Why Are Macintosh Laptops So Expensive?: Everyone has their own experiences with brands, and this is a recount of my own with Apple. If there is one thing that can be said about Apple products, it is that they are expensive! But maybe there is a reason why they are so expensive: maybe it is because they are very reliable.
Why are MacBooks so expensive is a question that has puzzled the Internet for millennia. Yes, even before the Internet existed. It is a question that inspired numerous forum wars and forced geeks to expand their vocabulary so they can get their point across.
Inspiring your journey, one story at a time. #LifeFalcon.
After all, one does not utter the words Apple or Windows out of fear of being publicly ridiculed by the other side, which, by the way, is not even the dark side nor it has cookies.
However, all jokes aside, now that we’ve let sarcasm out of our system and, hopefully, made you keep an open mind, for any tech-lovers out there who enjoy looking at technology objectively without favoring one or the other, why are MacBooks so expensive is a legit question. Therefore, let’s dive right in and try to answer it, shall we?
But make sure you check out our post on – Why Alienware are so expensive?.
Table of Content
Why MacBooks Are So Expensive?
The MacBook is a brand of Macintosh laptop computers by Apple Inc. that merged the PowerBook and iBook lines during Apple’s transition to Intel processors. The current line-up consists of the MacBook Air (2008–present) and the MacBook Pro (2006–present). A different MacBook line existed from 2006 to 2012 and 2015 to 2019.
Pros
- No low-end hardware.
- Better build quality than other laptops.
- Longevity.
- More Secure than Windows.
- Better and easy Operating system.
- Much simpler and efficient user interface.
- Highest customer satisfaction rates in the industry.
- Macs are sleek and visually appealing.
Cons
- Speaking of cost, Macs are more expensive than PCs.
- The processor cannot be upgraded.
- Integrated graphics “borrow” system RAM and are substantially slower than dedicated graphics.
High-End Hardware
If you compare portfolios of multiple companies that build and sell hardware for Windows computers and laptops with products available at Apple, you will immediately notice one major difference, the initial price of MacBooks is much higher than the price of computers running on Windows.
Does that mean that Apple’s laptops are straight-up better and therefore more expensive? Well, no, not really.
For example, companies like HP, Asus, and Lenovo target a much broader audience and offer products that are much more affordable to users. However, if you exclude cheaper products and compare Apple’s MacBook to, let’s say, high-end gaming laptops by Razer and Alienware, you will notice that they are equal in price. In fact, MacBooks can even be cheaper than laptops by Razer and Alienware.
The same can be said for computers. While you can build a computer for $200, in terms of specs and performance it won’t come even close to some of the high-end machines that can cost thousands of dollars, so it is safe to say that the only relevant factor we need to pay attention to is are we getting enough value for our money.
Amazing Build Quality
There are a lot of nice ways to customize and personalize any device, but Apple’s stock build design of the MacBook sets the standard for the look and feel of a premium laptop. Although the design has changed slightly over recent years, they’ve still managed to stay ahead of the pack as far as stock design.
Good Software & Ease-of-Use
Apple prides itself on providing user-friendly, straight-forward products. Recent Surveys have shown that Apple’s growth in the business sector can be attributed mainly to its user-friendly interface design. User’s and IT admins alike are welcoming the change stating that Apple products are “just as easy or easier” to use than PC’s. And the fact that Apple has world-class support for all of its products, troubleshooting is almost always a breeze.
Today, most software you can buy for a computer is available in Mac-compatible and PC-compatible versions. So if you’re planning to buy a computer, software availability isn’t really a factor. What is a factor, however, is the software that comes standard on most Macs. Even base model Macs come loaded with great, high-quality programs — iTunes, iMovie, iLife, Safari, iCalendar, Garage Band — whereas a base model PC can either be pretty bare or overloaded with a bunch of programs you don’t need or want [source: Finnie].
But you can’t buy a Mac that’s bare minimum like you can for a PC, because what comes standard on a Mac is essentially non-negotiable. In other words, you can’t pick and choose the software your Mac comes with. There’s no lowering the price by saying, for instance, “I don’t want Garage Band.” And with premium software by default, it’s easy to see why the base model Mac sports a higher price tag than a basic PC.
Longevity
MacBooks are known to hold value longer than PC’s but why? The quality of the hardware and software in a MacBook has been engineered users can update their OS and experience the latest software offerings. Apple’s constant updates to MacOS keeps the user-interface fresh. Some users keep using their MacBook for up to 10 Years.
Another difference between the two computers’ hardware is PCs are designed to be upgraded. If you buy a base model PC today, you can add more memory, a better graphics card and a whole host of hardware options at a later date. Macs, on the other hand, aren’t meant to be modified, although you can add RAM when necessary. For most people, the need to expand and modify their computer isn’t a concern, but for serious gamers and techies, not being able to tweak their computer can be a big drawback.
There are some advantages to Apple’s limited product line. The fact that there is only one maker of Macs and that they’re designed so they can’t be modified in any major way ensures a high-quality, efficient operating system. As a result, the Mac operating system is typically more stable than Windows; it runs faster and crashes less often Computer repairs are typically easier, as well, since Apple has to work on just a handful of models
More Secure
A core topic of the Mac vs Windows debate is security. Most Windows-based machines are used for working with financial and other sensitive business-related data. Mac machines focus on personal use and creating content. Because of the different focuses, hackers concentrate on hacking Windows machines more than Macs. But this is starting to change as malware attackers are beginning to recycle old tricks and develop more advanced ways to target Mac users. We will have to see how Apple counter-acts the new challenges in security it may face.
iPhone Integration
Apple’s iPhone has definitely set the standard mobile devices go. With many iPhone features available on the MacBook and iPad, the amount of iPhone owners using Windows is dropping. And because of the steady growth in sales, MacOS developers have made Continuity a main focus because they work so well together.
How do we compare Macs with Windows Laptops then?
Well, it is rather simple — we look at the specs! However, if you don’t want to look at the numbers but would like to test the products firsthand before making a purchase, you can even rent a MacBook or a Windows PC and compare them yourself and see what’s inside.
Speaking of parts — this might shock a lot of ardent Apple fans out there — did you know that a lot of hardware that goes into building a MacBook is almost identical to the one that goes into modern-day Windows laptops and computers?
Macs use Intel’s processors and Radeon’s graphics cards. However, if you compare them part by part, you will pay significantly less by purchasing the parts yourself and assembling a Windows PC. Does that mean you should rush and buy yourself a Windows PC? No, not yet because MacBooks have a lot going for them.
How Much for the Logo?
As is the case with many products out there, you are partially paying for the brand. Look at Nike, Coca-Cola, or Versace, for example. It’s no secret that most of the time, you are paying for the brand while the well-known quality and prestige come with the product. Therefore, Apple shouldn’t be treated any differently for charging a bit extra for their brand. After all, even companies producing parts for Windows computers and laptops do that.
Also, if you think about it, while Apple indeed does have to adjust the prices of their products in comparison with Android phones and Windows computers and laptops in order to stay competitive, technically, they have no competition as their products are somewhat unique.
Additionally, a lot of Apple’s products are built to last. In other words, since their market isn’t as saturated as the one comprised of Windows PC parts, apart from being built to last, their products remain relevant much longer.
Are they really more expensive than PCs?
As it turns out, there isn’t much of a price difference between comparable Macs and PCs.
If you built a PC to match what a baseline Mac offers with similar hardware, equivalent software, and all of the bells and whistles that come standard on a Mac you’d actually be looking at two similarly priced computers.
One company, ‘Tom’s Hardware’ wanted to see if there was really a price difference. It built a PC to match the specs of a base model Mac Pro and found the price difference to be less than $6.
So if Macs aren’t more expensive than their PC counterparts, why can’t you go out today and buy a Mac for a few hundred dollars? A lot of the price difference comes down to options and perceptions.
A big difference between Apple and most PC makers is that Apple carries a relatively limited product line. At any given point, Apple offers only around five computer models. If you walked into a store that sells PCs, on the other hand, you’d have a much wider selection. And Apple’s cheapest computer is still several hundred dollars more than the least expensive PC you can find.
For example, if you are in the market for a new laptop, the lowest-priced Mac starts at around $1,000, but you can get a small, base-model PC laptop for less than $500 or a desktop for around $300.
But the two computers aren’t the same:
The $1,000 Apple is a higher quality computer with more bells and whistles than the least-expensive PC on the market.
In other words, Mac doesn’t really offer an economy-priced option.
With its smaller selection of computers, Apple also offers very few mid-range models, so the price jump between models can seem substantial. With PCs, however, you can customize your computer with as many or as few options as you want, which allows you to adjust the features to meet your price point. Plus, there are simply more PC manufacturers and only one Apple, meaning the PC market is more competitive, which leads to both cost savings and a wider selection for the consumer.
Is it True Macs Get Fewer Viruses?
You’ve probably heard Apple fans tout that Macs never have problems with viruses like PCs do.
And for the most part, that’s true:
There are about 100 malware programs for Macs, and about 20 million for PCs.
But why?
The fact is, virus developers, want to infect as many computers as possible, and there are simply fewer Macs in the world.
So for now it makes more sense for developers to create PC viruses. In addition, Macs have a strong security design that makes them more virus-resistant
Commonly Asked Questions…
- How do I get support for my MacBook Air?
Go to MacBook Air Support.
- How do I take a screenshot on my Mac?
Press Command-Shift-3 to take a screenshot of the entire screen. Press Command-Shift-4 to take a screenshot of a selected area of the screen. To learn more, see Take a screenshot on your Mac.
- Where is my serial number?
Choose Apple menu > About This Mac. The serial number is the last item in the list. You can also find the serial number on the bottom of your MacBook Air.
Ask Siri. Say something like: “What’s my computer’s serial number?”
- What’s so new about the MacBook line?
It’s a small, but a big update. Apple has updated its entire line of mobile desktop computers with three major internal changes.
- Kaby Lake graphics
- Up to 50% faster on SSD.
- Faster standard graphics on MacBook Pro 15-inch.
Conclusion
Does the above make Windows laptops inferior? No. Okay honestly, somehow. However, some people just prefer Windows. But MacBooks are exceptional machines that many people appreciate. They’re very dependable, they have awesome looks, and have great overall performance. That’s why makes MacBooks more expensive than Windows laptops.
