[i]despite the existence of systems like the Dell XPS M1530, which competes with the base-level MacBook yet has a higher-resolution screen[/i]

At a certain point, higher resolution becomes self-defeating. Until the mainstream OSes support true resolution independence, a higher resolution screen just means tinier graphical elements, resulting in extra eye strain.

OK OK - your purchase of a computer is based on your requirements. If you don't know your requirements, you should consider them before purchasing a computer. You don't need to know the hardware of the computer, you just need to know if it will work to do what you require.

That being that. If all that I required a computer to do was get on the internet, get email and I had an eyesight problem, I would just go and get a computer that had the biggest screen possible that was clear so that I could see it!! Thank God that I don't have to worry about that yet!!

Alot of people come to me to help them pick out a computer. I have built them for 20 years. The first question that I ask them is "What are you wanting to use this for?" Once I get that information, we proceed to figure out how much money they have so that I can find them the best bang for the buck. The OS be damned. The brand be damned.

Here is my spin - if you want a computer that won't crash, has little problems and is fully backed up (hardware and software for 1 year and would like to have video tutorials on how everything works) by its manufacturer - get a Apple. If you want an OS and programs that crash and need constant maintenance to keep running and has no technical support without having to pay for it - get Microsoft. Live Care cost another $50 per year per computer so that you might get help.

In my opinion after 20 years of messing with Windows computers (I am a MCSE), I finally bought a iMac because Apple went Intel. With everything that I do with a computer, I am finally down to needing only ONE computer to get everything done. I need my iMac. If you have the requirement to edit photos, video, create DVD's, background music for soundtracks, and professional layouts without the headache - get a Mac. The cost of all of that - professional software not shareware - is expensive for Windows and it may not get the job done.

Bottom line - get the computer that you require to get the job done. If you have never had a computer, save your money and get a Mac. Apple's web site has every video tutorial know to man for FREE and they have workshops in the Apples Store for FREE. You can stop in and ask a question for FREE. You can download hundreds of applications directly from Apple's site for FREE. Apple's iWork is $99 for a 5 user license - try doing that with Office!!

I wonder if a networked partially owned by Microsoft would not biased with a topic like the so called "Apple tax". Meanwhile the Microsoft tax is a constant payment plan to keep those machines virus free and in running order.

"Apple tends to include features with its systems that most PC builders leave off, namely apps in the iLife suite such as iTunes, iMovie and iPhoto."

Did you know that something as simple as sending a fax that has been available since Windows 95 has been removed from the most basic version of Windows Vista Home Premium? I tried to send a fax a month with my Vista Home Premium laptop and found out through google that It's only available in Ultimate versions of Vista which is absurd...

I dusted off my old Windows XP laptop and sent my fax off than I bought a fax modem from Apple for 50 bucks because I refuse to give Microsoft another dime after the stunt they just pulled on me.

Is it so hard to get basic information correct? I know there are lots of 'opinions' and 'market speak' flying around, but omg, is it really that difficult for any side to get some basic facts right?

Even the 'unbiased' people miss so many things, like...

There are hundreds more possible combinations of hardware on the PC side because Apple only makes a few models. So what? Get what meets your needs/wants.

Of the models Apple does make, they all include wonderful features such as the new awesome trackpad w/gestures, magsafe connector, unibody construction, slot-load CD/DVD, etc. etc.

iLife is a sweet software package, yet while there is nothing exactly like it on Windows, there are other programs that are similar, and not terribly expensive - but in total, they cost enough to erase any price advantage the PC might have, if you buy such media softwares.

Both Mac & PC enjoy many many freeware, shareware and open source software offerings.

Macs are currently more secure, technical arguments aside, but it won't necessarily always be the case. It is true that any sane individual should not run Windows without Anti-malware protection. Anti-virus software is still a good idea for Mac users, if for no other reason than to help limit the spread of potentially infected files to Windows users.

If you take a careful look at all the hardware specs, and all the features, you will find roughly price parity between Apple's models and equivalently configured PCs.

Now, if you ask me, it would be far more interesting to ask Microsoft what the retail price of Windows Vista Ultimate is, or what the retail price of Microsoft Office Basic is, then ask Apple what the retail price of MacOS X "ultimate" is, or what the retail price of iWork is, and then we'll talk about 'tax'.

There are hundreds more possible combinations of hardware on the PC side because Apple only makes a few models. So what? Get what meets your needs/wants.

No it isn't hard. But do Mac users have to berate those who dare buy a PC because their needs/wants are not satisfied by anything Apple sells. Esp. if your 'wants' are, say, a large screen laptop, and your needs are, say, 'under $1000'.

Or your needs are just a small low-end computer, but also one with eSATA connectivity for your backup system.

Or something as simple as a netbook.

then ask Apple what the retail price of MacOS X "ultimate" is, or what the retail price of iWork is, and then we'll talk about 'tax'.

But keep in mind it all averages out. OS X, iLife and iWork are "cheap" because you are subsidizing their costs with the purchase of the mac (you would think some of that 30% margins they rake in is going to such development), while the cost of the PC doesn't include this (just the price of a cheap OS).

Did you know that something as simple as sending a fax that has been available since Windows 95 has been removed from the most basic version of Windows Vista Home Premium?

Just to correct you a bit. There is only one Windows Vista Home Premium. There isn't a 'basic' version of it. I think you meant to say "all versions of Vista Home". I know, it's easy to get it all confused.

I dusted off my old Windows XP laptop and sent my fax off than I bought a fax modem from Apple for 50 bucks because I refuse to give Microsoft another dime after the stunt they just pulled on me.

OK, so you're fine with Apple removing the fax modem completely from your computer, and having to pay extra just to get it, yet you're pissed at MS for removing the capability to use a fax modem from their OS?

Not that anyone would take their comment right from the latest Microsoft commercial or anything...

"Esp. if your 'wants' are, say, a large screen laptop, and your needs are, say, 'under $1000'. "

Exactly. That's what I'm saying. If a user wants a laptop with a big screen but not a super-fast CPU and all the other bells and whistles, Apple does not even make something in that category... unfortunate, and short sighted in my opinion, but that's the way they choose to play it.

And there is no reason for anyone to berate anyone for their choices of computers.

As for iLife, iWork etc., yes I suppose purchasing Apple hardware could help subsidize their software development, but I don't know about that, you see, since a MacBook and an equivalently configured PC are about the same price, the margins are going to be similar, leaving little extra to subsidize software. The inclusion of the software becomes a big benefit to the customer.

Apple does charge for all of these software packages if you did not acquire them with the purchase of a computer. If you buy a new version or an 'upgrade' off the shelf, it's that purchase that provides most of the revenue for the software development, with a little bit probably coming from the hardware.

Now, MS on the other hand uses their Windows and Office monopolies to subsidize countless product losses. Interestingly, MS used to provide their products at reasonable prices, and at times (in order to kill competitors) at rock bottom prices - I remember the day when I could buy Word for $50 when WordPerfect was running about $300. We all know what happened there.

No, the MS monopoly machine was able to be profitable once upon a time selling software near the same prices that Apple sells theirs currently. The new MS pricing is all 'tax' now.

I second your observation about the fax modem thing.

Well, I for one will berate Win-dohs users for their choice in computers. I will also flog them and call them "Nancy."

Well, I, for one, will berate Win-dohs users for their choice in computers. I will also flog them and call them "Nancy."

Not that anyone would take their comment right from the latest Microsoft commercial or anything...

Actually I've been saying that for years. I guess MS is finally listening to me!

My sister-in-law was looking for a tablet computer. I guess I could have talked her out of her want for a tablet and convinced her to get a Mac that wasn't what she wanted, but that's just as bad as going into Best Buy or CompUSA, looking at the Macs and having the salesmen push you towards the Windows PCs.

So inaccurate facts based upon cherry picking best macs versus worst pcs.

1- no photoshop on MAC period.
2-CS4 actually runs better on vista 64bit because it can run in 64 bit mode, it cant on OSX (fact!).
3-Battery life? Versus which model? I can only assume he talks about new 17" mac that's running on tiniest GPU. Most 17" PCs come with much larger GPUs and even with that still have a longer battery life than 2 hours.
4-Sony Z outlasts any Apple 13incher BTW
5-Resale is based on closed market. Resale is higher because Macs are so much more expensive because there are only 2 choice Apple or used.
6-AVG is free
7- OSX is first to be hacked in security competitions. (FACT)
8-"AppleCare Protection Plan" is about $350
So what, about 2 1/2 geek squad visits?
which is if you choose geeksquad which is a bit of a rip off.
9-Video editing software, many FREE ones on PC side.
10-better resolution? depends on video card and what model.
11-With money SAVED, you can buy an INTEL SSD or new OCZ and run circles around a mac for the same price as what a MAC costs.

So WTF is this bonehead talking about?
PLEASE get someone who actually deals with computers, network, user-side to give accurate and comparable details?!

This, if anything, shows the "inadequacy - so I have to lie about myself and a MAC" effect!