70 replies to this topic

[Rufus T. Firefly]

The iMac not so much. Everything else? Yes

[A Nonny Moose]

erei33, on Feb 23 2008, 07:43 PM, said:

Macs: God no, they have awful mark up on them. Now that the Hackintosh is essentially equal to a legit Macintosh, there is no reason to buy one unless you need portability (I consider the Macbook to be the best sub 14" laptop available, even if it is overpriced).

Overpriced as in "they really do cost too much" or overpriced as in "I'm getting the milk for free, so why get the cow"?  Given the hack systems people use, it seems to be the latter choice.

[methamp]

If you want 100% support by a company that builds the hardware and writes the software? Yes, it's absolutely worth it. If you want to struggle with different vendors, dozens of support numbers, and a geeky looking guy who loves pie running your life while some company in China runs your computer, Windows is the answer.

[Deleted]

I get a kick when I read comments like methamp's. Chances are that if you're building a hack then chances are that you're that geeky looking guy (don't know if you like pie or not but ya...). I see it all too often, usually from Apple fanboys, and while it may hold some truth it seems more opinion/reiteration than fact.

Here if I go with a Apple rig I have to go to an "Authorized Dealer" and deal with a middle man. Ya that's fun...   Then if I have a repair issue I have to go to an "Authorized Dealer" once again and have that middle man either send it to a repair centre or be lucky enough to be dealing with a "Authorized Sales and Service Centre" (and not have a big problem that would need for it to be sent directly to Apple)  

With Apple I'd have to either jump through hoops or fix it myself. That may prove to be just a bit to much aggravation for most around here (and it has to a few people I know) but thankfully I can simply fix my Mac should anything go wrong software wise.

On the other hand there is the fact that it is a package deal. You're not only buying the core components but also the aesthetics of the package (ok, and the name somewhat). If you like the design I guess you could just buy a Mac Pro case and fill it yourself, but if you want all the work done for you then yes it is worth it. Because it is a set of specific hardware it will also hold its value but that strict list can also be a draw back.

You can upgrade and modify the PC (notice I said PC and not Windows?) and build it to your specific needs, even right down to the OS (ok, this is where the Windows part comes in I guess). There is also the available programs to consider, sure they could be run under emulation but we all know that may not be quite fast enough depending on the program. Still you can just run Windows OS on the Apple rig so this isn't about OS's but rather hardware.

That said I can run Sli/crossfire, higher levels of RAM, and swap components of a PC to meet my needs and update with the times whereas with a Mac I'd be SOL for the most part.

The question unfortunately needs to be personalized and will reflect each individuals needs/wants. Mac's are a great package and if you want something that is plug and play while retaining its value, yes it is worth it. On the other hand if you want to be kept up to date with technology or simply want to be able to customize your rig to suit your own needs (especially if they surpass or fall in the middle of the current Apple lineup) then no an Apple isn't worth it.

[$tealth]

Yes Apple MAC Leopard is better than Windows Vista x32 or x64 Operating system .. MAC has very unique features and wonderfully Made by APPLE INC. I am literally not happy with the WINDOWS VISTA x32 containing winsxs folder (Windows Side by SIde ) Folder .. Its the DLL hell from MICROSOFT .. but on the contrary MAC does not have any thing like that.     

Even though MAC has Time Machine I dont use. I use the Norton ghost To back up the CORE Operating system ....

I will say only this LONG LIVE APPLE Operating systems  

[cyrana]

I think they are worth it.   I have an iPhone and a Macbook, and we also have a Mac Pro at home.  Aside from the 'form over function' arguments (all look gorgeous imho), the three of them 'just work'.  I have tinkered and built computers for years and we also have a home built Asus P5W-DH that runs Windows for games and also has OS X installed on it.

But, it's still a bit of a chore keeping the Hackintosh version up to date and updates and installs to the computer itself are slightly more annoying.  Granted all I've done is replace my Mac Pro video card, add extra memory, and put in new hard drives, but all of these operations took a minimal of effort (super easy actually and I didn't cut myself or break nails ) and OS X just worked afterwards and didn't complain about anything.

We can go to magical fantasyland where there is a boxed OS X that works on any computer, but I'd still have some Apples in the house since I think they are designed so well and I'm getting to the age where I just want something to work without any tinkering - in addition to looking great.

[V Plamondon]

This is just my opinion, but when a friend or relative who is a computer newbie or not very computer literate wants advise on purchasing a new computer, my first suggestion is a Macintosh from Apple. A Macintosh is very newbie friendly, with good manuals, packaging and technical support. For friends and family with little computer literacy, a good overall product means the learning curve is shorter, there are few, if any, technical issues, and when there are technical issues, customer support is excellent.

Ironically, most of my friends and family rejected Macintoshes, as they "NEEDED" a windows PC. I spend time fixing friends and family members computers that would add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars a year each if they needed to hire technical supports services.

I won't buy a Macintosh myself, but my current laptop, an Acer Aspire 5680 costing $800.00, runs OSX86 very well, and I don't mind rolling up my sleeves when I break the OS to fix it. Of course I saved money, but when it comes to the software I am my own tech support.

Technical support is always an important consideration when choosing a new computer, especially those of limited computer literacy, and especially for those without tech oriented friends.

For this reason, my number one pick for excellent hardware/software combined technical support is Apple Inc., as a customer can expect a reliable, stable product with less technical issues over the products lifetime and good service and support for problems that do arise.

[metalmaniac]

Yes

[methamp]

Garbage in, garbage out. The reason you're paying premium prices for a "Mac" verses a IBM-compatible PC pre-loaded with Windows Vista is that they're meant for each other. It's a match made in heaven. Apple supplies the hardware and the software. When you buy Windows, you're buying a piece of software that is supposed to run flawlessly on everything. When Dell releases the latest and greatest desktop to their line-up, it's not built to run Windows because Windows didn't know this computer existed. Mac OS X, on the other hand, knows what it needs to run 110% because the company controls everything.

Now we have the OSx86 scene. Granted this is mainly for fun, but the struggles we have are somewhat similar to Vista's incompatibility. Things just don't work right because they weren't made for each other. Mac OS X is built for those high-priced iMacs, MacBook Pros, etc. It "just works." While OEM's like Dell and HP struggle with Vista woes and downgrading tricks (XP), Apple continues to push computers that run 110% because they make it all. If Dell could start making the next version of Windows right now, they'd race 300 MPH to get into that position. Apple's already there, and if you want something that's more than likely going to work more times than the alternative that hopefully works at least half the time: Get a Mac.

[dillon31292]

I find Apple products to be worth it because of their resell value.  You can go to eBay right now and find a four or five year-old Powerbook on sale for nearly $2,000.  You just can't beat that.  It's like being able to get a brand new Mac every two or three years for nothing.

[Konami®]

dillon31292, on Jul 31 2008, 08:13 PM, said:

I find Apple products to be worth it because of their resell value.  You can go to eBay right now and find a four or five year-old Powerbook on sale for nearly $2,000.  You just can't beat that.  It's like being able to get a brand new Mac every two or three years for nothing.

You are truly exaggerating the price, in Ebay a four to five years old powerbook is between $200 to $400 dollars, but is still very good price for the age of the computer.

[vbetts]

It would depend on what you look for in a Mac. I like Macs, but I don't have the money for them. They aren't exacly the value computer, but I like them a lot.

[Fishy80]

http://secure.newegg...shListTitle=Mac



thats almost the exact same specs as the best machine I can make on the apple site,   apple's price? Total     $21,037.00

Neweggs price? $7,214.87  add $1,000 for the apple fiber channel card, and $1799x2 for the 2 apple display's  and another $800 for the raid card.... and you get?  $12612.87  throw in a couple hundred for vista and there ya go...  should note, I could not find every piece the same, what I couldn't find exactly the same, I UPGRADED, and yes, I know that mobo can't handle that much ram, or all 4 vid cards, but what I'm saying with this entire post is that piece for piece Mac is WAY overpriced


you can't even make an alienware computer that costs more than 15k (if even that much)  and I guarantee that the alienware would beat the mac in any kind of benchmark or any performance...

[MacNutty]

Apple products are damm good, but little expensive. But it is worth...

[121fred]

Hi all

I've bought many (and spent a lot keeping the faith)Macs from MacPlus onward until recently. The reason I stopped that bloody awful mirror that they call a screen on the laptops and iMacs. So I bought a 24" matt panel and built a Hackintosh and I doubt I'll go back now. Design over substance is not always the answer.

cheers

[dillon31292]

maclancer, on Jul 31 2008, 09:44 PM, said:

You are truly exaggerating the price, in Ebay a four to five years old powerbook is between $200 to $400 dollars, but is still very good price for the age of the computer.

No, actually I'm not exaggerating.  There were three of them up for over $1,700 last night.  There's usually at least one up in the $1,000's (being bidded on, not a fixed price) on most days. I'm saying that you could get this for it, its just that most people are honest enough to put theirs up for a few hundred bucks.

[Konami®]

dillon31292, on Aug 1 2008, 11:40 AM, said:

No, actually I'm not exaggerating.  There were three of them up for over $1,700 last night.  There's usually at least one up in the $1,000's (being bidded on, not a fixed price) on most days. I'm saying that you could get this for it, its just that most people are honest enough to put theirs up for a few hundred bucks.

How in hell a 4 years old powerbook will cost $1700? are they made in gold or something else special that others powerbook does not offer? I visit a lot Ebay and I never saw a 4 years old powerbook for that price.

[dillon31292]

maclancer, on Aug 1 2008, 01:02 PM, said:

How in hell a 4 years old powerbook will cost $1700? are they made in gold or something else special that others powerbook does not offer? I visit a lot Ebay and I never saw a 4 years old powerbook for that price.

I agree, it's completely ridiculous.  Alot of people don't comprehend computer specs and whatnot so they're easy to take advantage of when the word "Mac" or "Apple" is slapped onto something.

Btw here's some good examples:

$1,995: http://cgi.ebay.com/...1QQcmdZViewItem

$1,399: http://cgi.ebay.com/...1QQcmdZViewItem

$1,350: http://cgi.ebay.com/...1QQcmdZViewItem

[vbetts]

maclancer, on Aug 1 2008, 05:02 PM, said:

How in hell a 4 years old powerbook will cost $1700? are they made in gold or something else special that others powerbook does not offer? I visit a lot Ebay and I never saw a 4 years old powerbook for that price.

The same reason G5 Powermacs can get up in price. Macs hold value pretty well for a computer.

[KeriJane]

Hello.

Is Apple "Worth It"?

Yes, yes, a thousand times YES! Apple is a veritable BARGAIN.

Please do NOT compare a complete factory made and supported computer to a home made machine with ZERO support.

Compare Macs to HPs. SONYs, Gateways, Dells.... you know the computers that were so great that we started BUILDING OUR OWN in the first place!    

And don't just compare the on-paper specs. PC makers specialize in making the "numbers" look good.  Compare the whole experience by asking around. Find out how much people ended up actually paying for that $500 Dell that's roughly comparable to a Mac Mini. It often ends up being $700, $800 or more! And support? Is it better than Apple support? Any company sponsored Geniuses around? (no, I don't mean Geek Squad)

The current trend is the iMac ripoff. HP, Gateway and Sony all have very pretty all-in-one Vista boxes such as the current VAIO series. Are they really cheaper or a better value than an iMac? Why, no! they are not!  As I'm the computer fixit girl around here, I can speak for Sony PC quality.... it is certainly NOT equal to Mac nor is their support. Yet the VAIOs cost as much or more! VAIO 19" 2.0ghz=$1899 iMac 20"2.4ghz=$1499 (similarly equipped)

At the high end, we have the Mac Pro. This isn't a PC it's a Dual-Xeon WORKSTATION.  An HP 8-core XEON system? $4,600. and it's a dedicated rackmount server with NO OS. Seems like the Mac Pro  is about $2000 cheaper since you have to buy an OS for the HP.

When you compare APPLES to APPLES.....
APPLE always wins!  

Keri