Apple: A PC is No Bargain!

Apple this week contested Microsoft’s recent (and pretty valid) statements that PCs are cheaper.

Over the last few weeks Microsoft has been making headlines all over the net regarding the company’s latest advertising endeavors in its Laptop Hunters series. Microsoft’s main point: PCs are cheaper than Macs. This week, Apple says otherwise.

While perusing the web we came across your typical Mac vs PC story on BusinessWeek. Something about what you’re not getting for your $699 when you buy a PC. Basically, sure $699 for a HP is better than $2,800 for a Mac but what about the money you’ll spend on all the extras for your HP? Setting aside hardware differences between the two (like screen quality and battery life) PC users will spend extra on software like decent virus protection and iLife, which endeavors to take care of all your photo and video-editing needs. Then you’ve got the fact that a GeekSqaud diagnosis is $129 versus the free Genius Bar diagnosis at Apple stores. Arik Hesseldahl’s point is, replicating what you get with a Mac will cost you in the end. Buried in the conclusion of this article is a quote from Apple.

Up until now the Cupertino-based company had been fairly quiet with regards to the MS ads. Apple threw the first snowball with the Mac vs PC ads featuring Justin Long and John Hodgman. Now that Microsoft had taken the bait and retaliated with its own “I’m a PC” themed campaign, the company was off doing other, more important things than playing I-am-rubber-you-are-glue with rivals. Apple broke its silence this week and what its spokesperson chose to say was really stupid and only served to reinforce the common belief that Macs are all about aesthetics. Way to go Apple.

"A PC is no bargain when it doesn't do what you want," Apple spokesman Bill Evans told Arik Hesseldahl. Then, ruining this collected, matter of fact comment, he goes on to add just a smidge of pompous, self-importance, "The one thing that both Apple and Microsoft can agree on is that everyone thinks the Mac is cool. With its great designs and advanced software, nothing matches it at any price." So close, yet so far.

Microsoft declined to comment on the issue of users paying more in the long run for all the extras they’ll need for their machine. Maybe in Laptop Hunters Episode IV.