Apple Hardware and Software integration.. how much of a difference does it?

[MacNoobGuy]

hey guys, this has been on my mind for a long time now and i'm just wondering how much benefit Apple has over the Windows/Toshiba, Windows/HP models of PC's and laptops? i just don't see how Toshiba is automatically inferior just because the let microsoft do the software. from all i can tell,games run between on Windws.

thanks

 

[thejadedmonkey]

The difference isn't whether or not the integration works, it's how well. If you have to re-install Windows, you need a Toshiba Windows DVD, or you need to spend a lot of time hunting around for drivers for your toshiba. Apple knows what's in all mac's, so they can include all of the necessary drivers.

Other than stuff like that, not much. Windows + Windows Phone + xBox + SkyDrive + Hotmail pretty much match (and IMO are better than) Apple's integration.

 

[Moccasin]

I think the larger benefit is that Apple have less to worry about in terms of hardware support. There are millions of hardware combinations for Windows all of which have to work and avoid driver conflicts etc. the software also has to take account if those combinations for the user interface as well. That makes the user interface much easier for Apple (It Just Works) while of course cutting down the size of the OS install itself.

A lesser advantage for Apple compared to the larger manufacturers is that they can also fine tune their hardware design to make best use of the software and be fully efficient in working together. Toshiba et al can do the same to done extent. There's less need for compromises between components.

 

[miles01110]

From a business standpoint it's a huge advantage. Apple can charge whatever premium they want on their hardware since OS X can only be installed on their machines (according to the terms of the license). With the wintel machines it's more of a race to the bottom.