07-13-2007, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by bobtomay

No, this has nothing to do with the financial side of it.

Virtually no one that builds their own system builds a low end system. This has to do with being able to go out and buy the top of the line individual parts and having OS X drivers available for them. And in an OS X EULA that allows you to install it onto your own home built system with whatever parts you want.

You have a good point there. I hate building low-end machines - it feels like such a waste of opportunity, lol. If Apple is planning on killing off the Mini, I hope they bring out a something like a mid-size tower or Cube 2 with a bit more expandability. They are trying to appeal to the gamer market now, but very few gamers I know are willing to buy an iMac with a built-in screen or a $2,000 laptop just to get their gaming fix. But based on Apple's previous track record, that won't happen because they don't like opening their systems up for users to be able to easily upgrade the parts. Although the 13" MacBook has an incredible easy upgrade path in regard to the hard drive and ram...

07-13-2007, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Village Idiot

This isn't exactly fair.

It's more like a $30k c230 vs a $20k WRX. The WRX has a few better mechanical features and a thick engine that has about the same in terms of power if not a little more. The c230 has a smooth ride and plush interior. The WRX has tons of aftermarket support that will give it 3x's as much power and performance if the owner chooses to do the same, but doesn't have the reputation of reliability or comfort. The c230's aftermarket is pretty anemic in comparison with the WRX.

So getting Mercedes to get something to compete with the WRX for the price would be what you're asking. But then you're losing quality parts and the reuptation for being more expensive, but more reliable.

Then again, not everything expensive has a good track record with reliability. BMW?

That's a better comparison to cars.

That's one of the best comparisons I've seen on Macs vs. PCs. Nice job!

07-13-2007, 02:02 PM

I doubt the masses will ever switch, but that's a good thing IMO.

07-13-2007, 03:10 PM

Village Idiots car analogy is a very good one.

As soon as you cater for the masses, you build cheap computers out of bargain-bin parts, like the kind of stuff PC World sells for £300. Macs are more than worth the money for their build quality alone (faulty ones notwithstanding). Let the masses carry on as they are.