My Parents Hate Apple

[rteichman]

Take them to an Apple store. You will walk out with one Seriously, there is no way you will convince them to buy an Apple based on technical details. Especially if they want you to buy a Dell.

When you get into the Apple store make sure they see one running Windows in either bootcamp or parallels. That way you can say "see, worst comes to worst I run windows on it". At that point you show them the cost of a Dell laptop with the same CPU, DVD burner, memory and disk size (oh and make sure you pick the business model). Then you say see it even costs less than a Dell

Then let the Apple zealots take over. No one can resist the Steve Jobs marketing machine

 

[gnasher729]

...and to make matters worse they have been listening to a quack job computer repairman who despises apple because he is not licensed to work on them...

Oh well. Computer repairmen really know their stuff, so he must be right. On the other hand, I work with dozens and dozens of software developers. Young ones, old and bearded ones. All kinds. Ten years ago the opinions between software developers were divided: Half of them believed that Windows is crap compared to Unix, half of them believed that Windows is crap compared to a Mac. Today, they all agree that Windows is crap compared to MacOS X. Software developers buy Macs. And they are the people who know something about computers, not that screwdriver wielding computer repairman.

Here's what you get: A state of the art Unix system. One hundred percent certified Posix compatible (translated to the layman: It works), not like Windows which is a proprietary system (translated to the layman: You are stuffed) that is incompatible with real computers. You get the most internet compatible browser in the world (Safari) instead of Internet Exploder which is against all standards. MacOS X doesn't get infected by viruses so they don't have to pay that nice computer repairman lots of money all the time to fix your computer. A huge set of applications for photos, DVDs, media and so on. Remember that Apple is the absolute leader in the graphics market. The complete software development system. You get, for free, exactly the same software tools that Apple is using itself to create MacOS X and all their applications. About hundred top quality fonts for free. Not the cheap ones where you get five hundred fonts on a CD with half the letters missing, but complete fonts that cover everything. If you study languages, that is an absolute winner.

And if you want to upgrade your MacBook: Ok, you need tools. To be exact, a screwdriver. With these tools, you can, without the help of the computer repairman who knows everything better, upgrade the memory on your computer and the hard drive. Monitor too small? Buy an external monitor. 24 inch monitor, that lets you work twice as efficiently. Automatic backup. Did you know that only four percent of Windows users ever backup their computers? If anything goes wrong, they are stuffed. You're not.

Good luck convincing your parents. Just tell them what my wife says: Buying a Windows computer would be a reason for divorce. She knows nothing about computers except (a) a Macintosh works and (b) to turn off a Windows computer, you go to the "Start" menu.

 

[nsbio]

(b) to turn off a Windows computer, you go to the "Start" menu.

To eject a disk you drag it to the TRASH...

 

[drs68]

you all have some great ideas. however some of them wouldn't work for me. For example, I have read several replies saying, "Take them to an Apple Store and they will be convinced." I myself would love to visit an Apple Store. However the closest stores are in Baltimore, Washington, and Pittsburgh which are all over a two hour drive.We have no local stores that sell Apple either. Best Buy and Circuit City can be found a little over an hour away. Understand that I live in an area that is in between rural and suburban and that the only big computer stores we have are Staples and WalMart. We are going school shopping in Morgantown, West Virginia in a few weeks and I'm not sure if their Best Buy has Apple products, but I will definitely check into it. I am positive that an Apple Store would inspire them, but I fear that it may also intimidate them as well, leading them to further believe that an Apple computer is too good for me. Once again, thanks for any help.

 

[deltaiscain]

Wow, after reading all these posts, i feel as if my parent's are really special. I could just choose any computer, and they bought it for me. They are windows users, but they don't really care what i use, so i was lucky, and am very happy with my mbp.

 

[jav6454]

you all have some great ideas. however some of them wouldn't work for me. For example, I have read several replies saying, "Take them to an Apple Store and they will be convinced." I myself would love to visit an Apple Store. However the closest stores are in Baltimore, Washington, and Pittsburgh which are all over a two hour drive.We have no local stores that sell Apple either. Best Buy and Circuit City can be found a little over an hour away. Understand that I live in an area that is in between rural and suburban and that the only big computer stores we have are Staples and WalMart. We are going school shopping in Morgantown, West Virginia in a few weeks and I'm not sure if their Best Buy has Apple products, but I will definitely check into it. I am positive that an Apple Store would inspire them, but I fear that it may also intimidate them as well, leading them to further believe that an Apple computer is too good for me. Once again, thanks for any help.

My parents also thought the same when I told them I was planning on saving to buy myself a MacBook [However, because of college needs I have to update to a MacBook Pro].

They were against it since both of them are around a 85% Windows literate and use Windows computers only. They think of Mac as sub-standard. However, my mom has been always more open minded with me and I took one afternoon to talk to her. [My dad is little harder to convince on the technology side]. I took her to an Apple Store and to make the long story short, she loved the Macs.

She said, it was ok to buy myself a Mac. End story is my mom talked to dad and he now approves the Mac also, but with the condition they were not to help me buy it [in other words I had to spend my money, which is fine]. It's a small price to pay for getting the approval of my parents in that sense.

Piece of advice: Divide and conquer. Thats how I did it, first tackle down mom then mom & me tackled dad down.... lol

The best part of my story is I'm just saving right now for the extras of my dream Mac, I already have the $$ for the Mac itself.

 

[ZacUSNYR]

I'm an A+, MCSE who has been fixing computers for nearly 10 years. I have 200+ Dell desktops and laptops i'm responsible for. I go home to Apple computers, and i'm not the only IT Professional who does this.

I go home, I just want to turn on, kick back, and use.

 

[killerwhack]

Tell your dad to sell the M$ shares

Sounds like he is in pretty deep with M$

Too bad he waited too long. He could of bought apple when it was $30 per share.

 

[peapody]

Take whatever computer they give you - DON'T open it - SELL IT - and then put it towards the Apple. Grow some balls and tell them that you are sick of them making decisions for you that they are not qualified to make.

halcyo

I seriously hope you are joking.

What disrespect and ungratefulness towards people who shell out their hard earned money for you to have a shiny computer. You don't even really need a computer. Public libraries, schools etc have computers for you to use for free.

Tell 'em that you appreciate the help, but you are a grown man, and if they wanna help, they can help you YOUR way!

Seriously, try taking a stand. It sounds like it might be good for your relationship overall honestly!

halcyo

This statement is straight up laughable. A "grown man" would get a job and make money to make his own decisions, not use his parents's money and cry when he doesn't get his way.

:rolls eyes:

 

[Schtumple]

Pay for it yourself, then it's your responsibility, save up and use your own money, not theirs, and I don't mean through pocket money or anything else, use YOUR own money, if you have a job, ask for more hours, look for other small jobs, paper rounds, etc

You'll never be able to persuade your parents to get you a mac, that's a fact, they're stuck with the ideology that macs are over-expensive garbage, so just buy it yourself. Job done.

 

[redwarrior]

I seriously hope you are joking.

What disrespect and ungratefulness towards people who shell out their hard earned money for you to have a shiny computer.

:rolls eyes:

I'm glad you said that. I think the OP is handling this the right way, and definitely should NOT take halcyo's advice.

 

[iShater]

I'm glad you said that. I think the OP is handling this the right way, and definitely should NOT take halcyo's advice.

+1 that.

 

[Sky Blue]

I'm an A+, MCSE who has been fixing computers for nearly 10 years. I have 200+ Dell desktops and laptops i'm responsible for. I go home to Apple computers, and i'm not the only IT Professional who does this.

I go home, I just want to turn on, kick back, and use.

I have 300+ Apple desktops, laptops and servers i'm responsible for. I go home to Apple computers

 

[noodle654]

+1 that.

Agreed. +2 for the count.

 

[BlackMax]

Agreed. +2 for the count.

+3

Take your parents to your local Apple store and let them look around. Perhaps you can even setup an appointment with a Genius to walk them around and explain everything. That should impress your parents... But if that doesn't work, they are your parents and like someone else said you should be grateful they are willing to purchase a computer for you at all. Many, many folks do not have it so good. Then in a few years when you are older and move out of your parents house you can buy whatever computer you wish.

 

[weckart]

Look your parents squarely in the eyes and tell them that if you get a Dell, that you will wipe Windows off it and install OSX regardless. I did this on an old Dell Latitude and now I have 5 Apple computers and bought a couple more for family.

Actually, scrub that. Your parents are right. Don't do Apple. Just say no.

 

[drs68]

I seriously hope you are joking.

What disrespect and ungratefulness towards people who shell out their hard earned money for you to have a shiny computer. You don't even really need a computer. Public libraries, schools etc have computers for you to use for free.



This statement is straight up laughable. A "grown man" would get a job and make money to make his own decisions, not use his parents's money and cry when he doesn't get his way.

:rolls eyes:

I agree with you. Although I'm not going to be mean about it, I do think that my parents would be really ****ed off if I sold a computer they just bought me. And I don't know what some of you are thinking but they aren't old or anything and they wouldn't be so nieve that they wouldn't figure out that I had sold my computer; my mom just doesn't know a computer past myspace and msn messenger and my dads just never around computers. Also, I was surprised too when someone said that I should be a "grown man" and disrespect my parents. After all, I don't have much of an income (although i have one) and they kind of are qualified to help make the decision. I'm a junior in high school so their kinda in charge, even though that may sound crazy to some people. But anyway I agree that I should not disrespect them, but I actually do need a computer for school (going to the library is inconvenient and the people there stink ). Thanks for the help!

 

[Insulin Junkie]

Tell your parents to compromise - no Dell, no Apple, but a Vaio z model. =D If you max it out real nice I'll consider trading my macbook with you for a while

 

[drs68]

by the way, my only source of income is cutting grass for the neighbors and helping at my grandparents restaurant. I currently have 600 dollars saved and counting but school is coming up fast. And I agree with some of you that are saying that, "at least they are buying you a computer," but honestly I don't see where you're getting this whole 'just be grateful' thing because i would hardly say I'm a spoiled brat and I couldn't be one if I wanted to be because I'm not exactly rich; I just want a nice Apple computer because I know how much better they are than any other computer I could get. Also for those of you still recommending to go to an Apple Store go back and read some of my other replies. You guys are helping a lot, thanks for all replies!

 

[sabregreen]

I visit that area all the time, actually fairmont,wv as I have family there. That Best Buy does have apple stuff. I was there earlier this summer. Not many people in that area are apple people. Its interesting to see someone from there that is looking into something outside the norm ie PC world. Not that I say one is better than the other, because neither is which is my personal opinion based off extensive use of PC/windows, mac, linux, unix, but its good to see people that try both and THEN make there decision as to which they like better due to personal OPINION.

 

[drs68]

I visit that area all the time, actually fairmont,wv as I have family there. That Best Buy does have apple stuff. I was there earlier this summer. Not many people in that area are apple people. Its interesting to see someone from there that is looking into something outside the norm ie PC world. Not that I say one is better than the other, because neither is which is my personal opinion based off extensive use of PC/windows, mac, linux, unix, but its good to see people that try both and THEN make there decision as to which they like better due to personal OPINION.

It's interesting to hear from someone familiar with this area. I actually live 2 counties into Maryland, about an hour and 10 minutes from Mo'town, and have several cousins that go to WVU and Fairmont State. I'm glad that somebody knows what type of atmosphere i'm up against here. Rather than a mixed computer environment, this area has "PC" engraved in its forehead and most people don't even know anything about Apple (except that they make iPods and iPhones). I do know two people that have Macs though and they love them!

 

[timestoby]

yeah, take them to an apple store and have hands on. i dont get why ur parents want you to have a pc so bad.talk about control lol.

 

[redwarrior]

It's not a control thing. They are listening to other adults, who supposedly are in the "business," telling them that they shouldn't let their child buy a Mac. You know how this business is. There are people with experience with both machines and software who would recommend Windows. (why, I have no idea!) But I can see their concern. They are simply ignorant, which we all are in something. imho

 

[dadsgravy]

I'll add my two cents to the long list. Go used or referb if it comes down to it. At least you'll get your foot in the door with apple and It wont break anyones bank. And don't forget to mention that Apple has great resale value, as you'll see:

http://lowendmac.com/deals.shtml

http://www.macofalltrades.com/

http://www.megamacs.com/v1/

http://dealmac.com/

http://www.smalldog.com/

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP.../RSLID?sf=wHF2F2PHCCCX72KDY&nclm=CertifiedMac

Good luck and I hope you get one!

 

[Sun Baked]

Buy a PC laptop that makes a good Hackintosh platform...

Nothing wrong with getting your Mac OS X fix that way if your parents are adopted.

Even if they force you to buy a Dell, that doesn't mean you cannot fork over $130 for buying an OS X license, and avoid Windows like the 3 nippled step child.