The popular myth is that a Mac is more expensive than a PC. The truth is that when you configure a Mac and PC with the same hardware and software, the cost is the same. Even so, when people bother to configure comparable systems, they go with the Mac. That makes sense to me.
According to an article (which I’ve listed as a Wambooli News link), Apple literally owns the PC market for computers priced at over $1,000. Of that market, 91 percent of the computers sold are Macintoshes.
That’s incredible, but does that make the Mac a computer for snobs?
I visited the U.K. back in 1985 to do a survey of the various computers available. The most popular PC was the Acron, which was kind of like the English Apple II. It was very popular, had lots of software, and a huge hacker base doing all sorts of wonderful things to the system.
During my visit, I popped by the London Computer Faire and saw many, many Acrons. Then I went across town and saw a small gathering of Macintosh enthusiasts. The Mac had its fans, but they were few. Because of the price, the Mac was used primarily by those who could afford it. The Acorn users referred to the Mac users as the aristocracy.
Aw, come on: Who doesn’t really, secretly want to be a Lord or Baron? And if you were a member of the peerage, well then, dammit, you could afford a Macintosh! Especially in 1985, when a Mac cost about $3000 or £8700.
Flash forward to today.
The typical PC costs about $400 or maybe $800 if you want a faster CPU or larger hard drive. It’s most likely sold in a big box store or over the Internet. It’s ho-hum.
The Mac is, well, of course, sexier than a typical PC. It’s also a well-integrated system, because Apple makes both the hardware and software. The thing just works, and it obviously appeals to people with money to spend on a computer, and who understand that making both the hardware and software is a Good Thing.
After all, if you’re going to put down major coin for a computer, it makes sense to buy something that really works well. That’s probably why those people have the money in the first place!
Are you sure? £8,700 is a bit much, even for a Mac 🙂
Comment by Jonathan Rothwell — July 24, 2009 @ 5:04 am
Well, they were expensive!
Comment by admin — July 24, 2009 @ 6:37 am
Dan- We all had these conversations before back when you had your forum. There is simply no excuse for Apple forcing its customers to buy its hardware. Let me say that again…NO EXCUSE. There is nothing wrong with Apple selling its hardware for people who want perfect hardware/software integration, but the OS should be sold on its own for people who want to run it the hardware of their choosing. I dont know why you want to excuse and gloss over the prestige issue that motivates both Apple and Mac users. Jobs is a control freak and an ego maniac, thats the reason the Mac is only used by the rich, because that is only people Jobs wants to cater to. Why do you want to cover this up? I think of you as a voice for the masses, I would expect you to do more to expose the fanaticism of the Mac user community who play up to Jobs wish to be a Messiah. BTW- using Mac and PC equipped with same software and hardware is not a clever trick to hide the fact that Mac hardware is more expensive. Yes Apple gives away more default software, but if you are a free software monger you should be using Linux.
I also wish you would do more do describe computer use in the 80s. There are many of us who did not start using computers till the late 90s and all these storys about C64s, Apple][s, Amigas are something that is fascinating, but only brought up as quick anecdotes. People nowadays can barely figure out how to use Word or install an antivirus. I cant imagine what computer problems were like back then.
Comment by BradC — July 25, 2009 @ 3:59 pm
I’ve said for a long time that Apple is really a software company. They make software and then customize hardware to run that software well. That’s what Apple does best.
Now say that they sold OS X to anyone. Wouldn’t they have to support it as well? That’s a terrific nightmare. So if there were an excuse for Apple not selling its software independently it would be support; by selling both hardware and software Apple keeps its support costs low.
Also, there’s nothing wrong with catering to the rich. It’s a choice. I choose not to do it, Jobs does. There are many industries where certain manufacturers cater to the rich. That’s the free market. If you can get some snob to pay more for something, why not? Visit a tourist town art gallery sometime if you really want to puke your guts out.
I like your idea about computing in the 1980s. I think I’ll write the next blog post on that. Thanks!
Comment by admin — July 25, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
>>I like your idea about computing in the 1980s. I think I’ll write the next blog post on that. Thanks!<<
Dan I know youre a Trash80/PC guy. So maybe you could do a comparison between the pre-PC days (before 81-83?) of the Trash80 vs Apple ][ and then the post-PC days of PC vs C64 vs AtariXT and the later arrival(after 84) of PC vs Apple and Amiga products.
Comment by BradC — July 26, 2009 @ 1:20 pm
“I’ve said for a long time that Apple is really a software company. They make software and then customize hardware to run that software well. That’s what Apple does best.”
I use Freeware with my Windows OS and applaud those who make the applications.
I still have the CD-R, which you sent to me some years ago, labeled KNOPPIX 3.6 with the instruction, “Boot Me.”.
Microsoft is loosing ground as Windows users are learning that with some Sweat Equity they can have a good Linux OS.
Apple is beyond the reach of those of us living below the poverty level.
Perhaps you could join Habit for Humanities and actually do something for other people instead of spending your Earned Income and Fame from selling Microsoft Self Help Books to tout your personal preference Bling-Bling.
Or, if you need to make a profit, come down here where land is cheap and start building Retirement Complexes.
I would like to rip you to shreds but I have learned so much from you.
And I still have a sequin’s worth of respect.
tow-
Comment by towwad — July 26, 2009 @ 2:21 pm