Macsnobs
Maybe it’s just the people I’m exposed to, but this notion that Apple is god and everything else is crap seems to be at an epic high. I suspect the hype surrounding the release of the iPhone, and now the iTouch (which is basically just an iPhone without the phone part – what’s the big fuss?), have infected the population with this propensity to be “Macsnobs”.
Everyone seems to say, “Apple is the only way to go.” I can’t help but ask, “is it? …and if so, why?” It’s as if these Macsnobs are incapable of holding Apple to the same high standard they hold most other products. Anecdotally, iPhones seem to be full of problems (freezing screens, poor phonecall quality), overpriced (though maybe not anymore), and way too prone to damage. The same can be said for the iPod. Personally, I have not had one of them remain functional for more than a year. Macbook users are also restricted from enjoying many things PC users take for granted (for me, anyway, not the least of these is Bodog Poker, see: $35k+ database of gross cashes).
I recently purchased a Toshiba laptop with Windows Vista. So far I’m quite impressed. It cost me $700. An Apple laptop, provided you’re not willing to settle for a ridiculously ineffcient 13-inch screen, starts at $2,000, but can get as high as $3,000. And the Macsnob would say of my decision, “have fun when yours breaks down in a year!” Even if I expect the Toshiba to break down within a year (which, admittedly, given how much I’ll be using it, I do), I still stand by my purchase.
For the same price as a Macbook, I can replace my current computer once a year for 3-4 years (and that’s if I just keep my computer-buying money under my mattress). That means I’ll be using less outdated technology four years from now, provided our “Macsnobs” are hypothetically restricted from buying anything new while I spend years working towards reaching their spending level.
But I’m not knocking on Apple. They are clearly an incredibly smart company. But that’s just it. They’re smart… not necessarily great. And although I don’t have much extensive use with their products, they would have to be, across the board, significantly better than their competitors to justify the significantly higher prices. The basic structure of logic behind the phrase, “exceptional claims require exceptional evidence,” isn’t just useful in arguing against religion.
Apple has succeded in turning their brand into a fashion. People flock to fashions, because they fear they might be judged if they don’t. But all fashions eventually die. If Apple is unable to stay one step ahead of these changes, their company’s image could go the way of bellbottoms [1].
Amidst all those who think that “Mac is the only way to go,” I’ll continue quietly making a yearly 15 minute trip to Best Buy to pick up the latest shitty (but affordable) PC.
From my vantage point, these people relentlessly touting Apple seem like nothing more than victims of some incredibly brilliant marketing. I’m way more impressed with how they’ve built their brand than I am with their products.
[1] I should state for the record that I think Apple is smart enough to successfully market their products in a way that they will continue to be wildly consumed well into the distant future.
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I liked your post. You are right: you can get a Windows (what version?) Vista laptop for $700. Great. Glad it works for you.
But to say that Apple sells products based on great marketing is absolutely ridiculous. I have been a Mac users for 20 years. I have never bought a Mac because of “great marketing.” I am not saying their marketing isn’t great. But it only “adds” to the experience, design, usability, technology and efficiency of the Mac.
Are they perfect? No. But Apple must be doing something right, outside of marketing, to be making money hand-over-fist right now. How about making a great product? I don’t want to label you as a Windows fanboy. That would be disrespectful. I am not a Mac fanboy, either. But I think if you would take a few days to experience computing on a Mac, you would start to understand what it is all about. Maybe you won’t. But I wish you wouldn’t make a blanket statement about us Mac users, as if we got sucked into the distortion field, because of all things, marketing.
I have worked in IT for over 10 years. I support a Mac network of 55 Macs and three Xserves. No viruses means no AV software. Bonjour makes installing a printer a 10 second job. Administering an Xserve is so simple a HS student could do it. Remote Desktop is better than anything I have seen on Windows.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I am truly glad Windows works for you. But real people get real work done everyday on a Mac. Maybe you should give a Mac a real try and see just how great computing can be.
Cheers!
Your said, “…yearly 15 minute trip to Best Buy to pick up the latest shitty (but affordable) PC.”
Ok, so I buy a $1500 Macintosh laptop every three years. That is $500 a year, so how much is your shitty (but affordable) PC? If It is more then $500 you are getting screwed.
But in fact I use a tower for my business and after pricing a Dell vs. Mac the Mac is almost $1000 cheaper for the same specs. I just can’t afford those shitty PCs.
Good call. OS X offers nothing functionally over Vista, and there is little good reason to go to the trouble of adopting a different operating system in either direction.
I use a Mac because, when it was time to move from DOS to a graphical interface, I faced the choice between System 7 and Windows 3. I don’t think I was a sucker for marketing.
No, it’s not just the people you’re hanging around with, it’s the whole world. WIth the release of Vista, and it’s overwhelming disappointing reception from the general computer using public, many many people have decided to try the grass on the other side of the fence to see if it is indeed greener, and guess what they’re finding? It is! Apple is making great products, and deserves all the success they are having. OS X is a great Unix based OS (think security), and the Apple hardware is well, fantastic.
“The basic structure of logic behind the phrase, “exceptional claims require exceptional evidence,” isn’t just useful in arguing against religion.”
Is it just that you don’t know enough about the underlying technology, so that you *assume* that there is no basis for people’s preference, so that it must be “religion”?
Talking about the old “Mac OS”, as some other contributors have, muddies the waters. By the time it was dropped it had become a mess far worse than Windows. it was horrifically unstable. Mac OS 9 machines could crash when idling overnight. I don’t care about the Apple brand, and I wouldn’t have bought such crap.
OS X is different. It’s a new start. It’s UNIX-based. Moreover it builds on top of NeXT’s fabulous technology, which the popular Linux desktops don’t. This article gives an idea of one of the real and important difference under the hood:
http://rixstep.com/2/20050529,03.shtml
More on OS X and the advantage of the frameworks here:
http://weblog.infoworld.com/yager/archives/2007/10/take_me_home_le.html
To be sure Leopard isn’t perfect, but it’s a damn sight closer than anything else out there. I don’t find anything else as nice to use, and there’s a reason for that — the way it’s built.
Contrary to what some people would have you believe, Apple is competitive on price in the areas of the market in which it does compete. However, it doesn’t have an offering at every price point. An Apple machine might not suit everyone’s budget and needs, and if it doesn’t best buy something else. But anyone crying Leopard down either lacks experience of the OS and its alternatives and is short on knowledge or has a bad case of sour grapes. It’s got its flaws, but it really is very good indeed.
Shitty is as shitty does.
Comparing Macs to PCs is like comparing Apples to Oranges..
And… if your main reason for purchasing a PC over the Mac is the price .. then you’re missing the obvious..
Yes … Apple doesn’t offer a cheap computer .. but when you compare any model Mac with its counterpart Windows machine — (equally equipped) .. the Mac comes out with the better price ..
Another thing to consider .. with any new Mac, you are able to install your Windows OS (Vista or XP) right on the same hard drive along side of the Mac OS — and run both systems natively ! ..
Can you do this with a Windows machine ?
Now, personally, I wouldnt do this, because it would be a huge waste of hard drive space … but …
This feature, alone, justifies the price of any Mac … even if you think its more expensive …
Is it really ?
Irony is obviously not your strong suit since you exhibit an illogical streak of reverse snobbery yourself.
Reason enough for me to feel comfortable where I lay my money rather than gambling.
You’re forgetting one crucial thing – Apple products hold value. Take a look on Ebay for the last generation ipod or PB – then take a look at a year or two year old PC … at the end of the day, Apple products ARE cheaper because they hold value better. How many year older PC’s are selling for $1k or more? Or take a look at the 12″ PB’s – they are practically selling for the same price as if you had bought them new (they are discontinued) – again, how many PC’s can sell for the original full retail for a 2 year old notebook? Can you even sell a Rio or Creative for a tiny fraction of what you paid? Sure, if you want me to call me a snob or a fanboy but some things (not just Apple products) are better and more valued (new or used) … again, that’s your choice to just look at items as to what you pay for it today but in the long run, it’s actually the value that’s more important.
I don’t know man. I spent $1000 on a Dell laptop before freshman year and had to reformat it three times over the two years that I had it. You were there. You saw. I’ve now had my $1500 Mac for two and a half years with absolutely no problems, and frankly it has much better specs. I’ve also had my iPod for that long with no problems, and it’s an older model that I got off of eBay. I don’t know what you and Aut did to yours. I expected to be on my third iPod by now, after seeing your problems with them.