For two whole days, the new MacBook Pro has remained clean and pristine, it was time to rough it up a bit. I began the day by carrying the MacBook Pro around, outside and throughout Brooklyn, NY. I had a meeting at a cafe and had to use it for demonstrations, I was also going to be two hours early and figured I could finish some important work. The purpose of a laptop is to be mobile, however laptops this powerful fall under the category of “desktop replacements.” They are traditionally big and bulky and add dents to my spine. Compared to other “desktop replacements” I’ve had, the MacBook Pro is smaller and lighter.

Even though I’m using the MacBook Pro 17”, it is the smallest laptop I’ve ever had. After purchasing it, I worried I would need to purchase an additional carrying case for it, but my Timbuk 2 Messenger Bag had more than enough space for the system. This is also the lightest laptop I’ve ever had. With it’s power cord, adapter, an extension and a book, I was carrying roughly 7.5 lbs on my shoulder. My spine is saved!

It was also time to further rough up the Mac by adding and removing software. I love to try out applications before purchasing them, and while I don’t have the money for Adobe CS4 (someone want to get it for me?), I need to find cheaper alternatives. First I wanted to try them out before coming to a conclusion of which one I’ll be purchasing. I’ve mentioned how easy it is to install applications, but how easy are they to remove? The answer is very, all you do is drag the application to the trash. That’s it. Maybe there’s some preference file laying around, but you don’t have to play with any .dll’s or registry keys. Performing this task on PC is a nightmare! On a Mac, all you have to do is empty your trash and your done!

I’ve also fallen in love the multi-touch trackpad gestures. I fell in love with them on the first day, but felt weird liking them so much. Now I cannot live without them! Scrolling through websites or large documents is simpler than using a trackball on a mouse, it just requires using three fingers and moving down. When I turn on my old PC, I feel the need to have these features.

Day 3 was also a test of the battery life of MacBook Pro. While Apple claims its battery has an 8hr life of wireless productivity, it’s really more like 4 to 6 hours of real world productivity. Compared to other laptops, 4 to 6 hours of battery life is eons of time.

I think it’s time to give the MacBook Pro a name, any suggestions? (Sean?)

• Harry McCracken of Technologizer 8 reasons your next computer should be a Mac and 8 reasons your next computer should be a PC
• The new PC “Laptop Hunter” ads which demonstrate PC value while new Mac ads demonstrate PC Frustrations
• Interesting comparisons between $2000 Mac and PC Laptops
• Preston Gralla’s challenge to work on a MacBook Air for two weeks

You would think with all of this information I had settled on my decision. I did not. As I began to ask more questions, visit more Mac Stores, compare the two systems, I began to realize that this was a decision between accessibility and comfort. One that Windows has lost and Mac has won. After years of using Windows, I’ve grown tired of the platform. I’m sick of .DLL’s, having to consistently worry about virus’s and firewalls, having to worry about registry errors and the list goes on. Don’t get me wrong, I love Vista, I think it’s a step in the right direction, but what was the real value of Vista over OSX? What was I really getting?

The more I dug I realized there was a higher value of getting a new Mac over a new PC. Actually, in the hour or so that I’ve begun to use the new MacBook Pro 17″, I’ve downloaded pictures from my digital camera, created a movie, uploaded it to YouTube, installed new software and written a blog post (this one). On a PC I would have gotten a few of these items accomplished, but not all of them. I’m surprised how easy and comfortable the first moments of using the new Mac has been. I even feel “healthier” if that’s possible. With the new laptop I’m going to track and share my computing life with the new Mac. What are the differences between it and PC? What’s easier? What do I like? And what do I hate? I really want to see if my computing life becomes easier with the Mac, or if I made a huge mistake.

So without further ado, here is my obligatory new Mac video! Enjoy!

This notion of an “Apple Tax” does raise an interesting point. When considering the purchase a new system one should look beyond the initial costs to figure out the true value. I wanted to look at the projects costs of purchasing these two laptops over 5 years. Instead of using the metrics in the whitepaper or assumptions of an average user, I wanted to compare both systems based on my needs. I broke these down into two parts, first the initial cost (the system cost and software I would require to accomplish all of the things I want to), and then the maintenance costs over an additional 4 years of each system.

Initial Costs

To determine the initial cost, I used Dell and Apple’s online store to configure systems based on my needs and to ensure each was similar to the other. These configurations may not reflect the “average” computer user. I’m a web designer, DJ, and will require software that fits within these needs. Some items were excluded from this list, such as illuminated keyboards or free software provided on the system. One important item I’m excluding is the initial cost of security software (anti-virus, firewall, system protection), Dell includes a free one-year subscription to security software of your choice. In my case I would be choosing the Norton Internet Security package. These prices do not reflect any limited-time promotional discounts (such as 20% off a system price during a certain period), but do reflect discounts provided when purchasing a new system.

Dell Studio 16 XPS

Apple MacBook Pro 17”

The Dell Studio XPS 16 is cheaper by $466.01, this was not unexpected. Macs are generally costlier machines (the Mac is $1,000+ more than the Dell), but with the additional upgrades needed on the Dell the margin is a lot narrower than I expected.

For a further analysis adjustments to the software packages can be made. Office, iWorks and CS4, could be replaced by free software such as Open Office and GIMP. When these items are removed, the price difference increases to $596.01 (an increase of $130 in savings).

Maintenance Cost

During the lifespan of a system there are costs associated to its maintenance; this includes purchasing new equipment, updating software and new operating systems. As this comparison is based on my current needs, some typical items are neglected, such as such as a wireless router (I already have a Draft-N), printers, UBS drives, CD’s and additional wires required for new hardware or specific tasks. The maintenance cost also reflects the notion that Mac’s are safer than Windows systems. Mac’s are less secure (due to the lack of anti-protection software), they are safer due to the lack of malware targeted for Mac. The use of a security software package could benefit Mac users and make them safer but they are pretty much a requirement for any Windows system.

I’m also making several assumptions surrounding major updates to Operating systems, and productivity software. Adding upgrades to the operating system (Windows, OSX) and productivity software (Office, iLife, iWork) to this comparison is necessary to determine the long term costs, although none of this software has a confirmed release date or price. My projections are based on announcements and trends of previous releases.

Dell Studio 16 XPS

Apple MacBook Pro 17”

The anti-virus package I chose to use as a benchmark was Norton’s Internet Security Upgrade and Renewal offerings, which is $60 for its yearly update. Operating system upgrades are based on previous operating systems costs, and timelines. I’m expecting by 2010 both “Snow Leopard” and Windows 7 would be released. I also assume the need to increase my RAM and would purchase an external hard drive and increase the memory on each system to the maximum capacity. Based on these requirements alone, there is a $412.90 price increase in maintenance for the Dell.

Tale of the Tape

Having compared both the maintenance and the initial cost of both systems there are some major differences. The cost of the Studio XPS 16 is initially less, it increases faster over time. There’s less flexibility to cut items from my budget, with a Windows system you NEED protection software. Even if I were to exclude RAM and operating system upgrades, the Dell would still cost more to maintain over time.

The MacBook Pro on the other hand has an initial cost upfront, but overtime things are more manageable. Even without software updates, I am not stuck with subscription updates for protection software.

Dell Studio 16 XPS

Apple MacBook Pro 17”

In the end, the Dell costs $105.84 more than the MacBook Pro. While this isn’t a huge difference, it does address the notion of an Apple Tax. It’s far less than the $3,367 savings Microsoft indicates would be had by purchasing a Windows systems. Over time, by owning a Mac I would be saving money.

Let’s put things in prospective, I’m not the average user; the average person isn’t purchasing a copy of CS4 or audio streaming software, they may not even upgrade their operating system, production software or increase the amount of RAM on their laptop. Regardless, when looking at the individual costs of upgrades and system maintenance, the initial savings by purchasing a Dell are erased. This examples demonstrates there’s an indication of a Windows Tax, due to the need of items such as anti-virus software.

Additional Thoughts

There are some gaps in my analysis, especially concerning upgrades made to both the MacBook and the Studio XPS 16 at the time of purchase. These upgrades were made to compare similar system configurations, thus attempting to a level field of comparison. Someone can argue that these upgrades aren’t necessary (such as the Vista Ultimate). However this analysis is based on my needs and the things I feel are important, without them they may be costlier in the future to perform and would sustain a 5 year life cycle. At some point the cost cutting for a system becomes just that, the cheaper the system the cheaper the performance becomes.

I do not work for Apple or Windows, and not affiliated with either system. I’m a Mac and PC person and weighing between the purchase of a Mac or a PC. What do you think of my comparison? Am I missing something, forgot to include a feature? Overestimating a cost?