Apple MacBook pro...

securityguy

Deru wrote: »

3. OS is Linux-based .

Unix, not Linux.

kwmlondon

It's like asking if it's better to buy an Audi or a Fiat. The Fiat is cheaper but loses its value quicker, the Audi costs more but you can get more for it when you sell it. I've had MacBooks for years and even after 5 or 6 years they are worth money, where a Sony Vaio or Toshiba would not hold its value or be as usable.

However, it's got to be your choice. Be clear about what you want a computer for, how much you can afford and then make a decision based on that and if it makes sense to buy an iPad or a Toshiba or a MacBook get what makes most sense for you.

shortchanged_2

So it seems they are nothing really more than a clever marketing company by getting people to think they are some super brand.

I've also had plenty of cheaper laptops in my days that have also lasted years.

So I suppose you have to admire Apple for their convincing sales spiel that has convinced millions that their products are 'worth' that much more than many windows based laptops.

dr_adidas01

shortchanged wrote: »

So it seems they are nothing really more than a clever marketing company by getting people to think they are some super brand.

I've also had plenty of cheaper laptops in my days that have also lasted years.

So I suppose you have to admire Apple for their convincing sales spiel that has convinced millions that their products are 'worth' that much more than many windows based laptops.

Not quite as simple as that at all.

You have to look at what you want to use the laptop for and what software your going to use.

Apple as standard puts a lot of software on its laptops and desktops that you just don't get on Windows PC/Laptops.

As standard Apple gives you:

iPhoto
iMovie
Pages
Numbers
Keynote
Garageband

To name a few, what would the windows equivalent cost of these be? unless you went for free crap versions of these software.

Also if you have a lot of Apple products then these just work together seamlessly, and none of this I need extra software or I need to install extra hardware to get it to work as you would with windows based computers.

Again if you can't justify the cost of a Macbook Pro then its probably not the item to buy for you.

shortchanged_2

I was never going to buy one. I was just wondering what everyone else sees in them to justify their ridiculous cost considering the cost of their actual hardware components.

libra10

I bought a new Macbook Pro from John Lewis last year, at a cost of approximately £1250. Already had £500 John Lewis vouchers, and therefore didn't pay full price.

I'm finding it to be a fantastic computer, it starts and shuts down within seconds, compared to a PC taking much longer. Had a Sony Vaio previously, and the heat coming from the fan was incredible, nothing like that from the Macbook.

The OS Maverick system is excellent, only had one crash since using, and that was easily resolved. No Microsoft updates/downloads/installations/configuring as there are with PCs (unless the user runs other OP systems).

However, after being used to a PC, the Macbook OP system does take a considerable time to get used to.

WTFH

shortchanged wrote: »

So it seems they are nothing really more than a clever marketing company by getting people to think they are some super brand.

I've also had plenty of cheaper laptops in my days that have also lasted years.

So I suppose you have to admire Apple for their convincing sales spiel that has convinced millions that their products are 'worth' that much more than many windows based laptops.

shortchanged wrote: »

I was never going to buy one. I was just wondering what everyone else sees in them to justify their ridiculous cost considering the cost of their actual hardware components.

I assume this means you didn't read or accept any of the replies as being valid. It's not just the hardware. It's ridiculous that people buy the marketing that Microsoft are the only operation system manufacturers, or that when a website doesn't work with Internet explorer, it's the fault of the website.
If you are running a PC with windows on it, you've bought into marketing that makes you think cheap is best and that computers must slow down and crash regularly. That's what you believe. Not all computers are loaded with bloatware, require frequent rebuilds, nor do you need to pay every time a new version of the operating system comes out.

Look at your TCO, not just initial hardware outlay.

shortchanged_2

libra10 wrote: »

.

I'm finding it to be a fantastic computer, it starts and shuts down within seconds, compared to a PC taking much longer.

Does this justify paying twice the price for a same spec computer?

I actually find windows 8 starts up pretty quickly.

libra10

shortchanged wrote: »

Does this justify paying twice the price for a same spec computer?

I actually find windows 8 starts up pretty quickly.

Probably not!

Have had four Sony Vaios previously and had few problems with them.
It's just that PCs tend to become 'clogged' with temporary internet files, etc ... and need defragging, etc.

With a Mac, you just enjoy surfing, with few problems so far.

securityguy

Well, Apple kit is virtually universal in computer science departments amongst lecturers and researchers, and equally almost universal amongst computer security people for their own environment. Probably not for Apple-y reasons: more that it's a Unix box you don't have to fiddle with (and, with the recent contortions of the Ubuntu and Debian communities, and Sun's demise, probably the most "pure" Unix for the sort of user who mutters wistfully about Seventh Edition).

That said, the reason why Macs have become so popular amongst the middle classes is simplicity. If you're not stuck for a grand, then saving a grand doesn't actually improve your life very much, while the necessity to have computers that just work can be the difference between getting that contract and not getting that contract. Apple will sell you a bundle: you get the hardware, OS and most of the applications you're likely to need from one shop, on one credit card receipt, in one transaction. If it doesn't work, they fix it, without the endless to-ing and fro-ing between shop, manufacturer, OS supplier and application supplier. They'll do you a training course (the One-to-One service) and they'll sell you a support contract that covers the whole package (AppleCare has an 80% discount for higher education purchasers, and *ahem* the discount is not hard to get). If you're costing your time at more than zero, the ability to just go and buy something that works is valuable to you. It's not just that the Mac works, it's that it works with your iPhone, with iCloud and with your AppleTV. That might not be worth it to some people, but it is worth it to my parents, for example.

Discussing whether or not Macs are value for money is missing the point, if people weren't buying them to save on initial capital cost anyway. The whole life cost, including people's time, is presumably worth while, or people wouldn't keep coming back. And Audi stay in business, even though the cars are almost identical to the equivalent Skoda.