I kinda had to laugh a little bit today. Everyone that reads Geek News knows that Dell is running some obscene prices on their computers. People are snapping these things up like crazy. But what was even more interesting was some people would actually prefer to buy a iMac but two factors are keeping them from doing so. Price and the Time they have to wait for one. [Backup Brain]
Addendum: The author of the article left me a comment which asserted that we misrepresented the story. When I read the article I derived the following points: First Apple products are indeed overpriced as compared to other competitive industries, second the wait time for your product when ordered is generally a long time.
The author was talking about another Mac product but did not specify the iMac which we referenced I still stand behind the assertions made above. But for everyones reference in no way are we trying to discredit the authors wanting a Apple product that is clearly stated. I am unsure why some are so sensitive to articles that highlight basic facts. Some people are fortunate to live near a Apple store, the majority of the people in the US do not know they even exist. Compusa and other select vendors carry limited lines of Mac products. Generally notebooks and spec’d out systems are purchased via mail-order. Every co-worker, friend, acquaintance of mind has waited upwards of a month to receive anything they have ordered which in today’s world is a long time.
Dell has been running aggresive back to school sales with systems starting as low as $365.00. The market place is so overrun with cheap High End Pentium IV systems that companies are virtually giving the things away with impressive software loadouts.
My belief is that the main reasons Apple has to bundle as much software with it’s packages as they do, is the sparce availability of Mac programs. Throughout America you walk into any store and you will find row upon row of WIndows based applications and Games. When you finally find the Mac section there is usually a handful of very expensive applications. Those that live in Big cities have a better selection.
As an example I am on business in Waco Texas and they are 3 computer stores here the only one that carries any Mac products is a Compusa they allocate 2 rows approx 10 feet long in the entire store for the Mac Lineup. This is a city of a 140,000 people so you would expect a bigger selection yes?
I am not a Mac basher by a long shot but it is obvious to even the most casual observer that the Apple consumer is a nich buyer and very brand loyal which has allowed Apple to continue to stay lean and expensive.
Yes, you “took my point wrong” [sic]. Your perceptions are your own; they weren’t based on anything I said. Besides, that PC purchase was a special deal not available to the public (as I noted), so the great price that I got shouldn’t even be compared to another PC purchase, much less a Mac.
My guess is that you had a pre-conceived opinion and that you took my post out of context to attempt to prove your point. It didn’t work.
I think Doris is right. The comment was taken out of context. And the closest machine that you compare with what she bought from Dell is an eMac. But to be fair If you compare feature by feature any Intel based machine with a comparable Mac. I think they would turn out to be reasonably priced. Of course they would not be cheaper but I would justify that difference to the excellent build quality, design across all product lines.
Also the software that you get with the machine. Typically in Windows world you will have to purchase each piece separately and worry about conflicts later.
The long wait times are typically with new products when the supply cannot keep pace with the demand.
By the way I am a recent switcher. Took a long time making that decision but I haven’t regretted it.
The perception we get from reading your article is this. 1. Mac’s are expensive and 2 IT takes a long time to get one. We did not say you didnt want one but what we tried to impair is the reason most people do not buy Apple products. Simple as that it is obvious you want a MAC but in your own article you demonstrated how cheap the PC was and made a point to saying that a Apple would be 4-5 times more expensive and that you would have to wait for one. We where in no way derogatory about your article but only pointing out simple facts.
1. Macs are Expensive
2. When Ordering you Usually have to wait a long time for delivery.
If we took your point wrong we stand corrected
I’m not sure what you’re referring to when you link to our site, as I didn’t say anything about iMacs.
The Mac I was referring to purchasing (as frequent readers know) is the 15″ AlBook. Apple hasn’t announced it yet; as soon as they do, I’ll be buying mine (most likely) that same day. So you’re mistaken on three counts: (1) it’s not an iMac that I want, (2) my wait has nothing to do with price, and (3) my not purchasing yet has nothing to do with the wait. I’ve owned both Mac and Wintel machines for years, and my purchase of one has no relationship to when I will or won’t purchase the other. I bought the Dell because it was a great deal–there’s nothing more to it.
I particularly have to wonder about your title, “Wonder why some people will never by [sic] a Mac.” You do realize you’re referring to a blog run by people who own Macs (and have since 1984) and write about them professionally?