Macs might be nice, I’m not so sure about Apple
I’ve been continuing to get some helpful feedback on my series of posts on switching to a Mac. I still haven’t made the switch, though I’m still thinking about doing so. The reason I haven’t switched is one of the big culture switch issues, and what seems to me like a fairly big argument to drop in the PC side of the scales.
The machine I would be most likely to buy is the iMac. However, the current models are almost certainly reaching the end of their shelf-life. They were released in August 2007 – so they’re now eight months old and growing older by the day. Given the speed of technological development: that’s really old. Coming from the PC world, where one or other manufacturer is releasing something new every week in a constant round of catch-up and competition, it seems quite bizarre. When the aluminium iMac was first released, it was a good buy. I would guess that Apple’s profit margin was tending to low. Now, however, I would guess that the same hardware is bringing in quite a high profit, and the balance has tilted away from the consumer. Buying at this stage of a product cycle, when there is no discount or sale price is paying over the odds, and I can’t bring myself to do it.
A related issue is one of screen quality. There has been quite a stir among fanboys over this lawsuit, alleging that the screens in the 20-inch iMac are not as advertised. As far as I can see, Apple have walked a fairly thin line. Their advertising makes a claim that, while not untrue, is misleading in so far as unaware readers might well think the only difference between the screens is size. In fact there is a significant difference in quality as well. One can’t help feel that Apple are trading on their reputation for quality while delivering lower quality than one would expect at the price-point. The problem is, whereas again in the PC world, there is oodles of choice, in the Mac world it is very limited, and if one is looking for a Mac, the company has rather more power than the consumer.
Don’t get me wrong. I still think there are significant pluses weighing down the Mac side of the scale in my buying decision, but I’m not entirely comfortable surrendering quite as much consumer power and choice as any of Apple’s customers must.
April 13th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
It still appears to me that you don’t have a really compelling reason to switch to Mac so my heart tells me to say, “Don’t do it!” However if you do get one, you’d be better off to wait on the new round. I suppose it would be more beneficial to me personally if you got a Mac, as I’d be able to see what sorts of things I’d have to wrestle with if I did the same in the future (hah!). I suppose I could read someone else’s blog on this but my feed reader is already too full.
April 13th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Doug, I’m with you completely as I’ve thought about this decision.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:49 am
You always run the risk of a new model right around the corner when you get a computer. What I can tell you is that I’ve got one of those 20″ iMacs, and it’s great. As for the controversy over the screen issue, THESE EYES can’t tell any difference.
April 20th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Doug, this article might help you to make your decision
http://mamamia.com.au/weblog/2008/04/mac-or-pc-arrog.html
June 11th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Your idea that the iMacs are coming to the end of their age is mistaken. Windows is not known for its backwards compatibility so you extrapolate that into the mac world. However, Macs have an extremely longer support period than does your average Windows clone. Don’t worry about your device becoming outdated in a couple months or even a couple years. While after time it certainly won’t be as good as the new machines it won;t be outdated either. My uncle has the ol’ 17″ “iLamp” iMac from around 2002 and it still works like a charm. He’s also had a tangerine “clambook” as long as I can remember, probably 10 or more years. The later, yes, is finally outliving its usefulness.
June 11th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
I know you dislike Apple fanboyism but you might find this site usefull. Check out: The Unofficial Apple Weblog. TUAW is run by the same folks as Engadget.com so….