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More would switch from Windows to Mac if Apple advertised more effectively
Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 11:46 PM EDT

"I got an earful at the New York State Fair last week.... My primary advice to readers who are ready to buy a new computer has been to switch to an Apple Macintosh. Apple's computers are based on Unix, a safer operating system than Windows, and they are unaffected by Windows viruses, spyware and zombieware. That's what I told fairgoers who asked me what I thought. And it's probably what I told folks who didn't ask me what I thought, too," Al Fasodlt writes for The Syracuse Post-Standard.

"Some of those I talked to said they hadn't realized that Apple's computers handled such common Windows documents as Microsoft Word files. In fact, Microsoft created Word for the Mac first, then created the Windows version after it was clear the program would be a success. Microsoft even offers a Mac OS X version of the Office suite; it's Office 2004," Fasodlt writes.

"I had some spirited conversations about personal choice in computing, too. Competition is vital, but information is important, too. I had the feeling, after talking to many readers, that Microsoft's competitors need to advertise on TV and in print media more," Fasodlt writes.

Full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: We must meet the same people as Al. Almost universally, they don't know a thing about Apple Macintosh. Apple hasn't just dropped the ball, they buried it several miles down. Here's hoping that Apple wakes up and takes advantage of Microsoft's malaise by actually getting the word out through advertising that the Mac is quite compatible with other platforms and is the better choice for the vast majority of personal computer users.

Related MacDailyNews articles:
Forrester analysts: Apple should advertise Mac OS X Tiger on television and in movie theaters - April 29, 2005
Mac fans line up for new operating system as passberby asks 'what is a tiger?' - April 29, 2005
Apple posts QuickTime movies of Mac OS X Tiger features in action - April 13, 2005
Why doesn't Apple advertise Mac OS X on TV? - April 12, 2005
Why doesn't Apple show its patented Mac OS X 'Genie Effect' in TV ads? - October 07, 2004
Top Ten things Apple needs to show the world about Macintosh - July 30, 2003

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Sep 04, 05 - 01:19 am Comment from: AUG

Apple doesn't believe in advertising. That would cut into profit. Plus, Apple only knows how to make commercials that are fun to watch, but don't sell computers. They rely on the iPod + iTunes --> Apple Store -> see Apple computers --> get interesting in Apple computer --> buy Mac theory.

Sep 04, 05 - 01:39 am Comment from: JadisOne

MDN, I hope Apple gets on the ball as well. I am so sick of seeing those XP commercials everywhere. They are very effective at connecting with consumers and at tricking consumers that they can accomplish anything their hearts desire with XP. But we know the truth. Plug-and-play is plug-and-pray. There is no iLife for XP. Viruses, malware, worms. It is disheartening because for the life of me, I cannot understand why Apple does not advertise more prominently. Everyone is not a geek and peruse sites like this regularly, and word of mouth can only take you so far.

Apple, please just do something! (And not just brand ads - get a call to action message to buy in the ads please.)

Sep 04, 05 - 01:41 am Comment from: Jay

Finally convinced my Mother to switch for her old Compaq to a 1.8 Ghz G5 iMac. She was very hesitant at first because people at her job kept telling her it was a mistake. (They use Windows at her job, big surprise) After one day on her iMac she was so impressed, she actually said, "I should have done this sooner." And was surprised again and again how much easier it was to use and, for a woman who isn't a big computer user or fan, she was having fun. Now my Mother and her husband want iPods and her husband wants a new Mac too.

Sep 04, 05 - 01:42 am Comment from: jac

Go there, read that book (it's free online in PDF format), then you will understand what Apple is about. it takes time and care, but a well designed idea virus is exactly what Apple has in it's arsenal. Interuption Advertising can only go so far, tried and true viral advertising is what will make a brand sell and eventually sell huge.

http://www.sethgodin.com/ideavirus/

Sep 04, 05 - 01:44 am Comment from: jac

granted... some more interuption advertising certainly wont hurt.

Sep 04, 05 - 01:44 am Comment from: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Longhorn

One of the major drawbacks to Apple doing advertising like the above requests is that Apple would basically have to say "Hey, we can run Office, too!!". To hell with using M$ as a stepping stone to switching. I think the iLife suite and the security angle are the most important features to promote to potential converts. If they aren't smart enough to do the five minutes of research necessary to find out that Mac supports Office then to hell with them as well. You may say that sounds elitist, but if Word and Excel is such a big part of these peoples lives then they really should be savvy enough to figure out other platforms support those formats or applications!
I had someone tell me they wanted a new computer a couple weeks ago and when I suggested Mac they said "No way!" because her husband told her that you couldn't even check email on a Mac!! People like that just don't even need to be using a computer, regardless of platform!!!

The word of mouth advertising is really starting to snowball. Almost every major newspaper with a technology section is praising Apple and berating M$ for flaws and missed deadlines on a weekly basis.
I feel that the natural progression of migrators will lend to a healthier growth of Apple in the long run. It will allow for more manageable expansion while retaining the quality. If everyone were to switch tomorrow, the quality would go to shit.
Hopefully, there will be a bit more promotion after the iNtel switch is complete.

Sep 04, 05 - 01:53 am Comment from: Sputnik

This is no surprise. Everyone in the Real IT World already knows and understands the unique advantages of the superior platform that is Windows, along with the distinct and trailblazing improvements offered by .NET and the soon-to-be-released Vista. Thus the Personal Computing Experience will continue to be defined in the future -- with all desires accommodated and all needs fulfilled.

©

Sep 04, 05 - 01:55 am Comment from: Scott Rose

Agreed 1,000% !!!

Apple MUST advertise the Macintosh advantage & Macintosh compatibility more effectively!!

If you look back at the history of Apple's advertisements, they have always done a VERY POOR JOB of advertising historically. Even the first iPod ads were awful -- do you remember that guy dancing around in his apartment after a bunch of closeup screenshots of his iBook that nobody could unerstand except a diehard Mac user?

Apple's ads have always been awful. The silhouette iPod ad campaign was actually the FIRST ad campaign to come out of Apple that WASN'T awful.

In fact, if you'll remember correctly, iPod sales didn't even begin to take off until Apple switched their iPod print advertising from showing a photo of the iPod to the silhouette people.

Most normal (non-computer) people don't care what a product looks like in their advertisments -- they want to see people HAVING FUN with the product. Most people want to CONNECT with other human beings that they can relate to in their advertisements.

Apple finally got it right with the silhouette ads -- they reached out to the majority of America. Now Apple needs to do something similar with advertising the Macintosh.

Come on, Apple! Wake up!

Sep 04, 05 - 02:01 am Comment from: The Dark Side of the Moon

Unfortunately, Apple doesn't advertise nearly enough. They rely on word of mouth from other Mac users to switch the Windows mob. And to be honest, do you really think Apple could pull off a commercial showing OS X and iLife in all its glory? Probably not, and even if they could I don't think people would believe it's true.

As on off-to-the-side thing I do, I make DVDs for graduations, trips, et al, as slideshows in iPhoto, and make the DVDs in iDVD. Then I package them up with a nice cover, and a nice label for the disc, so they look semi-professional. Then to "spread the gospel" I put a little "Made on a Mac" sticker on the inside of the case, with links to OS X, and to iLife.

People say the DVDs look pretty good (not bragging!!) and always ask how I make them. Some of the people I've talked to and ask about the sticker say, "What's a Mac?" or "When did Microsoft release that?"

With the links, I hope that starts getting people (albeit small amount) to the Apple store, and gets them seeing the light. What do you guys do to spread the gospel?

Sep 04, 05 - 02:34 am Comment from: toolazytotell

Sputnik .. yer a hoot to read

The REAL IT world is pissed off having to deal with viruses, and malware, and spyware and would rather do something FUN.

Desktops are fixed by wiping them out and reinstalling. To damn expensive to try and figure out what's wrong. Much harder to do that with a corporate server running SAP or Oracle so you use something that does NOT have that risk associated with it.

Hence why so many big shops put Windows on the desktop, and Unix in the data centers.

And when there's a virus everyone gets the days off like the ones that shut down Detroit auto plants, the NC DMV, CNN, ABC, New York Times, Caterpillar Inc, SF Airport, etc etc.

And this is only 1 virus - Zotob.

Windows "superiority" has cost the country billions in lost time becuase of its swiss cheese security.

.NET will just make that more obvious

Sep 04, 05 - 04:59 am Comment from: coolfactor

As long as Apple is good with the bank account and continues to turn out mind-blowing, so-simple products, then I'm happy with where we are now.

The Mac community is just that... a community. There is no such thing as a Windows community, at least not with the same passion for quality and experience.

To bring millions of "who cares about quality" people into the Mac community... is that going to be a good thing? Sure, more people need to switch, but they also need to be ready to. When they wake up and realize the truth, then they'll be ready. We shouldn't sound so desparate for them to do so.

This goes right along with MDN complaining that protected WMA files and music stores based on the format don't work with the Mac. Who friggin' cares! What difference is it going to make to us, except to dilute the awesome platform we already have?

Sep 04, 05 - 05:03 am Comment from: coolfactor

toolazytotell,

I agree with your post, but I hope we can stop putting so much energy on the fact that Macs are better than Windows because of viruses. It's more than that... the entire user experience is much more refined and user-focused than Windows has ever offered. That's what really matters at the end of the day, and what people need to realize. There is a better computing experience waiting for them, and it has nothing to do with viruses, worms or malware.

Sep 04, 05 - 05:35 am Comment from: For as long as...

...Windows users reply with "Office <version here>" when asked about what operating system they run on, they are too stupid to switch.

...Windows users reply "can't use Mac because I could not exchange email with my buddies" they are too stupid to switch.

...Windows users reply "if Macs were as many as Windows they too would be infected by Zotob. The problem is that the virus cannot find them" they are way too stupid to switch.

...Windows users use Windows they are de facto too stupid to switch.

MDN "said" as in 'nuff said

Sep 04, 05 - 08:41 am Comment from: ron

Steve Jobs doesn't want to sell any more product than he is now.

He has enough money to last himself a long time.

He has a deal with Bill gates to allow Microsoft to survive.

There are other reasons also why Apple doesn't advertise effectively.

There must be, because otherwise they'd be able to outdo MS in every area of sales.

Sep 04, 05 - 08:54 am Comment from: ron

The main reason Apple doesn't advertise effectively, is because the owner of his present ad agency is blackmailing Steve Jobs.

MW- moving. As in --Steve is not moving to a new ad agency.

Sep 04, 05 - 09:18 am Comment from: Big Pete

There are a lot of my friends who are PCers and they always take the piss out of me for being a Mac'er, but when the see the G5 tower with the 23'' display attached and I allow them to play with it and see that amongst other things like iLife, M$ Office works fine on the Mac and even looks better on the Mac they are jealous.

But, will they change. No they won't because they have spent what they can on their current systems and even though they love the feel of the Mac and OSX they are frightened that they are not clever enough to learn a new system. I tell them to stop being a luddite and change.

Maybe some will, maybe not!

Either way I don't give a flying flapjack because I know I have the very best system, I have tried to convert them and the rest is up to them.

FEAR of the unknown is a strong emotion.

Sep 04, 05 - 09:19 am Comment from: mike

We must meet the same people as Al. Almost universally, they don't know a thing about Apple Macintosh. Apple hasn't just dropped the ball, they buried it several miles down

------

MDN, you're missing the point.. they're not advertising on mainstream TV, because that's really not where the receptive audience is..

Check the iTMS again.. they're advertising there... those are potential converts.. people who know, use and like Apple products already..

There are ads for Mac Minis and Mac promos in the iTMS.. Very clever..

I'm not saying the Mute approach to major TV networks is brilliant.. but most of the time, it's just not turning into sales

What's the audience for people on the iTMS.. er.. about 25 million people.. got it.

Sep 04, 05 - 09:47 am Comment from: ron

mike >What's the audience for people on the iTMS.. er.. about 25 million people.. got it.>

And where , precisely, does it advertise ANYTHING about the OSX or the Mac on iTunes?

Zero, Zilch, Nada. Nowhere! Got it!

Sep 04, 05 - 10:19 am Comment from: shipwithsails

Apple does not advertise because they currently own as much market as they desire, no more. A larger market will bring only the headaches that M$ is going through (not just the viruses).

As far as an office replacement, that could be Apples greatest trophy but it is not in Appleworks nor in Pages. Apple should team with the Open Office group, financially support them to create a truely efficient and usable alternative to M$ Office and make it run on Mac, PC and Linux. Then some sparks would fly.

Sep 04, 05 - 10:26 am Comment from: kenh

It's one thing to get down on people when they know all thealternatives, and then make a choice to stay with Windows. At that point, you can call them stupid, or whatever you like.

But that is not the situation. I work every day, literally, with people who have never been informed that a Mac is not just a different looking computer with a variation of a different Windows operating system.

Oddly enough, the features of the Mac that we have had available for a long time actually ARE advertised, and on tv.

How? A couple of years ago I saw a tv ad showing someone taking digital pictures and sending them via a wireless connection to the folks back home. Hmm, I thought: if I were thinking about buying a wireless laptop, that might just be the function that would tip me into buying.

Were they using a Mac, or were they using iPhoto, or iMovie?

No! It was an HP commercial for one of their laptops, and some piece of bundled software of theirs.

Here is what I think happens. As soon as some Mac OSX feature looks like it could reach critical mass in the collective minds of buyers, some company like HP leaps in with a commercial (preemptive strike?) to give the impression that HP is where you go to send digital photograpy.

IF, and it is a big IF, Apple had an ad agency that was basically competent, they could have that place in the mind of the buyers.

But that is now what happens. Apple's ad philosophy seems to have always been this: If I present an image that is vague and mysterious, people will come looking for me. After all, it works so well for what we used to call "old maids!" NOT!

The one time (iPod) they present a reasonably focused image to the public, it works! (surprise!)

Having said that: there is no doubt that the Mac and OSX have more presence in the mind of buyers than ever. Hopefully, it is not just accidental.

But it is still hard to beat simple direct answers to problems.

Tell people what you do, and they will buy. Be vague about what you do and normal intelligent people will go buy from someone who at least appears to present a focused image, rightly or wrongly, because we know that in the real world, that HP laptop would only have been marginally successful in sending those images of the Roman Colliseum back home.

But since Apple does not show how OSX can be used, you cannot blame normally intelligent people for going to the HP default when they have not been shown alternatives.

Calling them stupid is, well..........Stupid. And elitist!

Sep 04, 05 - 10:26 am Comment from: mike

And where , precisely, does it advertise ANYTHING about the OSX or the Mac on iTunes?

---

Huh? Er.. gee the Mac mini ads and the iPod + Mac Student Union Promo..

I mean.. can you find a more perfect example of the Halo Effect than the Student Union combo??

Sep 04, 05 - 10:28 am Comment from: MacJack

Mac users are usually Mac users by choice. Most Windows users don't know/think they have a choice.

Sep 04, 05 - 10:49 am Comment from: Chris

Apple has decided to stick to the higher end consumers just as they create higher end machines. Basic to any business degree you learn to attract a certain group of consumers. Various studies have been done in the 20th century that have shown that low end customers only end up eating your profit by spending huge amounts of time on help lines,customer service requests, ect.

This is why some companies "track" customers e.g. moving higher end customers (bigger spenders) to the front of the line AKA apple pro card.

Sep 04, 05 - 11:00 am Comment from: MacDoctor

If Apple would advertise their OS and the computers at all would be astounding. I get a lot of the same conversations as Al, along with some incorrect, snotty, hateful coments from know-it-all Windows zelots like ron, Joe and Sputnik. Don't show them the facts, they have their minds made up already. There's just no getting through to them and then they laugh at Apple fans for being so loyal.
Ads would help greatly…something more and beyond those artsy-fartsy iPod ads.
Perhaps when Apple switches it's product line to Intel chips we'll see a boost in market share. People will see that Apple's have Intel inside and may equate Macs and Windows boxes on some level, the Macs will have better industrial design and of course OS X, which is much better than MS will ever have to offer. Ever.

Sep 04, 05 - 11:06 am Comment from: kenh

re: "Apple has decided to stick to the higher end consumers just as they create higher end machines. Basic to any business degree you learn to attract a certain group of consumers. Various studies have been done in the 20th century that have shown that low end customers only end up eating your profit by spending huge amounts of time on help lines,customer service requests, "

So why produce the low priced Mac Mini?

I deal all the time with people who have various kinds of degrees. I have two of them myself.

But what trumps college degrees easily is my school of life degree. I do remedial on business school graduates every day.

If someone wants to buy my product based upon intelligent comparisons of the alternatives, and if my product is legal and moral, guess what: I sell it to them!

There might be something to what you say if there is a limited supply of the product that you are selling, but no one can really tell me that about Mac computers. If there is a demand, factories to produce chips, motherboards etc, can appear amazingly quickly. Yeah, you can have temporary problems, but solutions appear if there is a real motivaition to do so.

Sep 04, 05 - 11:30 am Comment from: Too Hot!

Well said kenh
The lack of tolerance toward Windows users on MDN is really getting out of hand. It is an established fact that the majority Mac users at present are themselves switchers. The generation that started with Macs and stuck with them is slowly disappearing.
So what is the reason behind all this abuse?
My guess is that some are so upset with themselves for having been on the Windows camp for so long, that they are taking their anger out on those who still are.
What is odd is they haven’t asked themselves about the process they went through to switch. Those that are technophiles were obviously able to figure out which is the better platform, but those who are not must have been attracted to the Mac just like any consumer would be attracted to a product: a process that usually involves a bit of advertising. They were lucky since Apple hasn’t done much of that.
So, a bit of LUCK is involved in switching (thanks to Apple’s malaise). Intelligence is not the primary factor for many. I don’t believe all Mac users are high-end users. Most that I know are just regular folk.
In fact, the unfortunate thing is that the most geeky people don’t even go for the Mac, they prefer Linux. They typically are not impressed with GUI and enjoy command-line work. Some have switched to Mac OSX as it allows them the regular UNIX use, but they haven’t been defecting in droves.

Sep 04, 05 - 11:38 am Comment from: Joe McConnell

As long as Apple doesn't advertise, MS will continue to make Office for the Mac.

Sep 04, 05 - 11:47 am Comment from: Too Hot!

One thing many forget is that Windows is not Microsoft's cash crop, Office is. Obviously, MS makes money indirectly from the Windows platform by the dependency on it of many bits of software. Technically, however, MS would probably make as much money on office as it would lose on Windows and others if Apple advertises more effectively.
I would really love it if Apple's next big thing would be an office suite that is compatible with MS Office, but does things better, is more stable, more elegant and works cross-platform.
That would really hurt MS.

Sep 04, 05 - 11:55 am Comment from: ron

MacDoctor---Physician, heal thyself.

>incorrect, snotty, hateful coments from know-it-all Windows zelots like ron, Joe and Sputnik. Don't show them the facts, they have their minds made up already.>

Dear Doctor, I have always been a Mac zealot. That is 'zealot', spelled with an 'A'. Didn't they care about spelling at your doctoring school? It originates with the word zeal...great energy in pursuit of a cause.

I have turned on/sold many, many people into buying Macs.

Please don't associate me with a loon like sputnik.

Sep 04, 05 - 11:58 am Comment from: Ralph

Apple may begin to advertize more agressively once they switch to Intel processors for two reasons:

1) Intel will be able to deliver the quantities that Apple will need to keep up with demand.

2) Intel may kick in a little cash itself to promote its specialized chips at the same time.

We'll see...

Sep 04, 05 - 12:02 pm Comment from: Jack Arends

I would be happy if Apple just made the points:

1. Microsoft Office files are cross platform compatible
2. CDs and thumb drives (and even floppies!) are cross compatible between Macs and Windows computers
3. OS X is a much more secure platform and currently there are no viruses, adware, spyware, or other malware that effects OS X
4. Except for bargain basement cheapo junk computers Macs are very similar in price
5. Macs come with all the software most light users will ever need and it is included for free
6. There is tons of software available for the Mac and pretty much anything you can do on a windows machine, you can also do on a Mac - AND there are a lot of things you can do on a Mac that you CANNOT do on a Windows machine

Sep 04, 05 - 12:16 pm Comment from: JulesLt

As mentioned before - made a CD of our holiday photos using iPhoto and the default (Ken Burns) slideshow. Dropped into DVD player when friends round - 'how did you get that made' - 'I did it on a Mac - took 5 minutes'.

Apple need a series of task focused adverts on things like Magic Movie, iPhoto, Spotlight - even just 15 second mini-adverts. Or those pre/post program sponsorship ads.

As for why the Mac Mini now - let's be honest, OS/X only got mature with Panther, and Tiger is more so. Ditto iLife. I think they've assessed that they have a system that is now 'mass market' rather than 'computer market'.

Sep 04, 05 - 12:20 pm Comment from: Sheeple

(Sung to the tune of B Streisand's People)
Sheeple... Windoze using Sheeple
Are the most unfortunate Sheeple... in the World

Sep 04, 05 - 12:27 pm Comment from: kenh

re: "As long as Apple doesn't advertise, MS will continue to make Office for the Mac."

After all this time, and the lack of advertising for the Mac operating system, you have to wonder if that is not true.

re: "I would really love it if Apple's next big thing would be an office suite that is compatible with MS Office, but does things better, is more stable, more elegant and works cross-platform.
That would really hurt MS"

If the trade for lack of advertising is Office, then that could be the tipping point that would allow Apple to take on Microsoft heads on.
You always have to wonder why Steve has never done that. We might be approaching the point of critical mass as OSX gets stronger and Windows gets weaker for so many technical reasons.
But the real prize (some kind of "tool kit") that would allow companies who require (and there are a lot of them) industry specific software created on Windows to port them over to OSX. And would allow them to correct things that need correcting.

And I agree that being on Intel gives Apple some credibility that might get them into some companies who are big enough to leverage their software suppliers of their industry specific software to make the changeover.


Probably asking for the impossible there. But just how impossible?............

Sep 04, 05 - 12:54 pm Comment from: Too Hot!

re: "If the trade for lack of advertising is Office, then that could be the tipping point that would allow Apple to take on Microsoft heads on."

I agree. The way I see it, and I'm no business expert, if direct advertising is not on the agenda, indirect methods would still be adequate to turn the market share situation on its head. Consider the following possibilities:

1- iTMS spreads to cover the entire world, rather than a list of countries. Think of secondary iPods sales that would result, and the halo effect.
2- Aggressive invasion of the server market with Xserve and the storage market with Xserve RAID. More variety of products would obviously improve our chances. The more server-side Apple hardware there is, the more easy the choice would be for businesses to consider client-side hardware and software from Apple.
3- An office suite that is cross-platform and makes MS Office bite the dust. This is the entry into most small businesses and average Joe computing that has given MS its dominance. Secondary sales of OSX would dwarf the iPod halo-effect.
4- More gaming friendliness. Perhaps an Apple gaming console? (Even though I hate gaming, it is one of the fastest growing computer markets)
5- Allowing more flexibility for the "build-it-yourself" gang. If apple would start selling (retail only) Apple computer parts and provide manuals, allowing hobbyists to mod their Macs (I would never do it myself) they would return the favor by more aggressive word-of-mouth advertising, as well as allow the uber-geek gang to feel welcome.

These and other ideas would seem to me good ways to change the current market dynamics.

Sep 04, 05 - 12:54 pm Comment from: Mike Buonarroti

I don't think Apple wants to clog their customer service lines (or Genius Bar lines) with idiots that would buy a computer based on a 30-second commercial. Smart people tend to socialize with other smart people. This is the best way to get the customer base you want, not some flash and dance blurb marketing to a nation of couch potatoes.

It amazes me how many people here have no concept of "quality over qualtity". They feel that if more people used Macs, that it somehow makes Macs better. Macs are superior without a horde of neanderthals using them.

Sep 04, 05 - 12:55 pm Comment from: Mike Buonarroti

that was... "quality over quantity"... my mistake, not my Mac's.

Sep 04, 05 - 12:58 pm Comment from: Jack Arends

Jules, my little sister the former technophobe recently made a really nice hard cover book of pictures on her iBook, got it printed, and showed it to relatives. They all loved it and were really impressed that she, a mere mortal, could do something that looked so professional. They asked how she did it and of course she told them that she made it on her Mac and could order it really easily right out of iPhoto.

Did any of them switch? Not that I know of. People on windows think you must have some secret knowledge and be willing to go through lots of trouble to do something like she did. You tell them it was easy and they think: "Yeah, Right". A lot of windozers that I know are scared to try anything new on their computers cuz they think it will be hard and frustrating and probably won't work right and might mess up their machines. And the sad truth is, they are right a lot of the time.

I also meet windozers who are more technically savvy and when I talk about all the great things I can do on the Mac, they are always pointing out that they can do the same thing on windows - and they are right, they can, but it is not easy, clear or fun, it is a chore.

I have never ever heard a windows user talk about how much they love their machines. Almost every time you hear them talking about computers it turns into a bitch fest. Almost every Mac User I know LOVES their machine. That ought to tell you something.

I always tell windozers about Macs and tell them they owe it to themselves to at least check out the Mac next time they buy a new computer. A majority will probably end up sticking with windows since they are comfortable with it but at least I have given them the chance to improve their quality of life.

I buy Macs with my own money to use for work rather than using the windows machines my company provides. Why? Because life is too short and too much of mine is spent working on a computer to choose pain over pleasure. It is MORE than worth the price to be able to enjoy working on a Mac and avoiding all the frustrations inherent to windows.

</rant>

Sep 04, 05 - 01:13 pm Comment from: The MacDaddy-Oh!

All I can say is that I've been a Mac user for close to 2 years. And when people see what I can do on something like Final Cut Pro or Pages or Photoshop - they think it's absolutely cool, hence, I am cool. The Mac makes me look cool, you know why? Because it's cool.

Can you imagine anyone looking cool with a Gateway?

Sep 04, 05 - 01:59 pm Comment from: Too Hot!

Just imagine what would happen if iTMS was available in China, India, Brazil, Russia and the Middle-East? These are the most populous areas in the world; they are also the markets that are growing most rapidly. Apple is virtually non-existent in these countries, which account for a substantial proportion of MS market share.

Sep 04, 05 - 02:00 pm Comment from: Oh oh, Macdaddy

You're not cool just a dumbass Maczealot. People who think you're cool are probably trailer park trashes.

Sep 04, 05 - 02:00 pm Comment from: kenh

re: I don't think Apple wants to clog their customer service lines (or Genius Bar lines) with idiots that would buy a computer based on a 30-second commercial. Smart people tend to socialize with other smart people. This is the best way to get the customer base you want, not some flash and dance blurb marketing to a nation of couch potatoes.

It amazes me how many people here have no concept of "quality over
qualtity". They feel that if more people used Macs, that it somehow makes Macs better. Macs are superior without a horde of neanderthals using them."

Hmm..... If you actually believe that Apple hardware is better, and OSX is clearly better as I do, then exactly how is it that those dumb couch potatoes would not benefit from that.

And how exactly would "neanderthal" users prevent the Mac from being superior? It presumably would make the "neanderthals" better, and why do you have a problem with that?

I will just go back to my neanderthal friends, you go back to your intellectually superior friends and we will probably all be happier.
I will keep using my Mac while communicating with both neanerthals and the intellectually superior, while you isolate yourself.

Not a problem for me. Have a nice day.

Sep 04, 05 - 03:00 pm Comment from: iPodder

The ones that should really fear from Windows users awakening are in Redmont. Imagine what will happen if Joe Sixpack suddenly was to discover that using a computer could be... how to put it.. rewarding! rather than a frustration.

There would be millions of switchers in just few months and Wall Street would shake.

Sep 04, 05 - 03:30 pm Comment from: Queeezie

Apple Stores = Apple advertising.

The Apple ad budget goes into the store budgets to make the numbers look better for the stores.

Apple has found that people only buy Apples who come into the store and "test drive" them. Advertising does not get non-Apple users into the stores - Windows users stumble into the Apple stores at the shopping malls. It takes 2-3 visits for a Windows visitor to buy a Mac ---if they are even in the market.

Sep 04, 05 - 04:40 pm Comment from: MacDude

Apple has supply problems, just look at what happened when the PowerMac Dual 2 Ghz G5 was introduced, they were swamped.

Apple had to create the Dual 1.8 Ghz to share the demand load across another IBM fab line.

Apple can't meet the demand if it started to advertise heavily, now when the MacTels arrive that's a different story.

however if you need promo videos, just check out this site. Be sure to download and host some of the videos yourself, this site has been overloaded before.

http://www.esm.psu.edu/Faculty/Gray/movies.html

Sep 04, 05 - 04:45 pm Comment from: max

Apple have no need to aggresively advertise. Word of mouth, personal recommendation from Mac users is far better.

It also helps keep the number of calls for tech support to a minimum by not selling to those with little idea of what they are doing in the first place.

Sep 04, 05 - 05:39 pm Comment from: But Internet Becomes WINternet!

Problem with Apple not purshing for more and more market share via whatever means, is that the producers of Internet content will ignore the Mac. How many web services can you NOT access on the Mac? Can you rent a movie for download and viewing online on your Mac? Nope. Gotta have Windows and IE. Can you get songs from Yahoo's Music service? Nope. Gotta have Windows and IE. Can you get access to some Disney content (for your kids, for example), Nope. Gotta have Windows and IE. If the Mac and/or Linux do not gain more desktop share that is visible on the Internet, we'll continue down this route to what will eventually become the WINternet. And then Microsoft truly owns it all.

Sep 04, 05 - 11:11 pm Comment from: twdldee

that's BS. Apple would be able to sell more computers if Microsoft didn't flagrantly disregard antitrust legislation. The only reason the Justice Dept. actually went after them is because it was just soooo egregious and obvious what Microsoft was doing. Microsoft has learned from the mistake and has become more subtle in their attack on the little guys.

Sep 05, 05 - 12:01 am Comment from: justified

"It is an established fact that the majority Mac users at present are themselves switchers. The generation that started with Macs and stuck with them is slowly disappearing."

Uh, no. The Mac has only been around for 21 years. What, do you think 60-year-olds were the early adopters? Most of "the generation that started with Macs" aren't even 40 yet.

Sep 05, 05 - 12:19 am Comment from: ron

I'm an early adopter. I'm 72 and coasting.

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