Apple "tax"? Really?

[Ma2k5]

I'd absolutely agree that part of the "Apple Tax" argument comes from the fact that Apple only do the premium sector, whereas most manufacturers have different products for different types of buyer. And it used to be the case that if you compared something equivalent from other manufacturers Apple offered equivalent, or sometimes better, value.

But as I noted earlier, at least here in the UK the XPS 13 series are a lot cheaper than the equivalent 13" Macbook Pros. And I just checked that I can buy a Thinkpad X1 Carbon with equivalent spec for £700 less than the MBP model used for the comparison (indeed even the newly-announced Surface Book 2 is marginally cheaper). So maybe it's different in the USA and Apple are just applying a larger "rip-off Britain" tax than others (I understand that their Eurozone prices are even worse), but at least where I am the charge that Apple now ask a premium even relative to comparable products from other manufacturers is a fair one.

Just to note, if you are comparing them to TouchBar MacBook Pro 13's, it isn't a fair comparison as the TouchBar versions have a 28w CPU where as the XPS/Lenovo X1 etc have a 15w CPU (and a weaker iGPU).

 

[SDColorado]

Just to note, if you are comparing them to TouchBar MacBook Pro 13's, it isn't a fair comparison as the TouchBar versions have a 28w CPU where as the XPS/Lenovo X1 etc have a 15w CPU (and a weaker iGPU).

Agree. The X1 Extreme is definitely the more direct comparison to the MacBook Pro in terms of display size, specs, etc. It does still have a lower price tag than the MBP though and Lenovo is well know for dropping their prices after several months on the market. Apple never really does other than a relatively insignificant discount for Black Friday or a free pair of Beats headphones that probably won't last as long as the box they came in, but I digress

 

[darkloki]

To help the mod get this topic back on track a little* We as consumers sadly take software for granted. We haven't really paid for software in a long time... When you really think about t (Unless you're a Gamer, paying for games) you really rarely pay for software.

When we look at the latest iterations of the iphones that just release iOS12 is actually a huge improvement and fresh* I mean it's been stated by some that it's more of a software refresh then a hardware refresh. The apple Tax could be said is for the OS I mean there are multiple people who have stated that they'd rather use the Apple OS over Windows but lets not just assume that OS is free?!!?

 

[Ma2k5]

To help the mod get this topic back on track a little* We as consumers sadly take software for granted. We haven't really paid for software in a long time... When you really think about t (Unless you're a Gamer, paying for games) you really rarely pay for software.

When we look at the latest iterations of the iphones that just release iOS12 is actually a huge improvement and fresh* I mean it's been stated by some that it's more of a software refresh then a hardware refresh. The apple Tax could be said is for the OS I mean there are multiple people who have stated that they'd rather use the Apple OS over Windows but lets not just assume that OS is free?!!?

The OS makes them money through App Store and services, not just from the initial hardware sale. They also aren’t updating the software as a favour, it’s to remain competitive in a very fast paced environment.

 

[1096bimu]

It's hilarious how successful these manufactures are at making people believe their computers are made of carbon fibre. Yea sure my iPhone is also made of carbon fibre after I apply this carbon fibre sticker on it.
If you knew how carbon fibre is made you would know that they couldn't have been made of carbon fibre just because of the shape.

 

[maflynn]

If you knew how carbon fibre is made you would know that they couldn't have been made of carbon fibre just because of the shape.

Evidently Dell's palm rest is made of carbon fiber

Cool under pressure: The palm rest is made from carbon fiber. It's strong and thin like aluminum, but lighter and cooler to the touch.

 

[theluggage]

But as I noted earlier, at least here in the UK the XPS 13 series are a lot cheaper than the equivalent 13" Macbook Pros.

Its really quite hard to pick valid "equivalent" specifications to compare - you have to dig down into processor specs etc. since Apple and Dell are using different models. Dell have the upper hand at the lower end just now since even the cheaper XPS13s that compare with the non-TB seem to have quad-core 8th gen processors whereas the non-TB Macs are still stuck on dual-core 7th Gen... something that will probably change before long... Otherwise, some of the Macs are sporting CPU models with higher TDP, faster clocks and the better Iris Plus integrated graphics c.f. the basic 'Intel UHD' used by Dell. It also depends on what you value: do you care about the difference between UHD "4k" and Apple's 2560x1600 (at 13"?) - does the (probably invisible) extra resolution trump the Mac's 16:10 aspect ratio? Do you give a fig about thin bezels? The Mac's trackpad beats up the Dell and steals its clothes, but OMG that keyboard... The dells all have more ports than the non-TB macs, but do the 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports on the TB model Mac beat out having a USB-A and SD slot on the Dell? Wibble...

At the end of the day, the Dell XPS 13 prices go from about £1200 to £2000, the Macs from £1250 to £3500 (the latter sticker shock being mainly down to Apple wanting £ for a 2TB SSD - but also including a better CPU than Dell offer). So, basically, Dell is cheaper but the price ranges and specs overlap in a way that Apple and Dell never did back in the day. Ultimately it all depends whether 2TB of storage or Iris Plus 655 graphics is your "must have" feature...

The norm in the past would be for Dell to max out at about £1000 with a machine that technically had a better CPU and GPU than the £1500 Mac but looked like a cinder block with go-faster stripes - and weighed about as much.

 

[SDColorado]

It's hilarious how successful these manufactures are at making people believe their computers are made of carbon fibre. Yea sure my iPhone is also made of carbon fibre after I apply this carbon fibre sticker on it.
If you knew how carbon fibre is made you would know that they couldn't have been made of carbon fibre just because of the shape.

I am not really sure which manufacturer you are speaking of. Lenovo for example never claims that their laptops are “made from carbon fiber.” What they do claim is that their laptops are made using a chassis that is reinforced with carbon fiber over a magnesium alloy roll cage. It isn’t a sticker, you can’t even see it.

Or are you referring more to the faux carbon fiber exteriors of some of the other brands on the lids, palm rests, etc.?

 

[theluggage]

It's hilarious how successful these manufactures are at making people believe their computers are made of carbon fibre.

Yeah, what impractical but sexy-sounding wonder material will be the next laptop gimmick - "aerospace-grade" titanium?

Hah!

Oh, wait...

 

[JamiLynee]

How did you install High Sierra onto a 2009 Macbook without a patch? The oldest machine I had was a mid-2010 15" with High Sierra. The 2010 was quite quick with an SSD and has been dropped for Mojave.

I don't know. It popped up as an update so I did it. I was a little surprised myself.

 

[1096bimu]

Evidently Dell's palm rest is made of carbon fiber

Yes, it is a carbon fibre sticker, nothing wrong with that.
[doublepost=1538798905][/doublepost]

I am not really sure which manufacturer you are speaking of. Lenovo for example never claims that their laptops are “made from carbon fiber.” What they do claim is that their laptops are made using a chassis that is reinforced with carbon fiber over a magnesium alloy roll cage. It isn’t a sticker, you can’t even see it.

Or are you referring more to the faux carbon fiber exteriors of some of the other brands on the lids, palm rests, etc.?

you mean carbon fibre over PLASTIC.
Look inside an X1 Carbon, there is no metal anywhere. Or even just handle one yourself, it flexes like cardboard.

 

[SDColorado]

Yes, it is a carbon fibre sticker, nothing wrong with that.
[doublepost=1538798905][/doublepost]
you mean carbon fibre over PLASTIC.
Look inside an X1 Carbon, there is no metal anywhere. Or even just handle one yourself, it flexes like cardboard.

I actually have one, the chassis is reinforced with multi-layers of carbon fiber with a metal alloy shell bottom.

But none of that is the point, your original statement was "manufactures are at making people believe their computers are made of carbon fibre" and I asked who was doing that? Because Lenovo has never claimed anything but reinforcing the chassis.

So who exactly is the unnamed manufacturer that is making people believe that computers are made of carbon fiber?

 

[1096bimu]

I actually have one, the chassis is reinforced with multi-layers of carbon fiber with a metal alloy shell bottom.

But none of that is the point, your original statement was "manufactures are at making people believe their computers are made of carbon fibre" and I asked who was doing that? Because Lenovo has never claimed anything but reinforcing the chassis.

So who exactly is the unnamed manufacturer that is making people believe that computers are made of carbon fiber?

The one naming their product “carbon”?

You can’t reinforce a laptop chassis with a flat sheet of carbon fiber because carbon fibre isn’t any stronger against twisting than plastic. They are only doing it as a marketing gimmick.

Just because you read the fine print doesn’t mean everyone did. And it is obvious what the marketing intention is despite the fine print.

 

[SDColorado]

The one naming their product “carbon”?

You can’t reinforce a laptop chassis with a flat sheet of carbon fiber because carbon fibre isn’t any stronger against twisting than plastic. They are only doing it as a marketing gimmick.

Just because you read the fine print doesn’t mean everyone did. And it is obvious what the marketing intention is despite the fine print.

So just because they name it Carbon makes everyone assume that the machine is entirely constructed from Carbon fiber? I could only imagine the confusion that would ensue if some manufacturer named their machine Pro then. Hope that never happens

Everyone uses marketing gimmicks. I am fairly sure Alienware isn't actually made by aliens as well.

 

[UBS28]

There is no such thing as an Apple tax.

Microsoft will steal the products you bought and own legitimately. And customer support is absolutely terrible. If you are unlucky, you get helped by an idiot in India who cannot even speak English properly and they cannot even understand the letters of your product key because their English is so horrible. Worst of the worst support I have ever dealt with.

The most funniest thing about Microsoft is, even if you have an account on their website where you bought Microsoft products with and it still says under your account that you own a Windows 10 license, Microsoft will still claim you don't own a Windows 10 copy. What the hell Microsoft???? If it wasn't 160 bucks, I would seriously have considered taking legal actions myself.

I'm not 100% happy about Apple, but Apple looks like a saint next to Microsoft. In the end, you get what you pay for.