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Wednesday, November 7, 2007 12:00 AM

Once and for all, proof that Macs are cheaper than PCs

Let's put to rest the myth that an Apple computer will set you back more than a Windows PC. In fact, it'll cost you less.

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  • Wednesday, November 7, 2007 08:51 AM

    Resale value only matters if you plan to resell

    Which I don't. I still have all three computers - and all PCs - I've ever owned. The first, which I bought when it was a year old, is now closer to eight years old and still in great working order and gets used when we need something set up long term (i.e. a huge scanning job). But that one didn't have ethernet capabilities, so we got my second computer from a family member who was upgrading. This computer was already at least 3-4 years old when I got it, and as bargain basement as you can get, but it served me well for a further two and a half years. That one ran into virus issues, but we were able to resurrect it, even with most files still intact. When I headed off to college, though, it was time to get a newer, faster computer. Which brings me to my current PC, a Toshiba. I picked this computer because it met my needs and was a quality system. Oh, and it has a functionality that is important to me, but you just can't get on a Mac - it's a tablet. And I intend to use it for at least 4-5 years before I move on.

    When you assume that everyone disposes of their PCs once they hit the 2-year mark, you're lying to yourself. I think the burden is still on you to show that Macs hold up better than PCs over longer periods. Which, quite frankly, I'm not entirely sure you can do. I work as a student in the IT department of a small college, and we're currently in the process of selling off our three and four year old machines for faculty and staff. This includes Dells being sold for $50-100 and Macs being sold for $100-150, prices which we get based on current eBay selling prices for similar machines. Sure, the Macs are going for more, but not by much - it might make up the difference in purchase price, but that's about it. At best, I'd say it's a wash.

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