Does Apple need to make 'uglier' computers?

[Captnroger]

I don't know if this has been debated here before or not, but with all the comments on the ugly new G4 case, it poses the following question - I know that we all (mostly) love the style and looks of Mac hardware in general. Nothing else comes close in the industry. However, I have to think that the fancy cases, packaging, etc... significantly drive up the cost of the typical mac. Seriously, think how much a clear acrilic (sp?) G4 case must cost to manufacturer. Along with the fancy clear mouse, the keyboard, etc...

It begs the question (and I know Power Computing tried this and ultimately failed) - should Apple themselves cut back on the fancy cases and boxes and focus upon lowering the cost of their machines to attract more first-time buyers? After all, in the end, it's the great desktop of OS X and the functionality of the applications that come with the machine that make the difference.

I don't know, maybe I'm opening a can of worms that I shouldn't be, just a thought...

 

[funkywhat2]

you do have a valid point, but one of the reasons that joe sixpack is going to switch may be that the computers look cool. if you know nothing about UNIX or what a gigflop is or anything like that, it may come down to price, but it may also come down to looks. if you notice, every peecee maker is going with an "industrial design" trend. gateway markets it, dell markets it, and so do many other peecee makers.

 

[topicolo]

yeah, the last thing any company wants to do is compete based on price.

 

[iGav]

Nah....... one of the Mac's big selling points is the fact that they look cool, people are generally becomming more design savy........ particularly when it comes to having well designed products in their home, that are both functional and stylish and here Apple are in their element...... the same way as Sony understands the important of aesthetics of consumer products, sure you pay a premium but quality costs...... simple as that........

It's not a case of either one or the other... with Apple it's a case of having both and more......

 

[funkywhat2]

i don't know if you mean that sarcasticly (?) or not, so here goes my retort...

for many consumers, price isn't as much of a factor as it used to be, average pc prices are kinda high, and many people want ceratin features before they want low price. one of those features is a "cool factor." if apple made ugly machines, they would lose that advantage of a cool factor, giving people all the more reason to use a peecee. if you had no idea about what a processor did, but you needed to choose between two computers, would you go for the nice looking onw that costa little more or the ugly one that cost less? besides, many consumers use a basic system- price=quality.

i was referring to topicolo.

 

[ShaolinMiddleFinger]

Looks do make a difference.... Whenever I'm at starbucks with my iBook, I always have someone looking at it and asking what kind of computer it is. I've seen other people with laptops in there but none ever get the attention that my iBook does.

I personally like the new case.

 

[vniow]

Looks are incredibly important, unless you want to put your computer in a closet or something, I mean unless you're blind, then the first thing you notice about a thing or person is how they look. (believe me, read the sig)
So moving to a more powerful, although arguably uglier Powermac is going to turn away more than a few potential buyers. Myself included, unless I could buy or make a case that has the same cooling requirements.

 

[Sun Baked]

Originally posted by edvniow
Looks are incredibly important, unless you want to put your computer in a closet or something, I mean unless you're blind, then the first thing you notice about a thing or person is how they look. (believe me, read the sig)
So moving to a more powerful, although arguably uglier Powermac is going to turn away more than a few potential buyers. Myself included, unless I could buy or make a case that has the same cooling requirements.

So to shallow/vain people, it's the package that counts and not the software running on the hardware.

You can read that any way you want.

 

[vniow]

Well excuse me for wanting a good looking system. It's f*cking important to me that my computer systems look good. Same with my room, my house, my car and especially my clothes. I would like to have a top performing Powermac, but not if it looks like that. You can call me shallow if you want, but I'm just very picky on how things of mine look. I not judging the Powermac's performance on how they look, I'm judging their looks. EXCUUUUSE ME!!

 

[Sun Baked]

Sorry, every now and then I forget the smiley faces in the proper places.

Of course if you read it, "So to shallow/vain people, it's the package that counts and not the software running between the ears." It makes it a little different also.

But anyhow, YOUR point is valid.

People have bought a lot of Mac based on looks alone.

And there are very few people that'll dissagree with you on the looks, but the changes inside to the layout are interesting compared to the old case.

But to hide the poor thing in the closet?

 

[vniow]

Sorry if I offended you. It just hits a nerve with me when people comment to me on looks. Being an open transvestite that went to a little redneck mountain school, I hope you understand that part.


N.E.Wayz, about people hiding a computer in their closet...
I read the AVS Forum from time to time and a lot of the people there who use a computer as a part of their home theatre do hide it in their closet, or somewhere where it's not see. I have no intention of doing this. When I get a Mac (and mark my words, it will be pretty ) I'm not going to hide it in my closet.

 

[funkywhat2]

Originally posted by Sun Baked


So to shallow/vain people, it's the package that counts and not the software running on the hardware.

You can read that any way you want.

half of the people who buy macs don't buy them because they understand the hardware or software, it's because they look cool and the os lkooks cool. only after buying them for looks do they start to understand what makes it tick.

 

[SilvorX]

Originally posted by crazy_will


half of the people who buy macs don't buy them because they understand the hardware or software, it's because they look cool and the os lkooks cool. only after buying them for looks do they start to understand what makes it tick.

schoolwise ppl just buy them cuz its simple to use

 

[djniche]

My g/f loves apple and she love the looks of mac . she loves the futuristic, elegant design that apple comes up with. We just bought the 17 imac and the I got the powerbook and both are amazing looking computers. BUT not only is it looks, she knows what's inside. O No not intel ... but she knows what mac os X is all about and she makes fun of people who go crazy trying to throw their PCs out of the window because it crashes.

She loves the fact that not only mac stable, reliable which makes you productive and efficient. But all of that comes in a beautiful designed computer. It's the whole package Deal!

 

[medea]

Sorry, but I do not consider the new case to be ugly at all.....

 

[firewire2001]

Originally posted by ShaolinMiddleFinger
Looks do make a difference.... Whenever I'm at starbucks with my iBook, I always have someone looking at it and asking what kind of computer it is. I've seen other people with laptops in there but none ever get the attention that my iBook does.

I personally like the new case.

cool.. does yer starbucks sport a 802.11b connection?


about the ugliness thing...

i think that apple should keep making computers that look great. but think abpout this:

i think on one level we have gotten so used to having a good looking computer in our society that we think nothing of it -- just as we dont question why certain peoples clothes look good -- its juss cause.. think about most tvs tnese days.. are they particularly nice or trensettin gin their design ..? not really. I think that apple just went a diffreent direction with the design a few years ago, and this is one thing that makes them so different. Also, i mean, ill bet tthat if a few years ago apple never made particularly nice looking machines that we today seeing a picture of a machine that would come in the future would have us laughing or juss saying yuck.. though now we have no porblem, and are positive about the design..

juss my 2 cents..

 

[DrGrip84]

honestly... is there THAT much of a difference between the OLD case and the NEW case. the drives are now in the middle and the speaker is on top. "omg it is sooo ugly."

i'll admit the vents (front and back) look a little strange, but overall it's still a very stylish design.

style DOES matter though. just look at dell (love 'em or hate 'em)... when they went to the dark case and got that loser in the ads to start pimping their POS computers, their sales went thru the roof.

 

[medea]

No I think what the problem is that we are used to Apple making great looking computers, switch back to a pc for awhile and your outlook on things will change. case in point: Gateways new imac type all-in-one pc the Astro...

 

[edesignuk]

Originally posted by Total OS X
case in point: Gateways new imac type all-in-one pc the Astro...

That thing is HORRIBLE!

 

[zarathustra]

Originally posted by Total OS X
No I think what the problem is that we are used to Apple making great looking computers, switch back to a pc for awhile and your outlook on things will change. case in point: Gateways new imac type all-in-one pc the Astro...

That machine and pictures are quite old. It has been around since about the blueberry iMacs. Nevertheless, you are right, the PC alternatives are very, very bleak.