The times when I used to erm "research" pirated software are long gone, so I naturally can't really say much about piracy differences between Mac and Windows. Back in 2002 when I switched after many years of Windows to the Mac, there was certainly far less.
It may be a question of price, though I also think that it could be a bout ease of buying. With the App Store people really only have to click twice to buy something. On Windows if you need a product as a solution to a problem, you need to go to different websites, compare their offers, everybody has a different payment provider, then you have to download and install. Really, I think that for many people pirating is not only cheaper but also far easier. And, since usually only good software is pirated, and not the crap, you don't even have to do so much research and cognitive burden to decide which offer to take. Other people already did that for you when they decided which one to pirate.
There're also studies though, where people find out that Mac users seem to be more inclined to pay for software. Maybe it's a question of initial price: When I pay a lot of money for a really good meal, I don't mind spending another 5 bucks for a great wine to accompany the taste of the meal. So if you spend quite some money for good (or perceived good, I don't want a Apple vs. others flamewar here) hardware, you might also want to spend a bit more on software.
Right now in Münster, Germany. Being a small student city prices are really reasonable. In the student's cafe you can get a complete meal (example: pasta with chicken and yoghurt and salad) for 2.20 Eur. Add 70 cent for a water and you have a 3 eur meal. Now, they also have high quality wok food or special foods, these are usually 3 Eur or 3.50 eur :)
In most european countries, student's food is state subsidized, that explains the fantastic prices.
Comments
The times when I used to erm "research" pirated software are long gone, so I naturally can't really say much about piracy differences between Mac and Windows. Back in 2002 when I switched after many years of Windows to the Mac, there was certainly far less.
It may be a question of price, though I also think that it could be a bout ease of buying. With the App Store people really only have to click twice to buy something. On Windows if you need a product as a solution to a problem, you need to go to different websites, compare their offers, everybody has a different payment provider, then you have to download and install. Really, I think that for many people pirating is not only cheaper but also far easier. And, since usually only good software is pirated, and not the crap, you don't even have to do so much research and cognitive burden to decide which offer to take. Other people already did that for you when they decided which one to pirate.
There're also studies though, where people find out that Mac users seem to be more inclined to pay for software. Maybe it's a question of initial price: When I pay a lot of money for a really good meal, I don't mind spending another 5 bucks for a great wine to accompany the taste of the meal. So if you spend quite some money for good (or perceived good, I don't want a Apple vs. others flamewar here) hardware, you might also want to spend a bit more on software.
3 eur for lunch...five bucks for a great wine?? where exactly is it that you live? i'd like to visit ;o)
Right now in Münster, Germany. Being a small student city prices are really reasonable. In the student's cafe you can get a complete meal (example: pasta with chicken and yoghurt and salad) for 2.20 Eur. Add 70 cent for a water and you have a 3 eur meal. Now, they also have high quality wok food or special foods, these are usually 3 Eur or 3.50 eur :)
In most european countries, student's food is state subsidized, that explains the fantastic prices.