Thankfully, Arn appears to be able to take on board other peoples opinions. Whether he agrees with them or not.
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Apple Has an Unboxing Room to Test Hundreds of Variants of their Product Packaging
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Thankfully, Arn appears to be able to take on board other peoples opinions. Whether he agrees with them or not.
Completely agreed. I also acquired a firesale touchpad but didn't really care about the contents of the box as much.
First off, thank you Arn for posting such topics. People can complain all they like, this is the type of article that shows why the "details" matter and why Apple's growth has been and will continue to be incredible. Packaging and product placement are very important in marketing and sales.
If you think "it's just a box" then you have zero clue about how companies think about packaging and product placement. Packaging is the "first impression" consumers get about a product. Cheaply packed... vs well packed and designed gives you an instant opinion about the contents. If you don't believe me go to the grocery store and check out the "Always Save/Generic" brand vs any major label brand such as Libby, Hunts etc...
The video is funny only because it's true how Microsoft packages vs Apple. One tries to appeal to the IT/tech minded person that cares about every single detail and technical spec while the other appeals to everyone on the planet with a simple but powerful message of what the item inside does. Clutter vs simplistic, done correctly one appeals to the masses, the other confuses.
If you think "it's just a box" then you have zero clue about how companies think about packaging and product placement. Packaging is the "first impression" consumers get about a product. Cheaply packed... vs well packed and designed gives you an instant opinion about the contents. If you don't believe me go to the grocery store and check out the "Always Save/Generic" brand vs any major label brand such as Libby, Hunts etc...
The video is funny only because it's true how Microsoft packages vs Apple. One tries to appeal to the IT/tech minded person that cares about every single detail and technical spec while the other appeals to everyone on the planet with a simple but powerful message of what the item inside does. Clutter vs simplistic, done correctly one appeals to the masses, the other confuses.
I think you got my point. Let's not strain gnats, ok?
I posted a picture for crowing out loud!
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Side note: MR isn't as fun as it use to be. But it's not MR's fault. The fault belongs to all the complainers, trolls and bullies that have joined in the meantime.
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I love unboxing well packaged products (Apple or otherwise). It adds to the excitement of owning a new product. The anticipation. The sheer pleasure of discovering the new product. Your first impression goes a long way.
Let me ask you guys this...on Christmas (or whatever other gift giving holiday you may celebrate) or your birthday, would you rather recieve your present in a plain old plastic shopping bag from the store that the gift was bought in or do you like it wrapped up nicely in wrapping paper, bow, etc.?
Sure, the gift/product is what's important. The product, itself, is what you will be using and it's design and function is the most important thing. However, for some people (dare I say, "most"), the packaging is that nice extra that makes the entire experience more enjoyable. The packaging or the wrapping paper, etc. is obviously not critical to anything. But that extra attention to detail, which you may not consciously realize, increases you satisfaction with the product and brand.
I will tell you one thing...and what I think everyone will agree with 100%....is bad packaging can ruin your day or at least make you unhappy about the brand or product before you even use it. I can't tell you how many times I cut my hand trying to open something sealed in a plastic shell or got paper cuts trying to open something...or trying to help a frustrated child who can't get to his toy which is wrapped in wire, then taped to cardboard, then sealed in a box.
Apple is thankfully concerned about both the functional design of packaging and the aesthetic design. We, as consumers benefit from both, whether you appreciate it or not.
For those of us who care, we find this article interesting. For the people (like you) who don't, you can easily skip this article. Why waste your time reading it, much less posting in it, if you don't care about the topic? That seems like more a waste of you time. Shouldn't you, instead, spend your time reading (and posting) in topics that you DO care about?
To some people, Apple products (and the compay, itself), are just that. To others, Apple and its products are more than simple objects. We have a deeper interest. Articles, like this, help satisfy that interest.
Let me ask you guys this...on Christmas (or whatever other gift giving holiday you may celebrate) or your birthday, would you rather recieve your present in a plain old plastic shopping bag from the store that the gift was bought in or do you like it wrapped up nicely in wrapping paper, bow, etc.?
Sure, the gift/product is what's important. The product, itself, is what you will be using and it's design and function is the most important thing. However, for some people (dare I say, "most"), the packaging is that nice extra that makes the entire experience more enjoyable. The packaging or the wrapping paper, etc. is obviously not critical to anything. But that extra attention to detail, which you may not consciously realize, increases you satisfaction with the product and brand.
I will tell you one thing...and what I think everyone will agree with 100%....is bad packaging can ruin your day or at least make you unhappy about the brand or product before you even use it. I can't tell you how many times I cut my hand trying to open something sealed in a plastic shell or got paper cuts trying to open something...or trying to help a frustrated child who can't get to his toy which is wrapped in wire, then taped to cardboard, then sealed in a box.
Apple is thankfully concerned about both the functional design of packaging and the aesthetic design. We, as consumers benefit from both, whether you appreciate it or not.
For those of us who care, we find this article interesting. For the people (like you) who don't, you can easily skip this article. Why waste your time reading it, much less posting in it, if you don't care about the topic? That seems like more a waste of you time. Shouldn't you, instead, spend your time reading (and posting) in topics that you DO care about?
To some people, Apple products (and the compay, itself), are just that. To others, Apple and its products are more than simple objects. We have a deeper interest. Articles, like this, help satisfy that interest.
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Is there really such thing as an Apple Tax any more? Back when I was purchasing Performas or Power Macs there certainly was a large difference in price compared to comparable IBM compatibles. But, if you really compare apples to apples (sorry for the pun) I don't think there is much difference in the cost of an Apple product with a really comparable alternative.
The iPad has caused problems because no one can make a tablet at that same price point with the same capabilities. The Macbook Air has frustrated competitors because they can't make a comparable model at that price point. And even for Macs, if you really compare components of the same quality (forgetting the design aesthetics) the price isn't that far off.
Now, I know some people will say "I can build a comparable machine for a lot less." Yes and no. I have build several Hackintoshes and compared to my Macs they are still inferior. Yes, one of them is faster than my iMac (2600K overclocked substantially) but it is still a far cry from an Apple made machine. And when people talk about being cheaper to build one, they never include the hours of labor and tweaking it takes. So, I for one, think it's time to declare the Apple Tax a thing from a bygone era.
The iPad has caused problems because no one can make a tablet at that same price point with the same capabilities. The Macbook Air has frustrated competitors because they can't make a comparable model at that price point. And even for Macs, if you really compare components of the same quality (forgetting the design aesthetics) the price isn't that far off.
Now, I know some people will say "I can build a comparable machine for a lot less." Yes and no. I have build several Hackintoshes and compared to my Macs they are still inferior. Yes, one of them is faster than my iMac (2600K overclocked substantially) but it is still a far cry from an Apple made machine. And when people talk about being cheaper to build one, they never include the hours of labor and tweaking it takes. So, I for one, think it's time to declare the Apple Tax a thing from a bygone era.
While I'm sure the other guy was exaggerating just a little bit, I actually have been cut and scratched up on my hands by poorly designed blister packs. It didn't ruin my day, but it certainly didn't make me happy. That's an extreme example, but it does happen.
Like my wife: she spend (mostly) every day (!) time to prepare the bento box for my son' kindergarten.
The bentos's I get from her have a bit less effort but also well organized and hell of tasty
It's not only about the calories but also the presentation of the food.
No part of the Apple experience is "just" anything. Apple has always been famous for their attention to detail, and the packaging is no exception. If they didn't put effort into designing the packaging just as well as the products they put in them, the perception of Apple's products would be diminished. How much, no one can say. It's undeniable that it would have an impact, however.
jW
I really love apple packaging. Similar to others in here as a graphic designer I appreciate the time and care that has gone into it. But I buy most of my apple stuff refurbished so I rarely see it.
That being said I think the Kindle packaging is far nicer. But its just personal taste really. I guess good packaging is something you don't notice. Like buying a Xbox controller, nightmare.
That being said I think the Kindle packaging is far nicer. But its just personal taste really. I guess good packaging is something you don't notice. Like buying a Xbox controller, nightmare.
Yes but aren't noisy signals and heat are the bane of Digital processing?
In which case extending the motherboard to reduce loose cables would seem in my mind to make for more reliable movement of air and electrons.
Next time you're opening your new Apple product, keep in mind you paid about $7 - $12+ for the packaging before you toss it in the trash.
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Point missed. And yet you made it for me. Same object, same bits, better design, better experience.
Thank you.
To those of you that don't understand the point of this post: You obviously don't get it. You don't comprehend the mission of the organization. The entire experience is considered and thought out. Which is why Apple is different from anyone else out there, and why I am a loyal customer.
To those of you that don't care about any of this, there's probably a MS store near you. You won't notice the difference.
To those of you that don't care about any of this, there's probably a MS store near you. You won't notice the difference.
Good points, all. But one thing you didn't mention was support. The reason you can buy an PC somewhat cheaper than a Mac, or build one even cheaper is because PCs don't come with support standard. You have to pay extra for it. And when you do you're getting close to, or above comparable Mac prices. That's because the strangulation of profit margins on those "cheap" PCs has eliminated the ability for Dell and HP to provide effective support. Ever talked to Dell about a machine without Gold support? It's a miserable experience and a time suck. And if you built the machine yourself the support is you, and whatever time of day you can get from some MoBo manufacturer who quit supporting firmware upgrades three months ago.
Fact is, smart consumers vote with both their wallets and their heads. A large segment of the population has come to the realization that their computer should be like their refrigerator. When I want something cold I just want to go into the kitchen and get it out. I want the light to come on when I open the door, and I want ice to come out when I push the lever. I realize that I'm smart enough to disassemble my refrigerator and tweak it if I wanted to. But you don't see the average person sitting on their kitchen floor, ripping the insides out of their refrigerator, comparing the compressor of a Kenmore with a Sub Zero. They just want their freaking food cold, they want it to look good in the kitchen, and they want to know they can depend on it.
Apple tax? Pffft!