Contrary to popular opinion, Macs are not more expensive than PCs to buy and use, according to the Gartner research firm.
In fact, the group’s new study found Macs are up to 36 per cent more cost-effective than competing Wintel products.
The study was conducted at Melbourne University’s Faculty of the Arts, which uses 4,676 Macs and 5,338 Wintel machines, according to Macworld UK . It compared direct costs such as hardware and software for desktops and mobile computers, servers and peripherals, upgrades, service and support and depreciation. The study also examined the indirect costs of supporting end-users, training time and non-productive downtime.
Gartner found that Macs cost US$1,114 to support per year, while Wintel systems cost $1,438. Macs also needed less technical support and hardware and software costs were lower, the report explains.