"High-Class"/"Elite" items: Mac, Moleskine, Starbucks - What else?

[Ahheck01]

Someone made a very interesting comparison of Moleskine's to Mac's. People pay a little extra for them because they have more form and more function than cheap PC's or 5-star notebooks. What other products do you guys see as held in somewhat of an "elite" or "high class" light in other categories?

-Evan

[Ahheck01]

I would add Ikea to this category. What else?

[Abstract]

^^^How is Ikea "elite" or "high class"? They're crap. Perhaps they're popular, but they sell bad furniture for a low price. It's like saying H&M are like Apple and Starbucks because they're popular. They're just popular because they're cheap, and the stuff doesn't look bad. They're like the "netbooks" of the clothing world.


As a user of both Macs and Moleskines, I'll tell you that Macs offer an advantage over the competition, while Moleskines generally do not. Moleskines aren't nicer, nor is the paper of better quality than other semi-pricey notebooks. They're one of those products that are trendy for little reason, and in 5 years, we'll wonder how the world became convinced that Moleskine was creating a better, more meaningful product for artists and thinkers, when we all know they're just peddling paper notebooks, and have no real corporate history or ties to the makers of the original product. Other companies that are capable of making copycat notebooks (which should be a LOT of companies) will hopefully flood the market soon and end the madness, and Moleskine will disappear.


I use 2 Moleskines, but the reason why I pay so much to use them is because they sell notebooks with blank paper (most important criteria). There are no other small, pocket-sized, soft-cover notebooks with blank pages that are NOT spiral-bound. Notebooks with spiral spines can't be put into a pant pocket easily.


The other Moleskines --- grid paper, lined paper, organizers, city maps and guides --- have cheaper alternatives that are equally good. Some will also have real leather covers.

[jrichie]

I totally agree that Moleskin are not in the same league....

however I go for :

Copic - the best design pens
Bell & Ross watches [the simple ones]
possibly wacom
Audi
Muji


It depends how you think of Apple - I don't regard them as elite items and Starbucks is at the bottom of the ladder for coffee..... unbelievable !!

Apple products are well designed, functional products that have good clean aesthetics.

that's all I can think of :)

[mouchoir]

How is Starbucks highclass or elite? They sell terrible coffee.
And Muji is hardly elite, they simply produce well designed, mass-produced and affordable products.

[djellison]

Audi

Not really. There are plenty of Audi's that compete in the normal ordinary family car business. They are not especially good, not especially expensive, not especially special.

I WOULD however, put BMW in there. Despite being, in many cases, not the best in class, they are perceived as such. There is an EPIC amount of badge going on with BMW these days - especially with crap like the 1 series (which is NOT a good car). People buy the 3 series because it's got a BMW badge. The Ford Mondeo is a significantly better car, and far better equipped offering MUCH better value. But the BMW is the better selling car - it's ALL about the badge.

Apple, very very elite. Starbucks? That's the opposite of elite.

Ikea? It's cheap stuff that's actually quite well made. We returned >£500's worth of MFI furniture because of dreadful build quality (thank god that company went under so the British public doesn't have to suffer their crap any more), and went and spent half that much replacing every item at Ikea with something that looked better, worked better and is still working better now, 5 years later. It's not an elite brand at all. It's one of those rare things - quality and value.

Other premium brands that come to mind. Sony perhaps. Bose maybe - Bang and whassisname, Canon's premium lenses (the creamy/grey ones) - they are a proper sign of class.

[Chundles]

I'd knock Starbucks off the list. Here, at least, they're regarded as the coffee you drink when you can't find a cafè. We don't drink percolated coffee here and their espresso coffees are weak as weak for the size of the cup.

Definitely not a premium brand.

Apple, yes. Molleskine, yes but I don't know why. Small BMWs - there are better cars than most of the 1 and 3 series Beemers though the performance versions are pretty sweet.

I dunno, perhaps Nike?

[jrichie]

BMW? I heard it was the most common 'rep' car in the UK. Hardly makes it Apple status.....

I can see people not agreeing with Audi, but BMW.........

maybe Porshe ?

Possibly Nike......

In fact there are very few companies I can think of that I would put in the same category as Apple.
That is why they are so special :)

[BenEndeem]

Marks & Spencer, specifically the food department maybe? I've noticed a vague similarity between M&S and Apple in that they have a 'pretty much everyone has one' market (clothes/iPods) and a more niche 'we only sell premium quality products' section (food/Mac).

Apple and BMW I would definitely agree with.

[bartelby]

Anyone mentioned

B&O
Bose

[djellison]

BMW? I heard it was the most common 'rep' car in the UK. Hardly makes it Apple status.....

Are we talking things that are rare, or things as status symbols?

[Eraserhead]

^^^How is Ikea "elite" or "high class"? They're crap. Perhaps they're popular, but they sell bad furniture for a low price.

Quite, calling Ikea high class means you don't really understand the term - high class furniture should last for decades, if not longer.

How is Starbucks highclass or elite? They sell terrible coffee.

I'd knock Starbucks off the list. Here, at least, they're regarded as the coffee you drink when you can't find a cafè.

+1, and I don't even like coffee.

[jrichie]

Are we talking things that are rare, or things as status symbols?

I thought is was 'high class/elite', which is why I dismissed BMW....

[djellison]

The point being - repmobile BMW's are bought as status symbols. What they say, not what they are. If they wanted a good car, they'd get a Mondeo. But they want the badge - it's all about the class is projects.

[twistedlegato]

How about we just say Aston Martin as the 'elite' car brand.

Really no way to oppose there:p

[sammich]

Well you need to count in LV (Louis Vuitton), and good looking fakes don't count!

Why is there no mention of anything more expensive than a BMW? Are we talking more mainstream? M3, RS4, Porsche?

Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls Royce etc.

[steveza]

Marks & Spencer, specifically the food department maybe? I've noticed a vague similarity between M&S and Apple in that they have a 'pretty much everyone has one' market (clothes/iPods) and a more niche 'we only sell premium quality products' section (food/Mac).I think M&S food has gone a bit downhill lately - I was in our local last week and left empty handed.

BMW and Audi would both be on my list but not the 3 level and below.
TAG Heuer for watches
Harman/Kardon or B&O for sound systems
Sony for TVs

How about we just say Aston Martin as the 'elite' car brand.

Really no way to oppose thereAgreed http://www.astonmartin.co.uk/thecompany/news?a=aef9fefe-d985-4e21-920d-708f86120c96

[allmIne]

The point being - repmobile BMW's are bought as status symbols. What they say, not what they are. If they wanted a good car, they'd get a Mondeo. But they want the badge - it's all about the class is projects.

Nope.

The bog standard 318i with basic trim and stock alloys are bought for the badge.

Virtually every other model isn't.

I'd add Chanel to the list. And as everyone has mentioned, Ikea is NOT high class. The opposite, in fact. :D

[bartelby]

I thought we were talking brands whose products are overpriced for what they are...

[allmIne]

I thought we were talking brands whose products are overpriced for what they are...

Nah, we're talking about 'elite / high class items'. It's in the title, lol!

It just so happens that in quite a few cases, the elite items are overpriced for what they are.

[bartelby]

Nah, we're talking about 'elite / high class items'. It's in the title, lol!

It just so happens that in quite a few cases, the elite items are overpriced for what they are.

So they're the same thing really.

[kastenbrust]

Where i live Audi and BMW are all considered pretty cheap and are usually given away as free as company cars so definately not elite, i think

Porsche
Ferrari
Mont Blanc Pens
Omega Watches (not Rolex! too many fakes, brand has been ruined)
Cambridge Audio for music things (not B&O because they're just crap devices in fancy boxes, and ay audiophile knows Harmon Kardon speakers are the worst known to mankind, they just look cool)

[bartelby]

Cambridge Audio for music things

Cambridge Audio are a budget company aren't they?

[djellison]

Nah, we're talking about 'elite / high class items'. It's in the title, lol!.

What does that mean, exactly.

[bruinsrme]

Cambridge Audio are a budget company aren't they?

Cambridge Audio is "high end"

Cambridge Sound "is what people here would consider a PC"

[bartelby]

Cambridge Audio is "high end"


I wouldn't say that. 95% of their products are at the cheap/mid end of the market they're in.

Take a look at Richer Sounds pricelists...

[steveza]

Cambridge Audio for music things (not B&O because they're just crap devices in fancy boxes, and ay audiophile knows Harmon Kardo
n speakers are the worst known to mankind, they just look cool)

Cambridge Audio are a budget company aren't they? Indeed - if we are talking about elite brands then HK and B&O are much further up the chain than CA. I don't think the debate was about quality of the items they sell. Like Aston Martin are an elite brand but the cars they produce aren't really that reliable and have a tendancy to break down.

As far as sports cars go then Bugatti Veyron is the top of the tree.

[bruinsrme]

I wouldn't say that. 95% of their products are at the cheap/mid end of the market they're in.

Take a look at Richer Sounds pricelists...

yes indeed my apologies, brain fart

[bartelby]

yes indeed my apologies, brain fart

They do make very good products, and tend to punch above their price.

They'd almost be the opposite of how I'd define "High-Class/Elite".

[allmIne]

So they're the same thing really.

Of course not; as I said, though, quite often you'll find that items perceived as 'elite' are overpriced. To be honest, a lot of items that aren't perceived that way are probably overpriced. That's business. That doesn't mean that happens in all cases, or that elite always = overpriced.

What does that mean, exactly.

You should probably ask the OP. In my opinion, it's hugely subjective. If you're looking for my specific opinion, I'd take it to mean a high value item, with generally above average build quality, reputation and customers that hold the company that produce the item in high regard.

imo, of course!

Cambridge Audio are a budget company aren't they?

They're budget in the same way BMW is budget when compared to Aston Martin, I guess. There'll always be something higher up the food chain.

I don't think 'elite' necessarily means offering poor value for money. Somebody buying a Veyron might think they're getting great value for their million quid, if it's doing what they want it to. And that's pretty 'elite'. Same for private jets, if you wanted to take it right to the end of the spectrum.

[bartelby]

They're budget in the same way BMW is budget when compared to Aston Martin, I guess.




No, they're cheap in the same way Ford are cheap.
Using Richer Sounds
Out of
14 cd players 10 are under £500.
24 Amps 16 are under £500
5 AV receivers all are under £400
9 DVD players all are under £150

The OP said "People pay a little extra"
Not really the "ELITE" price bracket...

[suburbia]

Being the witless fashion addict I am, I thought the OP meant "moleskin" as in that fabric of thick cotton with the suede nap...

Anywho, is Hermes "elite" enough for a common ready-to-wear fashion house? I saw a coat there for $165,000 USD-- pretax, of course.

[allmIne]

No, they're cheap in the same way Ford are cheap.
Using Richer Sounds
Out of
14 cd players 10 are under £500.
24 Amps 16 are under £500
5 AV receivers all are under £400
9 DVD players all are under £150

The OP said "People pay a little extra"
Not really the "ELITE" price bracket...

At no point did I say CA was elite, so let's stick to what's actually been said mate - and that is that, relative to other brands in the market place, they're a budget brand. I merely pointed out there are brands both 'below' and 'above' them, in terms of cost. And, indeed, reputation. I'm fairly sure nobody needs me to quote Richer Sounds prices for verification of this point.

If I'm ever in the market for one of their products, I'll be grateful for the prices you listed! :p

[bruinsrme]

Bartelby, I'd appreciate you reading my posts. At no point did I say CA was elite. In fact, I pointed out there were brands 'above' them.

Thank you for the breakdown of their prices, though. If I'm ever in the market for one of their products, I'll be grateful!

Sorry Bartelby for getting you in trouble, hope the pricipal doesn't give you detention for clarifying something for me.

[allmIne]

Sorry Bartelby for getting you in trouble, hope the pricipal doesn't give you detention for clarifying something for me.

He quoted me bruinsrme, so I was responding to him. Nothing to do with you really, mate, so I don't see any need for you to get personal with the 'pricipal' [sic] sarcasm. Bit childish, imo :confused:

@ suburbia - whoa, that's expensive! I'd say that's pretty 'elite', haha :)

I think the reason there is some disagreement in this thread is that the topic is so subjective. What one person perceives as elite, another might not. Do we measure the companies relative to other companies in the market place, as I do? Or measure them on their own merits, regardless of other companies?

Who knows.

Anyway, hopefully bartelby understands what I was trying to say with my post - that I think it's all relative. I edited the comment quoted above after a few seconds, because I felt I was rude in it. Unfortunately, it got quoted by bruinsrme in his beautifully eloquent reply :p

Cheers.

[BMWFan]

BMW is elite, and you do get what you pay for.

[Malfoy]

http://www.bugatti.com/media/37cc5ef467c0797f962717250f8e85b1/bugatti-veyron-199.jpg

[leekohler]

Starbucks is certainly not what I would consider a high end product.

[SLC Flyfishing]

Acura, Lexus?

Can you say, I just payed $50,000 for a toyota camry with leather seats and a nav system?

LOL

SLC

[kellen]

Omega, Apple, BMW, LV, the Centurion card, staying at the Ritz.

These come to mind. For inspiration, I can think of my GF and her wish list: Tiffanys, Mercedes, those just popped up.

[Brien]

I totally agree that Moleskin are not in the same league....

however I go for :

Copic - the best design pens
Bell & Ross watches [the simple ones]
possibly wacom
Audi
Muji


It depends how you think of Apple - I don't regard them as elite items and Starbucks is at the bottom of the ladder for coffee..... unbelievable !!

Apple products are well designed, functional products that have good clean aesthetics.

that's all I can think of :)

Copics are great! They're not really that expensive when you consider that unlike the Prismas you can refill them.

Never heard of this Moleskine stuff before.

[ButtUglyJeff]

Mercedes Benz, Cadillac, Lincoln..................

Rolex, Omega.................

Coach, Loius Vuitton, Prada................

Perrier, Dom Perignon..........

caviar, truffles, escargot........................

I'm assuming if you can brag about having it, it counts.

[leekohler]

Mercedes Benz, Cadillac, Lincoln..................

Rolex, Omega.................

Coach, Loius Vuitton, Prada................

Perrier, Dom Perignon..........

caviar, truffles, escargot........................

I'm assuming if you can brag about having it, it counts.

Oh god...truffles...

Is there anything better?

[bartelby]

Oh god...truffles...

Is there anything better?

Pomegranates?

[arkitect]

Oh god...truffles...

Is there anything better?
Only one thing in this world that smells better than a fresh white truffle and… well… I'd be banned for saying.

;) :D

[Melrose]

maybe Porshe ?

Not Porsche. You read how they put cheesy materials and poor workmanship in many of their lesser models.

I'd put BMW on the list if they had the previous models. The current ones are slighted simply by the inclusion of the iDrive. Also Rolls Royce should be on the list.

I'd say GAP. Torrefazione Italia in place of Starbucks (be it known, however, I love Starbucks). I'm not so sure about Tiffany's.

When you really start to break it down, it's amazing how many names you'd can scratch because quality has receded so much in recent years.

[Abstract]

Only one thing in this world that smells better than a fresh white truffle and… well… I'd be banned for saying.

;) :D


A flower, right?

[leekohler]

Pomegranates?

Same level. :)

[Signal-11]

It always struck me that the really wealthy don't need or want all of those things.

Back in college and grad school, one of my buddies came from an insanely wealthy family. As in multiple vacation homes, and when travelling, you pick the place where you want to land and customs will come to you kind of wealthy.

One time, I was antique shopping with he and his father in Macau. His father gets a call turns to us and says he has to get back to the office in Hong Kong right away and the helicopter is coming for him. I don't remember exactly how it happened on the Macau side, but when we got to Hong Kong, we landed directly on the roof of his office building where the Hong Kong customs and immigration official was waiting. He stamped our passports and then left. All in the space of 30 minutes.

That guy drove an F-150. His son (my friend) drove a Ford Explorer.

It's not like they didn't know how to appreciate the finer things. I had my first two hundred dollar bottle of wine, my first real sixty year scotch, etc with them. But when it came to day to day things, they had so much money, the brand simply didn't matter. He never tried to hide his wealth, it's just he didn't give a **** because he was so damn rich, he didn't have to buy into status symbols. That kid didn't have a Tag, he had a Casio calculator watch because he was an engineering nerd, like me.

[Malfoy]

It always struck me that the really wealthy don't need or want all of those things.




Perhaps you don't keep up with yachts and the constant 1 upping that goes on with the wealthy who keep spending x00s of millions on new yachts only to make them 5 or 10 ft longer than the other rich boy

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/special-features/2915-worlds-largest-yacht-525-platinum.html

Look at the prices of the top 10 most expensive paintings ever sold.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0921837.html
the bottom painting is $60.5 million in 1999 and the top at $140 million in 2006
Paintings arent going this high because only 1 or 2 want them, and 'merely rich' people aren't the ones dropping the money on them. The uber wealthy are.


Then we have the billionaire who is building the first (and probably only for the foreseeable future) BILLION DOLLAR HOME.
http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/30/home-india-billion-forbeslife-cx_mw_0430realestate.html

Needless to say he's probably not going to take out a billion dollar mortgage :p

Also when you get a moment, look into the 'America's Cup' http://www.americascup.com/en/index.php , it's a yachting competition race where they have participants such as Larry Ellison of Oracle and Paul Allen of MS fame. Needless to say its not a cheap venture by any means.


Then you have London's Billionaires row, a stretches of homes that consist mostly of billionaires and uper echelon multi millionaires who probably could live less lavishly but chose not to.


While you might know some wealthy people who live like Buffett, doesn't mean the rest do. They are just better at hiding their fun (and funds :o) than everyone else :)

[Signal-11]

While you might know some wealthy people who live like Buffett, doesn't mean the rest do. They are just better at hiding their fun (and funds :o) than everyone else :)

Yeah, that could have been worded better, but I guess the point I was trying to make was that for someone why can afford a RR Phantom, at the lower cost range, a BMW is the same as a Camry. IOW, it's affordable by the proles, so what's the difference?

Now yachting, that's another matter. I once stayed on a huge yacht as a guest of the Aga Khan and that was a really nice. I didn't have any clothes, or more properly, swimwear and I was taken shopping and that was the first time I ever saw an American Express "Special Member" card.

The other thing is that people talk about premium clothing labels, shoes, etc, but again, to the truly elite, that's a bourgeoisie game. There's an entire class out there for whom labels simply don't matter as a point of conspicuous consumption.

[obeygiant]

I would add Ikea to this category. What else?

Ikea? I disagree. Ikea is for the masses and is anything but "high-class". More akin to Old Navy than Armani.

[ShaunPriest]

Lab Series.

[Signal-11]

Something I often wonder about in what we think of as premium products is if the perceived higher quality is just in our heads. There's a lot of social psychology research to indicate that it is.

On the one hand, I'm pretty sure that Apple laptop build quality is declining based on my experience and anecdotal evidence but I have no real numbers to back it up. The declining reliability of German auto makers is plain as day on paper, though.

But then, you look at Land Rover. Build quality is and always has been a joke with those things and yet, they're considered premium vehicles. How the heck did they get themselves in that position in the first place?

[Kamera RAWr]

I'm going to throw in Omega again, as far as watches go. They're solid, reliable, and well made.

Rolex also makes very nice watches, but it seems that its the brand of watch anyone who comes into a little money buys. Mainly because its instantly recognizable. Few of those who buy them really appreciate all the craftsmanship.

That said... I suppose Rolex is "elite" too.


Edit: Had to add this... if anyone lists any of those well branded fashion watches, you need to slapped firmly.

:p

[obeygiant]

Isn't there an old axiom about what kind of people like what?
As in:

At restaurants, lower class patrons are satisfied with the amount of food.

Middle class patrons are satisfied with the taste of the food.

And high class patrons are satisfied with the presentation of the food.


Also in some circles, higher price=quality (actual or perceived). Just because its expensive is the reason to buy it.

Remember the $1000 featureless iPhone app? link (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2008/08/iphone-i-am-ric.html)

[Inked]

I would disagree that Omega (and even Rolex to an extent) as true Elite brands although they may be perceived to be.

Omega watches start at about £1000 in the UK, surely something along the lines of a Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantine is more elite.

[Kamera RAWr]

Isn't there an old axiom about what kind of people like what?
As in:

At restaurants, lower class patrons are satisfied with the amount of food.

Middle class patrons are satisfied with the taste of the food.

And high class patrons are satisfied with the presentation of the food.

Hmmm... what are you if you care about all of those things? ;)

[obeygiant]

Hmmm... what are you if you care about all of those things? ;)

Then i guess you can eat at Old Country Buffet every night and save your money from eating at Nobu. :)

[kastenbrust]

I would disagree that Omega (and even Rolex to an extent) as true Elite brands although they may be perceived to be.

Omega watches start at about £1000 in the UK, surely something along the lines of a Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantine is more elite.

Yeah but Patek's aren't for showing off, and you tend to pass them from generation to generation. They're not bling in your face bam wham thank you mam shiny novelties which are overpriced like Rolex's.

How about Goji berries?

Also i just thought...People from the UK who use Waitrose carrier bags when they aren't carrying their shopping.

[kellen]

It always struck me that the really wealthy don't need or want all of those things.


What I have found to be true is something my father said to me when I was younger. He said that people who talk about having money rarely do and to never judge people based off of how they look.

People I know who have a large net worth who buy nice things don't do it to show off and rarely talk about them. They just want something nice. Now people who want to show off something they bought just for show you can't shut them up.

Applies in most cases I have found. I think we have all been on both sides of it

[suburbia]

What I have found to be true is something my father said to me when I was younger. He said that people who talk about having money rarely do and to never judge people based off of how they look.


I totally agree. However, there's a whole class of people that may not be millionaires or even rich, but are well-travelled, and design and art are part of their lives. It's not at all about "status", but more about appreciating fine design and high quality, and willing to pay for that, whether that be a car, a jacket, a chair, a piece of real estate, or a painting.

On the flip-side, their are millionaires who shop at Wal-Mart, think that art and design and culture are something to laugh at, and would not care to travel outside their country. Or they're incredibly crass and tacky, and flaunt their wealth-- like Donald Trump and Kanye West.

Since we're in a Mac-centric forum, I'll use Macs as an example: I don't use Macs for "status". I'm a designer, and Macs have been something that I've always used, for practical purposes.

[Fizzoid]

Quite, calling Ikea high class means you don't really understand the term - high class furniture should last for decades, if not longer. Agreed, in which case I'd say Habitat, as it's similar to the stuff you get in Ikea, but it costs x3 as much because it's from Habitat. Sound familiar? ;)

[elfxmilhouse]

^^^How is Ikea "elite" or "high class"? They're crap. Perhaps they're popular, but they sell bad furniture for a low price. It's like saying H&M are like Apple and Starbucks because they're popular. They're just popular because they're cheap, and the stuff doesn't look bad. They're like the "netbooks" of the clothing world.


As a user of both Macs and Moleskines, I'll tell you that Macs offer an advantage over the competition, while Moleskines generally do not. Moleskines aren't nicer, nor is the paper of better quality than other semi-pricey notebooks. They're one of those products that are trendy for little reason, and in 5 years, we'll wonder how the world became convinced that Moleskine was creating a better, more meaningful product for artists and thinkers, when we all know they're just peddling paper notebooks, and have no real corporate history or ties to the makers of the original product. Other companies that are capable of making copycat notebooks (which should be a LOT of companies) will hopefully flood the market soon and end the madness, and Moleskine will disappear.


I use 2 Moleskines, but the reason why I pay so much to use them is because they sell notebooks with blank paper (most important criteria). There are no other small, pocket-sized, soft-cover notebooks with blank pages that are NOT spiral-bound. Notebooks with spiral spines can't be put into a pant pocket easily.


The other Moleskines --- grid paper, lined paper, organizers, city maps and guides --- have cheaper alternatives that are equally good. Some will also have real leather covers.

+1 on your ikea comment.

Ikea is crap. cheap stuff you use once and dont even bother to move it to your next apartment.

[themoonisdown09]

Has anyone mentioned the Sam's Choice brand?

[Kamera RAWr]

Has anyone mentioned the Sam's Choice brand?

Well, I believe Kirkland is a little bit more elite...

[barkmonster]

There's nothing "elite" about the mac since Steve Jobs came back to the company. Since then, the iMac, iBook/Macbook and Mac Mini have catered for the whole consumer range that macs simply couldn't cover when Apple used to sell you just a tower with no input devices or display for several K

These days, with 2 year old laptop CPUs in the whole range, they're pricey compared with a PC built from desktop parts that now have Core 2 Quads or even Core i7 CPUs but they weren't too pricey on a spec for spec basis till Apple dropped the entry level iMac and increased the cost of the Mac Mini. They only got more RAM and bigger drives as a sweetener.

...Or they're incredibly crass and tacky, and flaunt their wealth-- like Donald Trump and Kanye West.

not to mention Kayne West likes to put fish sticks in his mouth :D

[bartelby]

There's nothing "elite" about the mac since Steve Jobs came back to the company.

But more "elite" than if he hadn't returned...
:)

[barkmonster]

But more "elite" than if he hadn't returned...
:)

I think you missed my point.

Before Steve Jobs cut down the mac range to just a handful of models and then concentrated on creating an affordable consumer line up, the mac WAS "elitist" because of the huge price premium. Steve has nothing but make the Mac LESS "elitist", even going so far as to use Intel CPUs and allow the installation of Windows via bootcamp in recent years.

Basically. The complete OPPOSITE of elite! :D

[bartelby]

I think you missed my point.

Before Steve Jobs cut down the mac range to just a handful of models and then concentrated on creating an affordable consumer line up, the mac WAS "elitist" because of the huge price premium. Steve has nothing but make the Mac LESS "elitist", even going so far as to use Intel CPUs and allow the installation of Windows via bootcamp in recent years.

Basically. The complete OPPOSITE of elite! :D

And you missed mine.

If he hadn't returned we'd be swamped by clones and that's if Apple had survived at all...

[jrichie]

I totally agree. However, there's a whole class of people that may not be millionaires or even rich, but are well-travelled, and design and art are part of their lives. It's not at all about "status", but more about appreciating fine design and high quality, and willing to pay for that, whether that be a car, a jacket, a chair, a piece of real estate, or a painting.

On the flip-side, their are millionaires who shop at Wal-Mart, think that art and design and culture are something to laugh at, and would not care to travel outside their country. Or they're incredibly crass and tacky, and flaunt their wealth-- like Donald Trump and Kanye West.

Since we're in a Mac-centric forum, I'll use Macs as an example: I don't use Macs for "status". I'm a designer, and Macs have been something that I've always used, for practical purposes.


this is spot on!!! And I agree totally and from experience the millionaires I have met really don't care about quality, style etc. For me, Apple is a lifestyle which is what I was trying to say before.

I would put my self in the well travelled, art / design side, and feel very good about it - a million $$ in the bank woulnd't hurt though:) so am I the elite as I have the experience and knowledge and the people who are aspiring to buy crass bling aren't??

[barkmonster]

And you missed mine.

If he hadn't returned we'd be swamped by clones and that's if Apple had survived at all...

definitely a few crossed wires on that one :o

[Vogue Harper]

As already noted, it's quite difficult to discern where high class/elite starts. Anything can be high class/elite to those people who cannot afford it - when McDonalds opened in places like China and Russia, it was considered high class to eat in a western burger joint, whereas I doubt anyone here would put McDonalds in the same league as a Pastis or The Ivy.

Alternatively you look at it from a qualitative perspective and decide it is elite/high class based on the fact that the manufacturer charges a premium for the product (whether justifiably or not).

In the latter regard - cars from the likes of BMW, Mercedes Benz, Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, Pagani, Bugatti etc. would be classed as such. The public perception is that these are 'better' premium cars and you have to pay a price to get it - it doesn't matter really whether a Kia or a Hyundai is better or not because they cannot get away with charging a premium for their product.

Other brands which spring to mind as being in this category are - Hasselblad and Leica in the camera world. Vertu with mobile phones. Cartier, Breitling, Patek Phillipe, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet with watches. Miura for golf clubs.

Clothes are slightly different, one can name fashion designers to their heart's content, but the pinnacle of clothing transcends brands. Premium clothes will always be haute couture or bespoke, buying OTP designer does not compare to a couturier making a piece for the individual customer.

[suburbia]

Has anyone mentioned the Sam's Choice brand?

You sir, are hilarious. It would be an honor to share a pint and an urinal with you anytime.

[fireshot91]

I'd consider Alienware to be "High-Class"

[Fake Hipster]

I'd consider Alienware to be "High-Class"

Indeed, this screams class to me: http://www.alienware.com/products/notebook-computers.aspx

[Fizzoid]

BMW is elite, and you do get what you pay for. Bwahahahaha, sorry, but NO! You're paying a serious premium for that little blue & white badge. They're not even elite anymore, as mentioned, they're more of a reps car in the UK and accross Europe now. "Mondeo man" has become "3 series man"

[mactastic]

Well, here's a few of the items that I'm willing to pay a premium for:

All-Clad and LeCruset cookware
Incra and Starrett measurement, miter gauges, and fences
Powermatic stationary tools
Forrest saw blades
Top shelf tequilla and scotch - multiple brands
Spyderco knives (and yes, there are many more premium brands of custom knives, but I can't justify buying them)
Browning (and Weatherby if I could afford them) rifles and Leupold scopes
Nikon cameras and lenses
Mountain Hardware and Arc'teryx clothing

[madoka]

I drive an IS F and before that MB AMG. Diamonds from Tiffany's, pearls from Mikimoto, and watches from Rolex. Clothes from RL Purple Label and suits from Hugo Boss. Pens from Mont Blanc and Waterford. Bags and wallet from Coach. Macbook Air, ipod touches, iphones, and a Mac Pro. Man, I sound like a guppie snob. :p

[Eyedn]

Marks & Spencer, specifically the food department maybe? I've noticed a vague similarity between M&S and Apple in that they have a 'pretty much everyone has one' market (clothes/iPods) and a more niche 'we only sell premium quality products' section (food/Mac).

Apple and BMW I would definitely agree with.

Depends what part of M&S really, i only think their food is any better than going to another supermarket tbh. There clothes arent all that and neither is their home stuff.

It's a shame people are "knocking" starbucks as well. They are not really high class but there arent a lot of places to get more expensive coffee...

[MattyK]

Maserati, Mac, Bose and Huskies

[ShaunPriest]

Miele.

[Tosser]

Aren't "high class/elite" and popular within mainstream pop culture by definition mutually exclusive?

LOL @ bose, macs, starbucks and that sort. They're perfect matches, though :p

[garybUK]

Elite Brands:

I would NOT put apple in there as everyone has iPods and iPhones have become way too popular, so there are so far detached from Elite.

Elite PC brand is Voodoo.

Elite Brands:
B&O, B&W, Cyrus, Naim, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Rolex, Tag, Aston Martin, Lamborghini

Some Elite Shops: Harrods!

I'm sorry but anything by Harman Kardon or Bose are pants and anyone with a ounce of brain matter knows it.

[needthephone]

Starbucks is the lowest denominator brand as everyone has said,

On that list I would take off Bose and B&O and add (elite brands must have integrity not just style over substance)

QUAD
Tannoy
Mission
Whafdale
KEF
Aston Martin
Harvey Niks
Boden
Barbour

[Vogue Harper]

I thought Harvey Nichols is a department store like Harrods and Selfridges rather than an item/brand?

[kindablue09]

And now for something completely different...

Oberweis dairy & Horizon dairy. Good milk :)

[seven7seven]

If BMW is not 'high class' then how the **** is Apple?!?

Woop dee doo you spent a couple hundred dollars more on a computer.
YOU ARE NOT ELITE!

[d wade]

Montblanc writing instruments

[jb60606]

Starbucks? Elite?

[Fizzoid]

Starbucks? Elite?We did that one already...

[barr08]

Woop dee doo you spent a couple hundred dollars more on a computer.
YOU ARE NOT ELITE!

Relatively speaking (as in comparing the cost of a car to that of a computer), I believe that's the definition of elite.

[Fizzoid]

Relatively speaking (as in comparing the cost of a car to that of a computer), I believe that's the definition of elite. You're right, if you think that a MacBook for example, is, as a cost in terms of a percentage, considerably higher than a similarly spec'd PC

[jb60606]

We did that one already...

oh noes, a redundant post.

[eastercat]

Haute couture/bespoke suits
Bentley/Rolls Royce (hand built luxury cars)
Tiffany's/Cartier
American Express black card
Yacht
Rimowa/Louis Vuitton
Owning a private island

[coupdetat]

You guys should read this:

http://www.amazon.com/Trading-Up-New-American-Luxury/dp/1591840139