So if my regular 5K LG display breaks and it can’t be fixed I am out of $1300.

If my iMac with a 5K display breaks and Apple can’t fix it. I’m out of $2100.

But, Apple usually will offer (non free) repairs for 7 years after a product has been discontinued.

But that still didn’t answer the question, where can you spec out a similar PC much cheaper?

If you really want to try - the site https://pcpartpicker.com/ is pretty easy to use for specs.

The original poster said you were paying a “significant markup” for Apple computers and I specifically mentioned the $2100 iMac Pro - 16Gb 6 Core i5 with a 256GB SSD. Seeing the monitor by itself would be $1300. That leaves an $800 budget for an equivalent computer.

So define “significant” and I’m Not building a computer myself like it’s the 90s flipping through Computer Shopper.

> I'm Not building a computer myself like it’s the 90s flipping through Computer Shopper.

Maybe off topic, but...

What's wrong with researching the market and making more edcudated purchases?

If something goes wrong with the Mac hardware, I lug it into an Apple Store and pluck it down on the Genius Bar. If something goes wrong with the FrankenPC not so much.

Was not meaning to challenge you or your opinions, just posting a useful link for pricing PC parts. I own macs and self built PCs, there are benefits to both, depending on what you need and want to invest in. Gaming boxes aren’t something most people buy off the shelf and the data grid on that particular site is impressively well presented for a not-corporate endeavor. Not everyone wants to build their own but my early sysadmin career required it, so I am biased and think it’s a really useful tech skill.

You can build a lot of PC for $800.

You still haven’t given a price....

The display is an example. I have bought an iMac in the past, I regretted it because if anything goes wrong it's a non-standard form factor and it's expensive to fix.

I would happily pay more money for an ATX case with standard components and a separate display. It saves money in the long term because you can do repairs yourself and buy standard replacement parts. This also means if something goes wrong my computer can be repaired on the same day.

If you want the iMac, or you want MacOS, then go ahead and buy it. Just remember to budget for the cost of repairs and the impossibility of upgrades later on.

Did anything go wrong?

How often do you break your display? Are you carrying around your iMac to places?

This is a poor argument against something that will just sit on your desk without moving it for months if not years.

Leaving it motionless on your desk reduces the risk, but you're still one relatively minor mistake from a broken display. If you're unlucky enough to have that happen, Apple products cost much more to repair.

Plus, all of the design related breaks mentioned in the article.

I still find it absolutely ridiculous and extremely unlikely, something that you shouldn’t have to account for. I can understand breaking an iPhone screen since you carry with you at all times.

It is like comparing and shopping for a car based on whether it will accidentally catch fire. Unlikely and there more things to worry about than breaking your monitor screen.

It would still be possible for you to break your screen through one minor accident. If you rely on your computer, the possible emergency repair costs should be considered before purchase, even if it's unlikely.

How many computer geeks don’t have at least one spare computer around? For me, all my development is cross platform. If push came to shove, I would setup a VM on AWS and use the Workspaces client for my iPad.

Of course if you’re doing iOS/Mac development the situation is different.