MAC purchase decision casefor the Hughes

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NeedsProductivity

documents

spreadsheets

Entertainment

Video (streaming)

Games

Music (e.g., iTunes)

Others

Media Editing (photos, video)2

OptionsiMac

$1149-1599

Adv: Intuitive to install/uninstall software as well as upgrades; Easy hook-up to TVs for TV/movie streaming (e.g., Hulu, ESPN360); Responsive customer service (must purchase Apple Care [warranty] for Genius Bar = in-person, telephone = 9am-9pm 364 days / yr)

Disadv: $600 (approx) premium over competitive product brands (e.g., HP)

Macbook Pro (13” or 15”)

$1399-2099

Adv: Portability, same advantage listed as iMac

Disadv: Price; Limited and sometimes difficult to upgrade hardware for performance, storage, memory

HP Pavillion All-In-One 600t series [video demo: link, prod info: link]

$1049.99

Adv: similar form factor and less expensive than iMac, touch-screen, HP = good review and reliability

Disadv: slower processor speed than iMac, customer service = slow

3

Software availabilityProductivity: documents, spreadsheet

Microsoft Office 2007 Enterprise (PC)

iWork - Apple’s version of Microsoft Office

Parallel Fusion - allows Mac user to run Windows OS simultaneously, therefore, allow a Mac to run both Mac and Win-based applications

Media Editing

iLife - comes with all Macs - provides photo, web, movie editing / storage, as well as GarageBand [link]

Entertainment

Hulu.com / Clicker.com - online/streaming contents from traditional broadcast media

ESPN360.com - sports

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