3 ms·
On the price value thing, I decided to do some checking to be sure I did not lie. I went to a leading computer maker who makes a computer similar enough to the
by danintherockies 14y ago
On the price value thing, I decided to do some checking to be sure I did not lie. I went to a leading computer maker who makes a computer similar enough to the 13" MB-Air, though still not quite the quality in my opinion.
I configured it as such (these are the items that exactly match the MBA):
Windows 7 Pro (closest to Lion), 4 GB RAM (which is the max), 128 GB SSD (max), 3 yr support (vs. 3 yr AppleCare), WebCam (do some PCs not have this??).
Now the differences:
1) PC is 3.3 lbs vs. the 2.96 MBA
2) PC CPU is 1.6 GHz vs. 1.7 MBA (same 2nd gen Core i5)
3) 13" screen is 1366x768 vs. 1440x900 MBA (this is more important than you might think, I have the 1366x768 13" MBP for home, and I always want more height when surfing the web)
4) PC track pad not even close to what you get on the MBA
5) PC 3 yrs of virus software ($79). MBA does not need this.
Price:
PC - $1,345.48
MBA - $1,548
Something with similar quality is still $200 less than a MBA, so I guess I accidentally stretched the truth, but that is debatable. Over the course of 2-3 years using the machine which is faster in CPU and the OS itself is faster, higher resolution and better quality display, the build quality is better, the trackpad runs circles around the one on the PC (hey, you don't have to buy a mouse either), and about a third of a pound lighter, I think I go MBA, personally.
To me it is close enough it is a no brainer. If you are a college student on a budget, and $200 is between Top Ramen and Hormel Chili for 2 months, you may opt for the PC and the Hormel Chili ;-) Though after you reinstall windows for the fourth time, you might re-think what your time is worth.