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Doing the Math On the New MacBook
Technologizer writes "Apple's new MacBook is a significantly different machine than its predecessor — a slicker laptop at a higher price point. But does it carry a large price premium over similar Windows PCs? I did a painstaking spec-by-spec comparison versus three roughly comparably-configured Windows machines, and came to the conclusion that the value it offers for price paid is not out of whack with the Windows world." The article uses the phrase "Mac tax," which one commenter points out is a recent Microsoft marketing canard.
There's one major difference this analysis doesn't cover. If you're patient, you can get a dell for up to 40% off, and although it's not quite as drastic with Lenovo, the same is true. This macbook will ALWAYS be expensive.
And the article agrees:
A. It's completely true that you can buy some amazingly well-equipped Windows notebooks for much, much less than the cheapest MacBook.
Well there you go. If you stick to hardware, like the article says it does, macbooks cost more for less.
A funny thing I noted: the article shows pictures of all computers. It shows the back side of the PCs' screens [monochromatic or gradient surfaces with a logo], while showing the front of the macs with splashly wallpapers and apps and happy faces. I'm sure that was completely coincidental and wasn't due to any bias.
By the author's count, there's parity is six categories, macbook advantage in thirteen and dell advantage in nine. The dell costs $819; the macbook costs $1299, which is 160% percent of the dell. Note that 9 * 1.6 is 14.27, so why doesn't the macbook lead more? Okay, that's a stupid way of counting. Let's look at some meat.
MacBook: 45 watt-hour, 5 hours
Dell: 56 watt-hour, ? hours.
Lenovo: ? watt-hour, 5.5 hours
Sony: ? watt-hour, 6 hours
MacBook white: 55 watt-hour, 4.5 hours
Verdict: parity
Parity? Counting "?" vs. anything as a tie, the all the PCs beat all the macs. That's parity, apparently.
the MacBooks are the only ones with optical in and out, or at least the only ones that tout it. [Advantage: macbooks]
Genuine, but it may not be worth the 60% markup to you.
Webcam: They all have one. I'm going to avoid comparing resolution and give them all PARITY
Why avoid the resolution comparison? That's like saying they all have a CPU, so they're at parity there. Smells funny.
Keyboard and Touchpad: [macs have innovative touchpads, they have advantage]
Any of them have trackpoints? Those are infinitely better than touchpads; sometimes I don't even notice I haven't plugged in my trackball because using the trackpoint felt so natural. Can any of the touchpads be turned off? I'm not saying the macs don't have a better [and maybe even use-worthy] touchpad, but again... is a slightly better touchpad worth $480?
Fingerprint Scanner: The Dell and Sony have one. ADVANTAGE: DELL AND SONY
Bleh. Does anyone really care?
Bundled Media Software -- Bundled Productivity Software
The macs win on iLife and Easy Media Creator, Dell wins on MS works. I'm not sure what iLife and EMC do, but unless you have high-end or specialized needs, free software can do everything you need. Didn't he also say stick to hardware?
The MacBook is .95 thick; the Lenovo is 1.1 at its thickest point; the Dell is 1.51 at its thickest; the Sony is 1.33 thick at its thickest. The white MacBook is 1.08. ADVANTAGE: MACBOOK
Why is everybody crazy with thickness? Either it's in your backpack or it's on a table somewhere. Unless you have an overfull backpack, why do you care? Is .5" worth $480? (okay, so the mac leads by four, not one, so I should ask whether .5" is worth $120)
Environmental Impact
And that's the final proof: macs are for lefty green vegetarian pacifist free-love hippies who felt personally attacked by South Park 10.02 - Smug Alert! ;)
My conclusion: if you think the extra $480 for a nicer-looking and thinner machine, a nicer touchpad, and a wrappable power cord is worth it, go for it. I'd rather buy a fairly decent machine that does well what matters, and spend the saved money on, say, a wii. Or an assload of games. Or tuition fees if you happen to live in a country where the state doesn't pay _you_ to get an education.