Contrary to popular opinion, a study from market analyst Gartner has found that Apple Macintosh computers are cheaper to own and run than their PC counterparts.
Gartner used its total cost of ownership methodology, which looks at the direct and indirect costs of owning IT equipment. It found Apple computers are up to 36 percent more cost- effective than competing PC products.
The study was conducted at Melbourne University’s Faculty of the Arts, which uses 4,676 Apple computers and 5,338 Windows-based machines. It compared direct costs such as hardware and software for desktops and mobile computers, servers and peripherals, upgrades, service and support and depreciation. It also looked at the indirect costs of supporting end users, training time and non-productive downtime.
Gartner found Apple systems cost A$1,953 (US$1,114) to support per year, while PC-based systems cost A$2,522 (US$1,438). The Apple systems needed less technical support and hardware and software costs were lower, according to the analyst.