Stuck-up, smug, elitist snobs. How did we get this reputation?

[xsedrinam]

I thought edesignuk's picture post was hilarious. As a French Horn player/Mac User, I plead guilty. There may be a myriad of PC Users who are more proficient, knowledgeable and productive with their machine choices, but when it comes to humility, no one can touch us.

 

[brepublican]

But only an elitist snob can afford a Mac.

To modernize on Marie Antoinette, "Let them compute on a Dell."


Lethal

Not nowadays - my Dell desktop cost ~$400 more than the current 17" iMac. The iBook is one of the cheaper notebooks out there, and there are even notebooks much more expensive than Apple's Powerbook brand (think Sony, Thinkpad, even XPS)

 

[iSaint]

Since when do we know that for FACT?

We don't, but he's buying it with that in mind. I think many people are.

 

[greatdevourer]

I think that this pretty much explains it....

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2002/07/12

Hickman

I shall counter you with an Apple-Friendly Comic™ and the wonders of Apple Industrial Design™!

 

[MattG]

I earn the right to become an elitist snob when people ask me "what should I buy," then they go against my suggestion, and then they come crawling back to me when they start having problems with their Windows machine. Yes, I gloat, and yes, I say "told you so." I earned it

 

[Seasought]

I earn the right to become an elitist snob when people ask me "what should I buy," then they go against my suggestion, and then they come crawling back to me when they start having problems with their Windows machine. Yes, I gloat, and yes, I say "told you so." I earned it

Seems reasonable enough to me.

 

[CompUser]

They're just mad because our apples look like new mercedes and BMWs and their PCs look like 1978 Lincoln town cars (in 2006). Big, old looking, ugly, boxy, and don't work.

heheh

 

[clayj]

They're just mad because our apples look like new mercedes and BMWs and their PCs look like 1978 Lincoln town cars (in 2006). Big, old looking, ugly, boxy, and don't work.

heheh

That's EXACTLY the sort of comment that makes Mac owners look like elitist snobs. Obviously you haven't seen some of the PC designs that are out now, especially from companies like Sony.

 

[bankshot]

XP users have nothing else to bash us on. They KNOW they use crap. They know WE don't.

Wow. I hope you were being sarcastic to make a point, but I fear you were not.

This is exactly why Mac users are seen as elitist snobs. Taking a very skewed opinion and presenting it as fact, using that "fact" to belittle anyone who doesn't agree. I'd say many Mac users are just as closed-minded as the benignly uninformed, or even maliciously Mac-hating public on the other side of the fence. The above sort of commentary is the thing I dislike most about this otherwise wonderful community.

For my 2 cents, Windows XP is not crap. I don't like it as much as OS X (heck, I don't even like it; I'd prefer never to have to use it again), but it is a very fine system. For many needs, it is superior to OS X. I'll bet I'll get a lot of flack here for saying that ("It crashes every 5 minutes! It gets 5,000 viruses in that time! Only morons use it! Hawhawhaw!!!"). The XP computer I have at home has never crashed in the 3 years I've had it, compared with a lockup or kernel panic about every 2 months on average for OS X. No viruses or spyware on either. Anecdotal evidence at its finest!

Sure, the Mac is great and a joy to use, but that doesn't automatically invalidate Windows as a good computing choice. I've said before that I see only 3 good reasons for a non-power user to go Mac:

1. If they aren't experienced in Windows, Mac is easier to learn initially.
2. If they want to do the things that iLife enables -- there really isn't any good alternative on Windows.
3. They really have trouble avoiding viruses and spyware, and the friend/relative who provides support refuses to do so anymore unless they get a Mac.

Of course power users have their reasons - willing to change habits, a specific professional need, interested in trying something new, etc.

I've known plenty of people who are not power users and tried the switch to Mac. Some ultimately switched back because they found the system inadequate for their needs. This could be for a huge number of reasons -- maybe they had a few apps on Windows for which there are no good Mac alternatives, maybe they simply weren't comfortable in a different environment, they had no interest in the many benefits like iLife, whatever. Windows was the better choice for them, and the open minded Mac user should accept that as valid.

 

[MattG]

For my 2 cents, Windows XP is not crap. I don't like it as much as OS X (heck, I don't even like it; I'd prefer never to have to use it again), but it is a very fine system. For many needs, it is superior to OS X. I'll bet I'll get a lot of flack here for saying that ("It crashes every 5 minutes! It gets 5,000 viruses in that time! Only morons use it! Hawhawhaw!!!"). The XP computer I have at home has never crashed in the 3 years I've had it, compared with a lockup or kernel panic about every 2 months on average for OS X. No viruses or spyware on either. Anecdotal evidence at its finest!

Yeah but see, that's the thing...I take it you're either an IT person, or just really good with computers. That's one thing that Mac users have that Windows users don't. Even a complete neophyte can learn how to use a Mac, and can do so without getting it all clogged up with viruses, spyware etc. You just can't say that about Windows. Every Windows user I help has some issue(s) that I NEVER see on Macs.

I'm the same way. I'm really good with Windows. I've been using it since version 3.1, I'm an MCSA, and I maintain several hundred of them at work. My XP PCs at work runs great. I can make Windows perform well and if I wanted to, do most of the same stuff I can do on a Mac (I just choose not to). Others can't. For those people, a Mac is superior. THAT is what Mac bashers know and can't come to terms with, and instead of admitting it, call us "elitists" and "snobs" instead. At least that's my take on it.

 

[AtariKee]

I get accused of the same thing constantly. I get this "Psh.. a Mac. You think you're special?" crap. I just shrug and say, "It's a computer." Then I get to listen to the entire blathering argument from these people who are victimized by marketing about how Macs are expensive and are for those with low self-esteem who worship shiny objects. I just mutter, "Sounds like you're jealous." and walk away.

I guess I'm smug in that I could give a rat's ass what anyone thinks of what I use. It's a goddamn computer, for piss sakes. Grow up.

That's EXACTLY the sort of comment that makes Mac owners look like elitist snobs. Obviously you haven't seen some of the PC designs that are out now, especially from companies like Sony.

They're still ugly. Some of the new Cooler Master cases are nice, though.

 

[r.j.s]

...

Yay for reviving a 3-year-old thread! And double-posting on top of it.

 

[mkrishnan]

Yay for reviving a 3-year-old thread! And double-posting on top of it.

God, you're stuck up! Get over yourself!

It does seem like an apropos topic recently, though, with the increased emphasis in advertising by Apple and MS on the personality or character of users....

 

[chrmjenkins]

Actually, I think Steve's analogy to apple being what BMW or Mercedes is to the car world gives insight into the situation. Macs are seen as overly expensive and focused on being luxuriously designed, therefore the people that buy them are rich, superficial snobs.

 

[Shotglass]

Simple. We paid big money for our computers, and because they're white everybody could see what kind of computer we bought. And they knew white computers were pricey, so they assumed we wanted to show everyone we could afford white computers when we got out our iBooks.

 

[Abstract]

Some of us are also self-obsessed enough to google "stuck-up, smug, elitist Mac users" and then revive a 3 year old thread just to defend our choices.


Who cares. Many Mac users are stuck-up snobs. However, if people meet you, talk to you, and see that you aren't like that, then ok. If they still think that way about you, then ok. Doesn't really change a thing.

 

[j26]

But elitist? No, we're willing to accept anyone who wants to become a Mac user into our community.

That's not strictly true. I've seen loads of posts here to the effect "PC's are for people who can't afford macs", or "if you can't afford one, don't get one". There are quite a number of people here who think of macs as some form of status symbol.


It really gets on my t*ts coz they are just reinforcing the stereotype.

 

[Blue Velvet]

There are quite a number of people here who think of macs as some form of status symbol.

That's pretty shallow behaviour. It's a computer, that's all. I use mine to get things done, it doesn't get paraded everywhere.

Some people need to grow up and recognise that the measure of a person is not what they own, because any idiot can buy a Mac, and they often do.

 

[Thomas Veil]

I earn the right to become an elitist snob when people ask me "what should I buy," then they go against my suggestion, and then they come crawling back to me when they start having problems with their Windows machine. Yes, I gloat, and yes, I say "told you so." I earned it

I'll buy that. Done it myself a few times.

That's pretty shallow behaviour. It's a computer, that's all. I use mine to get things done, it doesn't get paraded everywhere.

Some people need to grow up and recognise that the measure of a person is not what they own, because any idiot can buy a Mac, and they often do.

And therein lies the conundrum. Yes, we can gloat a little when someone ignores our advice and then comes running back to us to help fix their PC; yes, we often view ourselves as superior because of that. But the fact of the matter is, it's not an exclusionary club. Anybody can buy a Mac, and become an elitist too!

 

[NT1440]

I'll buy that. Done it myself a few times.

And therein lies the conundrum. Yes, we can gloat a little when someone ignores our advice and then comes running back to us to help fix their PC; yes, we often view ourselves as superior because of that. But the fact of the matter is, it's not an exclusionary club. Anybody can buy a Mac, and become an elitist too!

How many mac users are really elitists tho?

 

[faust]

I'm an elitist because:

1. My computer lasts longer than a year.
2. My computer is well-designed.
3. My computer's technical support is supurb, where competitors are clearly lacking.
4. My computer's OS never crashes. Compatability is non-issue.

 

[mkrishnan]

Some people need to grow up and recognise that the measure of a person is not what they own, because any idiot can buy a Mac, and they often do.

I agree that this is very true, but on the other hand, I wonder. At the heart here is not only the price issue (and I don't think the comarisons to luxury cars are completely apropos). There is separately an issue that consumers look to products not to define who they are but to complement who they are. The appreciation of aesthetic and sensual values isn't wholly a societal ill in this picture.

I don't apologize for loving tailored shirts or great photographs or preferring a tiny $10 meal that is aesthetically pleasing and has novel taste appeal over a $10 meal that fills me up and leaves me with leftovers for tomorrow. To the extent that I appreciate the way, for instance, my computer might look as well as how it works, in order to achieve a complement with my overall sense of self, why should I apologize for that?

On the other hand, Apple went in the wrong direction for me in developing the image of the customer they want to serve, although so did Microsoft. I find the "I'm a Mac" fellow in the US generally quite distasteful. I find the one in the UK even moreso. Perhaps the Japanese one is okay. But then I really don't identify with the woman in the MS $1000 notebook ad at all.

I admit that I'm arrogant, and I don't apologize for it. I think I'm elitist too. But I'm also pretty sure I have a pretty good track record of helping people in need, making personal sacrifice for the greater good, and giving of myself to others. I'm not apologetic about the balance. Were I the epitome of self-centeredness, I think the world might do worse than the kind of self-centeredness I practice.

 

[That-Is-Bull]

They can't think of any other reason to hate. Most Apple haters don't actually know why they hate Apple, it's just popular to do so. "OMG MACS R GAY UR SMUG U SUK PCS RULE!!!!!" is pretty much all they can come up with. That and exaggerating the hell out of Mac prices. I saw a thread on another forum once with somebody asking whether he should get a Mac or a PC - of course, PC users started rapidly posting that Macs suck and anybody who uses a Mac sucks and that Mac users are all snobby and always talk **** about PCs everywhere - and somebody actually posted an image showing an iMac with Pong on it for "$4000", and a PC with Crysis for "$1000." The person who started the thread replied to that post saying "OMG MACS R WAY OVRPRICED!!!!!WTF MACSUX" or something. Thus, another Apple hater was born.

I'm not saying that Macs aren't ever more expensive, or that PCs aren't ever the better choice - it depends on what you're using them for. But we damn sure don't go around saying PCs suck and Macs are better nearly as much as PC users say Macs suck and PCs are better. Really pisses me off that any time anything about Apple is posted on any non-Apple forum/blog, it results in everybody bashing Apple. Even posts that have nothing to do with Macs or iPods result in "I BET IF CRAPLE MADE THIS ITD SUK AND B LIEK $246,472.00 ND ALL DA FANBOIS WUD BUY IT NEWAY."

Ahem, but anyway, rich people buy more overpriced luxury items = rich people buy more Macs = Mac users are richer = Mac users are snobbier = gaddammit this thread is three years old isn't it?

 

[hexonxonx]

I think a good number of us are smug. But how else are we supposed to react?!

Example: boyfriend's new HP laptop, right out of the box, WMP won't work. Calls customer service and waits for two hours only to be told to re-install Windows. He does so, WMP still won't work. Uses customer service online chat... the service rep is so confused, he tells my bf to check internet connection.

At this point (more than four hours after opening the box, still w/ a 'defective' machine), my man turns to me and asks if I can help him (he thinks I know a good chunk about tech-- when I really don't, but he's been fooled because the simplicity of using Macs makes me look like a pro).

I promptly shrug and smile because I know not how to troubleshoot a Windows box.

I have also heard of brand new Macs not working correctly out of the box. Nothing is perfect, especially not Macs. People just expect them to be for some reason.

Half the posts in this thread are the reasons Mac users are seen as stuck up. Half of them really are.

 

[Blue Velvet]

There is separately an issue that consumers look to products not to define who they are but to complement who they are.

Perhaps that's a problem related to the substituting of consumerism for deep insecurity. Only in a society where we pay more than lip service to the idea that there's such a thing as shopping as a cure... this is the heart of American Psycho.

I don't think of myself as an elitist. I leave that form of projection and simplistic labelling for others, for I have been both up and down in the gutter too many times to think that virtue is an attribute solely for those who can afford it. Everybody has a place in the pecking order, the trick is not to show where you think you are.