[Info-vax] Dave Cutler, Prism, DEC, Microsoft, etc.

[JF Mezei]

Bob Eager wrote:

> No thanks. I actually thought of it recently, in terms of getting a 
> machine for my son. But 100% mark-up over a non-Mac machine changed my 
> mind.

Actually, the 100% markup is a bit of a misnomer. The Apple vanity logo
does cost a bit (especially the lighted ones:-), but it does let you
parade around the office with pride and it makes you look cool :-) :-)

Seriously, you need to compare oranges with oranges. The entry point for
non-Apple products is much lower. There is no debate about that.

However, when you start to add all of the features/options to get parity
with the Apple equivalent, you'll find the price for Apple is very
competitive.

Now, many people may not need all those additional features and for
them, the price of the Mac is much higher due to the presence of
features they won't use. (for instance, in an office, having digital
optical audio in/out won't be used unless you are in art/movie industry.)

There is however a certain portion of the Apple vanity tax which goes
towards better quality components/design. This becomes important in a
laptop which can get quite a beating.


Digital also had a "better quality" and less compromised designs. And
their proprietary stuff gave added functionality (DSSI vs early SCSI for
instance). The difference is that Apple knows who its competition is and
is fully aware of them and manages to price its systems with just the
right level of the Apple vanity tax whereas Digital refused to accept
that PCs were competition and continued to price its systems relative to
IBM mainframes.