Comments on: Time for an audit of Microsoft's 'Apple Tax'

The software maker returns to one of its favorite anti-Apple attacks, this time with an April 15 theme. However, CNET News' Ina Fried says if she were the IRS, she'd audit this return.

[K1821voc]

Since they both use Intel parts, it is more like comparing a normal ford dealer and the other ford dealer across town in the rich part of town. Anymore the only real difference is osx and the only reason that is a difference is because Apple insists you have to use their computers to run it.

[Erictheruler1]

They forgot to add in the gas money to fry's to repair and upgrade hardware after a vista load. In the middle of 2008 that had to be atleast 200 bucks. The Apple Tax is BS when you don't add in cost of frustrations for windows systems.

[stm24]

Frustrations? Please tell us your frustrations with vista or any other windows os(besides ME).

[Perry_Clease]

Well there are tax brackets and there are tax brackets. The PC tax bracket is the one that includes the guys at the intersections holding a cardboard sign:

"Veteran Windows User
Hungry for Class
Any Mac would help
God Bless"

[stm24]

You got it backwards, you spending all your money on that Mac got you out there!

[jmb1099]

These things always deteriorate.
Here is the simple truth... I don't mind paying a bit more for the Apple experience. It isn't nearly as much as Microsoft wants people to believe it is, but they need to compete so kudos to them for the attempt. I won't lie and say my Mac is maintenance free, but compared to my wife's pc or any of my friends configurations, it's a no contest. That being said, I have seen some HP configurations that intrigue me... especially when offered at the crazy Woot prices...
Bottom line I am happy with my Mac, there isn't anything I can't do with it...including Windows.

[pdditty]

Why would they include a Mac Pro but not include Final Cut/Adobe software? Clearly Microsoft has inflated the numbers by a lot. Thank you for this audit.

[plee9]

screw macs. iphone and ipod are the products they should focus on. i am getting sick of their gigantic apple logos.

[Oso_Grande]

My wife and I own Macs and PCs in our home--their software is particularly well done and easy to use, but I have reservations about the quality of their notebooks. We both have had to send our Macbooks in for repair more than once and had mixed results. I do think they are priced at a premium (anywhere from slight to heavy) above PC equivalents, but then again I think you do truly get what you pay for (at least most of the time).

Maybe if their reliability was up there with Sony or Fujitsu, the reliability would merit the higher cost

[dragonsky1]

Sony's reliability isn't bad, but as someone who sells and services them, I must say we've always had better track records with our Macs. The failure rates are fairly comparable, but the Mac's are often easier and quicker repairs. The Sony's quite often can't be fixed and require replacement.

But they're both incredible compared to Dell's laptops. Even their mid and higher level machines are garbage. When we first started selling them we couldn't even keep them on display, because they keep failing. And don't even get me started on their technical support. We have had so many customers try to return computers because of that factor alone.

[SFgadgetlover]

I recently purchased a new MacBook. Yes, I spent $1400. But is it not the most amazing piece of machinery? Absolutely! I couldn't be happier.

I also just got a new HP touchsmart all in one computer at work. How long before I got the Blue screen of death? 2 days.

MacBooks work. PC's crash.

MacBooks have everything you need and nothing you don't. PC's are so bloated with crap I'll never use that it makes me crazy.

If you are in IT and know your way around computers then yes a PC may be the way to go.

BUT if you just want an awesome day in day experience with a computer The APPLE TAX IS THE WAY TO GO!

[dinjin201]

"macbooks Work. PC's Crash" HAHAHHAHA you made my day =)

i couldnt agree more!!!!

[thomasbrenneke]

Perhaps Microsoft should spend more time inventing usable, practical and well liked concepts and technologies rather than marketing nonsense of this magnitude.

I think what we have here is some royal envy.

iPhone
iPod
iTunes

Three things which have revolutionized the way we interact and view media. What has Microsoft done of similar size and scope?

I'm happy to pay more for a Mac system so that I can use OSX.

[topgunb2]

practical usable tech, here it is

windows, office, exchange, sqlserver , dot net, xbox the list goes on, covers enterprise, home and media as well. lets see if you can compare apple (except windows) one by one to above list .

[dinjin201]

Okay... windows is countered by OSX... iWork is TONS better than Office =) -- im not familiar with sql server but i think Mac as Xserve. the dot net goes to dot mac. and the xbox has a red ring of death... =)

Apple wins!!! ROFL!

[Pishkado]

This is the sort of thing that gives industry analysts a bad name and damages the reputations of the field overall. Unfortunately, solo practitioners in hard times sometimes have to sell out to pay the bills; that may have happened here. Analysts who sell out so blatantly are soon discredited by their peers and their other clients. I hope Microsoft pays Kay enough to retire on, because follow-on work with anyone else may be hard for him to find.

[stm24]

wth?

[B-Ri]

This is the problem for Microsoft. If they ignore apple people say Apple is kicking their butts because of some admittedly entertaining ads but whenever they even hint at taking a shot back at Apple people come out of the woodwork to point out how they are not 100% genuine in their MARKETING. So an ad by apple can stretch the truth but MS has to stick only with facts? Nice.

[tzx4]

test

[mike.gw]

This tax sheet should be redone, noting the differences you pointed out that seem to purposely favor the PC by saddling the Mac with unnecessary items. Next, we need to be sure that we're comparing Apples to Apples. Are the Dell's functionally equal to the Mac counterparts? Do the Macs come with features that are costly add-ons for the PC, and if so, why were they not added to the PC column?

[dragonbite]

Interesting.

[jlopezcnet]

What about the PC Tax for the cost of downtime, cost of going to geeksquad, and the cost of getting support?

[stm24]

PC downtime? Yea ok! The geeksquad? So you think they don't work on those Mac's you buy at Best Buy?

[dinjin201]

They sure dont!!! we go to Applecare for that =D

[rhino55]

This is the dumbest thing I have ever seen. First of all, where is the mention of OS X? Wait...how much is it to buy Vista Ultimate? How well does it work? Oh wait...now I have to upgrade to windows 7? Wait which version should I pay for? And Ina is right on, I had to buy a copy of Office for my last PC. What a load.

As a switcher from PC to mac, this "audit" is garbage. Ina you hit the nail on the head. Maybe someone needs to call Microsoft and help them understand that the PRO stands for professional. Macbooks and iMacs are very competitively priced. Dont believe me, try and build a comparable dell to the macbook. But dont forget to add in all the software you will need that comes standard on the mac. You will end up with a brick that comes about the same price. PS my last Dell was a leading force in making me switch.

[stm24]

You don't have to buy Vista Ultimate unless you doing some IT stuff cuz that's what some of the extra stuff in it is for. How well does it work? Works great, if you never uesd it don't down talk it. You have to buy a copy of Office for Mac's too so where you going with that? Think about this, "It might have been the User and Not your last Dell!

[KillersDad]

I would argue for an Apple Premium - I happily pay the Apple Premium to get all the computer in one box - no need to upgrade anything. I also argue for the interoperability of Apple products - I personally own and use a 15" PowerBook G4, a 15" MacBook Pro, Apple Cinema Display, 24" iMac, 3G iPod Nano, 2.5G iPhone, an Apple TV, and an Airport Extreme N.

I turn them on and they work. I've never had to develop computer-tech syndrome to diagnose a problem, the dang things just WORK!

And I didn't even mention VIRUSES, TROJAN HORSES and all the crap that comes with WINDERS.

[lillylouise]

While some of this may be true, one of the great things about Mac is simply how long it takes for me to replace it. I've used laptops since 2001, and didn't switch to a Mac until 2006. I've had the same mac since then, nearly 3 years now. I don't think I ever had a PC under $1000 last me more than a year. Even at it's best, I've never had one last more than 2. I realize I'm rather taxing on my machines, but my older MBP still beats the PCs most of my friends use. I certainly spent more up front, but it's lasting much longer. It seems my parents manage to kill a computer every six months- and it can cost more for geek squad to fix it than the desktop was ever worth.

[tm_anon]

Most of what I've read about the "Apple Tax" can be applied to higher end OEMs on the PC side as well.

Thanks for being one of the more well balanced writers at CNet.

[J.G.]

Roger Kay is going the way of Rob Enderle, from mere mercenary for Microsoft to *****. Yes, I know Redmond paid him well to be used. But, apparently, he doesn't realize any remaining credibility he had was part of the consideration.