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The Apple Tax is a popular term for people who believe Macs are overpriced. It’s usually screamed at the top of lungs (or the blog-commenter equivalent), but it’s rarely been dissected. The truth about the Apple Tax is straightforward on one level—you will pay more for the same specs on a Mac—and surprisingly complicated on another. It definitely exists, but it’s not a flat tax. Even avoiding build quality and OS differences by looking only at Apple products, a Mac’s price tag is justified in some configurations while in others, it’s downright punitive. If you’re a PC user thinking about switching, or just a Mac user looking to upgrade, our comprehensive look at the Apple Tax is for you. It’s what you really get for what you pay.