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Ask Slashdot: What Is the 'Special Appeal' of Apple Products?
Reader dryriver writes: As someone who comes from MS-DOS/Windows PCs background, I've never quite understood the appeal of Apple's products. I don't think Apple's products are terrible or anything, but I just fail to see what is so special and different about Apple's electronics that many Apple users would never dream of switching to a non-Apple product. Where does the 'special appeal' of Apple products reside? And why are Apple users so very loyal to Apple products, even though with Apple's pricing policy, you rarely get the best bang-for-the-buck in a product?
Basically under reach by apple vs. over reach by MS. I used to think MS's big failure was 3rd party drivers by folks who didn't know what they are doing then I spent a little time with surface and realized that even ms can't seem to write working drivers for modern windows.
Except a good number of those are just not true. Especially "it just works", which is really "it usually works, but if it doesn't you're absolutely fucked. And by usually, we mean about 60% of the time". I've had far more problems with Apple software than MS.
I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
Exactly. These are the exact same reasons I love my Macbook. I've had it for 2 years and it works JUST like it did when I brought it home from Microcenter.
I've reinstalled Windows on my Acer laptop 3 times in that same time.
And yes, they have resale value. My mom sold her Macbook Pro a year after she bought it for over 70 % of what she gave new for it. That's NOT going to happen with a PC laptop.
Yes, there is hype, but it's backed up.
The answers (the honest ones anyway) are going to be kind of boring too.
You brought up a number of valid points.
I'd add:
1. I can run Windows in a VM if I want for that rare occasion I need to run a Windows program or want to check to see how a file looks in the Windows version of a program.
2. There's generally an Apple store near where I am, even traveling, so if I have a problem I can get it fixed quickly or if I need something like a power supply because I lost one I can get one right away.
As for longevity, I have an early Mac Mini running as a video server and it's been up 24x7 for a few years so far. In the end it comes down to what works best for the individual. I've used Macs for nearly 20 years and they have always met my needs. YMMV.
I'm a consultant - I convert gibberish into cash-flow.
I totally agree with this. I love to share my favorite customer service experience with Apple:
I had a G5 "cheese grater" Mac Pro tower - the one that came with water cooling for the CPU. I'd had it for about 5 years when one day it just would turn on. Took it to the Genius Bar. They told me it was not repairable, so they gave me a brand-new, $2,000, Xeon-based Mac Pro. 5 year old computer, no warranty. Believe me, I walked out of there a happy - and loyal - guy!