Ok, so for those who may not know, when I moved to Los Angeles in 2004 I took a job as a sales rep for at the time successful computer company Dell Inc. I was at one of the most profitable sales kiosk that the company had set up as a face to face business model. We did not carry inventory, just displays and would order systems just like customers would when they called into Dell call centers. I enjoyed the job and was payed quite well. Dell was against selling their products in retail locations because of the failure that Gateway faced when they opened up their own proprietary retail stores. They went into the retail market later to gain more sales but followed the model that all other companies had done. A pre-built in the box get what you get. The thing that I asked because I did have company corporate contacts with the executives of Dell. My question was, "Why is the cost of a PC much lower than that of a Mac?" I also asked this question to Intel rep who serviced my kiosk.
Well I got the answer and I give Apple kudos for having the gall to stay quiet about why they cost much more. Im not here to back or justify Apple's pricing but to voice something that bothers me when someone calls me a wannabe computer user or just a bandwagon rider. This is the reality of the game and what the market of computers brings to consumers. Apple has their problems, and for you Windows fans that guffawed at my observation, hows Windows 8 treating you? I do not blame Microsoft solely although they have got a big hand in this and I do not really blame software companies although they contribute to this but the blame falls mostly on the manufactures of PCs. Okay, I know what your thinking and yes I understand its sounds ridiculous but this is what I was told is the industry standard. My MacBook Pro would cost if they still made this model, $2100 brand new out of the box out of the store. OMG WHY SO MUCH??? Well I'll let you in on a secret but first lets compare my Mac to a retail store off the shelf PC laptop that is comparable. Ok, so I found a laptop that is somewhat comparable. Samsung ATIV 15 inch screen 8Gb Ram and a 750 GB hard drive for $699. The biggest difference is the fact the Samsung has an HDMI built in. My Mac, a lightning port and a firewire port. Sure the Samsung has 3 USB ports, 2 that are USB 2.0 and 1 USB 3.0. Mine only has 2 USB but they are both USB 3.0, and as long as my Mac is plugged in to its charger, the USB ports will charge a phone or tablet.
So minor things that are pros for each machine, there really isn't much difference. So heres the brass tacks...someone pays that difference and the proof is the pudding. We will start with retailers. They get to flex some of the prices for each of the Windows computers. Apple states that their products do not need to be placed on sale. I agree. The old saying, "You get what you pay for." This is what we get. Apple's OSX is a simple and powerful operating system, that for graphic designers, photographers, film producers, music producers and engineers very much prefer to use a Mac. Yes, you can do all of that same stuff on PC with the same software but somehow miraculously its simpler on a Mac. Does that make the cost of the MAC stand so much higher. Not even slightly. Microsoft is not mandating whats on a PC from any given company. Its the company itself and when it was explained to me I could not believe it.
We all call it something different: Trashware, Bloatware, crap preloaded and etc. Hummm, but its extra software. How does it make your PC cheaper? These companies, too many to list here sponsor these manufactures and also Microsoft to some extent. Yes, this software is free, it doesn't make those companies and money, they are free trials or basic programs only or how ever you want to justify them. Ok, sure they don't make money off of those programs preloaded on your new HP, Asus, Acer, Dell, Sony or Samsung. Ahhhh, but they do make money off of those programs and your PC manufacture gets a cut of it. Start up your new PC and open Microsoft Office or Nortons Anti-Virus or what ever else is on there. You can only use those programs and not even full versions for 30-60-90 days or if youre lucky a year on the antivirus. We get sucked in to buy $600 versions of Office, pay a subscription to a full version of Norton or McAfee. Those games from Wild Tangent, sure you get a couple free trys at Polar Golf but wanna play more gotta buy some tokens or buy the game. Say you buy a computer from the store, guaranteed its only got a limited version of windows on it. So, you have to pay extra for the "Pro" or "Ultimate" versions that are an extra $200-$600. Oh that free software that came on your computer. Its not working right and now your system is messing up. "Crap, now what?"
So when I was told by an executive of Dell Inc., they use these software companies to bloat their computers for home consumers and get money back from those software companies to help pay for some of the cost. I knew the companies associated with Microsoft Windows and that includes Microsoft itself, were scamming the public. Apple, catches so much flack for being a fiscally inflated company with its products. They dont make as many units as all the other companies combined. Same with the iPhone versus Androids. There is only one Apple iPhone but how many companies that make Androids? Apple does not outsource their brand to software companies to pay for an operating system. Their cost, is passed on to us because they are a business too. They have employees that yes dont make the money we do in the states, but exporting is not cheap either. All the other companies except maybe Dell and Asus still have most of their computers made overseas. Im not expecting the new MacPro to be a inexpensive retail item, but they are being made to very very high quality standards here in America.
Now take out that bloatware, build the computers to business standards and guess what happens? That price that was so cheap in the retail market, isnt so cheap anymore and you got less. Hummmmm, sounds fishy. "Oh those computers have better components!!!" REALLY!?! Its all about paying someone for some design. Sleek, Sexy computers made by all those companies; including Apple. I love my all aluminum case that has no holes in the bottom of it for a fan but tucked away neatly in the screen hinge. That cool looking apple that is lit up when its on makes a statement that I own a Mac.
Last point. How many people went out and paid $200 to upgrade their PC from Windows Vista to Windows 7 or Windows 7 to I dont know what they where thinking Windows 8? $200!!! History tells us something great from Apple. If anything tells us something special, it is the cost to upgrade our OS. Users last year in 2012 got to upgrade OSX Snow Leopard to OSX Mountain Lion all for the cost of $20. Not higher, not lower...but $20. Well someone shot the cats, drove their bodies to just south of the San Francisco Bay and drowned those poor kitties in the Mavericks. Yes people, Im more than excited and even as much as I love my beautiful perfect working purring Mountain Lion, I cannot wait for Mavericks to be released and I will, mark my word upgrade ASAP! Sorry Windows fans all you got was Win 8 SP1 which primarily gave you back the start button. *Cue Foghorn here* OSX Mavericks will be spoken about at another time when I get to play with it and and get too know it well.
So, is it really a huge cost to buy a Mac? Yeah, Im not going to tell you its not! But that PC that doesnt have that extra software in it, is pretty expensive too. So, instead of calling us Mac users bandwagon computer wannabes who paid too much, realize you just fooled by your PC builder. Its a ploy for you to buy the full versions of software. Like Office is for the most part already in your system, you just have to buy the product key and it finishes out the software for you to use. There are different versions of Windows operating systems, but only one OSX Mountain Lion, Snow Leopard, Lion, Tiger, Cheetah, Leopard, etc. Yes, it would put me back a hefty and extremely pretty penny to purchase another MacBook Pro like I have with all the software but hey, that software I have cost the same for Widows users too. Its all about preference and I love my Mac.
