Apple is currently the only manufacturer of computers and electronics in the world to defy the trend by increasing its market share every quarter. Due to the current economic climate, the remaining technology luminaries have been decreasing annually. Why has Apple gone against the grain? Evidently, the company's "post PC" devices, such as the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, have risen beyond Microsoft's value since 2001, which is remarkable in and of itself. It is without a doubt as good as Apple devices, but the cost is the biggest issue for many. You do have to pay extra for excellent design, well-made parts, and most importantly—and this is something that is often overlooked—very strong residual value. While it is unlikely that you will be able to buy a PC laptop and sell it for anything at all two years later, the equivalent MacBook will still be worth 60% to 70% of its value in good condition, making the purchase a cheaper investment over the two-year life span. Howe