has a better gfx card (i couldnt choose a x1600) a 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS.. but the laptop costs $3453... alot more than the 17"er... $700 or so... (prices were gathered at the US stores for both companies)..

This is a stupid topic, cause you really cant compare dell and apple imo...

Dell has crummy designs, look at the XPS'!! Theyre fawking ugly, bulky and heavy... Of cause in some situations yes, the dells are cheaper.. but their mainboards probably arent custom made? they probably arent as silent?! and they probably arent nowhere near as featurefilled!!

I am happily paying the Apple "premium",in fact i just shelled out $3856 (I live in Denmark) for a 17" MBP C2D, although i havnt got it yet :mad:..

The one thing i wont pay for... is apples retarded SUPER OVERPRICED AppleCare... In Europe its worth **** as Apple is forced to give 2 yrs of warranty :) I bought a cheaper insurance that covers so much more and costs less!..

[aristobrat]

When comparing costs, how do you put a dollar amount on the design of a notebook?

Side-by-side, my partners 15" PB is dwarfed (in size) by our roommates 15" Dell Inspiron.

That's got to be worth something. I know it's not important to some people (like the Apple Remote), but the fact is that it's part of the total package and somehow figures into the price, no?

[Elisha]

Apple has put so much R&D into their laptops, which has probably banked apple for millions.. that makes the laptop more expensive, they have a great design, that also costs money to create - and allows them to charge more for their laptops, look at Bang & Olufsen for example, their TVs are really expensive, but actually, on the inside they are just philips!




i was thinking Asus.

anyway your can't compare the slimness of a Mac because Mac's have their cpu soldered in so it can't be replaced this it allows for a slimmer design as opposed to PCs where the cpu is swappable.

[eskalation.dk]

i was thinking Asus.

anyway your can't compare the slimness of a Mac because Mac's have their cpu soldered in so it can't be replaced this it allows for a slimmer design as opposed to PCs where the cpu is swappable.

Well, i have never heard about anyone swapping CPUs in their laptops... They will void the warranty if they do so but after the warranty expires it might come in handy, hmm.. and i am sure that the reason why their laptops have cpu bays are because they arent producing their own mainboards? That too is a MAJOR reason to why their laptops are bigger!

I didnt get the Asus thing?

[G-Force]

First of all, it's not ASUS who built those notebooks, it's ASUSTeK. That's something different. Also Apple designs the notebooks from scratch, they only let ASUSTeK build them...

And I don't get why a socketed CPU should be a bonus over a soldered CPU? Fact is that the MacBooks are thinner, wether you like it or not...

[Stampyhead]

OSX is nice an all but not as flexible as XP viruses or not.

I don't understand what you mean by this. I've used both OS X and Windows XP extensively and there isn't anything I can do on XP that I can't do on OS X.

[jaws01]

People who what somthing different will pay the premium. Mac's are "considered" as the "premium" computer brand.

I love owning a MacBook, and I also like the stares and questions I get about owning one. :D

[Elisha]

Well, i have never heard about anyone swapping CPUs in their laptops... They will void the warranty if they do so but after the warranty expires it might come in handy, hmm.. and i am sure that the reason why their laptops have cpu bays are because they arent producing their own mainboards? That too is a MAJOR reason to why their laptops are bigger!

I didnt get the Asus thing?

Apple doesn't produce their own motherboards either. they just give dimensions and Asus builds them.

swapping out cpu definitely voids the warranty. but at least you have the option to make it more powerful.
almost all older laptop motherboards had soldered cpus on them.

[iW00t]

That's a nice argument. The only thing that really even comes close to being able to answer it is...


reality.

Look at Apple's sales charts. Put a a little thumbtack in the announcement date for Intel products, and see if there's any support for your argument (there isn't).

I purchased 5 macs in the past year alone, and the main motivation for my purchases?

The Intel switch.

We don't heard about Apple's market sharing rising to above 10% BEFORE the Intel switch don't we. Think about it.

[JAT]

Sony makes the highest priced laptops these days, not Apple. Some people clearly are unaware of the market since they say Apple is the highest priced. After Sony comes Fujitsu and Lenovo, with Apple behind them. Most others don't come close to the quality of these 4 companies. Quality costs more. Dell does have decent quality, but they are very generic in build (you can read that: ugly), and heavy. You also pay for less weight in a laptop.

So like I said early on, pick what is important to you and buy accordingly. If you want good looks and light, Sony and Apple are the only available models. If you want high quality, please avoid Toshiba and Gateway, really. If cheap is the most important thing, Dell all the way.

[Elisha]

LG and Panasonic is up there too.

Intel made Mac big......not OSX.

plus since intel.....Mac is now a PC as well :D