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Why do people buy Apple?
- Thread starter Tech198
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Quality and aesthetics is my reason.
iOS is so smooth. I went to android in between my iPhone 3 and 4, and I just couldnt stand it. There is a lot more functionality and custamizability in android, but it just felt rough. Apple tends to make sure their features are well rounded and perfect prior to release... for the most part.
This opened the door to OSX, it spoke better with my iOS devices and the computers themselves looked and felt like quality. A plastic laptop just felt like crap to me once I used and felt a macbook. OSX is also simpler IMO and looks much nicer. I much prefer the system to windows (especially windows 8). There is that compatibility issue with some programs being windows only, but macs can run both OSX and windows (or even to a virtual machine of windows) in order to use any program, where as PCs can only do windows.
Also, Apple's customer support is superb! There are no Dell stores, or Lenovo stores, or Samsung stores. So usually all your windows support will have to go through a 3rd party such as best buy and geek squad. Apple is a one stop shop for repairs, and the service is remarkable.
You are paying a lot more for the quality. I probably couldve gotten 3 high end windows laptops for what I paid for my macbook. But I have the money and decided to treat myself, and I dont regret it at all. And to put a little history of myself on here. Im a moderate gamer (valve stuff mainly) and used to build my own pcs. Now I dont think Im ever going back to them.
iOS is so smooth. I went to android in between my iPhone 3 and 4, and I just couldnt stand it. There is a lot more functionality and custamizability in android, but it just felt rough. Apple tends to make sure their features are well rounded and perfect prior to release... for the most part.
This opened the door to OSX, it spoke better with my iOS devices and the computers themselves looked and felt like quality. A plastic laptop just felt like crap to me once I used and felt a macbook. OSX is also simpler IMO and looks much nicer. I much prefer the system to windows (especially windows 8). There is that compatibility issue with some programs being windows only, but macs can run both OSX and windows (or even to a virtual machine of windows) in order to use any program, where as PCs can only do windows.
Also, Apple's customer support is superb! There are no Dell stores, or Lenovo stores, or Samsung stores. So usually all your windows support will have to go through a 3rd party such as best buy and geek squad. Apple is a one stop shop for repairs, and the service is remarkable.
You are paying a lot more for the quality. I probably couldve gotten 3 high end windows laptops for what I paid for my macbook. But I have the money and decided to treat myself, and I dont regret it at all. And to put a little history of myself on here. Im a moderate gamer (valve stuff mainly) and used to build my own pcs. Now I dont think Im ever going back to them.
There's no single answer.
For me it's the overall package.
For me it's the overall package.
- Hardware is typically very well designed, performs very well and is aesthetically pleasing the majority of the time.
- Software typically "just works" without having to jump through the constant hoops that one becomes accustomed to in the world of Windows & Linux. You can safely bet that you can run the newest software on your Mac for about 5 years, often longer. Compared to having to check software versions, multiple point revisions, driver versions, etc before installing most software on other OS'.
- Reliability is top notch. Obviously Macs (and all other Apple devices) still break, otherwise I would have been unemployed or in a different line of work for 6 years, however they are typically VERY reliable. As a seasoned technician with experience repairing PCs and then Macs I can tell you that, aside from Apple's sometimes strict guidelines, I'd always prefer to repair a Mac over a PC. Apple offers great resources for technicians in their repair network (through Apple or AASPs) and really does give them the right tools to succeed with quality repairs.
- Capabilities. From my baseline mid-2012 11" MacBook Air at work I can control two different Mac servers, provide remote support to 200~ Macs, connect to and help PCs as needed, boot to Windows 7 if needed (sometimes I need to in order to scan my Volkswagen), etc. Yadda yadda yadda, all without having to worry about viruses, versions, etc. Compared to a job I had at a college where I HAD to use Windows 7 I am waaaaay more productive with what I have now.
- Ease of use. My current job has me deploying, training, overseeing and managing 200~ Macs. My job would be a LOT tougher and a LOT more stressful if Macs weren't so easy to use. As it sits right now the majority of my trouble tickets come from MS Office 2011 related problems. The majority of Mac users here are recent switchers (thanks to us offering Macs) over the past 2-3 years. I rarely get questions related to Apple/Mac stuff, usually it's more "so why can I do this in Outlook for PC but not with Outlook for Mac". These computers really are designed in a way that the vast majority of normal users can just power them on and go without being totally stuck. The one button mouse sounds crazy to all of us but anyone that has worked in a support role, especially where they might see older people, knows that two buttons is still confusing to a lot of people. Apple gets that, and similar usability scenarios, and does a hell of a job "making it work" for an incredibly wide range of people.
- Price, which at first sounds crazy. Simply put though, over the years I've worked with and on dozens of laptops and desktops, ranging from a couple hundred bucks to several thousand dollars. Macs, similarly equipped, rarely felt overpriced compared to their PC counterparts. More often than not the Macs felt like bargains compared to the PCs that performed equally well. Add to that the ongoing cost of support (virus protection, support calls, etc) & typically shorter lifespans (2-3 years for PC, 5-8 for Mac) and the Mac almost always ends up being a better bargain. Heck, even when you're finished with the Mac you can usually sell it for at least a couple hundred bucks. Most 3-4 year old PCs would be donated or recycled, maybe pulling $100 if sold.
I bought my PowerBook solely for the hardware. I like RISC, big endian CPUs and I really like the design and build quality of the PowerBook line. The keyboard is also better than any laptop keyboard I have come across.
I suspect most people buy Macs because of OS X and the "cool factor" more than hardware alone, though hardware is a part of it.
I suspect most people buy Macs because of OS X and the "cool factor" more than hardware alone, though hardware is a part of it.
I had bought my first iPhone in 2007 and was so impressed with it's quality that I went and bought a MBP a week later. The build quality on that MBP was superb.
A year later, I owned a new redesigned MBP, a 2008 black MacBook, a 2008 Mac Pro, and a 2008 iMac. Back then, nothing beat the build quality on all of those and, none of them were running windows. I had had enough with the computers I had running windows and how IE would crash on me, sometimes 2-3 times a day.
My next Mac will be a Mini Mac or MB Air.
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Hardware has always been a big part of it I think for most people.
A year later, I owned a new redesigned MBP, a 2008 black MacBook, a 2008 Mac Pro, and a 2008 iMac. Back then, nothing beat the build quality on all of those and, none of them were running windows. I had had enough with the computers I had running windows and how IE would crash on me, sometimes 2-3 times a day.
My next Mac will be a Mini Mac or MB Air.
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Hardware has always been a big part of it I think for most people.
simply because, compared to PC's, Apple's hardware is not exactly on top with graphics.
Software is better that's for sure, but in terms of hardware specs, for $200 or so less, you got yourself a top notch PC, if you rule out the unreliability, drivers etc.
Having said that, people still for some reason focus on "its more secure"..
True, its more secure than Windows in terms not as much infection due to small market share, but that doesn't mean its immune...
There's been lots of attacks on the Mac I could mention.. Those mass Macs that all got infected by the FlashbackTrojan for example,, the SSL major security issue, and the just plain users installing malware by typing in their password without noticing what they are installing.
To be anyway, PC/Windows and Mac's, are the same...
I do believe in security, but i got to say its really blown out of per portion, saying you need this, or that, loading yourself up with tools that does nothing to a user if they go right ahead anyway.
It's just looks like it does..
People only say "you don't need them for mac" because its a false trend convinced by Apple in the early days, when there was nothing out there..
However, times have changed.
"Graphics" are not the only hardware consideration and both Macs and iOS devices are safer than their more popular counterparts.
Sounds like you ignored everything that the people who took the time to respond to your question said in favor of some arguments from 5 years ago.
Strange. Where I work, all the Windows users with a bit of influence make sure they get MacBook Airs and install Windows on them. Clearly for the hardware. (MacBook users using MacOS X are the majority though).
Compatibility. It just works. My iPad works with my iPhone which both work with my MacBook or MacPro. I can use my iPhone to control the Apple TV. Everything works well together. I don't get that same experience with Windows based computers and Android Tablets and Samsung Phones.
My main reason was to try something new. I have never used an Apple computer before outside of spending a few minutes on a friend's iMac.
I started doing research on OS X and what an Apple computer could offer me. I decided to give it a try and see how I liked it. I liked it plenty.
I started doing research on OS X and what an Apple computer could offer me. I decided to give it a try and see how I liked it. I liked it plenty.
That's a claim that needs evidence. Please post which Mac hardware and which PC for $200 less. You might also advice us on how to rule out unreliability and drivers on the PC. If I have to waste time on things that I shouldn't have to do, like making sure my computer actually works, I'd add that to the purchase cost.
Something equivalent to the basic 13" MBA for under $800 ($200 less than $999 for the MBA) would be a good start. Part of the specs are: Less than 3 pound, 12 hour battery life, 128 GB SSD, Intel i5 processor, perfect track pad, backlit keyboard, support for 2560x1600 external monitor. Happy search.
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It's not the hardware or the software, it's the package. It's the fact that it's an integrated product, from the ground up, not a bucket of parts cobbled together to run someone else's operating system, or a one size fits all operating system. OS and hardware fine-tuned for each other.
One company taking full ownership of the product, the user experience, and customer satisfaction. If it doesn't work, there's no-one else to blame.
It's custom tailored designer originals vs. off-the-rack designer knock-offs.
One company taking full ownership of the product, the user experience, and customer satisfaction. If it doesn't work, there's no-one else to blame.
It's custom tailored designer originals vs. off-the-rack designer knock-offs.
I love to hear people tell me that the software for PC's is better than Macs. I'll reboot my Mac using Bootcamp into Windows 8 and ask them to boot their Dell into OS X Mavericks.
As Hannah Montana would say, "It's the best of both worlds." Our Macs can run either operating system. They can do this as native environments or using virtual environments like VM Ware. Their machines can't do this.
As Hannah Montana would say, "It's the best of both worlds." Our Macs can run either operating system. They can do this as native environments or using virtual environments like VM Ware. Their machines can't do this.
I used to buy Macs because there was once a time (mainly in their PowerPC era) their software and hardware was far superior than the Wintel world. I no longer feel this is the case since they've spent the last five years iOSifying their software and simply finding new ways to make their hardware thinner.
Nowadays, I don't feel Macs are worth the price. The level of support you get for Apple's software feels downright criminal, they ditch their older versions near as dammit immediately as a successor is released (which is always bug ridden and incompatible with older software). And since Microsoft have managed to make versions of Windows that don't suck and actually work at optimal speed for more than six weeks, its a hell of a lot more cost effective and pain free to be in the Wintel world nowadays. With Apple it feels like a constant cash-ectomy.
Nowadays, I don't feel Macs are worth the price. The level of support you get for Apple's software feels downright criminal, they ditch their older versions near as dammit immediately as a successor is released (which is always bug ridden and incompatible with older software). And since Microsoft have managed to make versions of Windows that don't suck and actually work at optimal speed for more than six weeks, its a hell of a lot more cost effective and pain free to be in the Wintel world nowadays. With Apple it feels like a constant cash-ectomy.