[Tfug] Steve Jobs has passed away

[Bender]

Mr Williams focuses on the angle of mac hardware. What about software? Maybe things have changed. But when I looked at the issue, mac software commanded a premium in cost as well. 

Given Mr Smith's scenario, I would consider going with the HP. Compatibility with existing software is a big plus, as opposed to starting over with a different platform.

All of this talk about higher speced components, leading edge and form factor doesn't appeal to me. YMWV

Having said that, the one killer app I might consider going to a mac for is Final Cut Pro, the old version

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/23/technology/personaltech/23pogue.html?pagewanted=all


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Zack Williams 
  To: Tucson Free Unix Group 
  Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2011 8:28 AM
  Subject: Re: [Tfug] Steve Jobs has passed away


  On Sat, Oct 8, 2011 at 1:13 PM, keith smith <klsmith2020 at yahoo.com> wrote:


          I've stayed away from MAC mostly because of the cost.  All my computers are getting old.  I will need to start replacing them next year.  I'd like to go with a MAC however they are 2 - 4 times more than a PC.  I can buy an HP quad core, 6 GB RAM, 1TB Drive and a 23 inch flat screen monitor on sale for around $600.  I'd pay $1800 for a large screen Apple notebook or an iMAC.

          Am I missing something?
         


  The point is that you're an outlier.   Most people refer to their computer case as "the hard drive" and when unboxing their iMac wonder why it's just "the screen". 


  Apple's stuff is more expensive because they choose to build stuff that's near the leading edge (all of Apple's current machines use Intel's latest processors for each form factor) and they only make devices in specific form factors.   They specifically don't have a "single core minitower with expansion" which is what the vast majority of PC's are today. 


  Also, they tend to go with higher spec'd components.   If you were to do a like to like comparison of a homebuilt PC to say a 27" iMac, you'd quickly discover that 27" 2560x1440 IPS displays cost in the $900-1200 range and whatever you put together would be similar in price.  Your system would be more expandable, but wouldn't have the form factor advantages of the iMac. 


  Here's what you're missing: The $600 on sale HP probably cuts a lot of corners that Apple isn't willing to, thus why it's less expensive. If you want to cut those corners, build your own machine or purchase appropriately.  If you want modern hardware in a nice form factor with a great OS, buy yourself a Mac. 


  For anything other than Desktop and laptop use, Apple is somewhat disinterested in the market in terms of both hardware and software. For non-OSX required tasks, the servers I run tend to be Linux, BSD or Solaris (OpenIndiana). 


  - Zack 


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