Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by Cushman 5364 days ago
There was a time, not too long ago, when Apple stuff was legitimately a worse deal than the equivalent brown-box product. It got ingrained into our cultural consciousness: Macs are overpriced, they underperform. They claim to put design first, but they still break. Not worth it unless you really like the OS.

That hasn't been true for a while, of course; Apple has made all the deals they needed to be competitive or untouchable on price and performance, and their revolutionary design philosophy has outgrown puberty and started changing the world.

But, of course, the mythos continues.
2 comments
drivingmenuts 5364 days ago
What drives some people away is the price tag, regardless of quality and features.

I just dropped $1800 and change on an iMac, which really doesn't have any more mojo than an equivalent PC.

If I need support, someone will say: "How can I help you?" no matter how inane the question, instead of (Linux) "RTFMNoob" and (Windows): "Google, install driver, visit MSDN, etc.".

The difference (in my mind) is that I didn't buy a personal computer, I bought a Mac. I didn't buy what I needed, I bought what I want.

link
thatjoshguy 5364 days ago
> I didn't buy what I needed, I bought what I want.

The funny thing is that's the complete opposite to what Apple retail employees are taught. Sell what the customer needs; nothing more, nothing less

link
Cushman 5364 days ago
I'd say that just highlights Apple's 0th law, that one thing only they seem to get: form is function, what you want is what you need. If it doesn't do what you want, it's insufficient for your needs. Conversely, if it does more than you need, you don't really want it, you just think you do.
link
zmonkeyz 5364 days ago
This is so true. While i'd love to have a new 27" IMac I just can't justify getting rid of my 3GHz 2008 since it still works so well. It's like I just took it out of the box.
link
smackfu 5364 days ago
Apple also does not bother to compete in the discount PC area. They just don't make a $250 desktop, or a $500 laptop, and Compaq and Dell do. So if that's what you are interested in, Apple definitely feels too expensive.
link