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Ballmer Scorns Apple As a $500 Logo
theodp writes "Speaking at a conference in NYC, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer did his best to refan the flames of the Mac vs. PC rivalry: 'Now I think the tide has really turned back the other direction [against Apple],' Ballmer said. 'The economy is helpful. Paying an extra $500 for a computer in this environment — same piece of hardware — paying $500 more to get a logo on it? I think that's a more challenging proposition for the average person than it used to be.'"
Since the article used the Adamo as their example, I went ahead and did a price check between a Macbook Air and an Adamo.
Turns out that for only $300 MORE, the Air will provide you with a CPU that's 400 MHz faster, the 128 GB SSD and dedicated graphics, along with OS X Leopard and the ability to run Windows Vista (probably better than the Adamo can).
Aren't CEOs of software megaconglomerates like Microsoft supposed to do this kind of research before talking smack?
Apple is any better? It's not like MS sues people for running windows on non-standard hardware. It's not like MS refuses to 'license' applications for windows mobile. It's not like MS requires you to become a paid developer to write applications for their mobile OS either.
I'm no MS fanboy, but i'm no huge apple fan either. Both do their share of questionable things but I'd have to say that MS is actually the more open of the two.
And really, one look at the prices and specs of the new mini's should tell you that apple's grossly overpriced. I can buy a better specced *laptop* for less than the cost of a mini.
You can get rich if you own a politician, but you have to be rich to buy one in the first place.
One thing Apple offers is good service. A user who isn't technical can buy their computer, their OS, and in a number of cases, the applications they use on a day to day basis (iWork for example) all from Apple. Instead of being shunted around between the hardware company, the OS vendor, the app maker, and perhaps some third party that is blamed for a driver issue, a user can just call one point of contact and most likely have the problem solved. Or, they can go to a Genius Bar and bring the machine and show the problem in person.
Of course, one personal account is statistically insignificant, but I can compare support experiences on a personal level (as opposed to calling a business support line.) For a problem in a laptop, one PC maker put me on hold for 2-3 hours, read a script demanding running diagnostics even though the problem was quite obvious, then pretty much said to go pester the OEM for the part for a replacement. When I had bad RAM in a new Macbook, I went to a Genius Bar, and they just swapped out the entire machine with a new one.
Business or premium PC support is different, but it definitely costs enough that brings the $500 to $1000 price difference way closer.
For the cost difference, less aggravation for a user who is more focused on the work they are doing as opposed to the computer can be worth it.
Another thing not factored in is OS X. OS X to some may bring the "Apple tax" gap closer together.
One can argue the security issues about OS X versus Windows, but because the malware makers are gunning for Windows with relatively few exploits for OS X in the wild, one doesn't have to be as on top of computer security. I can run an OS X box using the default browser without antivirus software and not really have to worry about the box ending up as a botnet client (although there are always Trojans). This would be pure suicide if I did the same with Windows and IE and no antivirus software. OS X is a lot more forgiving for people who are not atop things when it comes to securing their computer.
I'm a post graduate student who has not so many bucks (Pounds in my case) lying around, either. But still, in June as soon as Apple releases their Snow Leopard I will go for a 24 inch iMac. Will cost me about 1085 Pounds as a student (incl. wireless mouse/keyboard), but for this money I get a computer which provides me with excellent value for the price: huge screen with high 1920x1200 resolution, excellent operating system with hardly any anoyances, things-just-work environment whit all the things I (!) need.
I have already an 20 inch iMac with Leopard at the office and therefore I know that it provides me whit precisely my needs. And compared to other students and member of staff which opted for Windows machines the iMac outperfomes them with respect to usability and complete lack of any problems (you have no idea how much problems the Windows machines have in the Windows centric world we have at our office!).
Anyways ... I for myself don't mind if Balmer keeps dreaming or throwing chairs. ;-)
Personally I like the hardware and design of the MacBook Pro, the software is nice too, but for me it's not worth the extra coin.
When I switched from Windows to OS X and got my MacBook Pro I first compared it's price to those of Windows OEM laptops and the prices were comparable. While an HP laptop cost about $50 less a Dell cost about $200 more for similarly configured laptops. So I didn't pay extra. I've had my MBP for about 20 months now and in that tyme I haven't had nearly as many problems with it as I have had with the Windows, or Linux, PCs I've also had.
Falcon
Should there be a Law?
As much as I hate doing so, I have to agree with Ballmer.
These large banks made a real mess of our economy and I reckon it'll take a long time to work things out. The way I see it, the economy grew too fast on nothing but hype, similar to the dot-com era. Except this time, it was much bigger and touched a lot more people.
The government is going to be pumping money into the system to keep it from collapsing before the reality of our economy can come closer to the myth that was pushed the last few years.
This is far from over even though a lot of us aren't even feeling it yet.
This is the ideal situation for FOSS to shine. Maybe a slogan like "Save an employee, use Free/Open Source Software" might be good.
Dual Opteron < $600
My reply was to a comment about business practices. Just because someone has the "right" to do something doesn't make it a fair or acceptable business practice.
Furthermore, the hole we've dug with "licensing" software might make it possible for them to require you use their hardware but that's actually up for debate in the courts right now.
My original point stands - MS will not sue you for installing their OS on whatever hardware you want. They may have their faults but MS does far, FAR less to limit what you can do with their software/hardware then apple.
You can get rich if you own a politician, but you have to be rich to buy one in the first place.
I'm sure he's looking at it from the view of, "Every computer in the world should be running Windows!"
I'd say he may be subconsciously thinking of Linux...Same hardware + linux = cheaper than with OS/X or Windows
FreeBSD bounties
Personally I like the hardware and design of the MacBook Pro, the software is nice too, but for me it's not worth the extra coin.
As someone who doesn't live his life on his laptop, four features, the aluminum chassis, backlit keyboard, and bluetooth and wifi that work correctly almost 100% of the time, the extra $900^H^H^H
:-P
Okay, I lie a little, I know I paid too much, but the features that made me choose a Macbook Pro (in 2007, before aluminum chassis came on Macbooks) over another OEM's Windows PC were easily worth maybe 400 of my extra dollars.
Also, with regards to the AC above you, I much prefer Vista to Leopard
Boot Windows, Linux, and ESX over the network for free.
protools. fuck you.
About the one-button mouse: Apple's "Mighty Mouse," introduced in 2005, has no visible button, but can be configured in software to have 1, 2 or 3 buttons.
Alas, it never really worked right in 2-button mode. Specifically, if you have your index finger resting on the left side of the mouse, and press the right side of the mouse, it registers as a left-click rather than a right click. So you have to remember to lift your finger(s) off the left side of the mouse before right clicking every time. It drove me batty.
I don't care if it's 90,000 hectares. That lake was not my doing.
Protools is the reason why every popular band's songs sound like overproduced shit. Protools has led to copypasted, phoney-sounding crappola which is not worthy of being called "music". Protools takes the soul out of recording.
What a stupid fucking thing to say. Pro Tools has nothing to do with why popular band's songs sound like overproduced shit. For that, you can turn to the producers, who in turn get their opinions from the marketplace. So far, people keep buying up the garbage that the major labels have been pushing, so guess what? It's going to stay that way for the foreseeable future.
If Pro Tools alone were the culprit, then ALL of the music being produced (Indie bands, Barbershop, whatever) would sound like overproduced shit. It doesn't. And since most of this music is recorded straight into Pro Tools these days, I guess we can eliminate Pro Tools alone as the sole reason popular music is shitty.
Instead, I think what you are getting at is that non-linear editing is making music homogenous, and taking the life (soul?) out of it. This could be a valid argument. It's too bad you didn't make it.
And yes, Pro Tools does run on Windows, including Vista. It is also pretty unreliable, at least when you are dealing with the TDM systems. The Macs run much more smoothly, and are much easier to troubleshoot when things (invariably) go wrong. Windows does have the advantage of being able to chase Unity though...
I'm not pulling this out of my ass; I have almost a decade of experience in the industry, and as I type this, I am mixing a commercial (in Pro Tools, on a 5 year-old Mac) for delivery on Tuesday.
I will agree with you on one thing though: Pro Tools is overpriced. If you want real sticker shock, try looking into Digidesign's hardware crossgrades. *Shudder*
There are two kinds of people in the world: those with loaded guns, and those who dig.
I've always been confused by the fact that very few companies seem to do this: "Here's a bonus tacked on to the top of your salary. It is earmarked for you to spend on our competitors' products. Tell us what's good about them." What am I missing?
"The biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place."
I find it very telling that Steve Ballmer won't let his kids use an iPod, and Bill Gates won't let Melinda use an iPhone.
I do too: it means Bill has more porn than he can watch in a lifetime. That's only explanation I have for being able to flat-out tell the wife that she can't have something you can trivially afford just because you don't like it, rich guy or not.
Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?