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So you're telling me a 600 dollar dell laptop is not a commodity? What kind of resale will this have after a few of years when you are looking to replace it - 50 bucks? 🙄
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I dont understand people that compare a 600 dollar machine to a 2000 dollar one....you should be realistic and realize that nobody is talking about a 600 dollar dell machine, they make $2000 computers just like apple...thats gonna fetch a lot more than 50 bucks. Willing to bet if apple sold a 600 dollar laptop its quality would be about the same as any other 600 dollar windows machine
 
The difference in the UK isn't ad bad as it used to be.

A base 13" rMBP is $1299. In the UK it's £999.

$1299 is (currently) £853. Add 20% tax which is included in the price over here, and that gives us £1023. So in real terms, after tax, the machine is £23 cheaper here in the UK than in the USA.

This will obviously vary based on exchange rates, but it's largely equal.

Don't forget Europe has a 2 year warranty as opposed to 1 year in the US. Those costs have to be covered as well.
 
I dont understand people that compare a 600 dollar machine to a 2000 dollar one....you should be realistic and realize that nobody is talking about a 600 dollar dell machine, they make $2000 computers just like apple...thats gonna fetch a lot more than 50 bucks. Willing to bet if apple sold a 600 dollar laptop its quality would be about the same as any other 600 dollar windows machine

Folks do that comparison on this forum quite a bit. There's no way a $600 computer can compete with a $2,000+ Apple or Windows PC.

It amazes me how many times we read here how bad/junky someone's $600 PC is compared to their new rMBP, and how superior the rMBP is compared to that $600 Win PC; well of course the rMBP will shine! A $2,300 Dell XPS-15, or M3800 will also shine compared to a $600 PC!

We need to be real here and compare oranges to oranges.
 
I dont understand people that compare a 600 dollar machine to a 2000 dollar one....you should be realistic and realize that nobody is talking about a 600 dollar dell machine, they make $2000 computers just like apple...thats gonna fetch a lot more than 50 bucks. Willing to bet if apple sold a 600 dollar laptop its quality would be about the same as any other 600 dollar windows machine

My point is because Dell offers 600 dollar laptops, they're a disposable commodity. EmlynDewar was disputing AFAIK, that fact.
 
That is very true. A 5 year old Macbook Pro would still fetch at least $300-400 while a 5 year old windows machine is worth about as much as the harddrive and RAM inside.

But back to the pricing: I think on a like for like comparison they are indeed not overprices in the US, however when you come to Europe it is a very different picture.

The prices in Euro are the same as in USD, i.e. the entry 13" Pro costs 1299 Euros vs. 1299 USD in the states. That's was a 35% up-charge still this summer, not as bad any more as the Euro dropped like a stone (today about 16% higher still). So at European prices Macs are still very much premium products, even taking the good specs into account.

Remember that all EU prices will include VAT at that country's rate.

US prices do not include sales tax.
 
So you're telling me a 600 dollar dell laptop is not a commodity? What kind of resale will this have after a few of years when you are looking to replace it - 50 bucks? 🙄
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Resale is great if you're doing the yearly "fashion" upgrade. For many, a laptop is a tool that serves you until it doesn't. Does anyone buy a low end Dell thinking of resale? I doubt it. I had a $600 Inspiron that I sold three years later for just over $200. Not terrible. I honestly would have been happy with anything.

Those touting MBP's clear superiority should check out the new XPS. Machined aluminum and carbon fiber. Silicone wrist rest. Amazing screen. I reserve judgement until I see it in person but it seems like a nice piece of hardware.

My work Latitude is ugly but it's a workhorse. 200 lb coworker stepped on it with no damage. Dell's cheap stuff is indeed cheap but they are capable of good hardware.

I will say Apple led the pack making laptops nicer, but there is now some pretty good competition out there if you are not committed to OS X.
 
The difference in the UK isn't ad bad as it used to be.

A base 13" rMBP is $1299. In the UK it's £999.

$1299 is (currently) £853. Add 20% tax which is included in the price over here, and that gives us £1023. So in real terms, after tax, the machine is £23 cheaper here in the UK than in the USA.

This will obviously vary based on exchange rates, but it's largely equal.

You can't compare using 20% VAT as state sales tax is much lower, and the only tax you will pay on it if you get it delivered from the online store, so it still works out cheaper in the US.

Using the top end 15" MBP as an example it would be 1,751GBP in the US vs 1999GBP UK incl. tax.
 
You can't compare using 20% VAT as state sales tax is much lower, and the only tax you will pay on it if you get it delivered from the online store, so it still works out cheaper in the US.

Using the top end 15" MBP as an example it would be 1,751GBP in the US vs 1999GBP UK incl. tax.

So you're saying buying in store won't get you hit with tax? No - if you buy it from a B&M store you still have to pay taxes.

What I'm saying is that if you take the before tax prices both here in the states, of most models, the before tax price here in the UK is actually cheaper given current exchange rates.

In my previous example, the prices are $1299 (ex tax) and £999 (inc tax).

$1299 is £857. £999 - tax = £832. Therefore the price before tax is technically £25 cheaper here in the UK.
 
So you're telling me a 600 dollar dell laptop is not a commodity? What kind of resale will this have after a few of years when you are looking to replace it - 50 bucks? 🙄

You can take your roll eyes, and insert them somewhere unsavoury...

That $600 Dell will still work years later, and will have some resale value whenever it's sold. It's not going to fall apart, and has the same chance of failure as a much higher priced machine.
But just pick whatever product you want to try and make your argument seem valid. Every single Dell machine is a disposable commodity because they offer a low cost entry machine. *rolleyes*

Current generation Precision/Latitude/XPS models are not a disposable commodity.

We need to be real here and compare oranges to oranges.

Hit the nail on the head. 🙂
 
Yes, the price of a Mac is higher than of other PCs.
Is it worth the extra money? For me, for sure.
Question answered.

I remember buying a Sony Vaio some years ago. It was the newest, the best etc. I had problems with it. And it lasted 2 years. Now it is in the drawer.

Everything is relative especially when you take into account all the aspects.
 
The pricing isn't too bad on their hardware really imo.
As mentioned previously, you'll pay similar prices (sometimes more) for the equivalent standard Windows machine.

Only place I'd say the "Apple is overpriced" view is right, is on the current Mac Mini.
 
I hate when people argue that Macs are overpriced. It's nonsense. What I always say is that any Mac and PC of similar spec and quality, will always be around the same price regardless of which is slightly more. It's dictated by the free market.

I find that most PCs that are close to Macs in price, will usually have slightly better specs and lack in quality, or slightly less specs and be of near matching quality.

The only REAL argument that can be made, is that PCs will out game a Mac, dollar for dollar. It funny when someone says, Macs are more expensive, cause this this this this this this and this only came out to 1500 dollars. Then I have to remind them that they didn't factor in high quality peripherals, they picked USB 2.0 and there's no thunderbolt, forgot to include the price of the case, and didn't include whatever else the Mac came with that their hypothetical PC doesn't have. Then they say, "well here's a 10 dollar mouse and a 10 dollar keyboard. Uhhhhh, ok. "They're just as good".

And the biggest one of all is the 5K iMac is over priced. They hypothetically build these PCs with similar specs that comes out to around 2 grand, forget peripherals, and other essential things, AND THEN say, "and I still have money left over to get this" cheap ass monitor. So you mean to tell me, that you compare a PC with similar specs, crappy keyboard and mouse, no mic or speakers, a regular tft monitor, and tell me you have a fantastic computer that is only 500 less than the iMac? Dell's 5K monitor is 2500. The 5K iMac is 2500 and has a whole computer inside.

In the end, all they did was find the same specs. Otherwise, quality is junk, there is no 5K monitor, and they still don't have a complete PC but are at about 2000. If they were to make it as close of match, the PC would far out price the iMac.

That's just the way it is. Macs are no more over priced than very high quality PCs. If they end up similar in spec and quality, they will be around the same price. And I'm not talking how it looks or anything subjective like that. I mean quality as defined by businesses, such as in this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpFqnefTGA8).

Sorry guys, rant over.
 
I hate when people argue that Macs are overpriced. It's nonsense. What I always say is that any Mac and PC of similar spec and quality, will always be around the same price regardless of which is slightly more. It's dictated by the free market.

I find that most PCs that are close to Macs in price, will usually have slightly better specs and lack in quality, or slightly less specs and be of near matching quality.

The only REAL argument that can be made, is that PCs will out game a Mac, dollar for dollar. It funny when someone says, Macs are more expensive, cause this this this this this this and this only came out to 1500 dollars. Then I have to remind them that they didn't factor in high quality peripherals, they picked USB 2.0 and there's no thunderbolt, forgot to include the price of the case, and didn't include whatever else the Mac came with that their hypothetical PC doesn't have. Then they say, "well here's a 10 dollar mouse and a 10 dollar keyboard. Uhhhhh, ok. "They're just as good".

I get the sense that you didn't even read this thread past the title....nobody is really arguing that. For the most part the consensus has been that an equivalently priced windows machine is no different than a mac in terms of quaility and parts. This thread is relating to laptops so peripherals are sort of a moot point since all laptops generally come with a power adapter and nothing else. This whole thread started with someone saying that the mac was cheaper than the windows machine so I'm not sure where the rant is coming from.
 
I get the sense that you didn't even read this thread past the title....nobody is really arguing that. For the most part the consensus has been that an equivalently priced windows machine is no different than a mac in terms of quaility and parts. This thread is relating to laptops so peripherals are sort of a moot point since all laptops generally come with a power adapter and nothing else. This whole thread started with someone saying that the mac was cheaper than the windows machine so I'm not sure where the rant is coming from.

Actually I did read the thread. You're assuming that I am speaking out against the consensus. I am not. I am simply stating my experience with arguing with people who argue these dumb things. In other words, I'm just jumping in and joining the party.

I'm aware this is primarily about Macbooks, but the ridiculousness goes all the way around, which is why I ranted off like that.

In short, I was venting to you guys. Either I lost my point, in my 200 mph typing, and was very vague, or you need to brush up on your reading comprehension. Probably a little of both.
 
Actually I did read the thread. You're assuming that I am speaking out against the consensus. I am not. I am simply stating my experience with arguing with people who argue these dumb things. In other words, I'm just jumping in and joining the party.

I'm aware this is primarily about Macbooks, but the ridiculousness goes all the way around, which is why I ranted off like that.

In short, I was venting to you guys. Either I lost my point, in my 200 mph typing, and was very vague, or you need to brush up on your reading comprehension. Probably a little of both.

You lost your point when you started talking about the expense of peripherals and that an equivalently priced pc will have lower specs or quality (take your pick) than a mac. It's just simply not true anymore, although it may have been several years ago. PC makers have narrowed the gap by a fair amount. I guess the moral of the story is that macs are not overpriced, they are just priced high (like any other quality windows machine). Ofc at the end of the day these are just personal opinions and we can argue these points for days and still not get anywhere.
 
I get the sense that you didn't even read this thread past the title....nobody is really arguing that. For the most part the consensus has been that an equivalently priced windows machine is no different than a mac in terms of quaility and parts. This thread is relating to laptops so peripherals are sort of a moot point since all laptops generally come with a power adapter and nothing else. This whole thread started with someone saying that the mac was cheaper than the windows machine so I'm not sure where the rant is coming from.

This.

It just seems like half the people replying to the thread don't even read what I was talking about. I am comparing equivalent spec PC machines to the rMBP.

Even the dell XPS 13 can't compete in price point to the 13inch rMBP. The problem is a lot of people get fooled by these companies starting prices. When you raise the specs on any of these machines(Lenovo X1 carbon, Dell XPS 13, which in my opinion are the best ultrabooks out of CES15) to match the rMBP, they will all cost more. Right now the starting price of a rMBP is the same as the Lenovo X1 carbon and the carbon has much lower specs.
 
It just seems like half the people replying to the thread don't even read what I was talking about. I am comparing equivalent spec PC machines to the rMBP.

Do you go buy a Lexus and demand to pay Honda pricing? Same reason you can't expect to pay less for a lighter business class laptop with latest Broadwell, new generation of 512GB SSD that has nearly twice the throughput, better keyboard, touchpoint nub, TPM security features, fingerprint reader, etc.
 
This.

It just seems like half the people replying to the thread don't even read what I was talking about. I am comparing equivalent spec PC machines to the rMBP.

Even the dell XPS 13 can't compete in price point to the 13inch rMBP. The problem is a lot of people get fooled by these companies starting prices. When you raise the specs on any of these machines(Lenovo X1 carbon, Dell XPS 13, which in my opinion are the best ultrabooks out of CES15) to match the rMBP, they will all cost more. Right now the starting price of a rMBP is the same as the Lenovo X1 carbon and the carbon has much lower specs.

How are the specs of the $1299 XPS 13 inferior to those of the MBPr 13?
 
Apple computer ARE overpriced. However, they generally are the only way to legitimately run osx

I think there's a quality aspect to them as well. I have a peace of mind generally speaking. So while they are over priced, I do find them to be a superior design and build quality.
 
You get what you pay for. Apple pays attention to the details. These details add up to a superior machine.

I love my MBPr (look at my username). It's extremely thin and light. The trackpad dominates any garbage trackpad on other laptops. I previously couldn't use a laptop without a mouse. Now I can even play games on the Mac using the trackpad. The retina screen dominates everything. The SSD is lighting fast. Oh... and I can do work on it for 8-10 hours.

While other manufacturers are hanging on to the old "but our specs are better for cheaper," Apple keeps pushing out superior products that are finely polished machines. They are just a joy to use, and I'm sitting here with teary eyes as I type this on my mediocre lenovo work laptop.

It's true. I got a Toshiba Z30 ultrabook for my family. It was €850, which was an amazing price, whereas a discounted MacBook Air would be €1000 (base model with 8GB RAM).
A few months later, I got my rMBP. Even though I have to say the main difference goes for the screen - which is unexplainable -, OS X feels (albeit a little less techy, to be honest) much more simple to use, and it does have a start menu! And the trackpad is definitely worth it.
 
OS X feels (albeit a little less techy, to be honest) much more simple to use, and it does have a start menu! And the trackpad is definitely worth it.

I think Apple has gone out of their way with OS X, to make things work very easily. Coming from a windows world, sometimes throws users for a curve.

I like the idea that Unix is underneath and I have access to the terminal if I want, but I find myself rarely going into that. Where as in Windows, I almost always have a cmd shell up and running.
 
MacBooks are NOT overpriced!

It's true. I got a Toshiba Z30 ultrabook for my family. It was €850, which was an amazing price, whereas a discounted MacBook Air would be €1000 (base model with 8GB RAM).

A few months later, I got my rMBP. Even though I have to say the main difference goes for the screen - which is unexplainable -, OS X feels (albeit a little less techy, to be honest) much more simple to use, and it does have a start menu! And the trackpad is definitely worth it.


You really cant compare screens between z30/air and mbpr. Both z30 and air have a basic tn-panel and hence they are much cheaper than mbpr. mbpr has ips-panel and much better viewing angles and color accuracy which makes it looks alot better. but it is also more expensive than 850euros... (the cheapest mbpr is 1350 euros)

if you pay more, you get better one - and it is not apples priviledge, it goes with other manufacturers too. but the difference is that apple doesnt offer budget devices... saying that apple does things better is like closing your eyes before seeing highend devices from other manufacturers.
 
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