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Ignorant Beliefs about Macs

OldManJimbo said:
Yes - I think they are DEAD ON. The average consumer doesn't buy a computer for HOW it works, they buy for WHAT it will do for them.

Apple is not trying to provide an all-things-to-all-people computer solution. They are focused on a certain segment of the population and - from my persepctive - serve that segment quite well.

My original beef with this thread was related to all the people who whine that Apple isn't doing enough to validate their own decision to buy a Mac. My advice for them is be propud they've made the right decision and quit stressing that the whole world doesn't agree.
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Well, I only have 20 years of marketing experience under my belt and I think Apple is DEAD OFF. And I hardly need Apple to validate my decision to buy and use Macs. I've never owned any other computer.

Take the recent G5 ad with the kid getting blown out of his house. How does that help Apple sell more Macs? Sure, they get across the point of its speed but if many still believe the fallacies of the Mac (many mentioned in this thread), the speed does not matter. They are preaching to the choir and the choir knows all about the G5.

IMO, Apple needs a campaign to educate people (i.e. consumers) on just how easy Macs work, how compatible they are and how complete a package you buy. How I'd love to see a series of ads with families huddled around their PCs trying to do what we Mac users do without second thought (iLife stuff). Split screen, how easy it is in a Mac and the frustration of the PC family. That, IMO, would at least get people to consider a Mac, if they could find them on the shelf of a local retailer. (now there's another issue that Apple needs to address)
 
mvc said:
When some truly misguided and uninformed PC zealot comes at you spouting ignorant drivel about your Mac, remember that's probably why he bought the PC in the first place, because, usually, these kind of people don't really understand anything about computers, and prefer to follow the opinions of those around them regardless of whether they are correct because they can't tell good from bad or think for themselves.

He should have your pity, not your anger. He's now suffering for his decision every day and so feels the need to justify his purchase by berating yours.

Its a darwinian process you see, computer users really do find the platform that suits them :p

Be grateful.
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Good idea. The next time someone spews said meaningless drivel, I'm going to say, "That's probably why you bought the PC in the first place, because, usually, you type of people don't really understand anything about computers, and prefer to follow the opinions of those around you regardless of whether they are correct because you can't tell good from bad or think for yourself."

And go on...

"I'm not angry. You should have my pity, not my anger. You're now suffering for your decision every day and so feel the need to justify your purchase by berating mine. It's a darwinian process, you see? Computer users really do find the platform that suits them."

Then I'll smile and walk away. ;)

rdowns said:
IMO, Apple needs a campaign to educate people (i.e. consumers) on just how easy Macs work, how compatible they are and how complete a package you buy. How I'd love to see a series of ads with families huddled around their PCs trying to do what we Mac users do without second thought (iLife stuff). Split screen, how easy it is in a Mac and the frustration of the PC family. That, IMO, would at least get people to consider a Mac, if they could find them on the shelf of a local retailer. (now there's another issue that Apple needs to address)
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Good idea #2. Then, at the end, have someone from the 'Mac' family copy a file to a CD (or send an email), walk across to the other side of the screen, and give it to the 'PC' family. They open the file and it's completely compatible. An MS Word document, for instance. Actually, there could be a whole series of them. Including iLife stuff, as you suggest, would be a must.

Squire
 
Squire said:
Good idea #2. Then, at the end, have someone from the 'Mac' family copy a file to a CD (or send an email), walk across to the other side of the screen, and give it to the 'PC' family. They open the file and it's completely compatible. An MS Word document, for instance. Actually, there could be a whole series of them. Including iLife stuff, as you suggest, would be a must.

Squire
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or, have them download a patch to a fatal flaw in windows, walk across the room, and hand it to their pc using family... that would be great :)
 
Blue Velvet said:
(This then caused me to think about the actual effectiveness of Apple's marketing strategy with the average consumer instead of the hype...)
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This brings up a really good point about how Apple markets their products, especially their consumer electronic goods, like the iPod. For the iPod unveilings, it has always been towards the throngs of Mac enthusiasts at very obscure meeting places, obscure in the sense to the general public. For instance, ask my sister about MacWorld or WWDC and she'll give you a blank stare.

This is in stark contrast to how Microsoft is marketing the XBox 360. It's given a public unveiling targeted right at the "cool kids" demographic on MTV. This gains tremendous exposure. As for the iPod, you rarely see any sort of general public awareness, apart from the cryptic silhouette iPod commercials or retail shelf space.

Apple could learn a thing or two from Microsoft on how to effectively advertise their products. It took the iPod nearly two years to reach critical mass.
 
Lacero said:
This brings up a really good point about how Apple markets their products, especially their consumer electronic goods, like the iPod. For the iPod unveilings, it has always been towards the throngs of Mac enthusiasts at very obscure meeting places, obscure in the sense to the general public. For instance, ask my sister about MacWorld or WWDC and she'll give you a blank stare.

This is in stark contrast to how Microsoft is marketing the XBox 360. It's given a public unveiling targeted right at the "cool kids" demographic on MTV. This gains tremendous exposure. As for the iPod, you rarely see any sort of general public awareness, apart from the cryptic silhouette iPod commercials or retail shelf space.

Apple could learn a thing or two from Microsoft on how to effectively advertise their products. It took the iPod nearly two years to reach critical mass.
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You do realize that this thread is from August of 2004?
 
Blame it on Apple, not the ignorant people.

All these misconceptions is really a result of Apple not informing people otherwise.
Ask yourself, when did you see an ad for an Apple computer last time?
Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if there are people out there ignorant about the fact that Apple makes computers too. (They still do that right?)
I think it would be a good idea, if Apple directed some of the money they have made on iPods and iTMS towards some informative ads about Apple computers. I know this sounds terribly boring, not hipp at all, but all the stories posted above tell the same thing. People just don't have a clue, what Macs can do.
One of the most widespread "truths" are that Macs can't run Office. That is huge failure for Apples marketing division as I see it.
 
arguing with ignorent people is pointless.. they will always want to feel as if they are correct... yeah ive seen a ton of mac stupidity at my highschool.. from too expensive.. to "yeah weren't they the computers in the 80's? and then ms bought em right?"... its just silly.. most of the time i just ignore it.. once i fought with this stupid fool about em and i made a fool of myself in front of the class b/c he was getting facts wrong about ipod sales and what not.. had to do with economy and what not...
 
CubaTBird said:
arguing with ignorent people is pointless.. they will always want to feel as if they are correct... yeah ive seen a ton of mac stupidity at my highschool.. from too expensive.. to "yeah weren't they the computers in the 80's? and then ms bought em right?"... its just silly.. most of the time i just ignore it.. once i fought with this stupid fool about em and i made a fool of myself in front of the class b/c he was getting facts wrong about ipod sales and what not.. had to do with economy and what not...
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I was on the other side myself and at the time Windows 95 came out, there really was no compelling reason for me to use Macs. I too made the argument of software selection and low prices. It was probably at this time Apple was trying desperately to compete against PCs, which was a mistake in hindsight. The whole beige box era of Macs looks painful now. But as I smartened up, the concept of long term PC ownership costs, security bugs starting around 1997 with my DSL internet, and overall enjoyment compelled me to look at the Macs. It wasn't until Apple released the G4 with Altivec that I made my Switch™.
 
Dr.Gargoyle said:
All these misconceptions is really a result of Apple not informing people otherwise.
Ask yourself, when did you see an ad for an Apple computer last time?
Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if there are people out there ignorant about the fact that Apple makes computers too. (They still do that right?)
I think it would be a good idea, if Apple directed some of the money they have made on iPods and iTMS towards some informative ads about Apple computers. I know this sounds terribly boring, not hipp at all, but all the stories posted above tell the same thing. People just don't have a clue, what Macs can do.
One of the most widespread "truths" are that Macs can't run Office. That is huge failure for Apples marketing division as I see it.
Click to expand...

I have to agree. From an outsider's view, Apple only makes iPods and nothing more. Apple really needs to start marketing Macs A LOT more to educate people on Macs.

CubaTBird said:
arguing with ignorent people is pointless..
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True, but sometimes you can't help yourself in those "debates" no matter where the discussion won't go.
 
Since coming to Japan I've had it a lot easier. The Japanese say "Oh! You use a Mac. Why?" and then I tell them so and so whatever blah blah and they patiently listen and seem interested.

There are Mac freaks over here (as most people already know) but they stay quiet and don't chase people down with the evangelism or anything like that.

The only time I ever get ish from anyone is when I run into another foreigner who's anti-Mac and they start spouting all kinds of uneducated garbage. I'm the pres of the city's Macintosh Users Group though, so there's not much they can say ;) Even then though, there are a lot of Mac using foreigners here. Witness the opening of the Sakae Apple Store there were zillions of people and quite a lot of foreigners.

Also my boss at work is a Mac-head and so it's a very Mac-friendly place. :)
 
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