HP Store Online

PC or MAC where can i get a MAC from cheap not from the Apple store or online?

ok i want a cheap mac i cant afford to buy a 2,000$ macbook Pro and i think there way to fucking expensive why is that? why is it i can buy a HP way cheap but MAC's are a bitch when it comes to prices? WTF

Public Comments

1. Apple has always used better physical components. Their machines will last longer than the users. Higher quality components = higher price. Also, Apple's design engineers spend a lot more time making sure things not only work very well, but also look great, and are easy to use. You are paying for brand yes, but you are also paying for premium quality. Premium gas costs more, because it is a higher quality fuel. The same applies to computers.
2. It might be better to build you own. Tigerdirect.com has great prices. Plus it is hard to get everything you want because it might not be compatible with a mac.
3. Today's Macs use Intel -- the same as PC. The only think you get when you buy a Mac is OSX -- which is essentially a bad hack of FreeBSD (free, open source linux) Don't waste your money. Buy a real computer like Lenovo Thinkpad, HP, etc. Use the money you save to upgrade to a better computer when today's technology is obsolete in 2 years.
4. if you can use a desktop then build your own hackintosh for 500 to 800 bucks ( they state 800 but that was quite a while ago and the parts will be a lot cheaper now ) http://lifehacker.com/321913/build-a-hackintosh-mac-for-under-800
5. Fisrt macs dont last longer. They use the same parts as pcs now; intel ati nvidia western digital corsair asus. They are perfect off the assembly line to have every thing working because osx will only recognize nine types of setup. Vista will recognize millions of different hardware setups.
6. The reason is you are paying for the logo. Not worth it, don't pay more for lower specs. PC=Variety of specs, options, quality, prices, vendors, support Mac=One vendor, limited options, still more expensive. Look below for more information.. Today, Macs use a subset of PC hardware. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn't as secure as you think.. Don't believe the lies that Macs are better than PCs at graphics/animation.. Dreamworks Animation http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/ under studio click on Technology of Animation, an independent film maker I know uses PCs, a graphic artist I used to know uses PCs also. A number of PCs can also run OS X (Mac OS) http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=os+x+on+pc&btnG=Google+Search&aq=0&oq=os+x+on+ as well just that Apple makes it illegal in order to get Market share.. The reason why Mac can run native Windows is because it is using a subset of PC hardware, If you decide to buy a Mac for running Windows, you will still have to get the same virus/spyware protection, and run into the same issues as a regular PC. Now is a Mac worth buying for OS X? I say: NO... for the following reasons... ADVANTAGES WINDOWS : Aprox 90% of the market is Windows and most PCs have windows already pre-installed. 1) Some websites require Internet Explorer, to run IE on Mac you really get ies4osx which is the Windows version of IE running really buggy and illegal if you don't have a legitimate copy of Windows. 2) Supports more devices (printers and other things you hook into the computer). 3) More business software/games 4) Want the dock on OS X (Mac)? google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc. 5) Used by businesses. ADVANTAGES LINUX : 1) FREE (most versions are) 2) Install software by either 1) Synaptic Package Manager, 2) Add/Remove 3) Opening a .deb or .rpm file (depending on distribution) 2) Like the Mac OS X effects? go yahoo/google COMPIZ FUSION which can do any cool effect a Mac can do and many ore.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk1w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3gkX9HDfEE (there is no flickering when you use it like on the video, not sure why the person has the flicker) 3) Mac OS X Doc? google/yahoo Avant Window Navigator.Cairo Dock, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3rf5q_cairo-dock-mac-os-x-leopard-dock-on_tech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hzi22g2DE 4) It is FASTER/MORE SECURE to surf on the internet 5) Some Windows programs work with Wnehq/Crossover (also avail on Mac, but why pay $$$) Instructions how to download, burn and boot http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/ Dual Boot Instructions http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm SECURITY Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 less than 30 minutes, and within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008, and within 10 seconds in 2009. In 2008, Linux and Vista were not hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered. Vista was next, and then Linux. In 2009 Windows 7 fell shortly after the Mac but Linux was unscathed. Macs are standardized with Cameras, if your Mac gets hacked, the hacker can turn on your camera with more ease. Please Note: All OS's have vulnerabilities. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Mac-OS-X-hacked-under-30-minutes/0,130061744,139241748,00.htm http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/27/Gone-in-2-minutes-Mac-gets-hacked-first-in-contest_1.html http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/03/19/Researcher_cracks_Mac_in_10_seconds_1.html http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Finds-Irony-in-Mac-OS-X-Getting-Hacked-Before-Vista-SP1-82135.shtml VIRUSES Mac OS X has viruses (and significantly on the rise), a friend of mine has a virused Mac. As more users use Macs, more viruses will come out for it. Especially when users think "they are safe". http://infosecurity.us/?p=4005 http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2008/07/malware_authors_take_aim_at_growing_number_of_1.html http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/poll_have_you_noticed_an_increase_in_malware_viruses_etc_on_your_mac/ QUALITY/PROBLEMS Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. Apple also has been changing suppliers to try to "lower the price" and thus lowering quality. Even with the lower prices, Macs still cost more, they spend a higher percent of budget trying to make it look pretty, and marketing. Sample of problems: Overheating Macbooks, OS X- not responding to keyboard, some units with 16bit screens, etc. Apple statistics are misleading since Mac users with problem machines are more likely to go out and buy a new computer than PC users. Apple is lowering prices which means you can expect lower quality than in the past. Apple had switched the manufacturers producing parts. OS X also has problems slowing down. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10020263-17.html http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-quality-dwindling-my-macbook-pro-sob-story/ http://www.appledefects.com/ http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/os-x-operating-system/107748-mac-os-leopard-running-slow.html http://cybernetnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/reliable-laptops.jpg Repairs are more expensive than PCs since the IMac, Mac Mini are compact units, and Apple charges a premium for their services. Some repairs can be done by another repair service but the compact design of the computer causes problems. With an IMac, if the problem is with the monitor, the whole computer would have to be brought in. IMac and Mac mini lack expansion. PRICE A similar equipped PC is much cheaper to purchase than Mac. Lets use Dell (but you can compare with another PC Brand if you like) **(LAPTOP) Dell Inspiron Laptop Starting Price: $500 Ending Price: $500 15" Screen CPU: 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo [5% slower] Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD [Not as good/fine for general use[ Memory: 3GB DDR2 SDRAM [75% of ram) Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (same) http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dndozm4&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=laptop-inspiron-1545 Cybperpower Notebook Xplorer X5-2900 Starting Price: $755 Ending Price After upgrades (not including 5% rebate): $860 15" Screen CPU: (upgrade to) 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (+$100) [FASTER] Graphics: Nvidia GFORCE 9600-GT 512MB [MUCH FASTER/BETTER CARD] Memory: 4GB DDR2 SDRAM [MORE MEMORY] Hard Drive: (upgrade to) 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (+$5) [LARGER HARD DRIVE] http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Xplorer_X5-2900_Notebook/detail Macbook Starting laptop Price: $1000 Ending Price After Upgrades: $1200 13" Screen (SMALLER) CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SLOWER) Graphics: Nvidia GFORCE 9400 256MB Memory: (upgrade to) 4GB DDR2 SDRAM (SAME) Hard Drive (upgrade to) 320B Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SAME) http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC240LL/A?mco=NjcxMTQ3Ng **(DESKTOP) PLEASE NOTE: I compare Apple Mac's vs Dells best deal. If you really want an all-in one the Dell all-in-one has more ram, wireless keyboard and mouse and equivalent to $400 for free making the Imac still more expensive when you matching specs. Personally I don't think the All-in-Ones are a good choice, and consider them overpriced, lack expandability and repairs both more expensive and require the entire computer. PS: Apple knows that they need to make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a tower option. Apple's low end lacks expandability but it makes the Mac "look different", if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the similarities between the two. Dell: ($700) CPU: 2.33 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE SCREEN: 20inch Screen MEMORY: 4GB Ram HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 512MB http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dddwra4&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=desktop-inspiron-537s The Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup and is not the best deal... The IMac is better price than the Mac Mini. IMac ($1300) CPU: 2.4 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (SLOWER CPU) SCREEN: 20inch Screen MEMORY: (upgrade to) 4GB Ram (SAME) HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 320 GB hard Drive (LESS HARD DRIVE) OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer (1/2 speed) GRAPHICS: Nvidia Geforce 9400M (APPROX SAME BUT LESS MEMORY GAPHICS) http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB417LL/A?mco=NDE4Mzg3Ng Equivalents to ILife http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20070830_ilife_for_windows.html http://www.xsellize.com/showthread.php?t=20518 FREE Windows Stuff http://www.comodo.com/products/free_products.html http://www.iobit.com/ http://www.ccleaner.com/ ANTI-VIRUS Avira Antivir (FREE) for 2009 personal edition is free (there is a paid version) the free version was rated the best by onsumer reports 2009 and here http://www.freewaregenius.com/2009/04/07/the-best-free-antivirus-a-comparison/ http://www.free-av.com/ Avast (Free- Click under Free Software and download Avast Home Edition) http://www.avast.com/ ANTI-MALWARE Windows Defender (FREE) http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx Malware Bytes (FREE) Limitation - No Realtime protection on free version. http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol Super Anti-Spyware (FREE) http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10523889.html?tag=mncol LINUX INFO: http://distrowatch.com/ http://polishlinux.org/ http://www.desktoplinux.com/ http://polishlinux.org/ http://www.ubuntu.com/
7. get cheap and discounted macs at macmall.com they are by far the store that sells that cheapest..