Ask OSNews: Should I Switch to Mac?
Linked by David Adams on Mon 25th May 2009 21:22 UTC
OSNews, Generic OSes Over the years, we've occasionally run an "Ask OSNews" feature, wherein a reader asks us a question and we answer it publicly. Lately I've really been enjoying Slate's Dear Prudence advice column and the ever-interesting Straight Dope, and I thought we should see if we can get more OSNews readers to submit questions, and turn Ask OSNews into a more-regular thing. If your question falls outside of our domain expertise, we'll try to track down an expert to help out. And of course, our responses will always be supplemented by further advice from OSNews readers in the comments. Questions are welcome on any topic ranging from OSes and computing to science and geek culture. Contact us with your questions. (Please include "Ask OSNews" in the subject). Today's question is from a young student in Hungary who's seduced by the faraway siren song of Apple's marketing and wonders, "should I switch?"
E-mail Print r 2   · Read More · 133 Comment(s) http://osne.ws/gmt
Thread beginning with comment 365292
To view parent comment, click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
RE: Depends on the price
by moondevil on Mon 25th May 2009 21:52 UTC in reply to "Depends on the price"
moondevil
Member since:
2005-07-08

David has given a pretty good advice.

Unfortunately Apple products tend to cost a lot of money in Europe. In some European countries you will be very happy person, if you manage to earn more than 1000 euros per month.

So it not that easy to say that paying the difference is worth the effort.

Myself I already been two times about to buy Apple products and ended up buying PC instead, because of the ration cost/hardware that I would get.

Reply Parent Score: 2

RE[2]: Depends on the price
by godawful on Tue 26th May 2009 17:07 in reply to "RE: Depends on the price"
godawful Member since:
2005-06-29

Isn't much of this due to VAT? a quick google search reveals Hungary's VAT at 20%, and it's my understanding (I could be wrong) that in Europe, the price shown includes VAT.

Whereas in the US, no taxes are shown in the price though just about every state has sales tax, in California thats 7.25% which doesn't include the local municipalities tax which I _think_ raise it to a total of 9.25%.

If this is all correct, they prices aren't really that much different. That being said, Apples are generally more expensive than the equivalent pc, but to me that doesn't matter, it's worth it.

Reply Parent Score: 2

RE[3]: Depends on the price
by werterr on Thu 28th May 2009 01:22 in reply to "RE[2]: Depends on the price"
werterr Member since:
2006-10-03

Besides higher taxes, I think the mean difference is Apple. As far as I understand Apple charges the same prices in Euro's as they do in Dollars. Since the Euro is worth a lot more then a dollar (about 1.4 dollars for 1 euro) this amounts to quite a difference.

If the apple product costs 1800 dollars is should cost 1300 euro not 1800 euro... ;)

Reply Parent Score: 1