Apple please listen; I want a MacBook but Dell is cheaper & better equipped

Status
Not open for further replies.
suneohair said:
And the cost is affordable. Look at the mini, the iMac, the Macbook. Very reasonable machines which give you all the benefits of having a Mac.
Disadvantages are moot now with Intel. There is boot camp, parallels, and things that crossover that gives you the best of both worlds.
My Macs are trouble free. I don't know what you do to yours but hey mine is good. Which the majority of people owning Macs experience. Whereas Windows computers have way more issues. You can call it market share of course but no one could ever prove either scenario.
Click to expand...
Its not that easy, Apple's product line is simple, and there is no produce at entry level that has the power to compete with same priced pc, wanna play game on MPro or MBP? that would be super expensive.
also, I don't need you to know what's wrong with my mac(Altho its in my signature line, you can read if you want to), I just need you to appreciate the fact that a substantial proportion of mac user has BIG trouble with their machine. And that should stop some of people blindly bashing pc for "NOT trouble free".
Finally, You also need to understand the apple is targeting the whole market right now, which, maybe you didn't know before, includes many people, like me, not as rich as you might think. "Affordable" is not a word you can use and represent the 99.99% of mac user today.
 
stevehp said:
Trust me. A $250 difference in price is a non-issue when we are talking Dell. You MB will GREATLY outlast any Dell at any price point.
Click to expand...

Based on the pricing you can do 2 Dells for 1 macbook, obviously for a die hard mac person there is no discussion, get the macbook, but as apple expands its reach and more people consider switching, Apple needs to be sensative about prices.

I can agree to a premium price no problem, not sure if double the price is a good premium though. You will get a lot of.. i want a macbook, but my budget gives me either a base model macbook or a loaded dell. A lot of consumers will go with the Dell, money speaks louder than the it has OSX or its an Apple.. etc etc.

Not an unreasonable arguement, unless people want to make it that way.
 
rmhop81 said:
I wouldn't buy any other machine than a dell or apple. I go with dell for notebooks and apple for desktops. The reason i didn't mention other pc's is bc they are too expensive as well. If you have dell churning out low priced budget pc's with just as good as specs as apple for HALF the cost why overpay or even go with IBM whose prices are ridiculous too.

go walk into any office or someone's house and tell me what kinda computer they have sitting there. 8 times out of 10 it's a dell.

dell is a beast when it comes to computing....they own HUGE market share. if you don't see that then you need to open your eyes a bit more.
Click to expand...

Yes, they have a huge marketshare.
Yes, they turn out budget PCs.
Yes, we all know YOU are the fanboy here.

Dell, Dell, Dell, Dell, Dell. This sentence was deleted to save you embarrassment.
Dude you call me a fanboy, you call everyone a fanboy, are you eight. Settle down and realize that you are the one who is overreacting and also deleted due to fanboy sensibilities.
 
clevin said:
Its not that easy, Apple's product line is simple, and there is no produce at entry level that has the power to compete with same priced pc, wanna play game on MPro or MBP? that would be super expensive.
also, I don't need you to know what's wrong with my mac(Altho its in my signature line, you can read if you want to), I just need you to appreciate the fact that a substantial proportion of mac user has BIG trouble with their machine. And that should stop some of people blindly bashing pc for "NOT trouble free".
Click to expand...

And where is your data to support that claim? You CANNOT base that on the reports here.
 
jbernie said:
Based on the pricing you can do 2 Dells for 1 macbook, obviously for a die hard mac person there is no discussion, get the macbook, but as apple expands its reach and more people consider switching, Apple needs to be sensative about prices.

I can agree to a premium price no problem, not sure if double the price is a good premium though. You will get a lot of.. i want a macbook, but my budget gives me either a base model macbook or a loaded dell. A lot of consumers will go with the Dell, money speaks louder than the it has OSX or its an Apple.. etc etc.

Not an unreasonable arguement, unless people want to make it that way.
Click to expand...

I doubt it is double with similar specs.
 
suneohair said:
And where is your data to support that claim? You CANNOT base that on the reports here.
Click to expand...
Dear, apple didn't release any data, you might google for "macbook random shutdown" for it, closing you eyes does not erase the problem, and it looks more and more like a design flaw, that would potentially mean everybody, a website is proposing apple offer a special extended warranty (not-related to the 1yr or 3 yr applecare with your machine) for this problem for the users, you think they come from nowhere?
also look around at those bashing PCs statements, how many of them offer any data to support their claims?
 
clevin said:
Its not that easy, Apple's product line is simple, and there is no produce at entry level that has the power to compete with same priced pc, wanna play game on MPro or MBP? that would be super expensive.
also, I don't need you to know what's wrong with my mac(Altho its in my signature line, you can read if you want to), I just need you to appreciate the fact that a substantial proportion of mac user has BIG trouble with their machine. And that should stop some of people blindly bashing pc for "NOT trouble free".
Finally, You also need to understand the apple is targeting the whole market right now, which, maybe you didn't know before, includes many people, like me, not as rich as you might think. "Affordable" is not a word you can use and represent the 99.99% of mac user today.
Click to expand...

Gaming is to computers what porn is to the internet.

If you want a gaming computer, buy all the PCs you want. If you want to game, I could honestly care less. If you think I am on some high horse pedestal looking down my nose at all gamers, I still don't care, because I think while playing games can be fun, it makes absolutely no impact in my computer purchase decision. If you want to go play games, get an Xbox or a Playstation or even a basketball or a football. Try going outside. Without a laptop. And no Clevin, I'm not picking on you, I'm saying this to all gamers. I don't know if most gamers are 15 or 25 or 35. I could care less about FPS and WOW. Every hour you spend gaming is an hour you could have actually been doing something with you life. Write something, produce something, come up with something, solve something, be something, and occassionally take a break if you want to and play a game. Enjoy your game. Then get back to doing something useful. Just don't live for the game.
 
clevin said:
I just need you to appreciate the fact that a substantial proportion of mac user has BIG trouble with their machine.
Click to expand...

What are you basing this on? The internet? Where a vocal minority complains about problems with their X?
 
yellow said:
What are you basing this on? The internet? Where a vocal minority complains about problems with their X?
Click to expand...
i didn't bashing anything, i had a problem, and im a user, if u don;t like people has free speech expressing their problem, plz establish your own country and be a dictator
 
clevin said:
i didn't bashing anything, i had a problem, and im a user, if u don;t like people has free speech expressing their problem, plz establish your own country and be a dictator
Click to expand...

What the hell are you babbling about?

Try reading my post again, captain.

You made a ridiculopus statement that it's a FACT that a SUBSTANTIAL portion of people have BIG troubles with their Macs. I want to know exactly where you're getting this "fact" from, and what exactly a "substantion portion" means.
 
boxlight said:
Sigh. I hope you're wrong. That is, I would hope -- in fact, I'd bet money -- that Apple's marketing people monitor these forums for feedback.

My problem is, the MacBook would be my second Mac and really wouldn't be much more than a web browser.

boxlight
Click to expand...

Funny thing is that most "marketing" people don't make prices! Marketing can have an influence on price but they don't make them up. Good companies do involve their marketing people in pricing disucssions and I imagine Apple does to an extent, but you really can't argue with sales. Apple is competitive enough on price and has a huge advantage on software bundled, ease of use, yada yada yada.

This personal experience with Dell and Apple laptops- I am a school principal and use an iBook and the rest of my school is using Dell laptops of various kinds- all new within two years. I spend all my time helping fix those stinkin' Dells. When I was trying to help my teachers set up an online based assessment I spent the whole time waiting for the thing to do updates, and just plain think!!! The computer was very very slow and while they were a little cheaper than my iBook, hands down I get much more done by using my iBook.

Add antivirus to your estimate...also any spyware/popup blocker, etc...what about the cost of Windows upgrade when it comes out- isn't that much more expensive than Apple's?
 
clevin said:
Its not that easy, Apple's product line is simple, and there is no produce at entry level that has the power to compete with same priced pc, wanna play game on MPro or MBP? that would be super expensive.
also, I don't need you to know what's wrong with my mac(Altho its in my signature line, you can read if you want to), I just need you to appreciate the fact that a substantial proportion of mac user has BIG trouble with their machine. And that should stop some of people blindly bashing pc for "NOT trouble free".
Click to expand...

Nobody out there wants to try to beat Dell on headline prices due to the volume they have. Apple would rather make $$ instead of pennies per sale.

Mac Pro and Mac Book Pros should not be targetted at people wanting to play games!?!?! Want to play games, buy an X360/PS2 or a PC... Want to do something? buy either a PC or a Mac. <-- See not against PC's as I have used them for the best part of 20 years.

So, whats wrong with your mac? I have not heard of this RSS/RSD so forgive the ignorance. I perceive it as either a Rev A problem or bad batch. Personally, I do not agree that a substantial % of people are have big trouble, I see it as a small % making a lot of noise. Remember the black MB paint flaking? One guy posts it on YouTube, and all of a sudden there's an outcry.

So, anyway... What happened with your machine? Did Apple help any?
 
yellow said:
What the hell are you babbling about?

Try reading my post again, captain.
Click to expand...
Im sorry, I misread ur post, thats a HUGE mistake,
anyway, ask for my data, then the question is "when apple doesn't provide data", do I lose the right to get any data I can from other survey or poll or whatever? how large is substantial? is 5% large enough? and as I talked above, its a potential design flaw, that affects every user sooner or later.

again, sorry for my misreading of your last post, I think I read it as "bashing" than "basing". sorry
 
Graeme A said:
So, whats wrong with your mac? I have not heard of this RSS/RSD so forgive the ignorance. I perceive it as either a Rev A problem or bad batch. Personally, I do not agree that a substantial % of people are have big trouble, I see it as a small % making a lot of noise. Remember the black MB paint flaking? One guy posts it on YouTube, and all of a sudden there's an outcry.

So, anyway... What happened with your machine? Did Apple help any?
Click to expand...
RSS means machine shutdown randomly, without cause. I sent to apple for repair. The problem is it seems apple couldn't figure out the reason for the problem, now people reporting apple's latest effort, replace heatsink, sometimes does not solve the problem, so you can think for yourself, a machine, u pay high price for it, and u couldn't use it for work coz it just die suddenly all the time, what should I think about apple's quality?
 
well, let me get it back, those who want to discuss RSS, just go mb/mbp board, it has little to do with apple's pricing policy.
 
clevin said:
RSS means machine shutdown randomly, without cause. I sent to apple for repair. The problem is it seems apple couldn't figure out the reason for the problem, now people reporting apple's latest effort, replace heatsink, sometimes does not solve the problem, so you can think for yourself, a machine, u pay high price for it, and u couldn't use it for work coz it just die suddenly all the time, what should I think about apple's quality?
Click to expand...

I would be asking for my money back.

Back up your data, take the machine to the nearest Genuis Bar and throw an absolute fricking tanty fit... iGary can give you tips on this.

Demand either they fix it, give you a new machine, or your money back.

I would rather get the money back, stick it in a savings account, and then wait a couple of revs, and buy a better machine with the kinks ironed out with the cash.
 
Graeme A said:
I would be asking for my money back.
Back up your data, take the machine to the nearest Genuis Bar and throw an absolute fricking tanty fit... iGary can give you tips on this.
Demand either they fix it, give you a new machine, or your money back.
I would rather get the money back, stick it in a savings account, and then wait a couple of revs, and buy a better machine with the kinks ironed out with the cash.
Click to expand...
Gee, I would love to, but 1) RSS is random, and I can't intentionally reproduce it, Apple DID acknowledge the flaw, and offered to fix it, 2) I really don't think they know whats the problem, its been several month, and apple seems just can't get it right. I would think eventually, there will be a recall sometime.
anyway, I will check a local compusa store who is closing now, i will see if two weeks later their PB 12" will drop to $500
 
clevin said:
Im sorry, I misread ur post, thats a HUGE mistake,
anyway, ask for my data, then the question is "when apple doesn't provide data", do I lose the right to get any data I can from other survey or poll or whatever? how large is substantial? is 5% large enough? and as I talked above, its a potential design flaw, that affects every user sooner or later.
Click to expand...

Soooo.. you're making it up?


I believe what you were trying to say was:


Apple rushed their intel Macs to the market because they were watching their hardware sales disappear with a sucking sound. Because they were too hasty in putting them out there, all the models appeared to be flawed in one way or another. This is an unfortunate thing for Apple, as a lot of switchers/updaters were scared away from the products because of moos, whirrs, and hot laps.

But the consumer has a short memory.

Beyond that.. why would there be a recall on hardware for an RSS feed problem? That makes no sense.
 
clevin said:
well, let me get it back, those who want to discuss RSS, just go mb/mbp board, it has little to do with apple's pricing policy.
Click to expand...

I didn't want to divert to RSS or whatever. I just see someone who has an issue with Apple and wanted to get more information on their specific problem as it seems that one persons issue (not directed at you clevin) becomes their reason for arguing against Apple.

I thought we already covered the Apple pricing policy some 100 posts back... Apple != Dell/HP. You want cheap, buy cheap. Want Apple, you gotta pay a little more.
Same argument for cars, Mercedes != Fiat/Toyota Yaris... Same things inside them but different experiences.
 
boxlight said:
Inspiron 640m Dual Core
$1,426
That is the real price from Dell's site. That also does not include any virus protection SW (required), or any comparable Apple iLife SW. People who make these wild claims should post their actual quotes if they wish to be believed. Otherwise, they smell of Dell marketers.

Here's a REPOST of the screen shot with the quote. $999 Canadian.

http://www.rightclick.ca/misc/dell screen shot.JPG

Read the whole thread before calling people a liar, smart guy.

boxlight
Click to expand...

Jeez, Dell must be trying to increase their market share in the Canadian market. FYI, the 640m is not even available on the U.S. store. The equivalent model on the U.S. store is th E1405. Here is what I configured:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T5600 (2MB Cache/1.83GHz/667MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
14.1 inch WXGA+ UltraSharp™ TFT Display with TrueLife™
1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHZ, 2 DIMM
120GB Hard Drive
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Dell Wireless 1390b/g (54Mbps)
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate)

Price: $1,139

So this price is not as low as you said, but still quite impressive since it includes a Core 2 Duo, 120 GB drive, 1GB RAM, DVD burner, etc. Core 2 Duo isn't even an option yet on the MacBook, and DVD burner, 120 GB drive, and 1GB RAM are expensive upgrades, bringing the price from $1099 to $1698. Even if you install your own 3rd party 120 GB drive and 1 GB RAM, the MacBook total cost would still be at least $1500, which would still be about $400 more than the Core *2* Duo Dell, which includes just about all the same specs except for a built-in camera (which I didn't include because I actually don't think it's a big MacBook selling point, at least not yet).

But as I've already said in this same thread before comparing specs is not how every consumer makes computer purchase decisions, or at least it's not how I decided to purchase MacBook. Consider that I traded in an HP laptop with 1 GB RAM, 100 GB hard drive, and DVD Burner for a MacBook which had only 512 MB RAM, 60 GB hard drive, and only a combo drive.

But you know what, I consider that I traded *up* for my MacBook!!! I had buyer's regret within 2 weeks of buying my HP laptop, whereas I'm still completely thrilled with my MacBook. The car analogy is overused, but it's like I traded in a fully-loaded Ford Taurus (which might've cost a little over $20K a few years ago), for an entry level BMW (which might've cost about $30K a few years ago).
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Back
Top