Apple twice the price of PCs

Retail data showed that in June the average cost for a Windows laptop was US$700, compared to US$1,515 for an Apple machine.

The difference was even more stark with desktop models, with the average Windows machine going for US$550, compared to US$1,543.

“There are plenty of Windows PCs you can buy at high prices,” Stephen Baker, NPD’s vice president of industry analysis told vnunet.com.

“But if you want to buy an Apple you don’t have any choice, you’ll have to pay more.”

He continued that in his opinion it was just a choice Apple had made, and the company could argue that the value of the software and brand made up for the price differential.

The situation was comparable with the car market he explained. BMW and Chevy make basically the same product, a car, but the difference in branding, how customers were treated and perceived value lets BMW charge more.

This is not to say Apple don’t make low cost products. He praised the company for its skilful roll out of a range of iPod media players to suit all markets without lowering brand value.

But he warned it was unlikely in his opinion that Apple would be bringing out a low cost computer line any time soon.

“I’ve wrestled with that one, but I don’t see today what the driver is to make them want to do that.”

“Sales still growing stronger than anyone else’s in the market so there’s little incentive. That’s the kind of strategy you adopt when you realise growth is slowing.”