I couldn't have said it better myself. I didn't want to get dragged down into a mac vs windows debate simply because well its fruitless. Unless you have used both systems to where you are proficient in each at the same level can you make a comment about your own preferences. I used windows for many many years then switched in '02 haven't looked back.
Most Mac users have used both systems while most PC users haven't. Also just note that the quaterly sales of Apple computer's is more than double the rest of the PC market and I believe that Apple is within the top 5 manufactures for computers while their hardware is still "over priced"
If you look at the revenue stream of Apple and compare it to the #1 seller Dell, you'll see that Apple has a higher margin while Dell is barely breaking even on each sale. This doesn't include the fact that Dell's market capitalization is dwarfed by Apple and Apple's value comtinues to climb.
Eventually many, but not all, of the kids today who buy Apple iPods and iPhones will buy an computer made by Apple and realize that there is an alternative to windows and embrace it.
I ask this one last question, how come there are thousands of stories of people switching to Mac's whereas I have not heard of one story of a Mac user switching to windows?
This is opinion mostly, but what separate Appkle fanboyism and Apple hate or Windows fanboyism and Windows hate is how you justify your opinion:
Well you don't want to make an accusation until you ask: I've used Macs. Not to the point of buying one, but I have spent considerable time using them (family, friends, school, etc). They're okay, but I don't see their system as any more intuitive than a Windows machine. Personally I though it less so. And the lack of that right click button... bah!
Apple's market share is about 10% worldwide. They make products which are well-marketed and well-designed (asthetically). People want cool looking things.
When I bought my Creative Zen MP3 about 15 months ago it had more functions (and was cheaper) than the competing iPod. Apple releases products for a premium and using last generation technology. The iPhone EDGE was the perfect example. EDGE was outdated and touchscreen already existed and there are phones on the market which are better than the iPhone, but the iPhone is so well-marketed people think it is the ****z.
And same with their iPods. Hell, they still lack AM/FM tuners which sell for $50... and microphones last I check... which again sell for extra. See a pattern?
I believe the same thing occurs with their laptops as well. Price them out and the Apple is more expensive for less. I priced out similar Dell v Apple and the Apple was $300 more expensive. Roughly 30%.
The Apple protection plans are also about 30% more expensive for a year less of service (3 versus 4 for Dell).
Is it "worth it"? Maybe. But for $1300 you can also buy a tablet, which I am a proponent of over a normal laptop which can handle all school realted functions.
Apples are "worth it" if you know nothing about computing and are irresponsible when downloading (since few viruses exist for Apples). But if you are a common sense users of a computer, don't go and download everything and anything, then there really isn't anything making an Apple "worth it" over a casual Windows/PC user.
The average students is not going to need the graphics functionality or video editing (which I think Apple does very well) and will really just need the associated programs associated with MS Office. So is paying 25 to 50% more for a less powerful machine "worth it" when those programs you will use will run perfectly on a far cheaper (and probably more powerful) Windows based machine? Not in my opinion.
But again, tablet tablet tablet! Apple is coming out with a slate, supposedly... but it will probably be well over $2,000 and underpowered.
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