[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Ballmer Is Right: Mac Users Do Pay Dearly for Apple Logo here

[Deadhacker]

Mac users who upgrade to the latest OS pay around $130. Windows users have a bewildering array of prices, which can range up to $800 for the OS alone, and they're likely to need a hardware upgrade as well, which is frequently easiest by buying a new PC, so while Mac users may pay more up front, their computer investment will remain "current" a lot longer, and you'll have to pay for "the same" PC twice during that period. Looks to me like your Dell will cost around $1280 to get the latest OS and the necessary hardware to stay current. Meanwhile the Macbook with an OS upgrade will have cost about $1130. Who's more expensive now, Ballmer?

[matchbox2022]

Hmmm, you pay more for the mac name which is stupid (almost as stupid as paying for the "sony" name), and the post above is correct too, the os for windows is rediculously expensive and does often require new hardware. I say we all go linux.

[groupeone]

I smell linkbait. A story like this will surely set off Hatfield-McCoy battles yet again. No matter what one side comes up with, the other will reply with shrill intensity. In the phlegm war that will erupt here, there won't be a winner.
That said, I'll just toss in my two cents and duck: I use both Macs and PCs. But I'm transitioning over to Macs as my hardware platform, and where I need Windows, I'm running VMware Fusion. If I could do without Windows after years of supporting PCs, I would. Windows is just too darned much trouble. And VMware lets me run Windows perfectly fast without the headache of a dedicated platform.
As for the subject of the article, I'll just say this: price is what you pay. Value is what you get. And the more I work with a Mac, the less price differential, if there is really one when taking the total cost of ownership into account, the more I believe that any purported price differential is superflous. I'll gladly pay more for a Mac. The Apple hardware and OS (as well as their applications) are simply better made, with greater simplicity and passion.
And on the matter of the ever-bloated, big-mouthed Mr. Baller: All the bombastic comments won't disguise the fact that Microsoft is not moving the ball forward. Earnings remain flat. The company has repeatedly blown opportunities. Markets the company should have dominated have slipped through the company's fingers. I used to admire Microsoft. But I got tired of waiting for the company to innovate, and not copy.
Now, I'll take cover and prepare for the venomous and insensitive counter fire. Let the phlegm wars begin.

[buckwalter]

I might be willing to pay $300 more upfront to avoid $1000 in headaches down the road..
One thing people forget is TIME IS MONEY..
Mac offer a less frustrating experience... that's worth something right there - never mind the logo.

[rgreen4]

Deadhacker said:

Windows users have a bewildering array of prices, which can range up to $800 for the OS alone,

Wow, talk about misleading information. The maximum you can pay at Newegg for the full retail install package of Vista Ultime is $280, and that includes both the 32 bit version and the 64 bit version.

Deadhacker said:

and they're likely to need a hardware upgrade as well, which is frequently easiest by buying a new PC,

Yeah, just try to upgrade a Mac with a PowerPC chip or the Motorola chip to the current OS for $130. Even the Macophiles at the "genius" bar would have a hard time swallowing that one.

The fact is that any major upgrade of an OS leaves older less capable machines behind. This is as true for a Mac as it is for Windows based machines.

[alienlan]

[quote name='rgreen4']
>

Deadhacker said:

Windows users have a bewildering array of prices, which can range up to $800 for the OS alone,

Wow, talk about misleading information. The maximum you can pay at Newegg for the full retail install package of Vista Ultime is $280, and that includes both the 32 bit version and the 64 bit version.

I paid $350 when Vista came out. The price has indeed dropped a bit since then--but still charging $280 for such an also-ran OS is reprehensible. I will stick with my MacPro and OSX from here on out. Leopard rules--and Snow Leopard will hopefully show again that Apple simply gets software design and follow-through. iLife apps, iPhone/iPod/AppleTV integration, and simple, beautiful design are all more than worth the cost of admission to the Apple world.

> [quote name='Deadhacker'] and they're likely to need a hardware upgrade as well, which is frequently easiest by buying a new PC,
>

Yeah, just try to upgrade a Mac with a PowerPC chip or the Motorola chip to the current OS for $130. Even the Macophiles at the "genius" bar would have a hard time swallowing that one.

The fact is that any major upgrade of an OS leaves older less capable machines behind. This is as true for a Mac as it is for Windows based machines.

[fish2live]

Hey wait a minute! I have an 8 yr old G4 desktop, and it most certainly runs the most recent operating system. In fact, it generally runs any piece of mac software (except intel-only items), though the performance can be sedate. I continue to be amazed that it will run software that isn't recommended, and often it runs non-recommended software fairly well. I did upgrade it once, by taking apart an old G3 desktop and adding the old parts to it. I have several newer laptops but I use my old G4 every day. I want to buy another overpriced mac desktop and get 8 yrs out of that one. It's the cheapest way to go in the long run!

[rigo]

i think we are losing the point. i do have mac and pc, yes mac is a better machine, period. ballmer's point is: in this economy, if i have to buy a new computer i'll go with pc because is cheaper. a bmw and a ford will take to the same places, i much rather drive the bmw, for now i can only afford the ford.

[beanthere]

Funny about that - this reply is from an old G4 PowerPC running Leopard. My Windows friends are amazed at how many things I run concurrently and at the quick response speeds I get. Go figure. And it only cost me a third share of the Leopard 'Family Pack' - considerably less than $130.00.

[rccoffee]

In February 2005, after using Windows for 11 years, I switched to a Mac....PowerPC running OS 10.3-Panther. In November 2008, I bought OS 10.5-Leopard for $109.00 (no tax, no shipping/handling) and changed my OS. It was a piece of cake. I never bought OS 10.4-Tiger.

People get used to a bad situation. But, nothing happens until you make it happen. If Apple uses off-the-shelf parts just like Windows assemblers do, I believe that Apple chooses the higher quality while Windows assemblers choose the lower quality for their cheaper computers. Most of my software was designed by Apple as was my computer and there is no blaming the other guy for problems as is so common with Windows. "If you bought your computer with Windows pre-installed, call your computer company; not Microsoft and vice versa". If I have a problem, I can take my computer to any Apple Store (there are 3 in my area) or to an Authorized Apple Retailer (2 good ones in my area) and they will honor the Apple Care that I paid for. I don't have to depend on Circuit City, CompUSA, Best Buy, Fry's Electronics or mail it back.

I disagree that Macs cost $500.00 more. Windows requires all sorts of anti-malware software not to mention the four hours a week I spent maintaining my Windows computers and the almost daily hassles of fixing it, backing it up, etc. I don't have to listen to someone in India practicing pidgin English with me while trying to learn how to use a computer. IMHO, Windows costs $500.00 more than Apples. I don't give a damn what Ballmer thinks. Like Amedinejad, he is a lot of hot air and bravado. But, even if Macs were to cost $500.00 more, obviously more and more of us are willing to pay for it . . . and the little apple logotype is sooo cute.

For those of you who want to stay with Windows, remember what Bette Davis said; "Buckle-up, it's going to be a bumpby ride". lol

[japan56]

ballmer. lol. sure mac is a bit more expensive but you can bring the price down if it is a major issue. buy a mac refurbished. upgrade ram and hard drives yourself.
anyone search youtube for ballmer lately?
lol
Message was edited by: rgreen4 - it is illegal to install Mac OS on non Apple hardware and thus against this site's community standards.

[WinTard]

$800 are FUD and lies. $205 is what I paid for a full Vista Ultimate OEM x64 at tigerdirect full non-upgrade. And I expect Windows 7 Ultimate x64 OEM to be around that ballpark. Upgrade could be even cheaper...

[shepmagoo]

What a load of crap, people saying they need spend several hours a week "maintaining" their Windows PC's. What exactly are you doing to your computer? I enjoy using Mac's as much as anyone, but get real people.
Windows does NOT cost $800, pull your head out. You might pay $400 for Office Professional, but hey, that is either platform.
And for all you "I am running on a G4 blah blah blah" yeah I am running on a 6 year old PC running XP, and I can pretty much do anything..oh wait more than you can do on your Mac (or my Mac). I have free anti-virus, and windows defender, and I am not stupid enough to "Click here!!" because "My computer is not in fact infected!"
Remember folks, there are no technical solutions for behavioral problems.
All of you Mac Fanboy's be careful what you wish for, if everyone starts using Mac's you will see just exactly how secure your computer is not.

[WinTard]

japan56 said:

ballmer. lol. sure mac is a bit more expensive but you can bring the price down if it is a major issue. buy a mac refurbished. upgrade ram and hard drives yourself.
anyone search youtube for ballmer lately?

lolWhat a great example to use your money wisely!I like Linux. I like Windows. O

Currently $249 with Ubuntu or $299 with XP. With OS X, priceless!
www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-9?cs=19&s=dhs&ref=homepg
As far as I am concerned, $50 isn't worth the big fuss between 'free' or non-free OS... Especially for the neophyte low-end computer user without experience.
If I had to get a netbook, I'd probably get it with XP (for flexibility and free-support), then would boot on one of these 8GB or 16GB USB memory key with an image of Knoppix or Ubuntu LiveCD/DVD. Without even installing Linux. Just boot! The 8GB key is $12 at tigerdirect. Ubuntu or Knoppix or any Linux is free, thus a non-issue.
The reason to keep XP installed, is I have not come across a livecd version of XP. I'm sure it can be done however, but who needs the hassle?
Why restrict yourself to one specific diet? Why not get the best of all worlds?
Variety is the spice of life!
Message was edited by: rgreen4 - attempting to install OS/X on a non Apple machine is illegal and thus any discussion of it is against community standards. All references to OS/X has been removed.

[BoulderBum]

I don't see how you're drawing a fair comparison.

The Dell's graphics card is a generation behind, Bluetooth and Wireless N cards cost extra, it's missing a built-in camera, the battery lasts half as long, etc.

What you get with Apple is quality. Component for component Apple is actually pretty close to price competitive, it's just that Apple doesn't build low-end systems.

Apple also has innovations like the MagSafe power port and OS X (vs. a basic Vista edition with the Dell).

I say this, by the way, as someone whose only laptop is the Dell Inspiron I use for work. I don't even own a Mac, but I recognize its value!

[beeteep]

Everyone who says that windows only costs around $200 needs to put into perspective that we are considered more advanced than the average computer user. The average user doesn't know how to upgrade their ram or what tigerdirect and newegg is. They would go walking into bestbuy and see that windows vista has RAM requirements, see that their computer doesn't meet them, and assume they have to purchase another computer. Also, although there are free apps out there for antivirus, the average user needs to have a more rock-solid, foolproof solution such as Norton or McAfee that basically does everything for them.
The average Apple user, however, knows that basically any operating system Apple releases in the next 5 years or so will run on their system--no problems. The $500 apple users pay for is the superior operating system. I use both PC's and Macs and I leave my mac running 24/7 and practically never reboot unless there is a software update that requires it and my mac never slows down. My PC, however, becomes noticeably slower day by day if I leave it running. The Mac operating system generally requires less resources, so that's why Macs don't necessarily have as much. With all of the Anti-virus and heavy graphics windows brings, RAM and processor are eaten away much more quickly.

[drfriday]

If you take a new out of the box windows system and put Microsoft only software on it, the computer will run great. It's when you add third party software, outdated software and third party hardware that things can go hey wire. Combine this with a person who is computer illiterate, and you have a system that will not work like it is supposed to. People who have limited computer know how and don't require a lot of flexibilty should pay more and buy a Mac, but any "real" hard core computer enthusiast knows that Apple computers can't touch the incredible (and inexpensive) power and flexibility of a PC. Combine a PC with a person who knows computers, and you have the most powerful and diverse computer system in the world. At half the price! Sorry mac.

[tr3ndz]

I have a top pf line Dell XPS with same 2.6ghz CPU, 4GB memory and 200GB 7200rpm hard drive, and same on a Mac Boook Pro. I paid $26XX for the Dell and $32XX for MAC. I run them side by side wireless on my network, with similar applications eg Photoshop, internet (safari on Mac and Firefox on PC) ... both machines run with similar performance. As far as hardware is concerned, one is obviously not better than the other. However the design of the MAC is more pleasing to the eye, but thats about it. My friends have knocked me down for using PC for years, but none of them have invested $6K to actually test both machines side by side out the box running similar applications.

[abhinavk]

If the market share of macs were around 90%
then these howling wolves would be touting the benefits of Windows.