What does it cost to make a Macbook ?

If someone thinks a Dell is a better deal, they should buy a Dell....

I looked at the $1200 Dell XPS, but its not fair to say that the specs are double.
http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/ctoxpsnbm1210?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Comparably equipped, it is about the same as the base level MacBook with 1GB RAM. It lacks the built in AV (iSight) and real software. Has the same graphics, Combo Drive, HD, . Plus, you have to use Windows

Overall, I'd say even without the goodwill, quality, and design, the MacBook still looks like a better deal.

i see most of you like to compare apple and dell and think that apple is superior. i thought i should post and share my $0.02.

i'm typing right now on my was-retired PII 450 dell since my MB is w/ apple for recurring RSD. never had a major problem w/ the dell, except it failed to recognize my BT dongle after i unplugged it. (my fault, cos i installed another party's driver so that i could use the apple wireless keyboard). i never had any viruses or spyware (firefox, thunderbird + some other progams had/have protected my dell quite well). i had only called dell support once (back in 97/98) to transfer ownership from my parent to me. i got to talk to a live person within 5-10 mins. a letter to confirm my ownership was sent to me within 1 wk.

another example is my broken PII 350 acer laptop. never had a major problem. design was superb at its time - ~1" thin and made out of metal. it'd still be working if i didn't crack the lcd.

my MB? too many troubles for the 1st 3-4 mons of ownership. from QC, recurring RSD after repair, poor services at genius bar, damages due to repair, etc. not to mention i've spent over $300 for applecare and procare (i never felt the need to get any kind of extended warranty on my previous computers). the pretty growing apple logo is a chick (or even guy) magnet, however.

windoze vs. os x? it really depends on how you use your computer. os x is pretty, but i do prefer the fact that i can costomize my own theme on windoze w/o another software. my roommie used to brag about how his PB's better than my dell/acer. he said he never had any popups on the mac ever since he swtiched from hp. i just rolled my eyes when he made that statement.

while i don't know the cost of making a MB, the ownership cost has exceeded what i expected. and the level of satisfaction is far less than what i've experienced before. compaing a MB to a luxury car? i'd tell you that i've had problems w/ my old audi. the level of service that i got at genius bar left much to be desired compared to my dealership.

For the actual machine in dollers around $200, but then you must add around $200 for product design and delvelopment, around $50 for marketing, $20 for delivery and maybe around $100 for any future problems and applecare costs, you also pay for the replacements other ppl may need. Then Apple make there cut and also the 3rd party if there is one.

Matt

I too have been a Windows user for most of my life. My first computer was a big hulking Compaq Presario. My last Windows machine was a Dell Inspiron 8200 that I got free from a friend that was going to throw it in the garbage because she had a 4,000 dollar Alienware laptop to play with. so i took it in, i upped the RAM and it's been my constant reliable companion despite spending 2 years of its life collecting dust under a bed. I didnt really use my computer for much else except web browsing and itunes downloads. it didnt (and still doesnt) have a trace of spyware adware or whatever else since i never look at sites that would be the most likely source of them, and the Macafee Virus scan worked flawlessly for a long time.

My issue with windows though is that i have to look around and find third party software to protect the computer from spyware adware and such, whereas Mac OS X has its own built in firewall and such. Windows is not horrible, and I've had lots of fun using computers with it, but i just prefer Mac OS X. I actually still have to use windows anyway because my ipod was originally used on my Dell, so its windows formatted. I was told Mac formatted ipods dont sync with windows machines so im not reformatting.

As much as i love the mac operating system, I know better than to try and convince people to convert to Mac just because i like it. My girlfriend presently has my old dell, and truth be told i wish i had it when my blackbook went off for repairs. But when the dell reaches the end of its life, ill probably be getting her an IBM thinkpad, not a mac.

Reading your post, I wonder if you think Apple
shouldn't charge what they do for having a total
system that works. The market will bear what the
market will bear. It is a fact that there are
exponentially more windows users than Mac, so
obviously, most people are willing to sacrifice
performance for cost. In the case of Mac users, they
tend to see a value in having a laptop that actually
works, and they're willing to pay more for it. Why
shouldn't Apple charge more for that?

The answer to that question is a resounding "YES" and the reason is simple and has been explained with long dialogs that all boil down to the same single word: "capitalism". Supply and demand. Real value vs. percieved value. As stated by some in this forum, most people will go with something they percieve to work perfectly well for them and go along using it because it's what everyone else is using and feel happy about it, but the minute they are unbiasly introduced to something that works so much better (i.e. Mac OS X) out of the box you have to re-evaluate your value system and decide whether you are willing to continue to put up with an occassional BSOD or lock up or restart or pay an extra 15-20% for a machine that will last longer and perform better over that longer period of time. It turns out that only a small percentage of people currently choose the latter, but over the next few years I think you will see a slight paradigm shift that will make Mac's more prevalent.

For the record I too was a former PC Nazi and never though I would use a Mac, but after having given one a chance I now have two and never use my home PC's. My productivity level is so much higher with a Mac that I shudder at the idea of having to use a PC day in and day out again.

1 - MacBook Pro and 1 - MacBook (Black) Mac OS X (10.4.7)

1 - MacBook Pro and 1 - MacBook (Black) Mac OS X (10.4.7)

1 - MacBook Pro and 1 - MacBook (Black) Mac OS X (10.4.7)

i haven't heard anything about the actual price to make a macbook..but i've heard that it costs apple roughly $27.00 to make an ipod video...so if the rate were consistent, which i know they shouldn't be, then $27:$280 (ipod) = $145:$1500 (macbook). Of course you have to take into consideration the fact that the ipod and the macbook are two completely different things lol..but the point is, apple does tend to sell their products a bit overpriced.

apple insider just put something up saying the cost of the ipod by its components is $72

Interesting all of the complaints about the cost of the mac. One post here says they are becoming a status symbol - yet macs have always cost more than a PC. Its pretty simple - they must be pricing them pretty fairly or else they wouldn't be selling as well as they are. I know I could have spent a lot less on a PC, I just don't want a PC - it is well worth the difference to me. Would I be happy if the mac was less expensive - sure if it was just as good! But I won't moan about the price. Market forces will keep the price fair. I am just happy I can afford the best 🙂

Scott

Thing is, in this case, I don't see where the original argument came from.. The MacBook really seems like a better deal without even considering the fact that it's made by Apple.

FWIW, Pentium processors, according to Intel's site, sell for an average $250. While of course, Apple is not paying retail, the additional cost for the CoreDuo would likely keep Apple's cost for the processor somewhat close to that amount. Intel is not going to sell their top of the line processors to computer manufacturers at cost. Intel and every other component manufacturer that Apple uses will maintain their own profit margins before Apple (or Dell) makes anything on the computers that use those components.

I don't want to start any new argument here. But I really think Apple does quite good job NOW to keep their price per performance in a better shape (This is only my opinion).

It is true that Apple has been criticised for selling their products too expensive in the past, but have a look at what their products could do today? in comparison with other PC maker, I think a little premium on Apple products could actually give you somethings worth much more than you could get from others.

And it is true that Apple have a loyalist, returning customer, like myself... Why? Because it works for me. And since the ipod release, and the iMac G5, I really think Apple is on the right track on getting new customer based.

So I think there will be more customer think this way... as that little premium margin between Apple and other ordinary PC Maker, give user a Product that JUST WORK..

I always said that it is amazing that any grandma can walk into a shop on a high street, buy herself beautifully crafted Unix workstation, get home, be up and running in 5 minutes and claim that this is the easiest computer she ever used.

Think about it. I don't mind extra costs as I know I am paying people whom I respect.