I built my computer that has better specs than the newer macs on campus and I'd imagine it was much cheaper as well (just counting hardware)

I can play games and such so how doesn't it do what I want it to?

vlad, i would prefer if your response actually replied to the thread topic. this is not a discussion on whether or not you like macs, it is a topic to discuss the advert made by Microsoft, Apples response, and the issues raised in them, namely - are windows computers cheaper? and does it matter?

Soleron - perhaps some links to where you found those deals would allow me to respond

It is. I'm calling Bullshit on their "advanced" software claims.

"Millions of people have switched to Mac because they love the security, stability and power that comes with world-class hardware and amazing software that just works, right out of the box," Apple spokesman Bill Evans, told Macworld. "--A PC is no bargain when it doesn't do what you want.--"

Did you see what he did there? He is using a hypothetical situation!

To charge a premium.. $500+ and not provide hardware that is even half as powerful as a similarly priced PC is nothing short of robbery. To claim you have such gr8 integration when you have just 30 different hardware configs. Windows has hundreds of thousands of different configurations and it still runs. Thats a feat. Mac users boasting that they dont need antivirus is just plain stupid. heard of spyware, trojans?

Overall I wouldnt mind macs if they didnt try to be so snooty. Apple started this BS PR war, MS is just responding with a price campaign because of the recession. Brilliant timing.

Agree with you on all other points, but Mac OS X isn't currently affected by any of those either.

@ vlad - Ok, I shall respond - it doesn't have the software library that Windows has, but (ignoring games) there are very few programs on Windows that don't have a mac equivalent - the main ofshot of Windows's larger software library is that instead of having a choice of 8 different word processors you now have 80. So what. No, the majority of software for mac is not open source, which is a shame I suppose.

However, the mac OS itself is very advanced compared to any form of Linux or Windows. As examples, the use of spotlight, multiple virtual desktops (yes, I know linux has these too, the dock and expose make everydayy use of a Mac so much more pleasant than other OS's. It's also a lot easier to install and update programs on a Mac than it it with Windows. I can provide you with more of these advanced Mac features if you care.

@ scottie

Macbook:

http://store.apple.com/uk/configure/MB466B/A?mco=MTkzOTI5MQ

Inspiron (upgrade to 2GHz Core 2 Duo and HD4330):

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b=&c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&kc=NRS15451&l=en&m_30=136643&oc=N0454507&rbc=N0454507&s=dhs

Studio XPS (upgrade to HD4850):

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=d04sx02&c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&kc=productdetails~desktop-studioxps-435mt

Mac Pro (upgrade to HD4870):

http://store.apple.com/uk/configure/MB871B/A?mco=NDE4NDIzNQ

i'd guess 95% of the population doesn't know a damned thing about computers.

Apple is worth it to many consumers because it can do what they want without having to know anything. It's just so easy to operate a Mac. Last xmas my mom started crying she was so frustrated with her PC,...a quick anti-spyware scan fixed all here problems. so easy and yet so difficult for most to comprehend.

There is nothing world class about the hardware. on my fourth replaced macbook in one year......