TKJunkMail
Enjoy the sun
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join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
 ·Comcast
| reply to Bit
Re: Just as I expected
said by Bit  :As does Apple's earnings which are amazingly up over last year. Earnings are up, but Mac sales are down for the 1st time ever. Apple is soaring on iPhone sales right now, but if that slows down along with Mac sales they could be in trouble.
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en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | Mac laptops/computers are very expensive, compared to a PC / Linux computer.
Cheapest Apple laptop is ~$1000.
Typical PC based laptop is $500-$750 range, with netbooks down as cheap as $300. |
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Bit
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join:2009-02-19
00000 | reply to TKJunkMail
With $21B in the bank, things would have to be bad for a loooooong time before they're in any trouble. |
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Bit
Premium
join:2009-02-19
00000 | reply to en102
Or cheaper if you consider refurbs. I saw Mini 9's in the Dell refurb store earlier today for about $190 with the tiny 4GB SSD. |
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Count Zero
MD2Be
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join:2007-01-18
Warner Robins, GA
 ·AT&T DSL Service
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| reply to TKJunkMail
said by TKJunkMail :said by Bit :As does Apple's earnings which are amazingly up over last year. Earnings are up, but Mac sales are down for the 1st time ever. Apple is soaring on iPhone sales right now, but if that slows down along with Mac sales they could be in trouble. Mac sales are down slightly, but their ASP is still high, that's why they'll weather this storm as well as (or better than) anyone else. And the iPhone is quite a versatile platform for those of us in the medical profession - the only reason I carry my old palm pilot around is for a single (yet important) program MData - but it appears an iPhone version is in the works so I may be putting the palm pilot up on eBay in the not too distant future and only carrying one PDA for everything from then on out. |
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jsz0
join:2008-01-23
Jewett City, CT
·Comcast
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In trouble how? Computers are making up an ever decreasing part of Apple's revenue even when they were selling more units than ever. Apple could cease selling computers entirely and still be a very profitable company. They were very wise to see that mobiles are the future. |
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Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
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join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
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| reply to TKJunkMail
said by TKJunkMail :said by Bit :As does Apple's earnings which are amazingly up over last year. Earnings are up, but Mac sales are down for the 1st time ever. Apple is soaring on iPhone sales right now, but if that slows down along with Mac sales they could be in trouble. And the new shuffle design with the controls integrated into the headphones won't help those sell either. I need a new shuffle and I'm going to look somewhere else because I HAVE to use different headphones.
I'd love to have a Mac, but I can't justify $1299+ when I can get a Dell for $899 or $999 that is just as (if not more) capable. |
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GilbertMark
Premium
join:2001-05-02
Gilbert, AZ | reply to en102
I don't want the typical PC, which is piece of junk that will require replacement in a year or two, if it doesn't break down on its own before then.
You get what you pay for. You want dirt cheap? Have fun with that "computer" of yours. |
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S_engineer
join:2007-05-16
Chicago, IL
·Comcast
| said by GilbertMark :I don't want the typical PC, which is piece of junk that will require replacement in a year or two, if it doesn't break down on its own before then. You get what you pay for. You want dirt cheap? Have fun with that "computer" of yours. I build my own state of the art systems for a fraction of what you pay for that Mac. Can you build your own Mac? |
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Tarheels Fan
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join:2006-01-05
·Embarq
| reply to GilbertMark
I built my PC with quality parts back in 2005 & it's still running strong. I have done some upgrades (RAM/HD/Video). I am sure you will see a lot more broken down PC's b/c they sell 10/1 over Mac. I know macs break too, as a buddy of mine just had to have his m/b replace in his 1 year old laptop. It happens when everything is made in China  |
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gateguy
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join:2001-02-12
Reisterstown, MD
1 edit | reply to S_engineer
Assemble |
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cableties
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join:2005-01-27
 ·Verizon FIOS
| reply to Bit
I just ordered a Mini 9 loaded and it is STILL under $500.
Apple's beautiful Macbook, Macbook Air and Macbook Pro, are form over function (with price a close 2nd). Premium. And higher than last models.
just don't spill a coffee or other liquid on them, k? 
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Bit
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2 edits | I disagree completely. Macs are worth every penny IMO. But to each his own. There will be Mac vs PC arguments 'till the end of time just like Ford vs Chevy.
The only reason I got the Mini 9 is because of the ease of dumping Windows and installing OS X on it. |
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Bit
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join:2009-02-19
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1 edit | reply to S_engineer
Point is, many have no interest in building their own stuff which is why Dell, HP and Apple sell so many machines. They want to walk into the store, spend some money, and come home with a machine that works for them without a bunch of hassle. As popular as the BYO Pee Cee market is, it's nothing compared to the off the shelf or BTO market. A lot of people are willing occasionally pay extra (given that Macs compare favorably price-wise to similarly configured machines when you consider software and most importantly the form factor) to have a local point of support (the Apple store) and software that in a lot of people's opinion has superior interoperability, reliability and frankly is easier to use. |
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cdru
Go Colts
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join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN | reply to gateguy
Semantics. Build or assemble, the argument still holds true. |
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Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
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join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
| reply to GilbertMark
said by GilbertMark :I don't want the typical PC, which is piece of junk that will require replacement in a year or two, if it doesn't break down on its own before then. You get what you pay for. You want dirt cheap? Have fun with that "computer" of yours. You do realize your Mac has the same components and is made by the same factory in China right? You're paying for a name and cheap to implement (but innovative) features like magnetic power connections or whatever they are.
Other than that, it has the same CPU, same RAM, same chipset, same hard drive, same video card ... everything. |
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Bit
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join:2009-02-19
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4 edits | Some would say you're paying for superior software, superior design and better/friendlier customer service. I have one of Dell's brand new Studio XPS 1640's and the fit-finish is absolutely horrible, way worse than any unibody MacBook Pro and far worse than my Lenovo X200T. Of course is was about 2/3 the cost of the MacBook Pro so I expect it to be crappier. So sure, it has the same 2.8GHz C2D, DDR3 and same tier graphics (HD3670 vs NVidia m9600), but the similarities in build end there. It takes more than parts to make a decent machine. They have to be assembled well, use quality components (eg good chassis, glass over plexi) and run compelling software. |
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Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
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join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
| said by Bit :Some would say you're paying for superior software, superior design and better/friendlier customer service. I have one of Dell's brand new Studio XPS 1640's and the fit-finish is absolutely horrible, way worse than any MacBook Pro and far worse than my Lenovo X200T. Of course is was about 2/3 the cost of the MacBook Pro so I expect it to be crappier. So sure, it has the same 2.8GHz C2D, DDR3 and Radeon graphics, but the similarities in build end there. The studio line is cheap. The "presentation" of the Mac and the customer support (that I have experienced with my iPhone) is in fact top notch. However, you can purchase the same level of customer service if you so desire from Dell. And I urge you to take a look at the XPS line from Dell. The M1330 is an absolutely gorgeous piece of hardware, rivaling and surpassing anything I've seen in a 13" form factor from Apple.
I think what most Mac owners don't get is that as of Windows XP SP2 (minus Vista, but Win 7 is phenomenal), there is nothing compelling in OS X. Yes, I have a Mac Mini so I'm not speaking from ignorance. OS X was so much better than Windows when it came out, but it is stagnant. Windows quickly improved and closed the gap and unless Apple does something else ground breaking, OS X will start slowly losing market share again as has been evidenced by the decline in Macbook and desktop Mac sales, whereas others (HP and Dell) are accelerating. You'll always have a contingent of faithful buyers and you'll also have people who get so frustrated with Windows they shun it forever. But there are also people who use Linux on their desktop for God's sake ... that is a lesson in torture worthy of waterboarding.
Anyway, my point is, things have progressed to the point where a $500 Dell is just as capable as a $1299 Macbook. Sure the Mac may "look" prettier, but most people simply don't care. They want a functional device, not a fashion accessory and want to pay the least amount possible for it. Those who want to justify their purchase by clinging to old "PC's are cheap and unreliable" or believe the PC vs Mac commercials, well, people also believe the Mason's run the world. To each is own, but it's not exactly reality. |
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Bit
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1 edit | My machine is a Studio XPS 16 so I don't know how much more upscale other XPS machines get. As for Dell support, I did purchase upgraded support from Dell Business for my servers and the support is horrible with long on hold times, endless having to go through hoops of tier 1 support and when they finally send out people they never have the correct parts.
And I couldn't disagree more with Windows vs OS X. I use both daily, both in business and at home and aside from CAD and Games, Windows XP and Vista are horrible...slow in operation, horrible ergonomics and very long boot and shutdown times. And they are unstable even in factory condition. It's a horrible cliche' but for me, OS X has always just worked. Windows 7 is a huge improvement but I don't consider it surpassing Snow Leopard in usability or speed, not anywhere close.
Aside from my Mini 9, I don't buy "cheap" Pee Cees. My Lenovo tablet was nearly $3K, my Studio XPS 1640 nearly $2K and my servers $4K each and none are stellar.
These types of discussions usually go no where. Everyone has their preference. As I mentioned, I use both every day and IMO, Apple's products are simply superior in build quality and operation, their service top notch and thus usually worth the extra money. But what I find is when you compare LIKE products in terms of same hardware AND form factor AND software suite, the price isn't that much different. |
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Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
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join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
| I won't argue because again, we have all Dell servers and the support has been stunning. We always purchase Silver or Gold level though. I have sent letters to support agents managers because they were so great. I had a drive fail at 2AM and they had a new drive onsite by 5AM. I couldn't ask for anything better.
And the pure XPS line is much better than the studio XPS line. Studio = budget.
And I agree with your last statement, these disagreements never go anywhere. I actually almost posted two links straight form the stock configuration comparing an XPS M1330 ($899) to the Macbook ($1299) just to illustrate that the only thing the Mac had better was a 9400M vs an 8600M, whereas the Dell had a faster processor, more RAM, and over twice the hard drive because I knew you're parrot out the "when you compare equal spec machines ..." but decided not to. |
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