Apple MacBook pro...

shortchanged_2

I know it's probably been discussed on here before but can anyone here give a reasonable argument for the justification of the cost of these devices?

This is a moneysaving website so is there any real reason for their very expensive price tag?

The spec on these devices seem quite ordinary for a £1000 machine. i5 processor, 4gb ram, 500gb hard drive, integrated graphics! You could easily get this spec on a sub £500 laptop.

So are apple products nothing but a shrewd marketing rip off? Designer label?

Johnmcl7

The internals may be the same as a cheaper laptop but build isn't, they're usually produced from more expensive materials (metal instead of plastic) and they use higher quality screens. A more appropriate comparison would be some of the high end Vaios and Asus machines which are a similar spec and price.

The mark up is still quite high though as people will fork out more for something with an Apple badge and Apple are very good marketing their products.

I can't stand their machines myself but obviously plenty of people do want them.

John

Roland_Sausage

I have a Macbook which I am now well into my 6th year of ownership of (I purchased it in 2008). It's still going strong and there's probably another couple of years left in it yet.

The wife meanwhile is on her third cheap laptop in the same time frame.

The only issue I have had was a dead hard drive (which could happen to anyone and was easily rectified) whilst she has had worn holes in the keys, had keys fall off, hinges break and the machines just generally falling apart.

So you can buy a premium product which will last, or a cheap product and replace it every couple of years. Buying it cheap has the advantage that you have a more up to date machine more often, however with the hassle of having to transfer stuff to a new machine more often.

Buying the Apple machine, you might feel you have to keep it so many years to justify the price. If you aren't bothered about it not being top of the range after a couple of years, then it will probably serve you well.

timbo58

Have to agree: Apple products are high quality and allow the use of both the superior (IMHO) OSX software as well as windows.

If the premium price doesn't suit you then don't buy it, simple as that.

dr_adidas01

Your paying for the high quality of the product and the fact that it will last far longer than a cheap nasty plastic laptop. Ive only just replaced my Macbook with a new one as the old one died after 5 years of loyal service.

Where as a friend has had 3 cheap laptops in the 5 years of my last Macbook. If you can't afford to Justify the £999 basic asking price for the entry model then perhaps a Macbook Pro isn't for you.

Knarf44

Have you guys ever taken a Macbook apart? If you had you'd know that they are manufactured by the taiwanese company, Foxconn.

Foxconn are a pc component design/manufacturing company who manufacture generic parts for many different manufactuers. I wouldn't specifically say that the quality of their parts for MacBooks is any different to what they supply to other manufacturers. In fact the motherboards and especially the connectors are quite flimsy and need a very careful hand during a stripdown. In reality they are no more or no less reliable than many other brands, it's just the impression they are because their owners generally take better care of them.

When they do fail though and the owner didn't take out an extended warranty then you can expect to pay higher than average prices for replacement parts because it's an Apple product.

By the way, I know when I was repairing them that their screens were usually made by either LG, Samsung or in some cases Phillips.

So why are they so expensive? I recall reading somewhere that a MacBook Pro costs around $350 in components so it's not too hard to work out what you are paying for.

Johnmcl7

I don't rate mac books at all for their longevity as they are difficult machines to repair particularly some of the newer ones which use sealed batteries, proprietary ssd 's and soldered ram. These parts are just as likely to fail as they are on cheap machines but when they do fail it can be difficult and expensive to repair whereas on others it's a cheap and quick fix. Comparatively some of the cheap latitudes and vostros can easily out last the Apple machines because when they have a component fail, the spare part is usually cheap and easy to source, the service manual is free from Dell and the machine is designed to be repairable.

An apple would be one of the last machines I would buy if wanting something to last, other companies are going the same way but right now apple are very much leading the way for machines designed not to last due not being able to repair or replace parts. However that doesn't matter because the brand is desirable and people will overlook this, just been trying to sort a three year old failed apple which is beyond economic repair so the person just went out and bought another mac book... Sigh.

John

londonTiger

Apple products feel a lot more expensive. Never taken one apart - but people above seem to say it's cheap quality build inside.

In any case it looks and feels expensive - even if it's just superficual.

Have cheap laptops - £300 max. Have one which is duct taped all over - hinge broken. Screen case slip open.

You'll never see a macbook so beat up like that.

WTFH

It's a combination of the hardware, the operating system and the software.
You don't buy a mac just for the hardware.
Compare Mavericks or Lion with windows 7/8.
Compare Aperture or Final Cut with the equivalent Microsoft software.

Deru

I like Apple Macbooks because they look pretty


I owned a Macbook Pro but sold it due to lack of use. However, now I do fancy a Macbook Air for it's weight. I'm mainly a Windows user as I feel I can navigate them quickly due to my familiarity with the Windows OS's and want more software compatibility.... otherwise, it's all desirability of the Apple brand. External quality feels good albeit dents and scratches easily. Internally, components are similar to other brands but certainly more delicately assembled. Screen is nice though.

However, there are plus sides.

1. In general, service from an Apple store while the product is warranty (or you have Applecare for the 3 years) is excellent. They will typically replace parts or swap out the machine. With other brands, you have to send off the machine for repairs.

2. The Apple brand is sought after so their products, although will depreciate, do seem to be worth a bit more after a few years.

3. OS is Linux-based and seems to run smoother for longer. Also, fewer viruses (big plus for some) and no blue screens of death that can occur for a million reasons.

It's just another premium product and an alternative to Windows hardware. If you like it and can get along with it, then get Apple. If not, then get Windows / Linux / etc.

londonTiger

Deru wrote: »

I owned a Macbook Pro but sold it due to lack of use. However, now I do fancy a Macbook Air for it's weight. I'm mainly a Windows user as I feel I can navigate them quickly due to my familiarity with the Windows OS's and want more software compatibility.... otherwise, it's all desirability of the Apple brand. External quality feels good albeit dents and scratches easily. Internally, components are similar to other brands but certainly more delicately assembled. Screen is nice though.

If you pay Apple prices you can get windows equivalent.

http://www.ebuyer.com/410394-samsung-530u3c-laptop-np530u3c-a0auk?utm_source=google&utm_medium=products&gclid=CPTayoPzw7wCFSvHtAodG1oAVg