Apple twice the price of PCs
/v3-uk/news/1984549/apple-twice-price-pcs
11 Aug 2008, Iain Thomson , V3
Research by analyst house NPD has shown that, on average, Apple users pay twice as much in the shops as PC users.
Retail data showed that in June the average cost of a Windows laptop was $700, compared to $1,515 for an Apple machine. The difference was even more stark with desktop models, with the average Windows machine going for $550, compared to $1,543 for an Apple.
"There are plenty of Windows PCs you can buy at high prices," Stephen Baker, NPD’s vice president of industry analysis told vnunet.com.
"But if you want to buy an Apple you don’t have any choice, you’ll have to pay more."
He said that in his opinion it was just a choice Apple had made and the company could argue that the value of the software and brand made up for the price differential.
The situation was comparable with the car market, he explained. BMW and Chevy make basically the same product – a car – but the difference in branding, how customers were treated and perceived value allows BMW to charge more.
This is not to say that Apple doesn’t make low cost products. He praised the company for its skilful roll out of a range of iPod media players to suit all markets without lowering brand value.
But he warned that, in his opinion, it was unlikely that Apple would be bringing out a low-cost computer line any time soon.
"I’ve wrestled with that one, but I don’t see today what the driver is to make them want to do that."
"Sales are still growing stronger than anyone else’s in the market so there’s little incentive. That’s the kind of strategy you adopt when you realise growth is slowing."
© Incisive Media Investments Limited 2010, Published by Incisive Financial Publishing Limited, Haymarket House, 28-29 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RX, are companies registered in England and Wales with company registration numbers 04252091 & 04252093
Do you agree?
Damn right!
I have 3 PC, and after the frigin nightmare I just went through with the Vista upgrade, I am now saving 11K for a Macpro. I should be able to get it in February. I hope Apple NEVER gives up to the "cheap" market attraction. How come with 5% of the market share, Apple users are enjoying the best hardware, OS and now cell phone!!!??? The PC industry is geared toward milking PC users, nobody cares about quality. I had it... and Steve Jobs for president!!!
Posted by Ihate Vista, 12 Aug 2008
let's do some bias
while pcs may offfer lower priced items, many of those are lower specs(some, MUCH lower) than the lowest apple is.
Posted by Ian St. Ian, 09 Aug 2008
reliability
I get annoyed reading reviews/surveys reporting that Apple computers are much better than PCs. It is a comparison of disparate lines. You could buy a PC, use it until it breaks, toss it & buy another, & still save money. Let Apple start making $425 desktops & $475 laptops & see where quality goes.
Posted by Mike J, 09 Aug 2008
Unfair Comparison
Thus article is pretty unfair, does it take into account the specs of the computers Apple offers? The average price of a laptop might be about 700, but what's the average price of identical Apple laptops in comparison?
And try and put together a system identical to a Mac Pro for less than they're charging, I've already tried it and it costs a lot more.
Posted by Geoff, 10 Aug 2008
Get your facts straight !!
You have no idea of what your talking about in this article. Your are comparing apple with oranges literally. The price you are quoting for the two types of computers is so far fetched. For example look at the hardware between the two machines. Your getting more for your dollar buying the apple. Usually twice the RAM, twice the hard drive space, better graphics, blue tooth added in a wireless card, firewire connection, mini DVI connection, usb 2, a better batter with longer life and to top it off a much faster processor. Apple give you software that you can actually use not a bunch of trial or LITE versions of software that expires in 30 days. Oh yeah Apple has for the last eight years running the best tech support hands down. If you do get their protection plan the fix your computer in house instead shipping it out to some out source company. The average Apple user keeps the computers and laptops two to three times longer than the average PC users. Where is there a PC manufacture that even gives or come close to what apple has to offer.
Posted by Sean W., 14 Aug 2008