Odessa

Frequently the comments are more entertaining than the article. Like the comments on an article about the modest prices of computers. The article emphasizes pre-built computers with Microsoft operating system (i.e. Windows 7), but it does mention Apple products, which are at the higher end of the price ranges.

thatsme - What a stupid article! Macs are superior in every respect, including reliability and longevity. They are now the most popular laptop among college students.

Let's ponder this. Macs are popular with a demographic that typically buy what their college dictates (or provides as part of mandatory fees) or whatever the herd is buying. Their professors or friends drank the Apple cool-aid and handed them a cup and they gulped. Sure, that is always a reliable indication of "superiority".

platamoose - "Paying for mac software?" Are you crazy? How about the Mac can run both windows and Mac software? How about Macs are less prone to freezes, crashes and other annoying habits of windows-based computers? How about Macs are not obsolete in 4 years like cheap windows computers are? My MacBook Pro bought 4 years ago still edits video, audio, and does all my graphic design as well as can produce all academic presentations 5 need as a teacher. Those staff members who bought Dells are looking for new computers this year..,.

How about paying twice as much on a machine that is not upgradeable? There is nothing cheap about a Mac. For the price of a Mac it damn well better be good for four or more years. The reason some "windows-based computers" have issues is someone tries to save a few bucks at the expense of performance. How about my 4-year old Microsoft OS computer was humming along very nicely until it had a hardware problem? (I guess Macs never have a mobo burn since they've all been blessed by the Jobs, god of all things "cool".) I am now going to replace the broken part (under warranty), make modest upgrades and it will be singing again for probably 4 more years for far less than $300 - try doing that with a Mac. People can get parts for their Macs, but they are expensive like the everything else Apple/Mac. How about not all microsoft based systems are not "Dell"? Likening all "windows-based computers" to Dell is like says all cars are like a Yugo.

One might think I hate Apple/Mac. Not at all. If you got buckets of cash and can actually discern a performance difference, enjoy. I work for my money so I look for bang for the buck and Apple products don't show me that much more bang than alternatives. Also, Apples/Macs are good for people who can't fathom computer intricacies, so you pay more for the box than classes. Your choice. What does get me is the mindless, glassy-eyed, drooling attitude that anything coming from Apple is perfection in an electronic case. Nothing deserves that kind of cultist devotion.