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I'm switiching from windows to mac,but.....Why are they so expensive!

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K

Kleegamefan

K. LEE GAIDEN
I am sick of Windows 8 and since I bought both my youngest kids an iPhone 5c....AND since I bought my sister in law a 64GB iPad air2, I figure its time for me to do a clean break and go all apple in 2015

Our current devices are

6yr old girl-Pink iPhone 5c
11yr old boy-Green iPhone 5c
33yr old sister-dying/shitty 15.6 inch Dell Win 8 laptop, Droid Maxx, 64GB iPad air 2
37yr old wife-shares Dell laptop with sister, Droid Turbo
Me-slow ass Win 8 Samsung 15.6 inch laptop, Samsung Galaxy S5


It has been decades since I have owned or messed around with an apple computer (mac quadra) and we have only owned Android Smartphones. We are on the Verizon Edge early upgrade plan so I am going to get an iPhone 7 Plus (or whatever its called) for my wife and I when they come out later this year.

But the real question I have is about the actual computers, I am going to donate my Samsung Win 8 laptop to my kids. I hate Win 8 so this gives me an out to break from MS and go to Apple laptops....gonna get a 13 inch MacBook Air for me. I need something more portable and has better battery life, since I fly from home (Idaho) to work (Alaska) but I plan on getting a 15 inch macbook pro for my wife.

So I notice the macbook pro is nearly 5 times the price of my laptop, at $2300USD. I do get that it has the nice premium alloy finish and high end CPU/GPU but, really, what else is the upside of a laptop that expensive. Are macbook pros *THAT* much better than what I am used to?

How long do they last?

I am used to getting a new Windows laptop every other year, since they either die or run like shit after about 18 months. If I get an espensive macbook pro for my wife, I need to justify that expense with quality, durability AND longevity. Is this the case?

Any help or comments are much appreciated

Thank you
 
X

xxracerxx

Don't worry, I'll vouch for them.
I used a MacBook for 6 years before upgrading. They last a long time depending on what you are looking to do.
 
M

Mauricio_Magus

Banned
Because for some reason people pay it. I'm PC/Android and happy with not paying a fortune for any of that.

They seem to last a long time so that's a plus.
 
C

Chris R

Member
The CPU/GPU aren't really that high end.

The entire package is extremely well put together though, and people buy the MBPs so they will keep on selling at the current price. If you actively attending some college classes you can get an educational discount. The referb machines are also worth looking into.

I'm interested in seeing what Apple's Broadwell offerings look like, but I'm guessing it's going to just be a pure spec refresh outside of the 12" rMBA.
 
P

PeakPointMatrix

Member
ElectricBlanketFire said:
The market decided it was worth paying an upcharge for style and ease of use.
Click to expand...
Try quality.

I have a MacBook Pro from 2007 that has been through hell and back that still functions like a champ, and has outlasted 3 family PCs to date. Sure, it's more expensive, but you get what you pay for. I feel dualbooting with ease adds a huge value to it aswell, and was hugely helpful for many of my projects.
 
R

rkn

Member
Why do you want MAC?
i pay the premium because I orefer OS X to Wlindows in general. The hardware being better is icing, though I do have a dedicated gaming pc.
 
J

Jeff-DSA

Member
Man, just so you know, if you're going to use it for work, the Mac will be slower to use. Any time I've used a MBP for work, it's been slower and less productive than any PC laptop that I've used.
 
J

jtb

Banned
$2300? that seems excessive, most basic macbooks (which are perfectly capable computers) are in the $800-1300 range. considering you admit both of your current windows computers are shit, seems a weird, intentionally skewed comparison. though I don't know where you're buying from.

anyways, macs have better build quality, battery life, resale value. more than anything else, they just last much longer than windows laptops.

also, the trackpad is a godsend.
 
K

kirblar

Member
They're more expensive because Jobs was a master brander/marketer who convinced people they were worth it.

Why not just go W7?
 
M

monchi-kun

Member
I have a 2006 Mac Pro tower that is still in use and running OSX snow leopard. That was the first Mac that I bought for our household. My last Apple purchase was a MacBook Pro Retina a little over a year ago.

I think the hardware quality is great on Apple computers. Not sure if this is due to having better control on design and manufacturing. There's definitely a premium for owning one but also being an iOS user has made it a better value for me with the latest iOS8 update.

kirblar said:
They're more expensive because Jobs was a master brander/marketer who convinced people they were worth it.

Why not just go W7?
Click to expand...

No amount of marketing genius would keep a product line afloat if it offered no value to its user.
 
M

Massive Nights

Member
I bought an early 2011 Macbook Pro the day it came out, I'm still using it everyday and the battery is still going strong at 996 cycles. Buying a £350-400 laptop and thinking you're getting a good deal is a false economy, it won't last as long as the premium model (be it a Windows machine or Apple).
 
D

DigitalRicket

Member
Bought an iMac in Jan of 2012 and it's never been turned off for 99% of its lifetime. I've installed Windows through bootcamp, edited videos, streamed for super long extended periods of time and it's never given me any issues.

All my iPads, even my first gen, still run like brand new (except obviously when running more resource intensive apps).

When you buy Apple you buy quality but you're definitely paying a premium for the brand and ease of use.
 
H

Hoo-doo

Banned
Kleegamefan said:
Are macbook pros *THAT* much better than what I am used to?
Click to expand...

In one word. Absolutely.

For one, they will last you a lot longer than two years, my mother is still using her 2009 MBP every single day and it's running as fast as the day she got it. No upgrade necessary.

But there are other aspects that make the price hike worth it.

The touchpad is the best touchpad in the business. Period.
The resale value is ridiculous. You could use one for two years and recoup 75% of the cost.
The build quality is very high. Premium materials and workmanship.
Battery life is unmatched.
Retina displays are unmatched.
OS X is unmatched.

There simply isn't going back to Windows laptops after having owned one of these, except if you're desperate to game on the go. Which I am not, personally.
 
A

Ape Gone Insane

Member
tghm1801 said:
Great battery life
Great build quality
They last a LONG time
OS X > Windows imo (obviously that's a personal thing tho)
Click to expand...

Hoo-doo said:
In one word. Absolutely.

For one, they will last you a lot longer than two years, my mother is still using her 2009 MBP every single day and it's running as fast as the day she got it. No upgrade necessary.

But there are other aspects that make the price hike worth it.

The touchpad is the best touchpad in the business. Period.
The resale value is ridiculous. You could use one for two years and recoup 75% of the cost.
The build quality is very high. Premium materials and workmanship.
Battery life is unmatched.
Retina displays are unmatched.
OS X is unmatched.

There simply isn't going back to Windows laptops after having owned one of these, except if you're desperate to game on the go. Which I am not, personally.
Click to expand...

I switched from Windows to a Macbook and would agree with you on every point except the last one. Windows outclasses OS X in every conceivable way.
 
H

HappehLemons

Member
Why get her a pro and not an air? They're half the price and unless you need a higher powered graphics card or a larger screen there's no point in getting the pros as far as I know.

I own a windows and a mac based computer and I love my macbook air. UI is really great. Truthfully the battery life is about 6 hours on a fresh installed (I've got the newest model too) and all I do is browse the web which is kind of disappointing but I still prefer this laptop over any other laptop I've used.
 
E

ElectricBlanketFire

Member
PeakPointMatrix said:
Try quality.

I have a MacBook Pro from 2007 that has been through hell and back that still functions like a champ, and has outlasted 3 family PCs to date. Sure, it's more expensive, but you get what you pay for. I feel dualbooting with ease adds a huge value to it aswell.
Click to expand...

Can only speak anecdotally, but I had the exact same laptop and it was nothing but problems. I'm not anti-Apple whatsoever and have been happy with their stuff in general, but I've had many more issues with their products compared to others.
 
A

Always-honest

Banned
Yeah i like Apple products and i prefer them over Windows (by far). I work on them. But they cost a lot... And while they are quality products, it's not like they will last longer than any other hardware as far as i know.

Do you really need the pro?
 
M

m_shortpants

Member
Eh, they're great computers, solid build, great battery.

I have a Windows Lenovo laptop from 2011. Things a beast. Has a Sandy Bridge i7 that still runs circles around even my brand new work laptop. I paid 800 for it. It's been 3 years with 0 issues.

At the point I feel like certain brands (Lenovos thinkpad comes to mind) will match the quality of Macbooks. Mind you, I've known people with Macbook Airs who had tons of problems with overheating and SSD failure. So neither is perfect. At the point I think it cones down to personal preference and what you use it for. If you're making iOS apps get a Macbook, for example.
 
H

Hoo-doo

Banned
Ape Gone Insane said:
I switched from Windows to a Macbook and would agree with you on every point except the last one. Windows outclasses OS X in every conceivable way.
Click to expand...

I honestly can't imagine any category except gaming where Windows outclasses anything in it's current state (Windows 8.1).
I fucking despise using my gaming PC because the OS is such a goddamn trainwreck.

Maybe job-specific software requirements? I'm really scratching my head here.
 
K

Kleegamefan

K. LEE GAIDEN
First of all, thank you for the replies

The MCP is not for me, but for my wife. I will be getting a mac book air since I like the long battery life and portability.....it should fit on the tray of an airplay nicely

The MCP is similar is size to our other laptops so I don't want for her to downsize. I can afford a $2000 laptop no problem, but I want to make sure they represent good value at that price point.

Is there a good and easy to learn online article about the pros/cons of iOS X....I know nothing about it.....I have used the MS OS since Windows 98 (yes, that long).....I put up with Millennium.....I put up with Vista.....but, seriously....I LOATHE Windows 8......I have tried and tried to tolerate it but I am done.
 
H

hastethedav

Member
The build quality alone and the trackpad are worth it.

I'm currently saving to get a new one (mines still a 2009) I want the retina and SSD.

Why $2300? Do you need a 15 inch or something?
 
R

Robobandit

Member
The macbook pro w/ retina display is a fantastic machine.

I have the first gen. I've been using it nearly 8 hours a day since I got it (except weekends, as the machine stays at work mostly) and I've had very few issues with it.

It'll be 3 years old this summer and i don't see myself as needing to to replace it anytime soon.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/F...-25GHz-Quad-core-Intel-i7-with-Retina-Display

There's a 2014 model with 512GB SSD for $2099. Same warranty as a new one and you can buy applecare to extend the warranty to 3 years anytime within that first year.
 
C

Chance Hale

Member
Kleegamefan said:
Is there a good and easy to learn online article about the pros/cons of iOS X....I know nothing about it.....I have used the MS OS since Windows 98 (yes, that long).....I put up with Millennium.....I put up with Vista.....but, seriously....I LOATHE Windows 8......I have tried and tried to tolerate it but I am done.
Click to expand...
Choose to launch to desktop in the settings and it's basically Windows 7 with added features and optimization. Windows S to search your computer, Window F to search files. Nothing to loathe really, can even add a start menu back if you want.
 
J

JinjoUnchained

Member
Just retired my MacBook Pro after 7 years of use. So yes, they last a long time due to build quality and fewer compatibility issues than PCs. You could amortize the extra cost of the Mac over its' expected life and it won't look as expensive.

However, I noticed that OS updates have been more frequent and drastic on Apple products in recent years. Perhaps due to the success of the iPhone where people refresh their hardware annually? So people aren't trying to run new OS' on older hardware as much. Plus Apple doesn't charge to upgrade your OS anymore. I believe this has conditioned customers to refresh hardware more quickly, eliminating any economic advantage you'd get from buying a computer that lasts a few years longer. It "technically works" for a long time, but it will get really cumbersome once your MacBook Pro can no longer run the latest OS and you never know if a given program will work.

So, yeah, I believe they are overpriced. If Apple wants to charge that much, they need to help consumers refresh their hardware more frequently.
 
D

Dreams-Visions

Member
OP: They're expensive because they can be. That said, you'll be hard-pressed to find a combination of materials used, display, power, battery life, trackpad, weight and dimensions on any other system. Period. That's what you're paying for. Additionally, I've found the OS to be exceptional in its stability, features and functionality. Especially if you own other Apple products.

I shopped far and wide for a Windows 17" that could give me 7 hours of battery life like my MBP does. There wasn't one then and still isn't one to this day as far as I'm aware. But your needs may be different and the 13" and 15" markets are much more competitive now than they were when I was last shopping.

I'd recommend going to an Apple store and putting your hands on a MBP for awhile. Stay there for an hour or two if need be. Ask MacGAF any questions you may have. Maybe see if you can catch some videos on YouTube. I also think there's a 2-week return policy, so if you don't like what you have after a couple of weeks, just return it and get a PC for the same price or less.

Good luck. But they'll have to take my MBP from my cold, dead hands after 20 years of PC desktops and laptops. Will your experience be *that* much better than what you're used to? Depending on how much you adjust to and leverage features you never had access to at the level Mac offers you (native virtual desktops, multitouch, GeekTool, Apple Mail, FaceTime, Messages, calls and web browsing from your iphone to your mac, Calendar and whatever other apps you want/like) will dictate how much better the experience is.

Jeff-DSA said:
Man, just so you know, if you're going to use it for work, the Mac will be slower to use. Any time I've used a MBP for work, it's been slower and less productive than any PC laptop that I've used.
Click to expand...

Speak for yourself. Having access to 7 virtual desktops across my 2 monitors and a far superior trackpad for which I have about 40 gestures set up for in active use to flow through said virtual desktops very much accelerates my work productivity far beyond what I can do with the same dual montior setup in Windows. So much so that I actively avoid doing work in Windows now. Unless you have specific software that needs to run in Windows and running Windows in a virtual window won't suffice, OSX can provide a superior productivity experience. Until Windows 10 comes out with its own built-in virtual desktop setup (that hopefully leverages multitouch, unlike these bootleg 3rd party virtual desktop solutions out there).
 
X

xxracerxx

Don't worry, I'll vouch for them.
Jeff-DSA said:
Man, just so you know, if you're going to use it for work, the Mac will be slower to use. Any time I've used a MBP for work, it's been slower and less productive than any PC laptop that I've used.
Click to expand...
What a load of bullshit.

I am sure it solely depends on what you are doing with each.
 
O

Olli128

Member
What's so bad about windows 8? Just install classic shell or windows 7.

Kleegamefan said:
I am used to getting a new Windows laptop every other year, since they either die or run like shit after about 18 months.
Click to expand...

Stop buying shit $500 laptops then, if you spent as much on a windows laptop as your about to on a mac it would be just as good if not better. Of course a mac is better than the current shit you've got, like you said it costs 5X as much. Even a $500 laptop shouldn't be useless after 18 months if you take good care of it, CCleaner, disk de-fragmentation, anitvirus etc.

rhfb said:
I had to tweak Windows 8 for a good hour to make it not shit. Start8 is a good start but damn if they didn't go and change so many little things to piss desktop users off.
Click to expand...

What on earth did you do? I built a new PC last month and all I did was update to 8.1 then install classic shell, took under two minutes.


Edit: Not saying Windows 8 is good, its not, however it really doesn't take long to get it working as good if not better than 7.
 
C

Chris R

Member
Olli128 said:
What's so bad about windows 8? Just install classic shell or windows 7.
Click to expand...

I had to tweak Windows 8 for a good hour to make it not shit. Start8 is a good start but damn if they didn't go and change so many little things to piss desktop users off.
 
M

Mammoth Jones

Member
tghm1801 said:
Great battery life
Great build quality
They last a LONG time
OS X > Windows imo (obviously that's a personal thing tho)
Click to expand...

They really do last. My wife and I got our laptops at the same time. Her windows machine is a slow piece of shit. Mine is still purring along nice and fast. But I did pay 4x the price. But then again I can sell it today and get at least 50%
 
C

Chance Hale

Member
Of course a Windows laptop is going to seem shit in comparison when you buy a shitty 500 dollar cheapo and then switch to a Mac Pro where you're paying 1500+
rhfb said:
I had to tweak Windows 8 for a good hour to make it not shit. Start8 is a good start but damn if they didn't go and change so many little things to piss desktop users off.
Click to expand...
Most things are exactly the same as they were in Windows 7. More shortcuts were added. For example, right clicking the start menu in the lower left corner(or start x) opening power user shortcuts.

I had a lot of issues with macbook pro which I had for four years(battery/hard drive failure) but I'm definitely in the minority. Certainly gorgeous devices.
 
G

gcubed

Member
I switched with work, but 80% of my job runs in a browser, the other 20% runs in a bash terminal. I'm not sure I can myself pay the premium, but I do like it. It's cliche, but shit just works.

More importantly... A 6 year old with an iPhone?
 
C

Chris R

Member
ricochetguro said:
Most things are exactly the same as they were in Windows 7. More shortcuts were added. For example, right clicking the start menu in the lower left corner(or start x) opening power user shortcuts.
Click to expand...

Just saying, installing Start8 and spending 45 minutes in regedit made 8 better than 7 for me, just sucked that I had to install Start8 and spend 45 minutes in regedit to make the OS usable (for me)
 
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