Try updating that Compaq to the latest version of Windows, it wouldn't run. I recoded the installation requirements in Leopard and forced an installation on a then almost decade old eMac (running a 450 MHz processor). It not only ran FASTER than the previous OS X running it, it outperformed an Intel 1.3 GHz Windows XP system by a hefty margin. Thus the point of my comment. Not only did the Mac system not require additional costly software and subscriptions for usage, it wasn't slammed down with adware and bloatware and the same hardware ran newer Operating Systems better.
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New Microsoft Ad Campaign Targets Mac Prices
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Try updating that Compaq to the latest version of Windows, it wouldn't run. I recoded the installation requirements in Leopard and forced an installation on a then almost decade old eMac (running a 450 MHz processor). It not only ran FASTER than the previous OS X running it, it outperformed an Intel 1.3 GHz Windows XP system by a hefty margin. Thus the point of my comment. Not only did the Mac system not require additional costly software and subscriptions for usage, it wasn't slammed down with adware and bloatware and the same hardware ran newer Operating Systems better.
Another big thing worth mentioning is resale value. Most PCs will be worth about 20%.. or less... their original value after one year. And regardless of what it is, good luck selling it.
Macs on the other hand have major resale value. After one year you can easily expect 80% of its original value... in some cases more depending on the model. And selling them on Craigslist or Ebay is pretty much a guaranteed success in short order. I've been buying and selling new Macs every 1-2 years for the last 8 years and its works like clockwork. My last sold rig was a 17" MBP that was exactly one year old. I paid about 2600 for it new and sold it for 2250 within 15hrs of posting it on Craigslist.
Seriously, I'd like to see anyone try and resell a PC after a year or more. Comedy.
Macs on the other hand have major resale value. After one year you can easily expect 80% of its original value... in some cases more depending on the model. And selling them on Craigslist or Ebay is pretty much a guaranteed success in short order. I've been buying and selling new Macs every 1-2 years for the last 8 years and its works like clockwork. My last sold rig was a 17" MBP that was exactly one year old. I paid about 2600 for it new and sold it for 2250 within 15hrs of posting it on Craigslist.
Seriously, I'd like to see anyone try and resell a PC after a year or more. Comedy.
Irrelevant. How much would it cost for her to invent a shrink ray, grow some extra pixels, and hire someone with the aluminum touch? A PC from a few years ago with the same specs as a current one would go for about 1/3 of the amount of the new model, and that's exactly what the Mac essentially is. You are basically paying a premium to get a computer that is years ahead of its competitors, software, hardware, and design wise. I see unibody aluminum PCs with multitouch trackpads and no firewire ports in the future, but with Apple, at least you know it's not a knock-off of a four year old laptop.
I seriously suggest you get someone else to prepare your opening statements... and everything else while they're at it (assuming you are going to actually argue cases in the courtroom of course). If you listen carefully, you can hear the sound of thousands of English teachers grinding their teeth...
Regardless, everyone knows Apple uses premium quality zeros and ones in their binary code!
Microsoft can't even count in regular numerals. So they reckon there's only been 3 versions of Windows between Windows 3 and Windows 7?
Let's count 'em - v.3) Windows 3.1, v.4) Windows 95, v.5) Windows 98, v.6) Windows 2000... yep that's it, now bring on Windows 7! So Vista, XP, NT, Me etc don't exist. Or maybe they want their users to think 98, 2000 and Me never existed...
Seriously though, Microsoft's biggest competitor is itself, Vista versus XP. As long as people hold onto XP, they're not buying Vista and that's a much larger share of the market than OSX is. Why they are going after the smaller Apple share is beyond me. As I've mentioned before, it can only be because they've reached Vista saturation level and have given up trying to sell it retail and are going now instead for the new computer buyers with Vista pre-installed.
I think the girl was very cute. Maybe she would become my girlfriend if I bought here a 17" MBP
NOTE: She did NOT enter the store. She's walking back to the camera with the same guy walking straight past the store, no break in his pace whatsoever. If she went in, it was for 3 seconds or less.
Didn't say whether she did or did not actually "shop" at the store, just pointing out that her price range vs Apple's prices would make it a short trip no matter what.
The segway alone was awesome, but it was the technique I found truly amusing. Really now, your high school debate coach must be turning in his/her grave, that was terrible!
Segway?
Your high school English teacher must be spinning at about 45RPM in her grave!
I worked (albeit briefly) as a "genius" (god I hate that term) and as a "sales associate" at an Apple store (SoHo, NYC to be precise). As I have worked in Windows for years (building systems, programming/coding, and then with OS X), my opinion is both have their strengths. Each system has their own pro's and con's (I have Windows Vista running beautifully on a SATA drive on my Mac Pro for work), the difference is SOFTWARE. Not getting into specifics, but generally speaking when comparing a Mac system to a Windows based system, you don't need all the extra protection software and antivirus subscriptions bloating your system and generally slowing down performance. Mac's don't require defragging and optimizing to make them run as they did when first purchased. I have gotten newer versions of OS X to run on very old PowerPC systems, without spending any money on hardware upgrades, and running faster and better.
While working at the Apple store, I was amazed at how many people came in upset with their Windows systems. Most were blown away by such concepts as "Time Machine" (I spent the evening working on a clients HP system that was two years hold with an Intel Core2Duo processor and 2 gigs RAM that had numerous trojans and adware even with updated McAfee and had to quarantine and eventually zero out her hard drive, and she had NOTHING backed up. I showed her "Time Machine" on my MacBook Pro and she was blown away by how user friendly and simple it was to backup everything and restore it), Exposé, hell even OS X's simple Mail program that works with just about every mail carrier without using a web browser. These little things that most of us here take for granted, Windows users fall in love with over and over again. That's why I enjoyed working there, it was not curing cancer, but it made my clients' lives so much easier.
People who switch over say they do not regret it because of the time and money they save LONG TERM. Upfront you may be saving money, however over the (general) course you spend more money and time trying to fix all the things that do go wrong with a Windows system. You don't need Office or iWork (and iLife comes with every Mac); iCal, OS X Mail, iPhoto, iDVD, iMovie - they all come with the system. Similar consumer based software requires additional costs.
Bottom line, you may save money upfront with a Windows system, however you spend more time and money over the average usage of a Windows system then you would with a OS X based machine. Would you rather own a computer that requires more money and time to operate, or one that would allow the ability to get more work done and spend less time on the computer and more time enjoying life?
(not to mention Intel Mac's can run both OS X and Windows - and didn't PC Magazine rate the Mac the best machine to run Windows in 2008?)
While working at the Apple store, I was amazed at how many people came in upset with their Windows systems. Most were blown away by such concepts as "Time Machine" (I spent the evening working on a clients HP system that was two years hold with an Intel Core2Duo processor and 2 gigs RAM that had numerous trojans and adware even with updated McAfee and had to quarantine and eventually zero out her hard drive, and she had NOTHING backed up. I showed her "Time Machine" on my MacBook Pro and she was blown away by how user friendly and simple it was to backup everything and restore it), Exposé, hell even OS X's simple Mail program that works with just about every mail carrier without using a web browser. These little things that most of us here take for granted, Windows users fall in love with over and over again. That's why I enjoyed working there, it was not curing cancer, but it made my clients' lives so much easier.
People who switch over say they do not regret it because of the time and money they save LONG TERM. Upfront you may be saving money, however over the (general) course you spend more money and time trying to fix all the things that do go wrong with a Windows system. You don't need Office or iWork (and iLife comes with every Mac); iCal, OS X Mail, iPhoto, iDVD, iMovie - they all come with the system. Similar consumer based software requires additional costs.
Bottom line, you may save money upfront with a Windows system, however you spend more time and money over the average usage of a Windows system then you would with a OS X based machine. Would you rather own a computer that requires more money and time to operate, or one that would allow the ability to get more work done and spend less time on the computer and more time enjoying life?
(not to mention Intel Mac's can run both OS X and Windows - and didn't PC Magazine rate the Mac the best machine to run Windows in 2008?)
First of all, let me just say that I think MS sucks, Apple is better, etc. etc.
I personally switched to Mac in 2005 with a PowerPC dual G5, which required quite a few Applecare calls and several service calls, often ending with me simply disabling features (like sleep mode) because Apple admitted they were unfixable problems (but not serious enough to warrant a replacement). The thing died less than a year after Applecare expired and I found myself reluctantly forced to buy one of the new Minis just to meet a work deadline -- I DIDN'T WANT to buy a Mini, I hate the stupid thing, it looks like a coffee-cup warmer and has B-grade parts! The ports are so loose stuff keeps disconnecting on its own, so don't tell me I paid $729 Canadian (for the base model) for quality!! (I got it replaced but the second on is no sturdier.) This thing shouldn't be selling for more than $500 Canadian. Seriously -- 1 GB ram?? 120GB laptop drive? For $729??? And another $200 for a half-decent warranty? Over $1000 after taxes for something that almost instantly needs hardware upgrading (which could screw up the warranty)??
All to say, at this point it isn't better quality OR service, it's the BRAND that they're charging extra for. OSX is the ONLY good thing I can say about this Mini. I don't use any of the iLife apps that come with it, so there's no value to me there.
Believe me, the gaping hole where an xMac should be is a BIG GAPING HOLE -- if that midrange tower existed I would gladly stick with Apple for life and pay 15 or 20 per cent more than the other brands' price (not 35-40 per cent as it is now), and even jump all over the naysayers like the loyal fanboys do around here. However, I love Apple and want them to change, but they won't change if I just drink the koolaid and nod "Yes master."
Without a significant change in the entry-level pricing and mid-level desktop choices, I am certain they're going to start losing market share for desktops VERY quickly. I'm guessing their high-end desktops and laptops wouldn't lose sales if their low end got cheaper, if that's their fear, just as the similarly spec'd and priced high-end Dells and HPs still sell despite their larger product families. There's a market for that high end, Apple is great at serving it, they just suck at the entry and mid level.
Apple was smart to drop their phone line within market prices last year and look what happened, they're near the top of the phone business in no time. They're actually pricing the phone like other makers and killing them. I would LOVE them to do the same to HP and Dell etc.
Things are not looking good financially for me for the next while and I fully expect to go Hackintosh or look at Windows 7 very seriously if Apple doesn't get their act together. I hope this very timely ad helps Apple do this.
I personally switched to Mac in 2005 with a PowerPC dual G5, which required quite a few Applecare calls and several service calls, often ending with me simply disabling features (like sleep mode) because Apple admitted they were unfixable problems (but not serious enough to warrant a replacement). The thing died less than a year after Applecare expired and I found myself reluctantly forced to buy one of the new Minis just to meet a work deadline -- I DIDN'T WANT to buy a Mini, I hate the stupid thing, it looks like a coffee-cup warmer and has B-grade parts! The ports are so loose stuff keeps disconnecting on its own, so don't tell me I paid $729 Canadian (for the base model) for quality!! (I got it replaced but the second on is no sturdier.) This thing shouldn't be selling for more than $500 Canadian. Seriously -- 1 GB ram?? 120GB laptop drive? For $729??? And another $200 for a half-decent warranty? Over $1000 after taxes for something that almost instantly needs hardware upgrading (which could screw up the warranty)??
All to say, at this point it isn't better quality OR service, it's the BRAND that they're charging extra for. OSX is the ONLY good thing I can say about this Mini. I don't use any of the iLife apps that come with it, so there's no value to me there.
Believe me, the gaping hole where an xMac should be is a BIG GAPING HOLE -- if that midrange tower existed I would gladly stick with Apple for life and pay 15 or 20 per cent more than the other brands' price (not 35-40 per cent as it is now), and even jump all over the naysayers like the loyal fanboys do around here. However, I love Apple and want them to change, but they won't change if I just drink the koolaid and nod "Yes master."
Without a significant change in the entry-level pricing and mid-level desktop choices, I am certain they're going to start losing market share for desktops VERY quickly. I'm guessing their high-end desktops and laptops wouldn't lose sales if their low end got cheaper, if that's their fear, just as the similarly spec'd and priced high-end Dells and HPs still sell despite their larger product families. There's a market for that high end, Apple is great at serving it, they just suck at the entry and mid level.
Apple was smart to drop their phone line within market prices last year and look what happened, they're near the top of the phone business in no time. They're actually pricing the phone like other makers and killing them. I would LOVE them to do the same to HP and Dell etc.
Things are not looking good financially for me for the next while and I fully expect to go Hackintosh or look at Windows 7 very seriously if Apple doesn't get their act together. I hope this very timely ad helps Apple do this.
Why do people keep saying this again?
Folding@Home is my flakiest piece of software followed by FireFox and Safari.
My MacBook had Finder hard lock today when attempting to transfer files off of USB flash drive. I don't see a reason to make a thread about it though.
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Oh, and props to those who posted these posts below, your sensible posts inspired me to jump in with my two cents:
Most people on this site know that Macs are a better value overall at almost any price, but I do think that in this current economic downturn, Apple is ripe for criticism and derision for its current pricing scheme, which clearly did NOT take the world economy into consideration.
I hope this is a wakeup call to Steve Jobs and Apple.
If Microsoft can successfully make fun on you, you're in trouble.
If Apple doesn't do something to have a cheaper laptop or that mythical midrange tower, Mac market share and sales will quickly fall IMHO.
I understand where you are coming from with this, but the people you saw coming in with those complaints were borderline computer illiterate. Most people that are half way decent with a computer and any body who is tech savvy can run Windows on a PC without having to spend "more time and money" taking care of Trojans and Adware.
It is very easy to keep a PC running good if you know what you are doing. That said, it is very handy to not even have to worry about it on my MB.
I don't want to be too much of a downer, but the word hackint0sh should not be overlooked.
I have a MPB that has been CRUd (customer replacement unit) because it had 3 logic board repairs. It also had a few dead pixels, the replacement had a dead pixel (which is not covered under AppleCare). My computer's fans rev up when an iPhone is plugged in. Something is always freaking out in the Console and Activity Monitor not long after a vanilla install.
Apple uses the same hardware manufactures for a lot of components, honestly, from a mac user of 15 years...
My next computer might be a high end dell, sony, asus... (or something like that) notebook, and I'll install OS X. Sure that won't take care of my OS instabilities, but, it sure helps to save some money. I wish my MBP worked better. I'm an über geek, I maintain my laptop exceptionally, I just hate having to deal with such crappy hardware and unstable software. I will say this, sure as hell beats Windows though.
I have a MPB that has been CRUd (customer replacement unit) because it had 3 logic board repairs. It also had a few dead pixels, the replacement had a dead pixel (which is not covered under AppleCare). My computer's fans rev up when an iPhone is plugged in. Something is always freaking out in the Console and Activity Monitor not long after a vanilla install.
Apple uses the same hardware manufactures for a lot of components, honestly, from a mac user of 15 years...
My next computer might be a high end dell, sony, asus... (or something like that) notebook, and I'll install OS X. Sure that won't take care of my OS instabilities, but, it sure helps to save some money. I wish my MBP worked better. I'm an über geek, I maintain my laptop exceptionally, I just hate having to deal with such crappy hardware and unstable software. I will say this, sure as hell beats Windows though.
Years ahead of the competition? Are you kidding me, Macs have and always will lag behind PC's in terms hardware adoption.
Very helpful, thanks. So every version in the 90's from '95 onwards is v4.x. I would never have believed that XP is actually Windows 5.1, when Windows 2000 is Windows 5.0.
Anyway, it says there that Windows 7 is actually 6.1 under the hood.
I noticed that too. "Hey, I want a mac so I can be cool like all the celebrities on TMZ." After she walks out " Awww crap I can't afford it. Oh well, I'll jost buy more ipods then maybe I'll be able to get a man."
thats how it went down
I second that! But my hurdle is a little higher because ill have to do some research and learn how to hack it and install OS X myself. Some of the windows laptops they have here in Japan are so dam cool!!
Sorry, I work in IT, and I mean no offense, but that statement is really not accurate. If it were, then why are companies such as BestBuy's "Geek Squad" doing so well? Why is Apple's market share increasing steadily while many individuals have testified to their more pleasant experiences using Apple based OS X products? Certainly the average user on HERE may be more tech savvy (and I know you have made this point numerous times), we are not the average computer user. There are so many differing types, it isn't logical to generalize and assume. Most often (and in my 10+ years working in the field), computer users don't know the difference between a CD and DVD, USB drive and an Internal SATA, or what WiFi means.
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