Computer price wars won't hurt the Mac
TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Computer price wars won't hurt the Mac

Jonny Evans of "Computerworld" recently pondered (http://macte.ch/a5Gcj) whether an impending price war between computer vendors such as Acer and Lenova will hurt Mac sales. I don't think so.

"In truth, this is a game Apple's been fighting a long, long, long, long time. Apple's Macs have never been the cheapest on the market, and even that short-term commitment to a sub-$500 Mac with the Mac mini and (earlier) the education-only eMac did little to dissuade PC purchasers that the company's kit is pricier than most," writes Evans.

However, when it comes to the Mac, as with all Apple products, most folks are willing to pay a little more for better quality. Mac sales have increased at record rates even during this dismal global economy. During the 12 months that ended in late June, the Mac brand achieved an impressive 22.86% gain in revenue for a total of $20.38 billion.

Apple sold 3.76 million Macs in its fiscal 2011 second quarter, which is 28% growth from the year-ago quarter. That's particularly impressive considering that the overall computer market contracted 3% in that period, according to the IDC research group. This was the 20th consecutive quarter that the Mac has outgrown the PC market overall.

And, in talking about the back-to-school buying season, Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis with NPD Group, told "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com) that Apple's year-over-year growth seen this summer was aided by weak comparisons from sales in 2010. "Apple grew much faster than the Windows notebook market did," he said.

What's more, I'd argue that Macs are more expensive than PCs, at least in the long run. Last year in a talk with the folks at the The Enterprise Desktop Alliance (EDA) -- an organization designed to help IT departments integrate Macs into the corporate environment -- I found that their studies show that, while the initial cost of buying a Mac may be more than Windows systems, the long-term cost is a different story.

When it comes to Macs, the initial cost of purchase is higher, but the TCO (total cost of ownership) is less.

TCO s a financial estimate designed to help consumers and enterprise managers assess direct and indirect costs. It's a form of full cost accounting. When you figure in ease of use, less malware/viruses/spyware/etc. than on Windows, lower IT costs, ease of use, bundled software and more, Macs are, in the long run, a better buy.

In fact, a 2007 report noted that, when it comes to Macs verses PCs, the old adage that Macs are more expensive than PCs just isn't true -- unless you're looking at sub-US$600 systems -- which is, admittedly, what Evans was doing, at least in part. And a a 2006 report by Daniel Day Eran of "Roughly Drafted" concluded that owning and using Windows is five times more expensive than the Mac OS.


There may be more recent studies on TCO, but I'm not aware of them. However, Macs have come down at least a little in price since those articles were written. The question is, when purchasing technology, do you want to pay now or pay later? Except for the initial purchase price, straight financial considerations aside, when it comes to Windows, you'll pay both now and later.

-- Dennis Sellers

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Combo Quest (Games)
Combo Quest 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Combo Quest is an epic, time tap role-playing adventure. In this unique masterpiece, you are a knight on a heroic quest to retrieve... | Read more »
Hero Emblems (Games)
Hero Emblems 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: ** 25% OFF for a limited time to celebrate the release ** ** Note for iPhone 6 user: If it doesn't run fullscreen on your device... | Read more »
Puzzle Blitz (Games)
Puzzle Blitz 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Puzzle Blitz is a frantic puzzle solving race against the clock! Solve as many puzzles as you can, before time runs out! You have... | Read more »
Sky Patrol (Games)
Sky Patrol 1.0.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0.1 (iTunes) Description: 'Strategic Twist On The Classic Shooter Genre' - Indie Game Mag... | Read more »
The Princess Bride - The Official Game...
The Princess Bride - The Official Game 1.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $3.99, Version: 1.1 (iTunes) Description: An epic game based on the beloved classic movie? Inconceivable! Play the world of The Princess Bride... | Read more »
Frozen Synapse (Games)
Frozen Synapse 1.0 Device: iOS iPhone Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Frozen Synapse is a multi-award-winning tactical game. (Full cross-play with desktop and tablet versions) 9/10 Edge 9/10 Eurogamer... | Read more »
Space Marshals (Games)
Space Marshals 1.0.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $4.99, Version: 1.0.1 (iTunes) Description: ### IMPORTANT ### Please note that iPhone 4 is not supported. Space Marshals is a Sci-fi Wild West adventure taking place... | Read more »
Battle Slimes (Games)
Battle Slimes 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: BATTLE SLIMES is a fun local multiplayer game. Control speedy & bouncy slime blobs as you compete with friends and family.... | Read more »
Spectrum - 3D Avenue (Games)
Spectrum - 3D Avenue 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: "Spectrum is a pretty cool take on twitchy/reaction-based gameplay with enough complexity and style to stand out from the... | Read more »
Drop Wizard (Games)
Drop Wizard 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Bring back the joy of arcade games! Drop Wizard is an action arcade game where you play as Teo, a wizard on a quest to save his... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

Apple’s M4 Mac minis on sale for record-low p...
B&H Photo has M4 and M4 Pro Mac minis in stock and on sale right now for up to $150 off Apple’s MSRP, each including free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses. Prices start at only $469: – M4... Read more
Deal Alert! Mac Studio with M4 Max CPU on sal...
B&H Photo has the standard-configuration Mac Studio model with Apple’s M4 Max CPU in stock today and on sale for $300 off MSRP, now $1699 (10-Core CPU and 32GB RAM/512GB SSD). B&H also... Read more

Jobs Board

All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.