- Joined
- Mar 17, 2007
- Messages
- 9,306
It really depends on what you're buying it for. I think, for most people, a Windows 8 laptop will probably be better. There's only a few rational reasons to buy a Mac instead of a Windows laptop:
- You run software that only runs on a Mac, or you want to run that software. If so, you probably already know this.
- You've used both Windows and Macs, and find the OSX interface vastly more suited to your style. Again, you probably already know this if it applies to you.
- You really like the retina display and can afford it. If you aren't sure, you should probably head to some stores and do some comparisons.
- You're really bad at security and get lots of viruses, and would be helped by the fact that fewer people use Macs, so fewer viruses target it. This is becoming less of a reason to buy a Mac as more people buy them.
- You want it because it's a status symbol that is considered "cool". I think this is why most Macs are bought today.
Otherwise, you can probably find a PC that matches your needs better. Good reasons for doing so include:
- You have lots of existing PC software, and don't want to spend $$$ to buy Mac versions. (This is somewhat "lock-in", but it applies equally if you buy Mac software)
- There's more variety amongst PCs, so if you want the best battery life/durability/whatever, chances are it's a PC that offers it.
- You don't want to spend as much on the hardware. Macs generally cost more than comparable PCs, and that goes into Apple's gigantic coffers. There's a reason Apple has billions on the bank, and it's the markup on their products.
- There's generally more PC software, and it's generally available sooner and sometimes at lower prices than Mac software
I don't think Windows 8 will significantly affect whether you should buy a PC or a Mac. All of the main reasons to buy either one are pretty much the same as when Windows 7 was the latest version.
I disagree. In general, Macs are still noticeably more expensive to a similar non-Mac product.
By definition, a product which has traits that no other product has is competitive with everything else on the market - if that's what you're buying it for, that's the only choice, regardless of price.
There also aren't any $600-$900 Macs, and there are plenty of good PC choices in that price range. And some of those are pretty comparable alternatives. Just because you aren't going to spend a thousand doesn't mean you'll only spend $400.
Similarly, if Apple's retina display isn't that big of a deal for you, you can almost certainly find a better deal with a PC at a slightly lower price point than the competing Mac - without having to expect it will fall apart.
The MacBookAir is about the only Mac that is priced competitively with the non-Mac competition, but Ultrabooks aren't exactly a large market segment, and are somewhat upscale/premium (albeit not performance) amongst PCs, too.
- You run software that only runs on a Mac, or you want to run that software. If so, you probably already know this.
- You've used both Windows and Macs, and find the OSX interface vastly more suited to your style. Again, you probably already know this if it applies to you.
- You really like the retina display and can afford it. If you aren't sure, you should probably head to some stores and do some comparisons.
- You're really bad at security and get lots of viruses, and would be helped by the fact that fewer people use Macs, so fewer viruses target it. This is becoming less of a reason to buy a Mac as more people buy them.
- You want it because it's a status symbol that is considered "cool". I think this is why most Macs are bought today.
Otherwise, you can probably find a PC that matches your needs better. Good reasons for doing so include:
- You have lots of existing PC software, and don't want to spend $$$ to buy Mac versions. (This is somewhat "lock-in", but it applies equally if you buy Mac software)
- There's more variety amongst PCs, so if you want the best battery life/durability/whatever, chances are it's a PC that offers it.
- You don't want to spend as much on the hardware. Macs generally cost more than comparable PCs, and that goes into Apple's gigantic coffers. There's a reason Apple has billions on the bank, and it's the markup on their products.
- There's generally more PC software, and it's generally available sooner and sometimes at lower prices than Mac software
I don't think Windows 8 will significantly affect whether you should buy a PC or a Mac. All of the main reasons to buy either one are pretty much the same as when Windows 7 was the latest version.
I disagree. In general, Macs are still noticeably more expensive to a similar non-Mac product.
By definition, a product which has traits that no other product has is competitive with everything else on the market - if that's what you're buying it for, that's the only choice, regardless of price.
There also aren't any $600-$900 Macs, and there are plenty of good PC choices in that price range. And some of those are pretty comparable alternatives. Just because you aren't going to spend a thousand doesn't mean you'll only spend $400.
Similarly, if Apple's retina display isn't that big of a deal for you, you can almost certainly find a better deal with a PC at a slightly lower price point than the competing Mac - without having to expect it will fall apart.
The MacBookAir is about the only Mac that is priced competitively with the non-Mac competition, but Ultrabooks aren't exactly a large market segment, and are somewhat upscale/premium (albeit not performance) amongst PCs, too.
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