Why Do Macs Cost More Than PCs?
One of the primary complaints about Macintosh computers is they are too expensive. When PC computers can be so affordable, why does one brand cost so much more than most of the others?
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Exclusivity
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The dramatic price drop that created the affordable PC was created by the wide availability of Microsoft operating systems. These were licensed to manufacturers that sold home computers. Mac has never done this.
More Exclusivity
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Microsoft chose to focus on creating PC software, not PCs. But Macintosh produces the operating system and the computers, keeping costs higher.
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Software
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Software, especially games, developed for an operating system pay a licensing fee to that company. The huge amount of software, particularly games, developed for Windows gives Microsoft a constant, reliable income stream that Mac does not have.
Marketing
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Anyone familiar with Mac ad campaigns will recognize the amount of money the company spends on marketing. It spends more money to make more sales and this gets passed on to the customer.
Image
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Macintosh as a company has worked very hard to establish a corporate brand and identity. The cost of maintaining this image and identity is also what maintains the higher cost of a Mac.
Not So Fast
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Macs do not have to cost more than PCs. They might cost more than low-end PCs, but Mac has recognized the need to be competitive and offers lower-priced models.
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References
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Comments
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veggiedude
Nov 19, 2009
You missed some important and valid points. Apple pays for all their advertising, but Dell, Compac, Sony and all the rest have their advertising subsidized by Intel. Apple could do the same by adding the Intel jingle and logo to the TV spots, but that is not the Apple way to do things. Also, look at all the stickers all over a laptop and PC desktop. These stickers subsidizes the cost of the PC, Apple could do the same, but again, it is not the Apple way.
