What makes you so loyal to Apple?

[malman89]

People keep going on about that but I don't buy it. Of course they want to make money but the fact that Jobs said he would use all the money Apple has to destroy Android shows how passionately he felt about what he was producing.

Jobs wanting to destroy Android is a greedy, self-serving (himself and Apple) interest - not for the betterment of the consumer.

iOS 6 would be even more primitive if it wasn't for the competition from Android. You'd still be using those annoying pop up notifications or whatever.

 

[ericrwalker]

I think the jailbreak community provided better improvements to iOS than Android, though both played some role.

Jobs wanting to destroy Android is a greedy, self-serving (himself and Apple) interest - not for the betterment of the consumer.

iOS 6 would be even more primitive if it wasn't for the competition from Android. You'd still be using those annoying pop up notifications or whatever.

 

[SkyBell]

At first I was a big fan of Apple because they innovated in their hardware and made the easiest to use and most stable software out there.

Do they still do that? Well, to an extent. They've definitely had some cool designs over the past few years, but none of it has been as revolutionary or as shocking as what they did in the past. Their software is becoming more and more walled-in; Apple has never been a huge contender for compatibility and options, but at least a few years back, they were there if you wanted them. Now they're taking that away bit by bit, where only Apple approved software/peripherals will work with Apple products.

Brand loyalty is stupid, you can have your favorite but don't let that favorite take control of you and your life, because you might miss something better.

People keep going on about that but I don't buy it. Of course they want to make money but the fact that Jobs said he would use all the money Apple has to destroy Android shows how passionately he felt about what he was producing.

It shows how passionately he felt about fattening his wallet with no competition.

 

[MOFS]

It's the software, stupid

For me it's always been about the software. I started using Macs with Mac OS 7.5 and a Performa 5200 - I hated the lack of games on it but loved how much easier it was to use versus the Windows 3.1s at school This has continued throughout. My ex girlfriend had a PC laptop 3 years younger than my 2002 iBook G3 that would lose it's sound card driver on an almost daily basis, whereas iTunes would run beautifully and the GUI would make a joke of WM. Nowadays, I can buy a film online on my iPad and stream it via my AppleTV to my TV. How cool is that? Little things like that continue to make me smile - Apple seems to make technology more a medium than the end, and by making it unobtrusive it sells it to me again and again.

 

[entatlrg]

At first I was a big fan of Apple because they innovated in their hardware and made the easiest to use and most stable software out there.

Do they still do that? Well, to an extent. They've definitely had some cool designs over the past few years, but none of it has been as revolutionary or as shocking as what they did in the past. Their software is becoming more and more walled-in; Apple has never been a huge contender for compatibility and options, but at least a few years back, they were there if you wanted them. Now they're taking that away bit by bit, where only Apple approved software/peripherals will work with Apple products.

Brand loyalty is stupid, you can have your favorite but don't let that favorite take control of you and your life, because you might miss something better.


It shows how passionately he felt about fattening his wallet with no competition.

Couldn't be further from the truth.

 

[Confuzzzed]

Actually, started off using macs because that's what was available at my college computer labs (yes, the good old late 80s / early 90s - I am old) so progressed with the OS and found it more intuitive. Once I started working, found windows cumbersome and UI was slow compared to Mac OS. So at home remained Mac. Subsequently all my music, photos and videos are in Mac environment, syncs best with my iOS devices and also gives me a hassle free back-up system that has saved my bacon on more than one occasion. Once your kids' photos and life videos are rescued because of TimeMachine, you realise how much "works every time" is worth to you...

 

[SkyBell]

Couldn't be further from the truth.

I will admit that my statement was an over-exaggeration used for effect, but the core concept is that Apple doesn't like competition. Period. Why else would you make such a statement? You can't want to destroy your competition without having some sort of greed involved; taking away choices is good for their bottom line, bad for the consumer.

 

[Starfighter]

I agree with what Cassie have said, and many others further up.

I'm not loyal to Apple because of the same reason as any sensible person - I buy things I need, like and can afford. I wouldn't dream of defending Apple in any situation - if anything, everything should be questioned. All the time.

Plus I'm not a follower. Apple should buy stuff from ME.

 

[MacDawg]

I will admit that my statement was an over-exaggeration used for effect, but the core concept is that Apple doesn't like competition. Period. Why else would you make such a statement? You can't want to destroy your competition without having some sort of greed involved; taking away choices is good for their bottom line, bad for the consumer.

I think it was as much a fierce protection of what he felt was Apple's intellectual property as it was anything else
He certainly didn't want anyone, in his opinion, ripping off Apple's design/software and building on its foundation

That isn't so much not liking competition or taking away choice as it is protecting Apple's investment and making others do their own work

I am not defending it, offering my observation about it

 

[SkyBell]

I think it was as much a fierce protection of what he felt was Apple's intellectual property as it was anything else
He certainly didn't want anyone, in his opinion, ripping off Apple's design/software and building on its foundation

That isn't so much not liking competition or taking away choice as it is protecting Apple's investment and making others do their own work

I am not defending it, offering my observation about it

Interesting take on things, I respect that. Personally I feel that iOS was not ripped off by Android, but to each their own I suppose.

 

[eric/]

I'd say I'm not particularly loyal to Apple, but I prefer their products because of the way they work together, the function, style, and overall package. When they stop appealing to me in those categories, I'll quit buying their products.

 

[MacDawg]

Interesting take on things, I respect that. Personally I feel that iOS was not ripped off by Android, but to each their own I suppose.

I think part of it was due to Google's Eric Schmidt's tenure on the Board of Apple while Android was being developed
I don't know the whole history, and some of it is chronicled in the Job's bio
But I'm sure a Google search would shed more light on it

There was a lot at play there, and I don't think money, or competition was the prime motivator
It was more stubbornness, pride, arrogance, etc.
Some of which was probably justified, but not all of it

 

[Nitrocide]

15+ years of Logic.app (or more accurately of Apple exclusivity to Logic since around 2003)

 

[Baytriple]

As a graphic designer my main work machine is a mac. As my iphone iPad desktop and laptop talk to each other very easily I use apple.

 

[j.dstasio]

Three words:

It just works.

I like how I can pick up my laptop, iPad, Apple TV remote, or iPhone and just use it. I don't have to mess with all the behind the scenes junk like defragging, cleaning out files, and constantly fiddling with settings like I did with a PC in order to get good performance out of it. I like the new way iOS and OSX are being streamlined to a similar platform. I like the subtle changes/ improvements iOS has made over the years, without a major overhaul. Prior to 2007, I was a Treo user and every hardware upgrade I made seemed to come standard with a two week learning curve. With an Apple hardware upgrade, I can open the box and start using my new device.

 

[0098386]

I'll probably always buy Mac computer because;

- great hardware. It's been 8 years since my first, and I've had around 6 macs. Never had a hardware problem. Ever. And I push my machines constantly.
- can run the OS that matter for the work I do. Can't do without either OSX or Windows.
- and if they do bugger up I'll just build a hackintosh .
- BUUUUT that's one of the things that appeals to me, I like how quick they are to set up and fix problems with. They're effectively zero maintenance machines so I can carry on working or playing games.

And I stick with iOS devices as I have a library of apps now. If the iPhone stagnates I will switch to Android or Windows Mobile, though. I don't like complacency.

BUT I have no brand loyalty to anyone. For now Apple are good for me, even though they're also massive fools sometimes. I'm not going to buy an Apple TV set and I won't stick around if they totally drop their creative market. Could never drop my 3DS or Vita for iOS gaming too.

 

[KnightWRX]

I think part of it was due to Google's Eric Schmidt's tenure on the Board of Apple while Android was being developed

Of course, the history of it tells quite the different tale :

August 2005 : Google Buys Android for Its Mobile Arsenal

In a 2003 interview with BusinessWeek, just two months before incorporating Android, Rubin said there was tremendous potential in developing smarter mobile devices that are more aware of its owner's location and preferences. "If people are smart, that information starts getting aggregated into consumer products," said Rubin.

August 2006 : Google CEO Dr. Eric Schmidt Joins Apple’s Board of Directors

“Eric is obviously doing a terrific job as CEO of Google, and we look forward to his contributions as a member of Apple’s board of directors,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Like Apple, Google is very focused on innovation and we think Eric’s insights and experience will be very valuable in helping to guide Apple in the years ahead.”

August 2009 : Dr. Eric Schmidt Resigns from Apple’s Board of Directors

“Eric has been an excellent Board member for Apple, investing his valuable time, talent, passion and wisdom to help make Apple successful,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Unfortunately, as Google enters more of Apple’s core businesses, with Android and now Chrome OS, Eric’s effectiveness as an Apple Board member will be significantly diminished, since he will have to recuse himself from even larger portions of our meetings due to potential conflicts of interest. Therefore, we have mutually decided that now is the right time for Eric to resign his position on Apple’s Board.”

The bolded part is my emphasis. Note how Steve Jobs himself says that Eric has been removing himself from strategic meetings involving potential conflicts of interest. Eric wasn't aware of Apple's iOS/iPhone plans since he wasn't in those meetings due to Android.

Apple knew full well ahead of time that Google was getting into the mobile game. To think otherwise is really to think very little of Apple's board, including then CEO Steve Jobs.

Notice how positive the whole thing is for Apple when Eric joins and when he resigns. The whole negativity and hostility is mostly community bred. Some people are "too loyal" to Apple, reaching levels even the company doesn't in some made up conflicts.

At the end of the day, I'm not loyal to anyone. I don't owe these corporations anymore than what they charge for their products and I don't believe for 1 second that any one in the industry is out for anything grander than making a buck, including the late Steve Jobs.

 

[MonkeySee....]

Jobs wanting to destroy Android is a greedy, self-serving (himself and Apple) interest - not for the betterment of the consumer.

iOS 6 would be even more primitive if it wasn't for the competition from Android. You'd still be using those annoying pop up notifications or whatever.

Shame you feel that way. Its your life though.

 

[rican]

With regards to loyalty, I find myself being an avid Mac enthusiast when it comes to computers.

I would never revert to a windows laptop/desktop. I just find that macs have wonderful reliability, technicians, stores everywhere, and great servicing/apple care.

In terms of phone, well - iPhone has become lackluster and boring, with new Android software/hardware coming out my apple fog is slowly diminishing.

I feel as though everyone with Androids are 2 steps ahead, while apple is failing to innovate and give us something better to stay afloat.

I will always be a apple fan with computers, and I safely state that, but in regards to phones, I don't know.

 

[tech4all]

Nothing. Never have, never will be.

Brand loyalty is for suckers.

I'm not loyal to any company. Anyone who is loyal to a giant faceless corperation is just a tool.

What would you say to someone who is heavily invested to a particular brand? Say cameras? People buy into a system when choosing a brand, such as Canon or Nikon. You kind of have to be brand loyal in that case. Heck even with Mac/PCs people have software that only works on one platform.

Apple isn't looking out for you or your best interests...

They don't care about anything besides your money.

Naw really?

I have zero loyalness to any brand. Expect Ford, but that's just because I know how to work on them

So by your definition you are a tool.

 

[iampaulb]

hey people, new here...

What makes me loyal to Apple, is their design, their simplicity, ease of use, their innovation. I just love them as a whole, ok some of their products are very expensive. But i am willing to pay for their products so i can deal with it.

It was all made clear at the weekend why i love Apple. I shamefully installed Windows on my Mac, it took a good few hours. Due to windows updates, drivers etc...the OS is was just crap! I really dont know how people deal with Windows. I will forever now be a long die hard apple fan boy!

 

[rockyroad55]

iTunes.

Seriously, if I were to move to android, I would have wasted all the money I spent on apps and music.

 

[malman89]

What would you say to someone who is heavily invested to a particular brand? Say cameras? People buy into a system when choosing a brand, such as Canon or Nikon. You kind of have to be brand loyal in that case. Heck even with Mac/PCs people have software that only works on one platform.

Naw really?

So by your definition you are a tool.

Cameras? That's their issue. Software? Always an alternative or alternatives for pretty much anything. Money? Duh. And you butchered that last quote a bit. Definitely not me

 

[quasinormal]

I thought it was like a gated community for pinko liberals and acid freaks.

Actually it is memories of a 386/486/whatever running Windows that sat for most of its life unused as we could never quite work out how to get it to boot. I think somebody must have not shut it down once properly or something.

I'd previously had a Mac 512, but wanted a colour screen and a monster hard drive with the capacity of at least 20 floppies. Sure the Mac crashed regularly with the dreaded bomb, but it always booted with the same or another copy of the OS on a different disc, copied by single sided floppy disc external drive from the master. You just had to remember to save regularly, but at least you had a semblance of control.

I could of got help of course for the PC but something about guys who knew DOS in computer shops lording it over us plebs gave me the creeps at the time.

 

[Huntn]

What is it that makes you so loyal to Apple? What was it that first cemented that loyalty?

I don't buy products based on popularity or I would not have owned a Mac since 1993.

When it came time to upgrade from my Apple IIe to a new computer I looked at the then current MacOS and compared it to the then Windows OS an there was simply no comparison. I'll go so far to accuse Windows 3.0 of being a joke. I own both PCs and Macs and the Macs never gave me as much trouble as my PCs have. Apple has built a reputation on technical superiority and ease of use. It was a natural progression into owning an iPad which Apple created the market for, and then an iPhone. I like Apple's approach to iPhone simplicity and vetting apps although, I hear comments about people getting bored with IOS. The price for simplicity?