08-11-2009 at 04:42 PM
|
#91
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,592
Thanked:
219 Times
Liked:
598 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by reeves
My PC at home cost more than a Macbook, and on it, I replaced literally every piece except the dvd burner, then finally got fed up and just bought a new one. Computers have problems, PC or Mac.
|
Apple charges a ton for their computers, which generally are all-in-ones and cannot be upgraded or fixed without sending it in/bringing it to Apple themselves.
I agree that computers in general can have problems, and so since Apple computers are so expensive, it's not worth buying them since I can build a computer with better specs for less money myself. I'd much rather do it myself for free (or relatively low cost if I need to purchase a part or something) than be forced to send it in to a company to look at it.
__________________
Ben Taunton
Life Science IV
McMaster University
|
|
08-11-2009 at 05:07 PM
|
#92
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 241
Thanked:
12 Times
Liked:
62 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taunton
Apple charges a ton for their computers, which generally are all-in-ones and cannot be upgraded or fixed without sending it in/bringing it to Apple themselves.
I agree that computers in general can have problems, and so since Apple computers are so expensive, it's not worth buying them since I can build a computer with better specs for less money myself. I'd much rather do it myself for free (or relatively low cost if I need to purchase a part or something) than be forced to send it in to a company to look at it.
|
Apple computers are easily upgraded much like any other laptop. There's a specific user friendly slide in for the RAM itself. Switching out the hard drive would be the same for any other laptop. It's only the iMac's that are difficult to upgrade, since it IS a slim all in one PC. Get a mac pro and its just like any other tower, but with high-end parts and is upgradable much like any other tower.
I bought a mackbook pro last year and it has given me absolutely no problems at all. I am very happy that I got it, and people always whine and complain about how much it costs so much, but I was able to afford it and so I got it with no problems whatsoever. If you're looking for a great smooth running machine and have the budget I would highly advise getting a macbook. You may run into problems, but it would be the same for any other computer. |
|
08-11-2009 at 05:40 PM
|
#93
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 676
Thanked:
60 Times
Liked:
142 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TTHX
Apple computers are easily upgraded much like any other laptop. There's a specific user friendly slide in for the RAM itself. Switching out the hard drive would be the same for any other laptop. It's only the iMac's that are difficult to upgrade, since it IS a slim all in one PC. Get a mac pro and its just like any other tower, but with high-end parts and is upgradable much like any other tower.
I bought a mackbook pro last year and it has given me absolutely no problems at all. I am very happy that I got it, and people always whine and complain about how much it costs so much, but I was able to afford it and so I got it with no problems whatsoever. If you're looking for a great smooth running machine and have the budget I would highly advise getting a macbook. You may run into problems, but it would be the same for any other computer.
|
>high-end parts
>mackbook
>great smooth running machine
hahaha oh wow
it's all about branding. You're not paying for high-end parts, you're paying for the design.
 |
|
08-11-2009 at 05:42 PM
|
#94
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,592
Thanked:
219 Times
Liked:
598 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TTHX
Apple computers are easily upgraded much like any other laptop.
|
Laptops are not upgradeable, except for RAM and perhaps the hard disk... I'm talking about video/sound cards, fans, processors, etc.
__________________
Ben Taunton
Life Science IV
McMaster University
|
|
08-11-2009 at 05:53 PM
|
#95
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,851
Thanked:
228 Times
Liked:
473 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by FireDragoonX
>high-end parts
>mackbook
>great smooth running machine
hahaha oh wow
it's all about branding. You're not paying for high-end parts, you're paying for the design.
|
I know you like to play the devil's advocate but your little diagram isn't exactly realistic. iMac's don't cost 4000 dollars for one thing. The 20" standard is only $1399, only 100 more than that Dell in the picture. The 24" standard is only $1799. Needless to say these prices are still higher than a PC desktop but your depiction of reality is quite off. The iMac with the highest specs doesn't even cost $3999, it's still only $2599.
__________________
-Stefanie Walsh-
4th Year Multimedia 2010-2011
|
|
08-11-2009 at 06:02 PM
|
#96
|
|
Trolling ain't easy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,190
Thanked:
502 Times
Liked:
1,656 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taunton
Laptops are not upgradeable, except for RAM and perhaps the hard disk... I'm talking about video/sound cards, fans, processors, etc.
|
Well, although it's extremely uncommon, some have replaceable CPUs and GPUs.
In regards to apple laptops being easily upgradeable... they're not that easy (but no where near as hard as they used to be). I remember when I had an iBook G4. One day I decided to replace the hard drive inside with a larger one, and the design was so screwed up that it required me to not only completely disassemble the computer, but also part of the monitor (seriously, wtf?!). The new macbooks are better (remove a tab thingy on the inside of where the battery goes).
I found HP to be the easiest; just one screw and the harddrive pretty much falls out :p.
__________________
Dillon Dixon
Alumni
Software Engineering and Embedded Systems
|
|
08-11-2009 at 06:05 PM
|
#97
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,592
Thanked:
219 Times
Liked:
598 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by sew12
I know you like to play the devil's advocate but your little diagram isn't exactly realistic. iMac's don't cost 4000 dollars for one thing. The 20" standard is only $1399, only 100 more than that Dell in the picture. The 24" standard is only $1799. Needless to say these prices are still higher than a PC desktop but your depiction of reality is quite off. The iMac with the highest specs doesn't even cost $3999, it's still only $2599.
|
With the conversion from USD to CAD and taxes it still comes to approximately $3292, a ridiculous price considering I could build a computer with the same specs for a fraction of that.
And the comparisons of the gaming potential of a PC vs. a Mac are totally realistic.
__________________
Ben Taunton
Life Science IV
McMaster University
|
|
08-11-2009 at 06:14 PM
|
#98
|
|
Jedi IRL
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,782
Thanked:
105 Times
Liked:
557 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by FireDragoonX
it's all about branding. You're not paying for high-end parts, you're paying for the design.
|
http://www.pcworld.com/article/14803...laptop s.html
Notice it's PC world, not MacWorld.
__________________
Mark Reeves
Humanities I Victory Lap!
|
|
08-11-2009 at 06:17 PM
|
#99
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,851
Thanked:
228 Times
Liked:
473 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taunton
With the conversion from USD to CAD and taxes it still comes to approximately $3292, a ridiculous price considering I could build a computer with the same specs for a fraction of that.
And the comparisons of the gaming potential of a PC vs. a Mac are totally realistic.
|
Those prices are already in Canadian dollars, they're from the Apple Canada website.
Also I didn't say anything about the gaming comparison. I don't hardcore game or care about hardcore gaming so I don't comment on it.
__________________
-Stefanie Walsh-
4th Year Multimedia 2010-2011
|
|
08-11-2009 at 06:26 PM
|
#100
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 676
Thanked:
60 Times
Liked:
142 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by reeves
|
notice macs are PCs and that without providing screenshots with the actual specs of the systems it is dumb to take some guys word.
He probably doesn't know the difference between integrated and dedicated graphics. |
|
08-11-2009 at 06:29 PM
|
#101
|
|
Jedi IRL
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,782
Thanked:
105 Times
Liked:
557 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by FireDragoonX
notice macs are PCs and that without providing screenshots with the actual specs of the systems it is dumb to take some guys word.
He probably doesn't know the difference between integrated and dedicated graphics.
|
He covers the specs and the integrated/dedicated memory that you mention.
__________________
Mark Reeves
Humanities I Victory Lap!
Last edited by reeves : 08-11-2009 at 06:37 PM.
|
|
08-11-2009 at 06:30 PM
|
#102
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 591
Thanked:
43 Times
Liked:
93 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taunton
With the conversion from USD to CAD and taxes it still comes to approximately $3292, a ridiculous price considering I could build a computer with the same specs for a fraction of that.
And the comparisons of the gaming potential of a PC vs. a Mac are totally realistic.
|
You can buy like 5 decent laptops/computers for that much. |
|
08-11-2009 at 06:45 PM
|
#103
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 676
Thanked:
60 Times
Liked:
142 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by reeves
You maybe want to read it? He covers the specs and the integrated/dedicated memory that you mention.
|
lol I skimmed it.
But where is the proof about the prices and the specs?
I go to the apple website and it doesn't say anything about the processor other than that it is 2.xx GHz. There is much more than the speed, there is the FSB and the CPU cache.
Then there's the quality of the actual parts and the types of output the computer has.
The thinkpadx300 and the macbook air cost about the same. But the macbook air doesn't even have an ethernet port. A USB to Ethernet accesory costs $30 and it uses up a USB port and it takes up more space.
Macs are overpriced. Look at the cheapest mac, and the cheapest dell. Yes, their specs differ, but not by much. |
|
08-11-2009 at 06:47 PM
|
#104
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 593
Thanked:
40 Times
Liked:
143 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Afzal
Check out Toshiba A505-S6965
its $750 but its worth every penny...im gonna get one myself soon
|
seconded |
|
08-11-2009 at 06:54 PM
|
#105
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,592
Thanked:
219 Times
Liked:
598 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by reeves
|
My own little comparison... I added all the components to the PC to make it as even as possible to the Mac with what's available on the website (ie speakers, webcam, monitor, etc)
iMac 24 inch 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- 4Gb 1066Mhz DDR3 RAM 2x2Gb
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 512 MB
- Standard Mouse, Keyboard etc.
- 1TB SATA drive
$2,599.00
Alienware Aurora
- AMD Athlon X2 7750 Black Edition 2.7GHz Dual Core (the fastest duo they have... going bigger would mean going quad)
- NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 512MB "superclocked edition" (lowest line GPU available)
- 4Gb Dual channel DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz 2x1Gb
- 1TB SATA drive 3Gb/s, 32MB cache
- Standard optical drive (to match the iMac)
- Standard ethernet port (matches iMac)
- Standard Audio (matches iMac)
- 24'' monitor (matches iMac)
- standard keyboard, mouse
- added speakers (to match iMac all-in-one)
- Added webcam (to match iMac)
$1964.00
And that's going through a company... buying parts yourself and building the computer yourself is cheaper. And people say Apple isn't overpriced.
__________________
Ben Taunton
Life Science IV
McMaster University
Last edited by Taunton : 08-11-2009 at 06:56 PM.
|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
McMaster University News and Information, Student-run Community, with topics ranging from Student Life, Advice, News, Events, and General Help.
Notice: The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the student(s) who authored the content. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by McMaster University or the MSU (McMaster Students Union). Being a student-run community, all articles and discussion posts on MacInsiders are unofficial and it is therefore always recommended that you visit the official McMaster website for the most accurate up-to-date information.
| |
