Study: Apple computers cost twice as much as PCs

Wed Aug 6, 2008 7:15PM EDT

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Interested in purchasing a shiny new Apple computer? Expect to pay twice as much as you would for a PC, according to NPD Group's vice president of industry analysis Stephen Baker.

According to the blog Apple Watch, the average price for a comparably-equipped Windows PC laptop is $700, down $177 since June of 2006. The average price for an Apple laptop? More than double the PC price at $1,515, down only $59 in the same time frame. The price gap for desktops is even more extreme, with a Mac desktop averaging at $1,543, almost triple the cost of a comparably-equipped Windows PC's at $550. Ouch.

So what gives with Apple's pricing scheme? Apple Watch's Joe Wilcox outlines several explanations, with this one offering the most validity in my opinion.

Apple chooses to sell its computers at premium prices, meaning above $1,000. The lowest-priced Mac notebook starts at $1,099 (MacBook) and the lowest-priced desktop (iMac) for $1,199; granted the Mac Mini starts at $599, but its sales volume is negligible.

This statement is striking: Since Apple's computer manufacturing process moved to Intel-based hardware, many of the hardware components on the inside are identical to those found in Windows notebooks. In fact, many of the MacBooks created today are manufactured by companies that also manufacture lower priced PCs (Asustek is the first that comes to mind). So why does Apple choose to release products at higher prices? Because they can. Apple has positioned itself  as a premium product. When you purchase a Mac, you're letting others know that you're willing to plunk down more money for several tangible (OSX, aesthetic design) and intangible (hip, different, and cool variable) factors.

Of course, there are other big reasons why Apple has had so much success with their Mac lineups. Check out the rest of the list over at Apple Watch. And here's a question for the readers: What's your reason for getting an Apple? In today's economy, is it worth it to pay twice as much to get a Mac when most of us are just checking email, blogging, downloading music, and chatting away online?

Links:

Apple Watch -  Should You Pay Twice as Much for a Mac?

Electronista - Average Mac price now 2X Windows PCs (Via Gizmodo)

 

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Comments on Study: Apple computers cost twice as much as PCs

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  • 6 Posted by jnr828 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:37PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've used both types and my mac gets way fewer viruses, has fewer problems and is more user friendly. I would love to pay less, but saving up for a mac was worth it.

  • 7 Posted by ltaroli on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    Compare the mac price and the pc price after 5 years. More specifically compare the number of times an IT person has to come out to fix a pc compared to a mac. Guaranteed at that time you have made you money and then some by purchasing a mac.

  • 8 Posted by wolverinemarky on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    i want to switch over to a mac but I am a notebook kinda guy i like to be on the go and take my computer with me, the low end mac notebooks are my cup of tea i would need minimum the mid level priced one to compare with my windows pc notebook i have now and that would cost more then 2 times what my new windows pc notebook cost. word to apple lower the price some and u could cripple the pc market

  • 9 Posted by unknownstuntbmxer on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    i did the math, my mac actually saves me $6300.00s a year in frustration. the equation is this: *hours saved per week X 52 weeks X hourly wage (minus) the difference in cost* believe me, i was generous to Microsoft too! actually, i may go buy another one now that i think about it...

  • 10 Posted by skwishykitty on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    Sorry can't use junk, willing to pay for something that doesn't have problems. I won't go back to a PC ever.

  • 11 Posted by cochella2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    A PC user will pay at least 2x in terms of frustration, training, lost productivity, hardware conflicts, performance, ease of use, viruses, bugs and so on. Macs last longer as well. There is a reason a BMW costs more than a Ford Focus. The same goes for a Mac. It is nice to drive and worth the price.

  • 12 Posted by drmeronk on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    You can drive a BMW or you can drive a Hundai. Both will get you to where you're going. The difference is the experience. If you care after the user interface and the overall user experience, a Mac is in a different league, head and shoulder over a PC. True, if you spend 15 minutes a day on a computer (or driving your car), who cares? But if you spend hours, maybe you should. Why be miserable to save 50 cents a day over the lifetime of the machine?

  • 13 Posted by heliodon on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    Was an Wintel stalwart from the issue of the first IBM/PC in the early 1980s right through a recent Acer tablet and Lenovo Thinkpad. My graduate students (architecture) kept showing up with the new Intel MacBook Pros so I got one to check it out. There is no going back. The Apple user experience, for something I touch many hours a day, is vastly superior. I have since purchased a Mac Pro for photo editing. In retrospect, the Microsoft folks, with their "your software may not be genuine" hassles, seem arrogant and inadequate. Good riddance.

  • 14 Posted by somebodys_here on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    As always... the custom PC builder wins :) - I saved 37% by building my machine myself over buying a pre-built system. Of course, I already had copies of all the software I needed.

  • 15 Posted by raidergreg3079 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    All you Mac lovers can talk all you want but what would you rather have; A Mac that cost $2000 or a PC that cost $1000 and spend that extra $1000 on a nice T.V. You guys can complain about viruses but if people actually bought virus software that is free with rebates they wouldn't have viruses. Also what training is needed for a PC? You do know that if you go to an Apple store they have training for their software that you have to pay for. Macs are so easy huh? And Macs last longer? I have had my desktop for 6 years and is working fine. So really who is the smart one? I rather have an extra $1000 and a better performing computer.

  • 16 Posted by mihalevm on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    Here's what a lot of people don't understand: A PC user might not be willing to pay $1500 for a new Mac, but many Mac users wouldn't pay $200 for a new PC. They see it as a waste of money.

  • 17 Posted by esoteric0 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    this article is ridiculous. perhaps the author should compare the specs of these PCs and macs, and then figure out what the price differential is. just because a lot of crappy, substandard PCs are being sold so the average price is lower does not mean that the two are equivalent.

  • 18 Posted by c.skipwithsmith on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    Oh, no discussion necessary. I'll pay a premium for design, for ease of use, for not having to configure stuff I don't need or want to know about. Graphics and photo editing figure heavily in my world, and yes, I'll pay a premium to be able to handle that with ease and elegance. I order the base configuration, do memory and HD updates myself, and yeah! Run rings around everyone else.

  • 19 Posted by roguetrader05 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wow, I cannot believe Yahoo Tech would publish this article. What is the objective here? How you compare a $700 PC, Dell I assume, to a Apple 13" Back Mac Book. Why not compare that same Dell to a entry level Mac book at $1,099? You cannot make a comparison between the Mac an PC just based on sticker price. If you are reading this article and wondering what the fuss is all about with Mac, just go to a Apple store and play with one. Talk to the people there.. Not just the employees, but the people to love the products.. Then go to Best Buy and look at products there and... well, you'll get it...

  • 20 Posted by new99hotwheels on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've always owned a Mac. In ten years I have never paid an IT person to configure anything. I also have never purchased spyware or virus services. I will open most items with in reason. The layout, ease of use is well worth the extra cost. If fact I am still using a Mac G4 that is 6 years old. It works great and never had a problem. My new Mac Book Pro rocks!!! Oh, and on this computer I run Windows XP on the split drive for one program I use with work. Try that on a PC.

  • 21 Posted by n2dabloo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    Happy Ubuntu user here. Can you say free?

  • 22 Posted by kyu-hur@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    I agree with coolkyle4. Even if Windows have more problems, 1) It costs 2x-3x more to buy an Apple laptop or Desktop with the same memory, internet connection avaiability, and hard drive. 2) It's original. Windows was made way before Apple. I don't blame Apple to sell their computers at 2x-3x the regular price, but I wouldn't be willing to buy an Apple computer. I think more people will be willing to buy iPods and better, newer versions of the iPhone.

  • 23 Posted by shadocg on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    Re: Post 22 "Windows was made way before Apple". Dude, MS based Windows on the Apple GUI interface which was based on from Xerox's Palo Alto computer lab. Xerox never made a system, while Apple built their system around GUI, ease of use, and user experience. Do you honestly believe Windows built Vista around "User experience"? LOL

  • 24 Posted by melissapredny on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've had my MacBook for about 3 years and it runs as fast as the first day I got it... the past two PCs I have had (laptops) have conked out/ or work incredibly slow. I will probably have my Macbook for double the time a PC laptop... so YES the price is definitely worth it!!

  • 25 Posted by pcoppola on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    One of the reason's why the Mac is so appealing is not only the OS, but the other software that comes out of the box. One of the big things that switcher friends of mine have commented on is the iLife suite, especially iphoto and iMovie (and who doesn't love photobooth?). I know there are equivalent PC apps which are cheap, but is the experience and ease of use the same to the regular user. Was the built in software comparison included in the review? In other words are we really comparing Apples to Apples? (excuse the pun).

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