Lots of people can assemble a few basic parts and make a home desktop computer. Even those that can often just buy one instead.

They aren’t lazy or stupid. It is their choice what they spend their time and money on.

Apple computers are more than just the spec numbers. Its largely how the software integrates with the hardware, and the custom chips on the motherboard react with it. Most places run their offices on the PC with windows, but in the back usually the print and graphics people are running macs. That’s where they shine. and people are willing to pay the premium for them.

You may build a hobby computer with some of the same specs , but windows will never work as tight with the hardware as a mac.

I started in computers in 1967 at IBM on a model 360 mainframe
In the 90′s I designed and built Allot of the Heavy servers that ran the Internet. I have built hundreds of computers. and I have also bought many right of the shelf. because they fit the specific job I needed them to do. hardware is my specialty

Most people only need a basic computer, more does them no good. It’s the Geeks and the Gamers who think they know something. They don’t, but the manufacturers are very happy to sell them all the parts they want.

You can buy the parts and adjust a few things in BIOS, but the manufacturers have you locked out of the settings that would really tune it to a specific function.

No, I am not a mac fan boy. in fact I have never owned a Mac computer. Nothing wrong with them, just never had the need.

So you built yourself a new toy. I hope you enjoy it. But it’s nothing special and $2500 is too expensive for what you got.

Apple has no monopoly on any products. You want an all-in-one machine? There are dozens. Want a tablet smartphone? Ditto. MP3 player? 9-inch tablet? Lots and lots of them. Just because Apple’s products only use their own operating system does not make them a monopoly. It’s been years since Apple’s iTunes MP3s were locked down.

Price fixing? That’s a strange crime to accuse them of. How can they have a monopoly and also fix prices? Price fixing is collusion between competitors. Either they have a monopoly, and thus no competition, or they’re fixing prices.

Your argument about building your own machine is tired and weak. There are tons of reasons to not build your own machine. Have you ever seen the white box laptops you can build yourself? They suck compared to the best you can buy. Sure, you save money, but money is only one part of the equation. I’m completely unimpressed.

Congratulations on being better than me at a skill only you value. On a similar note, I am better than you at plenty of things you do not value. What a delightfully narcissistic argument.

There is little margin in the TV market, just like there is little margin in the computer market. In order for apple to make the profits they need to run a TV division without losing their ass, they would have to retail at double the price of other manufactures displays.

You also seem to forget the monopoly Apple has on their products, or price fixing. In the computer world, apple has a unique product, in the TV world, they would not BUT they would have competition, much more then they have now.

I never said people that cant build PC’s are stupid AND lazy, I said they are stupid OR lazy…
If you cant read the owners manual, then you simply…
A. Can not read, hence making my stupid comment have some validity.
B. Are too lazy (as I stated) to read it.

Building a computer is no different then hooking up a home theater with 7 speakers, receiver, source components and a display…if anything the PC is a TON easier to assemble and only MARGINALLY more difficult to set up in the bios. All the information can be easily found on the net or asking friends.

And, if I am a jack ass for knowing how to build a car or a pc, or knowing how to read…then a jackass I’ll be…but I am still better off then you.

So, we’re talking about know-how? I thought we were talking about economies of scale. I guess you don’t like that argument any more. In fact, Sony does own a major stake (almost 50%) of a manufacturing company with Samsung, but also buys LCD panels from other manufacturers. Co-owning less than a majority share with a dominant competitor and outsourcing the rest of its LCD volume does not mean Sony will benefit from the economies of scale. But if you want to talk about know-how, I don’t know much about Samsung or Sony’s respective know-how, and I think Apple has already proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that know-how is not a problem.

Anybody who calls the public lazy and stupid for not putting together their own tower PC is a jackass. In fact, this is such a jackass argument that it’s a complete cliche. You might as well post a “First” reply and then compare me to Hitler. Here’s a link to see what I mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

This has less to do with me being a jack ass and more to do with you, the author of this post not being able to accept when he is wrong…and that is the truth bub.

And last I checked the LCD panels that sony and samsung use is a co owned facility, so I am quite sure they have the know how.

Just because your pipe dream of all things being apple will not exist does not you are right. Delusion, I would get that checked out man.

Ever hear the saying “Real Jeeps are bought, not built.” That is mine. And ya, I used to piece together old VW’s when I was a teen…but I get what you are saying, as bad as an example you are trying to make. In the end, building a PC is no different then building a home theater, wiring it up and tweaking the settings. It is all in the manual and easy to understand.

Where was I a jackass? Because I said people are stupid if they cant build a computer? Or what is when I said “shinies”. Get this through your fat skull, JUST because you are a writer on this site does not mean you can go off on someone because they disagree with you or call you out. You are pathetic, childish and frankly pretty damn lame.

Grow up bub.

Wow, lazy or stupid, huh? Did you build your own car, too? How about your refrigerator? I’m guessing you did not. Was that because you were lazy, or stupid?

If you are smart enough to put together your own PC, I’m guessing you are smart enough to continue this discussion without being a total jackass.

Ahem…if parts are just parts to you then have fun with that rig you’re building for just under $2500. BTW, I have this chick I want you to meet. She has two blue eyes, a pair of boobs and legs. Trust me; you don’t want to see her picture. …but parts are just parts, right? LMAO

OS X/Apple hardware continues to gain market share each and every month. The iPhone/iOS dominates the smartphone market. Stores can’t keep enough iPads on their shelves. The iPod is the portable music device by which all others are judged.

….but Apple Inc. and those who choose to buy their products have it all wrong and *you* have it all figured out! Wow! Props to you, dude! LMAO

BTW, anyone who uses the “Kool-Aid” metaphor instantly loses cred points. If you’re ‘gonna try and make a compelling argument, get more creative than that!

And, sorry..but you are wrong about apple pricing. In every category they make, they are more expensive (and not by a slim margine) then the competition and generally offer less in function.

But they are shiny…

Also, you need to consider what apple puts inside their computers vs what you can buy to build a PC.

I built a 2.9g quad core 12 gig, 80g ssd md, 1 tb second drive, EVGA GTX 470, win 7 pro, case cooling and dell 24″ IPS for just under 2500 after tax.

The imac old or new cant touch that pricing, and the mac pro is damn near double for the same specs.

And sure, I guess you can factor in that I have to take the 3 hours to build the computer and the 8 min to install win 7 pro and that most people cant build a computer. But its not my fault they are lazy or stupid.

I think you’re the one drinking the kool-aid, my friend.