Why do many Mac User believe that Macs have better hardware then all PCs

[tinkori]

I have been told by many owners of macs that simply because they have a Mac that their hardware is better then any other computer. I attempt to tell them the only actual difference between mac and "PC's" is the OS and in actuality Apple buys its hardware from the same people that the PC vendors get their hardware from.
In fact I have often dug up evidence that Macs do not have the best Hardware. Currently ASUS and Toshiba lead with mac in fourth of the largest 8 PC manufactures.

I use a 13" MBP and a Thinkpad X201, both with a SSD and 8gb RAM. The X201 has superb hardware (better keyboard and ~3lb) and a much better warranty (accidental damage protection for 3yrs!). The thinkpad might not have metal but is built like a tank. The only reason I love my mac is OSX which gives me a unix system hence development is easier and it can also run Adobe and MS apps. I am happy paying a little for cool looks but thats not on my priority list.

But apple has the best industrial design (hardware components might be the same) and charges a premium for it. Its like buying a house with premium/custom fittings etc vs basic fixture.

 

[Quinoky]

Honestly, if I look at my roommates' laptops, a Dell Studio and a Packard Bell, I would definitely say that Macs are much more solid. My girlfriend's mid 2009 13" MBP is still in absolutely perfect condition. She even told me that people often think it is still new, which is pretty darn as good as it gets in my opinion. In contrast, my roommates' laptops look like they're at least five years old (creaky, even broken plastic). I guess that's the tradeoff for not paying the premium.

Don't get me wrong -- I definitely know that there are many good Windows laptops out there. Those that do match the MacBook line, though, often ask the same or a very similar premium as the MacBooks.

 

[Liquinn]

Honestly, if I look at my roommates' laptops, a Dell Studio and a Packard Bell, I would definitely say that Macs are much more solid. My girlfriend's mid 2009 13" MBP is still in absolutely perfect condition. She even told me that people often think it is still new, which is pretty darn as good as it gets in my opinion. In contrast, my roommates' laptops look like they're at least five years old (creaky, even broken plastic). I guess that's the tradeoff for not paying the premium.

Don't get me wrong -- I definitely know that there are many good Windows laptops out there. Those that do match the MacBook line, though, often ask the same or a very similar premium as the MacBooks.

This is why I'm buying the 17" MBP next year. The solid build. It's fast at Photoshop stuff and video editing and conversions.

 

[jdsingle]

I was a long time Windoze user and I switched over to Mac to take advantage of one of my favorite DAWs. Do I think that Macs have better hardware then PCs? No. I've built numerous custom PC desktops that were extremely powerful PCs that none of the Mac Pro line I have seen can stand up against. I've had laptops that had certain specs that were better than my MBP. The only thing that I think MBP has over Windoze PCs is the build quality. Their design makes it feel like it is a lot higher quality and doesn't have that cheap plastic feel that most Dell, HPs, etc., have. Macs aren't better than PCs. They're just different. These do somethings better than Windoze and Windoze does somethings better than OSX.

 

[McGiord]

We don't believe, we know the Macs have better hardware.
Even you could buy and build anything that you will consider a personal computer, what is the point I only being able to use crapware 'software'?
With a Mac you have more freedom to run any software you want.

 

[Freyqq]

I have been told by many owners of macs that simply because they have a Mac that their hardware is better then any other computer. I attempt to tell them the only actual difference between mac and "PC's" is the OS and in actuality Apple buys its hardware from the same people that the PC vendors get their hardware from.
In fact I have often dug up evidence that Macs do not have the best Hardware. Currently ASUS and Toshiba lead with mac in fourth of the largest 8 PC manufactures.

Macs tend to use high quality components. The trackpads, monitors, keyboards, cases, and batteries are all some of the best you can buy in the industry. Yes, the screens are a little low res, but the color quality, etc is amazing. Yes, the intel chip, ram, and gpu are going to be the same thing that PC's use. But, PC manufacturers often skimp on the other stuff compared to apple.

 

[Mersailios]

For me, it's not all about the specifications. I prefer good quality and a stable platform to work with.

I've owned a few PC's in my day and to be honest none of them have been able to come anywhere close to my MacBook Pro.

For example, I've owned four Windows based notebooks from two different manufacturers over the years, and each and every one of them had flaws. Poor build quality, overheating and throttling, high latency, terrible sound quality, poor color reproduction, issues with drivers, and interface hardware that were a nightmare to use (specfically, the Synaptics touch-pad that Hewlett-Packard uses on their newer models).

I'm not going to deny that there is a premium paid for Apple's notebooks and other products, but the quality is very good in my opinion.

For example, with my MacBook Pro, I haven't had to deal with any of the issues outlined above, and that saves me time (not having to get a unit replaced or serviced, and more importantly not having to deal with driver problems and software updates that would break everything).

Then of course there are the other small features -- the MagSafe power connector, a slot loading optical drive that works correctly, a multi-touch trackpad that doesn't make you want to pull your hair out in frustration, etc.

Do I care about a 500 MHz increase in processor speed or an extra gigabyte of memory? No, I just want my computer to work and let me get things accomplished without getting in my way. My Mac has allowed me to do just that; it's the end-to-end integration that I truly appreciate.

Am I picky? Yes, without a doubt, but when you save up and spend your hard earned money you tend to expect decent quality.

Just my two cents.

 

[alphaod]

It's probably because many users are used to paying low prices for low spec'd machines and when they purchased the Mac, they did not have a choice for a cheaper machine. As a result their higher prices Macs will naturally come with better components and therefore the perception that Macs have better hardware than other PCs.

 

[ibuyufo]

I don't know about hardware but it seems to me Macs are pretty at catching water/coffee/milk or any type of liquid! Checkout ebay and craigslist. Maybe it's so good that people take them swimming as well.

 

[SmoothJ]

I use both PC (custom desktops and laptops) and Apple laptops. For one, I don't believe the hardware is magically better.

However I have been recently annoyed with the offerings and the support on the PC side of things. From broken parts, overheating, throttling, keyboard flex, crappy trackpad, and etc. I am just annoyed

I am not saying Apple doesn't have issues as well, but I guess you hear less of it cause of the customer service, or the quality of the builds.

I am not using a Apple product to type this now, however I hopefully soon will be