[ugh]

Sure, you can download Safari for Windows. The page mentions that you need OS X, though. I don’t know what’s up with that and whether that’s actually true. As far as I know installing Safari on Windows also installs QuickTime, so all the necessary components (see below) seem to be there. (If all else fails you are still be able to download the videos inside iTunes on Windows and OS X.)

That browser limitation just doesn’t seem necessary, though. Apple is using the standard video tag, that should work in many modern browsers – but they are using a .mov container for whatever reason. Apple is realistically not going to use Ogg Theora or WebM but they at least could not put their h.264 videos inside QuickTime containers.

Even if they insist on using a .mov container it is possible to view those files in, for example, Chrome. Apple, in fact, does just that on their public facing pages (a current example: http://www.apple.com/macosx/whats-new/#video-lion). Same markup, same type of file, and it all works in Chrome (and maybe even other browsers).

It just makes no sense.

[trezor]

Except Apple is a hardware-company who wants you to buy a Mac and will use every occasion they can find to try to push you towards that goal.

They once almost had me, but when I found that the MBP with "similar" specs to my Dell (half-size SSD, Core2 instead of Core i5, no full-HD display unless I got the BIG clunky models, no built-in 3G what so ever, etc etc) cost almost 100% more, I decided "fuck no".

I've had an iPhone, but I'm still not infected with the Mac-disease. Thank god. It seems to get expensive quickly.

And with that kind of markup (almost 100% for inferior stuff !?!?) it makes very much sense that they want you to buy their hardware.

Edit: I know you guys love your Macs. I don't care. My point is that Apple has insane margins on their sales which noone else has. In that regard, them trying to push sales as much as possible shouldn't be a considered a "troll-comment", like the voting so far seems to indicate. Jeez.

[ugh]

Developers already have Macs (it's the only way to develop for OS X and iOS), all this does is inconvenience them. Worst case scenario: They have to start up Safari. Annoying but doable.

If you are not a OS X or iOS developer, don't have a Mac# and still want to watch the videos (they are really not targeted at you, though) you have to install iTunes. However horrible iTunes might be, I can't imagine a scenario where someone prefers buying a Mac to installing iTunes.

This is stupidity on Apple’s part, not evilness.

(To help ease your confusion with regard to Mac buyers let me just tell you that not everyone determines value like you do. Think of that whenever you are confused why someone does not or does buy something.)

---

# You also need some way to run Windows.

[rimantas]

Why no specific model number? AFAIK, Dell's Adamo with "similar" specs to MBA ended up being more expensive than Macbook Air.

[trezor]

Really. Mentioning model number wouldn't really be much use, but here is what I have now: A Dell Studio XPS Laptop with 256GB SSD, 4GB ram, 2.4GHz Core i5 dual-core CPU, 15.6" 1920x1080 LED display, built-in bluetooth, 802.11n wifi and the very important 3G module.

The MBP offer I got for a 70% higher price was: 128GB SSD, 4GB ram, 2.4GHz Core2 Duo CPU, a sub-HD LCD display. For full HD I had to go almost up to an almost 20" "laptop". Wth. And it still wouldn't be a LED-screen. Built-in 3G module is not an option and I would be forced to carry around a stupid dongle for internet access. Screw that.

Anyway: The MBP has 1. better casing, 2. an inferior last-gen CPU, 3. an inferior capacity drive, 4. no built-in 3G option, 5. an inferior low-contrast, low-DPI screen. And it costs 70% more. I'm not paying that much for better casing and ability to run OSX in a supported state. No way.

* The current MBP lineup now may be different but that was what I was offered when I went out shopping and ended up with this laptop. The price difference is very, very clear. The MBP is only an option for those already bitten by Mac-addiction.

Just to be upfront about the prices offered: The Dell-option just below 14000 NOK (Google it). The Apple-option: slightly above 23000 NOK. Not even a real question at that point.