OS X costs twice as much?


ZDNet is running an article that claims that OS X costs twice as much as Windows. They offer some simplistic math to make the point:

Jaguar + Panther + Tiger + Leopard
-- 4 x $129 = $516

Only one Windows release during the same period
-- 1 x $219

$516 is more than 2 x $219

From there, the article does a quick 180 and goes on to list reasons why the Mac is actually a bargain. Suffice it to say that all the reasons add up to, "It just works," which ZDNet blithely summarizes in asking, "What's not to like?"

Apple Store


Again, the article veers into new territory, stating that Microsoft is "leaving a lot of money on the table" and that only a change of management will rectify the situation.

What the...

A sympathetic reader might say ZDNet is trying to stoke debate. However, to this cynic, the whole article is presented in a way that one might reasonably conclude that ZDNet knows that it's flame bait (ie mere pick-up lines for the easily aroused) and simply wants to drive some cheap, short-term page views.

To wit, comment poster "nonzealot" sums up neatly in saying, "All you Apple zealots totally missed the point of the article!"

That said, maybe ZD should also consider an article comparing OS X security to a group of drunken TSA screeners (in low-cut blouses) at a Blackwater Security-sponsored Al-Qaida kegger celebrating the release of Windows 7 in Darfur?

Alternately, they might try respinning one of the various Mac users are superior, adventurously liberal, creatively self-obsessed, hybrid bottled-water drinking, sneaker fetishists articles...

What?

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