Brand Loyalty is for Chumps

Comment, 2008-07-10: I have caught a lot of flak for this article because the numbers have changed since posting, but the numbers that I have posted were actually on the site (I took the screenshots myself). If I were to have bought the hardware at the time of posting this article, these are the prices I would have paid. I am not going to revise this article with updated costs because it doesn't change the fact that apple has and what will gouge again; Apple loves price gouging on their hardware, and always has. What I will do, though, is post the most recent quote from their site at the bottom of this page with a link so that all you fanboys can check it out.

Also, as a note (to clarify my intent), the laptop I chose to compare the apple to is the closest analogue to its hardware specs, and not just the cheapest PC that I could find. I would bet that many of the components similar among the two computers are made on the same assembly line.

So here's the original article:

As far as computer upgrades go, RAM is the easiest to upgrade: open plastic door, slide in RAM until it clicks, close plastic door. No drivers, no trouble; likely a 2 minute job on a notebook. If I charged $20 to install RAM, I would feel guilty and have to take a shower followed by confession -- and I never go to confession.



This whole issue made me wonder about the pricing of apple's computers.

I checked out apple's site and the notebooks that they offered. I picked a realistic model for comparison: their vanilla 17" macbook model. I tried to find a comparable computer that was as close to the 17" macbook listed on their site. I was pretty angry and didn't really want to waste too much time looking for an exact match, so I chose one of MSI's models that is available at OTV (see http://www.otvtech.com/ -- I highly recommend them if you live in Saskatoon).

Here's what I found, compiled sloppily and hastily in a table (probably left out a few of the "BFD" features):

Click and compare:

Sure, the macbook has a couple of extra "BFD" features, but seeing how similar the hardware is, it's hard to justify a $1100 price increase -- a 65% increase in cost for mediocre gains. With this much money, one could buy a better computer, another computer, or a TV that could be used along with the computer.

This price difference is the core of what bothers me about apple. Apple is great at hyping-up their products; promising excellence but delivering mediocrity. This is what I have noticed about apple -- there is nothing special that they are offering, yet they still overcharge while keeping a loyal (and very vocal) customer/fan base. As far as usability goes, there's nothing notable that apple does and PC doesn't, yet apple says so and charges more because of it; apple brainwashes everyone into thinking that they are superior, when they are merely equal.


I know exactly where this money goes to: right into their pockets. Don't try to tell me "but apple uses superior components, that's why they charge more," because it's not true. In previous generations apple could afford to make such grandiose claims without grounds for question. This was mostly because they used non-x86 based chips and SCSI drives. Recently, though, they've made the switch to PC hardware. By making the switch to an x86 ("PC") based architecture, they can now take advantage of a mass produced and highly cost-competitive sector of the computer hardware market. Even though they are cutting costs, I am sure they're selling as an "advantage" because now you can run virtualized PCs on your Mac!!1~ OMG!!


The reason why apple has any advantage over Microsoft in the areas of "stability" and "reliability" is that they only ship a limited number of hardware configurations. This means instead of an "infinite" amount of hardware to test and accommodate, they only have a small number of permutations to manage; this translates into less work in coding and testing their OS, less variation in configuring the OS, and specialized optimization of code for quicker performance on their "canned" machines. If Microsoft sold standardized-hardware computers along with their OS, you could be sure it would be a lot more stable; however, I do not endorse this idea because it would effectively kill the "consumer's market" that exists for PCs today.

I don't believe how "superior" apple's computers are just because they say so in a commercial. I'm not interested or swayed by nice cardboard boxes or useful features like a glowing apple. The "warm and fuzzy" feeling doesn't help me sleep at night when I try to justify a 65% markup on a $1700 computer. This being said, apple is good at metaphorically fellating their customers to ensure every overspent dollar goes to inflate their enthusiasm. I am not "anti-apple," but more brand-disloyal; I am not willing to say sh*t doesn't stink by being loyal to a company that gouges their customers. I cannot justify wasting money on a whim where someone claims their product is better with little or no proof. I have my issues with PCs too, but at least they're not price-gouging the pi$$ out of me. Do yourself a favour and save the $1100; buy a new computer in a year instead of apple's warranty returning you somone's refurbished hardware.

Finally, to quell a point before it gets raised: security through "minority" is not a permanent solution -- especially when the growing operator base openly admits to being security-naïve and wholeheartedly believes the almighty mac is impenetrable.

Now, this is the point where I urge you to leave comments to try to "show me the light." Give me your reason why you justify paying the extra $1100 for a mac. Test your mettle and see if you can stump/convert me.



Addition from 2008-07-10:


Note the price; also note how well apple's website "just works" when you have a background that is not defaulted to "eye-bleeding white"

Note in the following image how well a random internet store displays its line items; also note the price for the following item. A further note in the following item should be beheld in the area highlighted with the red box -- you can be sure that someone's kid has been sold to apple to be able to make this claim. Note once more the price and think how many strippers and how much blow is available to a person with exactly $230.01.

P.S. it is quite obviously a lot.