[TheEskimo]

There are many valid reasons. For one, Apple computers are overpriced. The Air is a good deal and the MacBooks themselves aren't too overpriced, but the actual Mac computers are extraordinarily overpriced. They also offer hardware beyond what most users need. A lesser quality computer can browse the web just as well and can do it for a thousand fewer dollars. Price is just one minor point though.

Windows still has dominant market share and, as such, is still supported far better by developers. More programs come out for windows than for mac by a long shot. The consumers are also familiar with windows which further increases the chance of them not buying a mac.

Anyways, the point of this comment is to refute your last statement. I'll first say that "purchase a .. iPad for their next computer." is completely ridiculous. A tablet cannot fill the needs of a user yet. I'll focus on why many consumers would not want to purchase a Mac. 1. Software support. A large amount of software is available only for windows. 1b. Video games 2. .Net developer/other developer. Many software developers will work on windows because that's their target platform due to the market share. 3. Familiarity. That's a big one. People are familiar with windows and so they stick with it. 4. Price. Because pcs are sold by various venders there are many pricepoints. Apple doesn't allow that. 5. Business relying on legacy software for windows.

Do I really need to name more? "I cannot even think of a reason" .. You really couldn't think of any of the above reasons or one of the several more? Macs are great and all, but they aren't the answer to everything. They still have many issues. Apple's tight grip leads to higher quality but higher prices, reduced variety, and reduced content. For now, a windows machine can do almost anything an apple computer can do at less cost. The consumer also has far more choices. A mac can only do a portion of what a pc could do; if the user installs linux than the mac has almost no features left that the pc is incapable of. Perhaps you'll harp on hardware quality, but it's perfectly possible to get machines of similar or better quality to any mac aside from the macbook air.

[olivercameron]

"I'll first say that "purchase a .. iPad for their next computer." is completely ridiculous. A tablet cannot fill the needs of a user yet"

You'd be surprised by how many people just use a computer to check their email and browse the web, all of which can be handled on an iPad simply and beautifully. My Wife and Mother have both stopped using computers altogether, iPad is all they need.

[jonnathanson]

This. The percentage of laptop users out there who actually seem to "need" a laptop is a lot smaller than we might think it is. Maybe even a minority of all laptop users.

Pretty much everyone I know who isn't a hacker, gamer, or Excel jock can get by with just an iPad for the sum total of their computing needs (web, Facebook, email, Angry Birds).

[swah]

Also, anyone who writes long documents probably wants a laptop, so everyone who is in college.

[jodoherty]

If you have Pages for iOS, an iPad stand, and an Apple wireless keyboard, you can actually get by pretty well using the iPad for word processing, assuming you sit at a desk to write.

[Argorak]

I think you put two arguments in one, one valid, one not so. I don't think apples are "overpriced" today. They are at the upper part of the price range because they want to be there, but they are competitive. I except accessories from the list, RAM for example is a rip-off in the official store.

Its the "beyond what most users need" thats the important part. A prime example for MacBook (Pros) are Batteries: they come with good, high-capacity batteries that are expensive at any manufacturer. If I buy the strong-battery option at Dell, it gets expensive quick as well. If I buy the best screen option, the same. The problem with Apple is: they don't allow you to settle for the "second best". You can only buy the best option that they will sell you in a machine class, only rarely a second one.

At thats my main reasons for not suggesting a Mac to everyone. I know a lot of people that want a notebook, but they don't hours of battery life and are on a budget. With a cheaper battery, they could easily save a hundred+ Euros. Why should they waste it on a machine that does not allow them to do so? Macs are just not the machines for people on a budget anymore.

[pstuart]

What artful trolling!