Some of the listed attributes are just odd too: only 16GB RAM? No HDMI? No SD?
Guessing from the relative volumes of complaints that I've seen, a more useful list would probably be something comparable to the previous MBP, but with more RAM and a better CPU, and bonus points for a dedicated GPU.
I used this approach in my student days and it worked pretty well given the very limited budget.
Most PC laptops are worthless after 12-18 months of use. You either give them away or throw them out. If you buy a low-end system it's junk, and if you buy a high-end one, the only people looking for such a system would want to buy it new anyway, so you're stuck in a trap.
A MacBook often sells for a minimum of 50% of its purchase price if in good condition, possibly more depending on demand. The metal cases generally hold up a lot better than the plastic housing on less expensive laptops.
I'm on a Lenovo x220... it's plenty fast for most of my work. runs ubuntu like a champ. has, hands down, the best laptop keyboard that's ever been made. and only cost me $350, plus there's a strong aftermarket parts option.
Since i don't spend my time watching media, i don't have to worry about fancy monitors or display ports (though i could have gotten a Thunderbolt port).
This is a 5 year old laptop. The battery lasts at least 6 hours.
I'd say it has less value than five year old used underwear, but there's actually a market for that.
The last time I bought a Mac with an education discount, the computer was about 7% cheaper, but the AppleCare was 30% off. Not a bad discount overall, but not enough in the hardware department to break even on a resale, even new in box.
The irony :-)
- a Microsoft Ergonomic Natural 4000 [1]
- A Kinesis Freestyle 2 [2]
- a Macbook Pro (2014)
That's a wide range of keyboard travels and force requirements, and I'm now comfortable with all. A friend got the new MBP and said he got used to its keyboard "within a day".
[1] https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-us/products/keyboar...
[2] https://www.kinesis-ergo.com/shop/freestyle2-for-pc-us/ That pic doesn't do it justice. With the risers that come with the "VIP kit", you can tilt and angle it to your comfort.
Machining a laptop chassis from solid aluminium isn't what makes Apple laptops expensive. Sure, it does add to the cost.
What makes Apple laptops extremely expensive is the ridiculous mark-up Apple charge.
People these days whinging about "extremely expensive" have no idea. Computers used to be stupidly expensive and ridiculously slow, no matter the brand. We've been spoiled by these vendors willing to sacrifice everything to slash costs and margins.
Do you want a good keyboard, a great trackpad, and a durable metal housing? Be prepared to pay more than you would for some system built out of what was salvaged from the garbage bins of Dell's factory.
Every single one of these alternatives listed is over $1000, and that segment of the PC market is tiny. Most get all dizzy at the thought of spending more than $500 on a laptop, that's what the industry's conditioned people to think.
100% of the "extremely expensive" machining processes are done by robots. They're just marked up 300-400% by Apple because, well, they love money.
[2] https://discussions.apple.com/___sbsstatic___/migration-imag...
It would be great if Apple could engineer a completely indestructible 3 lb laptop. I'm pretty darn pleased with the durability for its portability.
The Asus was $150, though, so it's not a big deal if it breaks easily.
In return, I'd get the ability to use slide controls, and have both system controls (volume, brightness) and application-specific ones directly on the bar rather than having to choose Fn for one - which makes for terrible ergonomics. Plus, Touch ID.
But then, I don't care about the Esc key because I've had Caps Lock mapped to it for years.