hinking of getting my first Mac

Only if you're buying used. Also consider that Apple targets markets not really addressed by most PC manufacturers (all-in-one thin desktop, mini-desktop, high-end workstation, etc.). They don't really make a mid-powered tower, which seems to be the bread-and-butter of the PC world.

 

You can buy a refurbished mac fairly cheap. I bought my 17" iMac 2.0GHz for $849 at the online Apple Store.

 

I also wish they would make a small tower. I buy one right now.

I don't know what your price range is but there is a Mac Pro refurb on the Online Apple Store for $1,999 (US).

 

Though a mac may seem slightly more expensive (usually by only 100 or 200 dollars), you are paying for quality of product, amazing customer service, and the best operating system on the market.

It's worth the money. Ditch the PCs.

 

Re-assess your values

Yes, you will get a PC for about half the price but it will in no way be equivalent. Once you have loaded the PC with all the free software that comes with a Mac, you'll find it might even be more expensive. And this is classy free software on a Mac, not gimmicky junk.

I have worked with PCs in the past and simply do not understand how anyone has the patience to run anything on Windows. I think that if you can just overcome your fixation on price and realise what the extra money is buying you, then you are halfway into the Mac world.

And it's not just about extra, free software - it's about an operating system that is tightly integrated, stable and elegant to use. And it's about hardware of a much higher specification and build than you're used to in the PC world.

I'm tired of hearing people say that Macs are over-priced. No they're not. In the personal computer market they are worth exactly what you pay for them.

 

you pay for what you get

Yes like the others said you can buy a refurbished mac which was most likely used in a store for display or user returns. They are fully inspected before sold and run just like new. Other wise you can buy new and trust me if the price tag is 1,300 or 2,400 a mac of the lower end will still suit your needs. They last very very long time.

They do have deals here and there on different 3rd party websites sometimes or magazines I have seen some.

 

I am one of the cheapest people you may ever meet! But I know that you get what you pay for when it comes to certain things.

Now, I don't know how much I am willing to stand behind Apple's build quality , lately... but I have a 10-ish year old iMac ,that runs OS X Tiger, ( the previous OS X) up and running rock-steady in the other room. I've never had to maintain it either. I bought it on ebay, plugged it in... It's run ever since. So trust me, you WILL get your money back.

For me though, it's the software. The hardware is meh for the price.. IMO.. but the software- it's wonderful and worth the price. I remember when I got that G3 ... My husband laughed at me because although it is slow .. I just played on it for DAYS with a stupid smile on my face and never a complaint = not even about it being slow. My brand spanking new Vista laptop - or even my newer desktop running XP... on the other hand, gets nothing but complaints and cussing...

Just buy a refurb from the Apple store. You get a ok deal.. and you don't have to worry about a shady 3rd party.

JMO,

Ang

 

In reality, if Macs and PCs were equivalent you would not be thinking of getting one. The software that comes with a Mac, some of which is not available for PCs at any price, more than makes up for any difference in cost. If you do not value the software, you should stick with a PC. They can be had cheaper.

Otherwise, take the advice to buy a refurb or used machine. That's about the best you can do. Best wishes.

 

someone tell me i'm wrong, but apple hardware and bargains usually don't mix. apple generally positions themselves as a premium product, and they back up their value proposition with their industrial-influenced engineering, proprietary applications (e.g., osx, aperture, fcp, etc. etc.), and "set it and forget it" philosophy (time machine, automated maintenance, permissions repair when need be). now, the only bargain i think of that ever happens is in late summertime, when apple has some sort of deal for students; and on black friday, when they'll slash prices (i missed out on getting an appletv for $184 at my nearest apple store as a matter of fact). of course, those "deals" pale in comparison to what pc manufacturers can offer.

as some have already said, the lowest price of admission (legally) is to get one second-hand or refurb'd.

there has to be something else that attracts you to mac? we know price is not one of them

 

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