Researcher: Macs not as expensive as thought | CNET News.com
Macintosh computers are no longer expensive.
CNET News.com:
It turns out the Mac computers, once widely regarded as more expensive than other types of desktop computers, now cost about the same price as the others.
When one compares the amount of high-powered, desirable software that comes with a new Macintosh - versus the software utility subscriptions and expensive application that must be purchased with some other computers, the Mac may even come out significantly cheaper.
The real difference is what takes place when the person takes their computer home (or to the office) and starts using it. Are they going to get more done faster, achieve a more satisfactory result, be able to concentrate more on what they are getting done and less on how they are going to be able to do it, and will they find the experience more enjoyable and less stressful?
More articles should focus on the bundled applications that are provided and the after market services/products that are required by different computer systems. Also, compatibility, interoperability, and the power of applications that are germane to users needs to be gone over.
On all computers these days, a menu is a menu, a dialog box is a dialog box, a button is a button, and a mouse is a mouse. What changes is what you can do with those things.
In a well-written application, it is easy to see how to get what you want done. On a poorly-written one, you have to think about what might work, try it, and hope that it does. Sometimes you have to guess.
Apple has probably been employing usability researchers and user-interface designers for a lot longer than any other computer maker in the home/office computer industry.
Apple and Microsoft applications tend to have a consistent look-and-feel across their platform. On Linux and Unix systems that are not made by Apple, these differences are more pronounced - and they used to be even more striking.
As time goes on, the barriers of switching from one brand of computer to another are no different than switching from one brand of auto or another.
Unlike a car, however - there is no speed limit and you can add a nearly infinite number of accessories - without running out of space.
Also, unlike cars - quite a few of the best of these accessories (at least the software ones) are free. Those that are not free, for the most part, are becoming cheaper instead of more expensive.
CNET News.com:
Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said that his research shows an average price difference of only 13 percent for desktops and 10 percent for laptops, once you factor in the same components that Apple uses.
It turns out the Mac computers, once widely regarded as more expensive than other types of desktop computers, now cost about the same price as the others.
When one compares the amount of high-powered, desirable software that comes with a new Macintosh - versus the software utility subscriptions and expensive application that must be purchased with some other computers, the Mac may even come out significantly cheaper.
The real difference is what takes place when the person takes their computer home (or to the office) and starts using it. Are they going to get more done faster, achieve a more satisfactory result, be able to concentrate more on what they are getting done and less on how they are going to be able to do it, and will they find the experience more enjoyable and less stressful?
More articles should focus on the bundled applications that are provided and the after market services/products that are required by different computer systems. Also, compatibility, interoperability, and the power of applications that are germane to users needs to be gone over.
On all computers these days, a menu is a menu, a dialog box is a dialog box, a button is a button, and a mouse is a mouse. What changes is what you can do with those things.
In a well-written application, it is easy to see how to get what you want done. On a poorly-written one, you have to think about what might work, try it, and hope that it does. Sometimes you have to guess.
Apple has probably been employing usability researchers and user-interface designers for a lot longer than any other computer maker in the home/office computer industry.
Apple and Microsoft applications tend to have a consistent look-and-feel across their platform. On Linux and Unix systems that are not made by Apple, these differences are more pronounced - and they used to be even more striking.
As time goes on, the barriers of switching from one brand of computer to another are no different than switching from one brand of auto or another.
Unlike a car, however - there is no speed limit and you can add a nearly infinite number of accessories - without running out of space.
Also, unlike cars - quite a few of the best of these accessories (at least the software ones) are free. Those that are not free, for the most part, are becoming cheaper instead of more expensive.
posted by John Collins | 7:05 PM
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