Comments on: Macintosh: It's a Madison Avenue thing

Apple's perpetual emphasis on presentation style makes CNET News.com's Michael Kanellos feel pushed into getting a makeover.

I agree and disagree.

I think you make a valid point when you say that Apple
advertising is geared towards the wealthy/hip/faux artistic and
popular. I also agree that as of late, it has been done to a degree
that is bordering on obnoxious. They've found a niche that
accepts them, and they are taking advantage of it. Heck, I think
Steve Job's even seemed loathe to announce an affordable Mac.

Where I think you are misguided is the implication that all you
are getting for your money when you buy a Mac is invitation to
an elite club that is "all show and no tell." In truth, when you
bypass all of the advertising mumbo-jumbo, what you are really
getting when you buy a Mac is quality. Sure you can get a $500
Dell and it will come with much more -- but the computer itself
is garbage (I speak from experience, having gone through 5 PCs
in 5 years at my job) the operating system is Windows, which
(although ubiquitous) is ancient, unsecure, a pain to maintain,
and generally just unintuitive.

Mac hardware, on the other hand, lasts for years - if it ever goes
bad. Mac OS X is already lightyears ahead of windows in terms of
usability and modern-day features and it's only in it's infant
years. The Mac is WYSIWYG - no obscure inexplicable folders
strewn all over your harddrive, a simple and sensible interface
that carries through all programs, easy access to everything you
need. And, more importantly, using a Mac doesn't FEEL like
using a computer - Windows really does.

As for the iApps and their Stepford Wives templates: I think the
templates are nasty and creepy, and I think that the stuff they
show in keynotes are gimmicky crap that noone uses; but there
is no doubting that the applications are easy to use. If you want
to organize your digital photos, make a DVD, or put all your
music on your harddrive (not in a Stepford Wives way, but in a
fun hobby kind of way) there is no easier solution on any
platform.

In summary:
Does Apple gear it's advertising towards elitists? Yup.
Does that take away from the quality of Apple products? Nope.
Are Apple users snobs? No, most that I know are dorks - self
included.

I Disagree

I disagree with your perspective on Apple and their products. I believe Apple is simply providing customers with the power to create professional-quality DVDs, documents, etc. without paying others to do the service for them. I can see why marketing would come to mind, but that's only because the quality of what you get is so [potentially] good! I've been to many seminars and sales-pitch events where salespeople try to get you to buy timeshares and financial services and whatnot... believe me, it's rare that you see any of these things presented so beautifully and elegantly. I don't think you need to worry about friends and family thinking you're going to sell them something (maybe you need new friends and family). Once more, Apple is empowering customers to create rich, professional-looking presentations and media that are worth saving, and that would have cost considerably more money and taken much more effort to do before. But you are entitled to your opinion of course, since that's the point of your feature. Cheers!

insecure author with no sentimentality

This article sucked. Your two big quotes "Most of us are lucky to
have poorly labeled computer files..." and "... your friends will
fear that a pitch to buy a time share is coming next." make you
and the relationship with your friends sound deficient.

I think you underestimate the consumer, particulary an Apple
consumer. In any major purchase, Cost is very important but
more important so is Value. Ease of use, quality (a word not used
once in this article) and style are part of that calculation.

I'm sure you're a savvy consumer and because of your position in
this medium you're subjected to your fair share of Press Releases
and people pitching to you. I'm sure you (like the most of us)
don't just drink the Kool-Aid because someone says to.

So this article about feeling "sold to" serves no purpose except
to divide and encourage flaming. You missed an opportunity to
really have a unique perspective. Instead you sound like the kid
who didn't get to sit at the cool table in the school cafeteria.
When really it's not that important.

Mac "Style"

If you don't have style in your life just how boring are you?

[ca5ter]

It's all about brand

Mike, you missed it.

You may not pay attention to the world around you, but others
do. Why do you think people go to Starbucks? They like the
brand image and are willing to pay extra for a cup of coffee.
Same with Apple. It is much better than Microsoft, in service,
security, and usability; witch people are willing to pay for it. Not
everyone is a geek like you. Most people like to show off their
home movies to the family. Like to make mixed CD, and want a
make a stylish newsletter. You may not, but I doubt you worry if
your socks match.

And if you think the people who do Microsoft's advertisements
don't envy Apple's your mistaken. The ones who create
Microsoft's ads all work on Macs, so they get to see first hand
the difference. Trust me on this one, I know from first hand
experience.

[Dave_Newton]

Hyple?

So what if Steve Jobs and Apple are good at marketing communications and presentation? So what if they play to their core market: the right-brained. Good presentation in the service of great products is not hype.
Dave
dehype.blogspot.com

Apple and Steve Passion

Whatever one might say about Apple one thing one cannot deny is the passion, energy and enthusiasm that they bring to their product.

How many companies do that ?

Yes a Window PC may be cheaper and Intel might force a million more transistor into their chip and yes all that is important but do they inspire?

Do you see the passion in Bill or Craig when they get up to give a presentation or do you just see bland bureaucrats arriving on the stage?

I think what people like about apple and its ceo is that passion.

Their product may not save the world but its inspiring to see some people trying so hard to create something beautiful.

Mr. Kanellos, Style does matter.

I want to speak directly to your comments on pages.
I will be blunt. Microsoft has made the public release of crap not
only accepted but the norm.
As a graphic designer I see many businesses buying into the
notion that professional promotional materials, like brochures,
business cards, etc. can be created in Word and given to the
public.
People try to do this at all levels and what they put out is crap
that is not effective. This is a true.
With that in mind, Pages is a very useful tool. If people are going
to try and cut costs by doing their own promotional work, they
may as well have some "STYLE" help.

And if the PC world cared so much about substance they
wouldn't be breaking their backs to keep up with Apple's style.
Not to mention the similar effort by companies that aren't even
in the same industry.

Many of your other comments in comparing machines showed
that you either are unable to see the value of the Mac Mini or
you just don't want to.

Maybe, instead of being wounded by Apple's style, you should
work on your self esteem. Then you may not feel so much that
your chasis is being critiqued. Based on your writing, in my
opinion, a fine chasis might offer you an alternative, and better
fitting, career option.

Wow

Some of these PC users are really starting to sound bitter.

[justinpowell]

What's wrong with enabling creativity?

So, I must ask "What's wrong with enabling creativity?" Must we
all be boring? Must we all talk about "billions of this" and
"gigahertz of that"?

Sure, I am enamored with technology -- but only if that
technolog serves a purpose for me. I could really care less about
whether how something ticks or how fast it ticks. I want to know
how it will make my life better.

For me, the true test of how useful something is is whether I
continue using it. For example, I was frustrated by Windows XP
and finally retired my Thinkpad in favor of an iBook running Mac
OS X 10.3. I don't miss XP one bit. Oh, and I own an iPod, too.

And, yes, I have put slide shows to music and edited digital
video in iMovie to burn to a DVD. To the writer, I ask "What good
is taking photos if you don't plan on sharing them? Furthermore,
if you plan on sharing them, must we resort to sifting through a
shoe box of 4x6s? What's wrong with sharing them in a
creative, entertaining way?"

I guess there's a reason why the entertainment industry is more
excited about Apple than they are Dell, Gateway and Microsoft.
But if you must resort to talking about power, you may also ask
why Virginia Tech created the most powerful super computer in
higher education using Apple hardware and software rather than
a competing solution.

Rather than focusing purely on producing "billions and billions"
of boring whatevers, Apple has selected to focus on creating the
"power to be your best" through elegant and enabling products.
I'll pick the Apple way over the boring way any day.

Really off base

I think the author has spent too much time watching Apple ads. I
can't think of another reason why he'd make such inane
comments like "Mac people seem to want you to go into
advertising".

It may be hard for the author to believe, but I use a Mac because
it barely crashes, has never had any major virus infestations
(even before Mac OS X), is far easier to use (drag and drop,
shortcuts, etc...), is a lot easier on the eye, is better designed
(inside and outside), lasts longer and has a great community
around it. I've been using a mac since 1992 when they came in
underpowered, overpriced beige boxes with black and white
screens. There was nothing sexy about it, nothing cool, nothing
knaiving. I'd used DOS and hated it. And I used a Mac to write, to
design, to Draw. It helped foment my creative passions as a
teenager. Today I'm a graphic designer.

Now this Myth of the Mac snob I just don't know about. I know
plenty of Mac folks who are arrogant. But they're arrogant about
a lot of things. Their choice in food. The movies they like, etc..
It's not limited to Macs. And I know a lot of windows users who
are also arrogant about many of the same things, and yes, their
choice of operating system too.

What the author is likely mistaking for flash and cool is what it
is: advertising. What advertising isn't empty and flashy? The Dell
kid is a wise Dude full of substance? Microsoft makes tear-
jerking TV commercials? Come off it. Advertising is fake,
pretentious and flashy. It always has been.

When you actually get behind that, and USE the computer, know
it's ins and outs, glitches and all, it's pretty obvious WHY people
love their macs so much.

I used to build windows computers for a living. I've supported
them before. There really is no comparison to the Mac
experience.

nuff said.

[gravy66]

Come on...

I'm so sick of people ranting about how Apple is a company of
no substance (just marketing hype). They develop beautiful
products while running a profitable business?obviously that's
one of the reasons they are in business is to make money.

Most people I know buy PCs, use them, and toss them once they
are outdated. A lot of my friends don't even crack their boxes
open any more. Most systems in this $499-$599 price range
have everything down on the mainboard or have smaller cases,
which make them less expandable anyway. Why shouldn't Apple
just sell the box, seems like getting a new monitor, mouse and
keyboard is kind of wasteful...another topic.

End-users have a choice at home and this is where Apple is a
good choice, not the only one, but a good one. If you
just want to go about your business, Macs are great...no
worrying about viruses, simple powerful interface.

I own a DIY AMD-based PC too, FYI.

[yaminom]

Gateway specs wrong

The Gateway computer that is currently selling for $499 with a
$100 rebate comes with a CD-ROM drive, not a DVD/CD-RW,
and a Celeron processor at 2.53GHz. The Celeron is a dog. It
also uses an integrated Intel graphics chip which shares system
memory instead of having its own. Plus, it doesn't come with
anything like iLife, although you do get Napster. And, of course,
the computer is very large and bulky compared to the Mini.

Yes, it does come with a cheap keyboard and mouse, and yes, it
comes with a 17" CRT. Also includes little speakers, which the
writer didn't mention.

And don't forget to add the cost of a good Anti-Virus program.

I believe people should make up their own minds about what
computers they should buy. But lets keep the facts straight.

[notagumshoe]

What was Steve Jobs wearing?

If apple is all about looks then why is Steve Jobs allowed to were
white running shoes, ugly jeans, and a turtle neck? That seems
like a more important question than comparing a Gateway (a
company who just laid off thousands of people) to a Mac
(Consumer reports consistently gives Apple the highest rating in
support and repair history). I hope that article wasn?t written
seriously.

Just compare Jobs' and Gates' presentations

Mike:

All you have to do to truly understand the essential differences between Apple's products and all Windows-based products is to just compare Steve Jobs' presentation to Bill Gates' presentation in Las Vegas a few days ago. Style is but one of those differences. Also, compare the value the audience got from each presentation. The differences between those two presentations faithfully represent the different amounts of thought and care each of those two companies pay to their products and customers.
A great combination of hardware, software, design and style can become an empowering extension of a person's creative mind. Anything less than that is just a tool.

Re: mini

I've been reading feedback here, MacNN, Ars, Slashdot and
following the press at cNet. In general the response has been
more than favorable to the mini. What is getting harder to
understand as time goes by is how so many people keep getting
sucked into these hardware arguments. I spent four years forced
into working on a MS/NT-4 box and didn't seem to progress one
bit either in enjoyment nor utilization of the computer. Every
thing just seemed so dang difficult to learn and execute. I finally
said forget it and bought my G4 17" 1ghz iMac that has worse
specs than the mini with the exception of the gpu. Within a
couple of weeks I was putting together slide shows of my sons
basketball teams for his coach that almost brought the tough as
nails guys to tears. I did a promo for work with slides, music and
voiceover which we used as an invitation to an event we were
having. I ripped my entire CD collection into iTunes which
labeled and sorted everything with me just having to hit a feed
and eject button. My daughter made a Mothers day DVD for my
wife that in fact brought her to tears. I've left the world of
trojans, viruses and spyware behind in the process. This is why
I'm a mac nut. It's plain and simply being able to do all these
things while having to learn very little about the computer. Not
because of the speed of the processor. Might it be possible that
the reason some photos occupy shoeboxes and files are not
properly labeled is that it's just to dang difficult to run the
machine? Just my 2 cents.

Bill

It about the software...duh...pc folks don't get it

I use macs and pc's. PC folks keep comparing entry PCs to Macs
on a dollar to dollar basis and miss the mark every time. IT'S
ABOUT THE SOFTWARE! The software that ships with all Macs is
what makes the Mac "experience" something folks with the
resources have been willing to pay a premium for the last 20
years.

If you have never made a slide show on IDVD while pulling
photos out of IPHOTO and making your own background music
in Garage Band....you just don't know...period

If you never surfed using Safari...you dont know!

If you never had your G5 Imac crash since the day you plugged it
in...you dont know!

If...you dont know what a virus is...you must be a Mac user.

The seamless intergration of the software with the hardware is
an apple hallmark...and elegance...duh...all the goods to roll out
of Cuppertino in the last 3 years have been downright elegant
tools.

These same folks who are blathering about pc vs. mac "value"
are the same clowns who shrugged of the ipod and an
overpriced gadget doomed to failure.

At any price, the software has a value that transcendes the cost
of the hardware...$499 for the box and the software...It's a steal.

Regards
Mark

Oh BTW...that noise you here in the background is the folks at
Apple laughing as the sales come streaming in on the mac mini
as you continue to study your belly button and make silly
comparisons that miss the mark.

A different take on BYODKM

Hey all, Just a quick thought I had about the whole 'bring your
own keyboard, mouse and display'. Most of you are saying 'no
one has an extra keyboard, mouse, etc, they are all being used
on my present machine' - well, maybe that's the point! Perhaps
Apple is thinking you will buy the mini, take it home, UNPLUG
the mouse etc from the Windows machine and plug them into
the mini? This way, in order to go back, they would have to
switch everything back which (if as lazy as I am) would be too
much of a bother and viola, a new Mac user with the Windows
box packed up. Thoughts?

Very COOL!!! ... and I found this....

http://www.FreeMiniMacs.com/?r=13956630

It's a tough job...

Quit yer bellyachin', Mike. Hang in there with the best of
microsoft and whatever windows machine you use. Another 2 or
so years and you'll get what mac users get now. You don't even
have to say you think it's cool until windows does it, either.

I remember when DOS users used to tell me how a command
line interface was so much better than all of those silly windows
mac users played around with.

Actually, Mike, I wish I could use a cheapass plastic windows
machine, too. But, unless people use macs, I'm afraid windows
development would grind to a screeching halt. There wouldn't
be anything for Bill Gates to copy. It's a sacrifice I'm making for
my fellow man and the future of technology. When you think of a
mac user, think of the sacrifices we are making for the rest of
the computing world.

It's a ***** of a job, but someone's got to do it.