Hi, I'd really like to switch over to Apple, but I just don't get Apple's product lineup. There's plenty of choice in it, but I'm unable to find 'my machine' there.
Don't get me wrong: I love the OS, but the hardware lineup is far from being balanced. Every product line has disadvantages and for the given price it's very difficult to justify a purchase. Even if I ignored the price I couldn't find the best machine.
I'd like to use it as my one-and-only computer. No or very limited gaming, much office work, much graphics work, some software development. The usual things that you'd do with a PC, though. Mobility is not important, but I could live with a notebook for daily work. Unfortunately nothing seems to fit my requirements.
Mac Mini - obviously the best value for its price. Limited upgradability (RAM, HDD), but built-in GPU. No buy. No BTO option for a dedicated GPU. Why ?
iMac - looks nice, but combines the disadvantages of a notebook (weak GPU) with the disadvantages of a desktop (no mobility). Weak upgradability makes it a no-buy given the price-tag. The BTO options are a joke, too. Either choose an obsolete magnetic drive or a 768GB SSD at - i'm afraid - an insane price. Why no 256GB SSD ?
Mac Pro - best fit for my needs, but obsolete hardware at an insane price. It's interesting that they still sell these dinosaurs.
Macbook Pro - nice notebook, but soldered RAM and non-upgradable SSD make it a clear no-buy.
Macbook Air - nice notebook (except for the display resolution) but again soldered RAM and SDD make it a no-buy.
I already own an iPad, an iPhone and some iPods. Love them.
I'm really confused now as I waited for over 6 months for the new iMac, and now they roll out a crippled notebook in a desktop chassis. It's understandable from a marketing point of view that Apple wants people to go the BTO way for higher profit, but still the available options make none of their products a 'perfect' machine.
Buying a new computer has never been that difficult for me. In former times I always knew what I wanted.
Don't get me wrong: I love the OS, but the hardware lineup is far from being balanced. Every product line has disadvantages and for the given price it's very difficult to justify a purchase. Even if I ignored the price I couldn't find the best machine.
I'd like to use it as my one-and-only computer. No or very limited gaming, much office work, much graphics work, some software development. The usual things that you'd do with a PC, though. Mobility is not important, but I could live with a notebook for daily work. Unfortunately nothing seems to fit my requirements.
Mac Mini - obviously the best value for its price. Limited upgradability (RAM, HDD), but built-in GPU. No buy. No BTO option for a dedicated GPU. Why ?
iMac - looks nice, but combines the disadvantages of a notebook (weak GPU) with the disadvantages of a desktop (no mobility). Weak upgradability makes it a no-buy given the price-tag. The BTO options are a joke, too. Either choose an obsolete magnetic drive or a 768GB SSD at - i'm afraid - an insane price. Why no 256GB SSD ?
Mac Pro - best fit for my needs, but obsolete hardware at an insane price. It's interesting that they still sell these dinosaurs.
Macbook Pro - nice notebook, but soldered RAM and non-upgradable SSD make it a clear no-buy.
Macbook Air - nice notebook (except for the display resolution) but again soldered RAM and SDD make it a no-buy.
I already own an iPad, an iPhone and some iPods. Love them.
I'm really confused now as I waited for over 6 months for the new iMac, and now they roll out a crippled notebook in a desktop chassis. It's understandable from a marketing point of view that Apple wants people to go the BTO way for higher profit, but still the available options make none of their products a 'perfect' machine.
Buying a new computer has never been that difficult for me. In former times I always knew what I wanted.
Last edited: