At least twice per week, I spec out both Macs and PCs for folks. If you're not that familiar with Macs, you have to open your mind, take a look at the different Mac models and closely compare the specs.ĭean Abanila, technology specialist at the Rhode Island School of Design, said it well: "I work with more than a few students and faculty looking for computer-buying advice. Apple has changed its stance on that markedly over the past 10 years. Macs are no longer just premium computers. When you look closely at these model lines, there are economy, middle-of-the-road and high-end models. There are three desktop and two notebook model lines. There's also a corresponding point to be made: The Macintosh lineup consists of five model lines and 12 basic SKUs (or specific models), each of which offers additional configuration. Like Honda, Apple has smartly positioned its specific models. Buy a Honda automobile, for example, and you'll find there are three or four models for any car type, and the only options are dealer installable. This point isn't unique to computer sales.
So if you desire a specific set of features that falls between specific Mac SKUs and the way those machines can be configured, then some Windows PC somewhere may, in fact, be a better value - for you. Just because you don't want this or that small feature that the Mac offers doesn't mean that everyone else doesn't want it. And that's where we enter into a completely subjective realm and get away from intrinsic value. Important point: For a direct comparison to be made, there has to be a Mac SKU that directly equates to the exact set of features you want. But if you're talking about name-brand Windows PCs from reputable manufacturers like Dell, HP, Toshiba, Acer, Gateway, Lenovo and others, right now, the out-the-door pricing is more or less on par. Macs have clearly been more expensive than Windows PCs in the distant past. It's definitely true that Apple Mac pricing has not always approached parity.
But this ebb and flow is a natural part of computer valuations. The value meter may be tipping a bit toward Windows PCs now as a result. The Windows PC makers lagged behind Apple for a while on the CPU front, but with the release of the Santa Rosa platform (Intel's marketing name is Centrino Pro), many are catching up again. There is a time component to this kind of analysis. The main point I was trying to make is that when you compare Macs with comparably equipped Windows PCs, sometimes Macs beat Windows PCs in the price/performance comparison. I did that purposely to lay the groundwork for further analysis about the value of Macs vs. In other words, I was attempting to make an objective comparison that did not inject any evaluation of the hardware, anything at all about the software, or anything about my personal experience with the operating systems and hardware involved.