You can't deny that each of their products are incredibly engineered and designed, but that doesn't mean you need to go out and buy every one of them.
"Welcome to Apple" - simple products for those new to Apple or even technology
"Incredible Tools" - products that have incredible features, functionality, and are really "can't live without" devices
"Luxury Items" - Incredibly designed products that don't have enough going for them to justify the price (or in some instances are only meant for professionals)
Here is the list
Desktops
All this iPad hating made me want to put out this helpful guide to Apple products.
I have 3 categories
I have 3 categories
"Welcome to Apple" - simple products for those new to Apple or even technology
"Incredible Tools" - products that have incredible features, functionality, and are really "can't live without" devices
"Luxury Items" - Incredibly designed products that don't have enough going for them to justify the price (or in some instances are only meant for professionals)
Here is the list
Desktops
Mac Mini - Welcome to Apple
Biggest complaint of non-Apple users: Price. Mac Mini helps that... kinda. It's not cheap, but then again, it's not cheap.
iMac - Incredible Tool
Seriously, iMacs get more and more incredible with each new iteration. If you haven't yet, please do yourself a favor and get an iMac
Go ahead and say what you want about Apple or any of their products, if you don't like it, get something else. But at least get yourself an iMac or MacBook Pro.
Biggest complaint of non-Apple users: Price. Mac Mini helps that... kinda. It's not cheap, but then again, it's not cheap.
iMac - Incredible Tool
Seriously, iMacs get more and more incredible with each new iteration. If you haven't yet, please do yourself a favor and get an iMac
Mac Pro - Luxury Item
So expensive! The iMac is quickly overtaking the Mac Pro customers
So expensive! The iMac is quickly overtaking the Mac Pro customers
Laptops
Macbook - Welcome to Apple
If you need a laptop, there is nothing wrong with the MacBook Pros
MacBook Pro 17" - Luxury Item
Why are you carrying around that huge screen?
MacBook Air - Luxury Item
So Beautiful, so impractical.
iPod/ iPhone
It was my first laptop and my first Mac. I think that is the same for a lot of people. It's a great little thing
MacBook Pro 13" and 15" - Incredible ToolIf you need a laptop, there is nothing wrong with the MacBook Pros
MacBook Pro 17" - Luxury Item
Why are you carrying around that huge screen?
MacBook Air - Luxury Item
So Beautiful, so impractical.
iPod/ iPhone
iPod Shuffle - Welcome to Apple
Super cheap music player.
iPod Nano - Incredible Tool
Great music, photo, and video player. Also you can listen to radio or record video. All at a great price too
iPod Classic - Luxury Item
A year ago I'd probably put this under Incredible Tool, but honestly next to the Nano and Touch, it isn't very impressive. Sorry iPod, I love you!
iPod Touch - Incredible Tool
You name it, it can probably do it. I use my iPod Touch nearly 8 hours every day for music, video, facebook, e-mail, news, alarm, internet radio, and games. Only complaint, wish I could make phone calls
iPhone - Incredible Tool
Have you heard of the iPhone? Yeah, it's a pretty big deal
iPad - Luxury Item
It's a giant iPod touch, but I'd love to have it sitting by the couch so I could check facebook or imdb while watching TV. I'd also love to have it set up in the kitchen with a recipe app or playing a movie while I cook
Apple TV - Luxury Item
I've thought about buying one several times, but the cost isn't worth it. No Hulu? No DVR? No thank you.
Accessories
Super cheap music player.
iPod Nano - Incredible Tool
Great music, photo, and video player. Also you can listen to radio or record video. All at a great price too
iPod Classic - Luxury Item
A year ago I'd probably put this under Incredible Tool, but honestly next to the Nano and Touch, it isn't very impressive. Sorry iPod, I love you!
iPod Touch - Incredible Tool
You name it, it can probably do it. I use my iPod Touch nearly 8 hours every day for music, video, facebook, e-mail, news, alarm, internet radio, and games. Only complaint, wish I could make phone calls
iPhone - Incredible Tool
Have you heard of the iPhone? Yeah, it's a pretty big deal
iPad - Luxury Item
It's a giant iPod touch, but I'd love to have it sitting by the couch so I could check facebook or imdb while watching TV. I'd also love to have it set up in the kitchen with a recipe app or playing a movie while I cook
Apple TV - Luxury Item
I've thought about buying one several times, but the cost isn't worth it. No Hulu? No DVR? No thank you.
Accessories
Airport Extreme and Express - Both Incredible Tools
Try setting up a linksys router. Now try setting up an Airport router. You'll never go back to any other router. Plus wireless printing, wireless automatic backups, and streaming music. Fantastic!!
Time Machine - Luxury Item
It's an Airport Extreme with a built in hard drive for a lot more money. Just plug an external drive into the Extreme and you're set
Magic Mouse - Luxury Item
Apple introduced some amazing features when they added buttons to their mighty mouse, then they took all those features away with the Magic Mouse. Whatever! Go ahead and get yourself a nice *gulp* Microsoft mouse.
Cinema Display - Luxury Item
If you want the best display out there, I guess you can buy one.
Try setting up a linksys router. Now try setting up an Airport router. You'll never go back to any other router. Plus wireless printing, wireless automatic backups, and streaming music. Fantastic!!
Time Machine - Luxury Item
It's an Airport Extreme with a built in hard drive for a lot more money. Just plug an external drive into the Extreme and you're set
Magic Mouse - Luxury Item
Apple introduced some amazing features when they added buttons to their mighty mouse, then they took all those features away with the Magic Mouse. Whatever! Go ahead and get yourself a nice *gulp* Microsoft mouse.
Cinema Display - Luxury Item
If you want the best display out there, I guess you can buy one.
Go ahead and say what you want about Apple or any of their products, if you don't like it, get something else. But at least get yourself an iMac or MacBook Pro.
You'll thank me later.
10 comments:
I tend to agree with most of what you said. However just like the Ipod classic, mini, touch, and shuffle and just like the Iphone, the Ipad seems to be more of a "check the stomping grounds" item than a definite design.
There were so many things about it's design and release that make it feel like more of a concept design. The ipod had format issues whether it be from mac to pc or mp3 to wma, and they found where it fit and made it work.
the iphone I find ran through almost the exact same problem as the ipad has. it's too much $$$ for too little functionality.
but you look at the iphone today, it's amazing! REI called the new 3gs one of the best gps devices for backpackers. This is a phone. I don't think that the ipad is flop, I think it's more of a test subject. Sure this one has a lot of flaws to it, glossy screen with no eInk feature, slow internet and no flash, no input devises without an adapter and than only one at a time, no means to transfer your iWork projects unless syncing up with computer, no camera (however this I do understand), it's weight seems to be a little much for it's size, and no built in GPS. however in 3 years from now when we see Ipad 2.5 out with holographic display, instant brain transfer for books, a hex core processor, 3 thz graphics, 1pb of storage, 320g memory, we'll look back at this mcdonalds addicted over sized ipod touch and laugh!
I'm not sure of your point. Are you saying the iPad isn't well designed? Do not think it's a luxury item?
no I don't think it's a luxury item. I thin of it as a transition gadget.
But I realize you and I think about machines in a very different light.
you see the iPad for the tool that it presents at it's current state,
I look at the blood and guts of it and try to figure out a way to not call it engineering redundancy.
in my mind 2 pocketknives are not a luxury, unless one had a magnifying glass.
it's all word play and perspective.
I am still hung up on the fact that Mark cooks.
Sissy.
Oh and I totally want an iPad! I am just going to wait at least until the next generation.
*kick dust-covered "Self-Control" switch to "On"*
2 shocking things we just learned. I cook and Zach has a self control
Switch
very entertaining =)
Mark, I agree 100% with your analysis. well put. Brilliant.
I have owned a LOT of apple products and the planned obsolescence of these products drives me crazy! There is no reason that a lap top should stop working two years after buying it.
They just don't hold up well.
The ipods work just fine I don't but even they hardly last three years.
I don't think I will buy a Mac computer again.
I would have to agree with Mark and (I'm sorry) disagree with Chrissy. I have proof that apple holds up, I personally own a iBook g4 that is over 5 years old now and it works beautifully. It runs OS X and has a fast processor. I have NEVER had to reset it or debug it or deal with a single virus on it. It runs faster than most of my friends PC laptops that are a year or 2 old.
I loved it so much I upgraded this year to a 13" MacBook pro. Once again I am in love.
I own an original 80 gig iPod classic that is over 3 years old now that still runs like a champ. What's even better is my father owns a 30 gig iPod classic that still works beautifully. It is over 5 YEARS OLD! The only thing is the battery only lasts about 8-10 hours per charge which is still incredible for how old it is and considering it has been used for hours every day for all 5 of those years.
I own an iPhone 3Gs, iPod touch, iPod shuffle (newest generation) which is genius, the 2 laptops, my wife has a MacBook, 80 gig iPod classic, older generation shuffle, and our next investment in the apple family will be a 27" iMac, and an airport extreme. I am currently debating weather or not to get an ipad. I am leaning towards no and waking a more appealing future generation.
I love mac and would recommend it to anyone and have. I have sold a few friends on them ALL of which thanked me and will never go back to PC.
I enjoyed this post Mark, thank you.
Katie- I haven't owned anything else so I really have nothing else to base it on. I'm scared to find out anything different though. I don't want to get a PC and find out it's even half the life of my macs
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