iPod 'Halo' Effect, Mac Mini and More...

[pubwvj]

PCs tend to be much more expandable than most Macs - many PCs can be upgraded to Longhorn's recommended configurations (add memory, or better graphics)

Mac's are eminently upgradeable too. I've used both for a long time (>20 yrs) and upgraded both many times. The Macs last a lot longer. This is born out by industry studies. Cost of ownership is lower on the Mac and length of service per machine is longer for the Mac.

Longhorn will turn off the eye-candy and other effects on machines that aren't up to the recommended configurations, and perform just fine

OSX does this too.

 

[~loserman~]

I do love these grand sweeping statements, "Windows is all about BSOD, Viruses, spyware" etc, etc. My PC, running XP Pro, has never crashed, or given me any issues at all with hardware incompatibility (I built it myself). I have had problems with crap hardware itself, but any computer can do this, Mac's use standard parts too. I have used Mac's since 1988 so I can't be called a newbie, but I think the problems with PC's stem more from the user than the software or hardware in PC's. If people are dumb enough to click on a link or open an email and then launch the attachment, then there's nothing you can do to stop them.

While I agree that users should be a little smarter about clicking on some links and such I disagree with your premise...
If Microsoft wouldnt have intergrated IE into Windows AND if MS wouldnt have built into Windows such a wide open hole ridden script language then they wouldnt be having these problems.
To blame Microsofts design failures on stupid users is ridiculous.

 

[ObsidianIce]

Two counterpoints....

1. Longhorn will run their existing software - with the Mac they'd need to buy new packages
2. PCs tend to be much more expandable than most Macs - many PCs can be upgraded to Longhorn's recommended configurations (add memory, or better graphics,....)
3. Longhorn will turn off the eye-candy and other effects on machines that aren't up to the recommended configurations, and perform just fine

OK, that's three. I've got that Pentium math error again....

You're kidding right?
You actually beleiev that they will build longhorn so that it will simpy "turn off" certain features and run fine? Hmmm, i guess that explains why he and Michael Dell are so closely tied... Couldn't possibly be that the operating system will obsolete current hardware, driving a huge amount of hardware sales... Course i have no idea...not like i have family at one company and a best friend from high school on the design team at the other company

 

[~loserman~]

Mac's are eminently upgradeable too.

I have to disagree....
3rd party cards are very lacking on the Mac. Very few Video cards are supported. None that could be considered Workstation or Professional Class.
Very few other Cards are supported on the Mac too.


The basic problems in finding 3rd party support is Mac's tend to require a different firmware on the add in card and most manufacturers dont bother because the market share isnt there to justify the added development costs for the firmware and device drivers. Plus they have to contend with Steve Jobs who can be very moody in his relationships with 3rd party vendors.

Cost of ownership is lower on the Mac and length of service per machine is longer for the Mac.
.

I agree.......but then again Mac's have a fairly slow update cycle... And until very recently Mac's have been a good deal more expensive than comparably performing PC's.

Mac's have and always will fill a certain niche in the market....
They support their niche well and have a very loyal albeit small customer base. IMO the reason Mac's have a longer shelf life is mainly do to how a typical Mac user uses his machine.
First and foremost he isnt a gamer whereas a very large percentage of the PC market users are. That fact alone drives a very large upgrade market for the PC.

 

[BanditBill]

Profit Margin

ASP272,

Any "Moron" at a Best Buy etc. would be told by their sales manager that the new Mac Mini is a perfect opportunity for profit margin.

Margin is mainly on accessories.

I worked in retail computer sales at Canada's largest Computer "only" retailer (CompuSmart) for 5 years.

eg. $500 computer at 5-10% = $25-50 margin

Flat panel $30-$50 margin, Keyboard $5-10 margin, mouse $5 margin, mouse pad $3 margin, power bar $5-10 margin, printer,$5-10 margin, ink, extended warrranty $50+ margin, internet service... residual income.

In 1995-1998 the computer was the margin, not today.

Bill