the air

When I moved into my apartment in late August, my roommate asked me why I bought an Apple MacBook. I told him that a MacBook made sense for me because it was a compact machine that allowed me to be mobile and I had access to the applications I used most. The reason why I didn’t buy a Windows laptop was because I was fed up with Windows’ stability issues (i.e., I had to reformat at least once a year) and all the damn viruses that were running around. Moreover, the fact that my Apple did not need an anti-virus software was in itself a huge selling point. In case you have not experienced, most anti-virus software tends to slow down your Windows PC.

My roommate wasn’t convinced, but he accepted my answer. He suggested that the fact that I can also have Windows on my MacBook was a great option, but I did end up paying a premium for this machine. In hindsight, I would have to disagree with him, but at the time, I could not respond. Rather than comparing the technical specifications of my MacBook and a comparable Windows-powered laptop, I want to look at the other, more “important” issues. The fact is that Apple can present its products better than any of its competitors, gives the customer the feeling of luxury, and provides a great service and experience throughout the entire process.

It’s Just Better

I will concede the fact that Mac OSX, the brain behind Apple products, is not as popular as Windows in terms of market share. However, you have to admit that by having an operating system based on UNIX is a strong selling point. Now that Linux, another competing operating system also based off of UNIX, is becoming popular, more and more open source (and free) applications are being developed that are cross-platform. Additionally, most products developed for Windows also work with Apple computers. For instance, my external USB sound-card that I used with my Windows desktop PC worked seamlessly with my MacBook. The best part was that I did not even have to install a single driver or software. Rather, as soon as I plugged it in via USB, my MacBook recognized it and automatically began using it. The only downside is that I cannot use the IR remote that came with the sound-card, but that is a very small price to pay.

easy installation

With Mac OSX, installing software has never been easier. I simply drag the application into my application folder and that’s it. The software is ready to be used. With Windows, I had to install and wait for minutes while the software installed. Often, I had to restart my computer after the installation was complete. I’ve noticed that with Mac OSX, you generally do not need to restart unless the installation makes system changes, and that is usually very rare. All the restarts I have had to do is because of security updates released by Apple themselves. Uninstalling is a breeze too because I just have to drag the icon from the Applications folder to the Trash. You can’t get any easier than that.

Open Your Present

Whenever you buy an Apple product, it is clearly evident that Apple has spent significant amount of time ensuring that the opening process is one of value. Rather than using ordinary brown boxes filled with styrofoam and plain labeling, Apple opts for a very luxurious experience. I cannot even begin to describe the feeling I had when I opened the box for my MacBook. The products are packaged carefully with meticulous attention to presentation. It is not like opening a simple toy, but rather a masterpiece. No matter how much money you spend on an Apple product, Apple ensures that the experience of opening the product is one that will leave a lasting memory. I’m so cheesy that I have kept every single Apple product packaging because it is just too hard to throw away something so precious. However, many will argue that this raises costs which the consumer is ultimately responsible for. I digress with that argument because when I open any product, I want to have the feeling that I just opened a masterpiece, not some garbage.

Speak Easy

With Apple, your experience does not stop at the point-of-sale. Rather, Apple has been known to have great customer service both before, during, and after the sale. With a truly all-around excellent service, Apple provides greater value for the consumer. The truth is that in order to enjoy the real Apple experience, you have to visit an Apple store. You cannot simply walk into Best Buy to experience an Apple product. At an Apple store, the primary objective is not to simply sell you a product. The employees at the Apple store want to ensure that you purchase the right product with the right experience and knowledge. Moreover, these employees are trained extensively and can answer almost any question you might have. The Genius Bar is designed to introduce you to your product further and train you with quite a few tasks. Try getting that at your local Best Buy.

You Pay For All This

Here’s the downside, you are paying for all the value-added services that Apple is providing. The important thing to remember is that Apple is no longer a conventional computer manufacturer like Dell or HP. Rather, Apple is a boutique shop that provides excellent products and services. When you buy an Apple, you can liken that to buying a Mercedes. Not only are you buying a phenomenal product, you are paying more for a great experience. Pundits and detractors will argue for and against what I have just said. In my defense, I am not suggesting that Apple is the best, but they are the best at understanding what a customer wants and expects. I’d like to see Dell and HP offer the same experience or a better one.

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