The Apple Mind Control Phenomenon

Millions of hard working people around the world are under the irresistible spell of the Apple Corporation and the products that Apple sells. Apple creates “must have” products such as the Macbook, iPhone, and the iPod. Finding someone between eighteen to thirty years old who does not know what these products are is rare. Although there might be a small tribe of indigenous peoples living in Tanzania that has never heard of the iPhone, Apple has made their products popular around the world. I will applaud the efforts of the advertising gurus that successfully branded Apple with being “hip” or “cool.” Even I find myself laughing along with their commercials from time to time. I think about why the Apple computer is popular and how overpriced their products are. Apple's products are not as superior as some people like to think.

First, Apple's products are not as superior as some people like to think because they do not run all available programs. Microsoft Windows, also known simply as Windows, is the operating system of almost every home computer. In fact, Apple has only has Windows based computers are more affordable and runs over 90% of the software on the market today, but consumers unnecessarily spend thousands of dollars on a Macbook. CNET, a respected consumer product review website suggests that a consumer could buy a Dell XPS 13 with double the memory and warranty for the same price.

Second, Apple's products are not as superior as some people like to think because they do not support all the available hardware on the market today such as printers and scanners. Recently I was at the home of a friend, Robert. He decided that his family needed a new computer and subsequently purchased a $2,500 Macbook that evening. He took the computer out of the box and plugged everything in carefully and as instructed by the manual. He was assured by the Apple sales person that Macbook computers were designed to work with everything he already had including his Hewlett-Packard Deskjet printer. That evening Robert demonstrated everything his Macbook could do and I shared in his joy. When he tried to print a picture of his family the Macbook displayed an error message which annoyed him like a scratch on a brand new car. He asked me, “Why won't my computer print?” I plugged in his printer to my laptop running Windows. Within moments Windows automatically connected to the internet and downloaded the proper software to make his printer work. When I asked why he decided to choose Macbook over Windows his answer was “Because Apple computers don't get viruses.” From the Toronto Star “A lot of Mac users are in denial and have blinders on that say, 'Nothing is ever going to get to us,' “said Neil Fryer, a computer security consultant who works for an international financial institution in Britain, “I can't say I agree with them.”

Third, Apple's products are not as superior as some people like to think because repairing an Apple computer is inconvenient. Apple store locations have a “Genius Bar” which is anything but genius. The “Genius Bar” is staffed with Apple support technicians whose primary job is to repair and provide service to users who may have no idea what is wrong with their Apple products. A common problem an owner of a faulty Apple product might face is finding the nearest Apple store. Store locations may be a significant distance away forcing the troubled owner no other option but to make the time wasting journey and absorb the cost of long distance travel. A cheaper solution may be just to donate that Apple product to charity and enjoy the tax write-off.

Apple products are not as superior as some people like to think because Apple owners are at the mercy of Apple when they need upgrade parts. While there are some peripheral devices that are compatible with both Windows and Apple most of the internal hardware must be purchased from Apple; on the other hand, almost any computer electronics store carries replacement parts for Windows based computers. Because there is a wide availability of Windows computer components, Apple computers components are expensive due to their limited availability.

To buy an Apple product is suggesting that the buyer is someone who is “trendy.” Apple product owners are under the illusion that their product works better than the competition. I own a cell phone that exceeds the features of the iPhone; however, consumers stand in line and wait for an iPhone because they are basing their decision on popularity and want to be classified as “cool.” Beyond Apple's products appearance lies nothing more than an overpriced gadget that suffers from the same problems as its competitors. The bottom line is that the buyer has spent more money for less product.