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But that's not my argument (Even though I said ECC matters. maybe you're right). My argument is that every time someone says "I can build the same thing for 1/

by atonse 9y ago

But that's not my argument (Even though I said ECC matters. maybe you're right). My argument is that every time someone says "I can build the same thing for 1/3 the price", they are literally using completely different parts. They AREN'T building the same thing. The idea of an Apple Tax is that apple arbitrarily marks up everything. But if you bought the same parts independently, you'd find the markup is very little. More like 10%. Look at those $10k HP workstations. They are more comparable to Mac Pros.

opencl 9y ago
But then the problem is just that Apple makes component choices with very poor value. A Threadripper CPU is not the same thing as the Xeon in the Mac Pro, but who cares? You can still build a way faster machine (with ECC) for half the price.
- jjeaff 9y ago
  Apple techies hate to admit it. But in the end, it's the same reason people pay $2k for a plastic Louie Vuitton purse. Except, at least with a fancy purse, you can carry it around and signal your wealth to others. My workstation is hidden away under my desk.
  - atonse 9y ago
    No I’d say a better analogy for what you’re trying to say: I just want to buy a car for $20k that goes 70 miles an hour. But you’re only selling me cars for $50k cuz you insist on putting things like carbon fiber brakes and titanium alloys. I don’t need any of that. I can build something that perfectly meets my needs for way less. Because those enhancements are meaningless for what I’m trying to do (go 70 MPH)
    - jjeaff 9y ago
      Ya, or maybe even more precise: You want to sell me a car for $50k that can go only 60 mph. But it has carbon fiber brakes and titanium alloys, requires premium gas, and has a fancy logo. Oh, and it has a flux capacitor which does nothing. Or I could just buy a car that can go 100 mph for $20k.
jjeaff 9y ago
Ya, it's not the same parts, but if the result is a higher performing system for way less money, what's the difference? You can use different parts and end up with an equal or better outcome.

by atonse 9y ago

opencl 9y ago

But then the problem is just that Apple makes component choices with very poor value. A Threadripper CPU is not the same thing as the Xeon in the Mac Pro, but who cares? You can still build a way faster machine (with ECC) for half the price.

jjeaff 9y ago
Apple techies hate to admit it. But in the end, it's the same reason people pay $2k for a plastic Louie Vuitton purse. Except, at least with a fancy purse, you can carry it around and signal your wealth to others. My workstation is hidden away under my desk.
- atonse 9y ago
  No I’d say a better analogy for what you’re trying to say: I just want to buy a car for $20k that goes 70 miles an hour. But you’re only selling me cars for $50k cuz you insist on putting things like carbon fiber brakes and titanium alloys. I don’t need any of that. I can build something that perfectly meets my needs for way less. Because those enhancements are meaningless for what I’m trying to do (go 70 MPH)
  - jjeaff 9y ago
    Ya, or maybe even more precise: You want to sell me a car for $50k that can go only 60 mph. But it has carbon fiber brakes and titanium alloys, requires premium gas, and has a fancy logo. Oh, and it has a flux capacitor which does nothing. Or I could just buy a car that can go 100 mph for $20k.

jjeaff 9y ago

Ya, it's not the same parts, but if the result is a higher performing system for way less money, what's the difference? You can use different parts and end up with an equal or better outcome.