"Compare Macs" option added to Apple Store

"Which Mac should I choose?" It's a question I've asked myself and had posed to me countless times. It comes down to your needs and budget, but some customers still struggle. This week, Apple has added a new comparison feature to the online Apple Store meant to make the process a little easier.

The new service lets you choose up to three Macs to compare side-by-side, stat by stat. Users can scroll through the report with comparable statistics perfectly aligned, and even view environmental reports. It's very handy and offers a clear picture of the differences both notable and minute.

Setting up a comparison is simple. Click the "Compare Macs" button and then select a machine for each of the three columns via a pop-up window. Kudos to Apple for developing and launching such a useful feature.

[Via The Loop]

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Source: http://store.apple.com/

"Which Mac should I choose?" It's a question I've asked myself and had posed to me countless times. It comes down to your needs and budget,...

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Paolo

I agree with mkvirt. But I might get an iMac when the i7 will cost a bit less (paying the premium seems to be a waste of money) since it can be used as a monitor once the computer inside will be completely obsolete. Hopefully as late as possible... ;)
And also, I will get a multi core (>4) Mac when I see software that can really use it. After Snow Leopard came out, there was only the craze about iPhone and iPad: the basic Mac software (iLife & iTunes) is still 32-bit and not really multi core aware. And yes, when you deal in iPhoto with thousands of pics with libraries flying around 10-30GB, you do need the extra power. 10Mpix pics are not that fast to filter with a Core 2 Duo at 2GHz - actually it feels like a 486 sometimes, though using 2GB RAM and have only iPhoto open....
So - comparing Macs - why? within a product line might be useful, but among product lines is practically useless. A Mini is clearly way different and underpowered compared to even the basic iMac. Not considering also they are totally different products.
Comparing a desktop with a laptop, is for me a non-sense.
Surely comparing Mac Book Pros and Mac Book and MB Air might help. As well as comparing different iMacs with one another. Otherwise the feature is practically useless considering how narrow the product offering of Apple is.

August 21 2010 at 11:48 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

mkvirt

All it does is confirm for me that the model Mac I want and need still doesn't exist: a quad-core Mac Mini. I already have a 30" cinema monitor so the iMac is useless, and i don't need another laptop or another tower... I do need a quad-core cpu so I guess I'm stuck with Windows and Linux till Apple brings the rest of its product line out of the stone age.

August 19 2010 at 9:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Bryce Betley

Its been there for years.

August 19 2010 at 8:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Bryce Betley's comment

Patrick

thank you! I thought I was the only one silently screaming this.

Seriously TUAW - not news, the store's had this functionality for years. They might have moved the button but really is this news?

August 20 2010 at 9:53 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mike

Damn! This is going to revolutionize the way I buy a Mac.

August 19 2010 at 5:33 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Mike's comment

Jenny

At least it's easier to compare Macbook Pros now when you can put everything to the same spec. The top 15inch model and the 17inch model is a $200 price difference when you put everything the same. For that extra $200 what exactly do I get for my money? An extra 2 inches of screen? Hardly worth that!!! SD slot vs Expresscard slot - maybe, but if the video ram itself was more then yes I'd say the extra $200 could be worth it.

It's about time Apple changed their website to make it easier for the consumer to find exactly what they need.

August 19 2010 at 8:58 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Titolito

Is this the part where I point out that millions of other websites have already been doing this for years?

August 19 2010 at 4:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

5 replies to Titolito's comment

Vukodlak

OK, but where do I find that button?

August 19 2010 at 4:05 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

2 replies to Vukodlak's comment

Joe

Select a mac first, then the compare button is in the top section next to the other models (directly to the right of the Apple Store logo)

August 19 2010 at 4:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply