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I have no dog in this hunt. In fact, I don't particularly like some of M-soft's practices, nor do I rave about their products. I'm just a pragmatist when it comes to computers. I have considered switching to Apple over the years, but never very seriously, mainly because of cost. We have a coupla Win XP machines which never ever crash, never give us BSOD's or any such problems. We use free anti-spyware and anti-virus, so we spend no money and no extra time with that issue. However, as I said, I am always open to "the switch" the next time I upgrade a machine, particularly given the problems with Vista. However, I may buy a new machine with XP -- more about that below.

Having said all that, the author lost all credibility with me with his statement:
A Mac costs about the same as a comparable Windows PC

That, is a lie. In fact just last week, I'm not a gamer, but I priced out a the most loaded out gamer-type equipped Inspiron machine available at Dell.com. It has a Quad core processor, the fastest they offer, 4 gig of 800 mHz Ram, and every option offered. With the current $300 rebate (they are always running various of these rebates), the machine, an upgraded multimedia keyboard and upgraded optical mouse came to about $900 with free shipping. I just bought a gorgeous new Sammy 24" monitor for $400. So I could be in a maxed out machine with 24" monitor (still available with XP, I might add), for about $1300. There is no comparable maxed out Apple desktop for anywhere near that price. You have to spend twice that or close to it for a comparable Apple desktop. The author is either stoopid or a liar.

And what is this, a typo, or?
And given my severe disappointment with just about everything in Mac Office 2008, I’m even further driven away from Microsoft’s desktop software.

He's severely disappointed with Mac Office 08, and that drives him away from M-soft? Sorry, but I don't get what he's saying here.

And one more thing -- I hate that all the Apple machines seem to be white, with the exception of one Apple laptop I saw available in black (but with about a $300 premium for the black over the white). I don't care for white computers. They would show dirt and smudges, and to me, it's a cheap look compared to black. I would never buy one -- just a personal preference. Why aren't they available in black?

If Apple would bring all their prices down, and offer desktops in black, and laptops without a premium over white in black, I would probably make the switch. Otherwise, no thanx.

/End rant. Flame away, apple fanboys. The price thing is factual.

Having said all that, the author lost all credibility with me with his statement:
A Mac costs about the same as a comparable Windows PC
________________________

The usual cultist chant is that Apple only competes in the high end. Very cute but.....

I have posted I bought a perfectly good Compaq Intel dual core laptop computer for $349 last Christmas. It does what I need it to do. It is quite modular with easy to replace DVD writer, removable hard drive and upgradeable memory.

15.4" wide screen. My guess is I would have to pay at least $1000 to get an Apple laptop with 15.4"screen

In fact---->>> http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore has laptops starting at $1099 with a pathetic 13" screen. Lame boring laughable

(I assemble/build my own Windows desktop computers)

And what is this, a typo, or?
And given my severe disappointment with just about everything in Mac Office 2008, I’m even further driven away from Microsoft’s desktop software.
He's severely disappointed with Mac Office 08, and that drives him away from M-soft? Sorry, but I don't get what he's saying here.

M-Soft... as you put it... is the creator and publisher of Mac Office 2008... that's what he's saying here.

Having said all that, the author lost all credibility with me with his statement:
A Mac costs about the same as a comparable Windows PC
That, is a lie...

No, webschooner, it isn't a lie. It's the truth and it has been tested many times in the past three or so years. You build a name brand PC to match the components (not just something "similar") of a Mac and the Mac will be either about the same or less expensive than the PC. I've done it, pundits have done it. Even Windows pundits have done it and admitted it. Apple simply does not compete in the bargain basement... they don't sell a cut-rate Mac.

Consider the all-in-one iMac with a 20" 1680 x 1050 screen and Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz processor for $1199.

The Gateway ONE, with a 19" 1440 x 900 screen and a Core 2 Duo 1.5GHz processor is $1299. Only on the $1799 top model Gateway will they sell you a 2.0Ghz C2D with the same rez 19" screen as their entry machine... for that money, Apple sells you a 2.4GHz C2D with a 24" with a 1920 x 1200 pixel screen.
The Dell XPS ONE offering is more comparable... but it also is more expensive than the entry iMac by $100... but they're both in the same ball park. However, with the Apple you get a whole suite of integrated software.
Sony's all-in-one VIAO LT series start at $1899 with a 22" screen and a far slower 1.5GHz processor...

Ergo, the Apple iMac is either less expensive or at worst competitive with the PC offerings with comparable models.

I won't even get into comparing the high end Mac Pros with the PC offerings... differences there have run up to $1300 MORE expensive than comparable MacPro for matching Dell and HP offerings. One major PC website, Arstechnica, reported last spring they could not even buy the parts to build a PC to match a Mac Pro's specs for what Apple was retailing it for... using discount websites, they had already surpassed the retail price of a complete MacPro before they had purchased a power supply, case and operating system.

The price thing is factual.

The 'price thing' is antecdotal.

I bought a black macbook, 2+ghz core 2, 2 gig ram, 140+ gig hd. Add all the goodies like software (the iLife sweet(sic)), and Dell can't touch it.

When you go low-end PC system and dont care that it can't expand like a Mac Pro - you are right, apple has nothing at that price point. Trying to price out the system you described, I found mac at more like 3x than 2x the price. The Pro didn't even have a processor as slow as the 'fastest they offer' Dell Inspiron...