The PC vs Mac debate from my POV
I’ve been using a white Macbook since…early 2006? It was sometime in 2006 I got it. I remember because my parents gave me a Dell Inspiron Laptop as a graduation present and I wanted a Mac, so naturally I repaid their thoughtfullness by returning the Dell and fronting some extra cash that I was just rolling in and came home with a Mac (much to the chagrin and disapproving of my PC-based family; “So, what’re you gonna do when you need more RAM, huh? HUH?!?” was a common phrase)
It’s been about 5 years since I got my Macbook. I’ve never had to replace anything on it; the only problems it has now are due to my own negligence and products just wearing down over time (the cord needed to be replaced, the battery is practically useless due to using way too much, and the casing is chipped due to my usage; everything else works as great as it did on Day 1). I’ve had no complaints about it’s functionality or anything OSX-related (I was bummed it wouldn’t play most of the games I wanted to play, but I knew that from the outset. Luckily, Blizzard kept me company with some quality titles).
I’m considering buying a PC for a new computer.
Why? Certainly not from a lack of quality. My Mac’s been great. Stellar, even. I still dislike Windows when compared to OSX.
What changed?
Lifestyle is the short answer.
I’m more responsible and independent than I was when I bought my Macbook; I’m paying for rent, insurance, groceries (which includes the eating out at In-n-out and such), etc. I’m planning and saving for the future.
I was looking at getting the bottom-of-the-line iMac (Desktop Mac). I found a comparably specced PC (In fact, this PC was better in a few ways: included MS Office, had 2g more RAM, and a larger Hard Drive) for $899, compared to the iMac’s $1199 price tag. I was willing to overlook the price difference since Apple usually gives a free iPod with new Mac purchases for anyone who qualifies for an education discount (Wife = teacher, so “yay” and all that).
Thing is, Apple isn’t doing that deal this year. It’s being replaced by a much-less-valued-by-me $100 gift card to the App store. Now, instead of paying $1199 and getting a free iPod, I’m paying $1199 and getting some free programs (most of which I already have; the Office apps are really the only ones I’d be willing to pay for, and I have those). So now I find myself less justified in spending the extra $300 just for an operating system. This is further beat out by Microsoft offering a free 4G Xbox 360 with any PC Purchase of $699 or more.
I should also mention I was planning on running Windows on my new Mac anyway (via Bootcamp) so I could play various video games. This whole thing has made me re-evaluate what I’m really willing to pay extra for. I can get a comparably specced PC for $899 and get a free Xbox, buy an iPod at retail, sell the Xbox for maybe $180, and still come out ahead financially of where I would be if I bought a Mac.
All this aside, I can see the beneficial side of this “gift card” thing for Apple; they want to promote their online store and generate sales there and so they give free “Apple” money to new and returning Mac users. The gift card is worth $100. That’s how much you would pay for it if you bought it by itself (but that doesn’t mean you can sell it for $100. You’ll probably only get $90 tops). With Microsoft’s Xbox deal, they’re giving away something valued at $200 that can easily be sold for really close to $200 because it’s not a gift card redeemable for programs and songs. It’s hardware that (in my case) hasn’t even come out of it’s box. Microsoft’s deal has beat Apple’s by giving users almost double the value of what Apple’s “treat” is worth.
But then I haven’t even tried Windows 7 yet, which I’ve heard is a much better OS than even XP with service pack 3. Even a few Mac users have had good things to say about W7. If it turns out to be a work-able OS, then it may make the decision even easier.
My secret hope is that sales and such will be low enough over the next few weeks to convince Apple that their back-to-school promo wasn’t really a good idea, and they’ll change their game mid-summer and offer iPods, maybe even a discount on iPads (crosses fingers and such).
