[Singletoned]

Yeah, that was pretty tenuous. And assertion that women buy Apple products to deter "romantic rivals from poaching [their] relationship partner" seems almost ridiculous.

I would say that iPhones and MacBooks are almost mass-market these days. Sure, they are more expensive than the alternatives, but they are so ubiquitous that can't really be considered status symbols anymore, can they?

[mmjaa]

I wonder, did you read the scientific papers linked? Apple are just the new peacocks - there is much historical evidence of sexual signalling in consumption markets, and I urge you to read the papers linked: you may well learn something from them, and either your opinion of MacBooks will change, or it may even become stronger, for the understanding therein..

[vmarsy]

I wonder as well if you read the papers too? you may learn something from them as well.

"We investigate the idea that women’s flaunting of designer products functions as a signaling system directed at same-sex rivals who pose a threat to a woman’s relationship. We hypothesize that some women use pricey possessions to signal to other women that their romantic partner is especially devoted to them. In turn, flaunting designer handbags and shoes helps women deter romantic rivals from poaching their relationship partner"

Today iPhones and MacBook are mostly mass market for the middle class, as you can see from their presence in universities. Out of all the women owning an iPhone, and there's a lot, I've yet to meet one whose iPhone was bought by their 'devoted romantic partner'. They either bought it themselves, or their parents bought it in the family plan. And usually the phone itself is paid monthly with the plan.

Showing an iPhone does not have the same signalling effect as wearing "luxurious designer handbags", designer shoes, and "expensive jewelry".

[mmjaa]

Yes, I did read the papers, with great interest.

And the point is: It doesn't seem to fit Apple any more, by your reckoning.

But it did at some stage. You don't get to mass-market acceptance without a phase where you dominate the signalling markets. Those middle-class students with MacBooks' are the norm today - but there was a phase where it wasn't so, in Apples' history. Don't overlook that transition.

[wadeboggs]

Go to a public university or high school and count the MacBooks you see.

[falcolas]

Or the number of apple earbuds and airpods. Those white buds are ubiquitous. And where they are lacking, Apple's other property - Beats - steps in.

[bad_user]

I can tell you from my experience as somebody that never liked Apple products, those Apple earbuds are popular because they are cheap and good, having an insane quality/price ratio.

I have an Android phone right now, but I'm using Apple earbuds, even though the volume controls don't work.

[MBCook]

That's nice to hear.

As someone using AirPods right now... they're AMAZING. The 'magic' pairing is nice but it doesn't go as far as I hoped.

However as Bluetooth headphones they're so tiny it's easy to always carry them. They're a cinch to charge. They sound great (for their size) and now I always carry them with me. Music? Podcasts? Videos? Way more than good-enough.

Just fantastic little things. Shame they're STILL 6 weeks behind demand. They must be REALLY hard to make if Apple hasn't sorted it out after all this time.

[falcolas]

We're strongly in personal preference territory, but Apple earbuds sound terrible. The lows are far too heavy and the mids are far too thin, though the highs at least sound OK. I would rather spend that $30 (retail from Apple) on a pair of Sennheiser, Klipsch or even Sony earbuds.

[jrs95]

Well relative to $40k+ for tuition, a $1000+ laptop is pretty cheap!

[fhood]

Hell, probably less than your cell bill per year.

[eregorn]

I think it could be argued, though this article didn't seem to bother arguing it as much as it does for the other "pharaohs". Wasn't there an article here a few weeks ago about the green text bubbles?