Is there a stigma attached to owning Apple products?

[Art 1]

I have noticed on this and other forums that posters when discussing Apple products will make it know that they don't care for the products or something similar. I don't see this with other products, cars appliances and so forth. I don't know much about computers, own no electrical gadgets, listen to AM radio so I'm out of the loop with this sort of thing.

Is there a stigma attached to owning Apple products?

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Art 1

I have noticed on this and other forums that posters when discussing Apple products will make it know that they don't care for the products or something similar. I don't see this with other products, cars appliances and so forth. I don't know much about computers, own no electrical gadgets, listen to AM radio so I'm out of the loop with this sort of thing.

Is there a stigma attached to owning Apple products?

Apple fanaticism can be a little too much for some just like the fervent dedication to the Rolex brand might turn off those who don't subscribe to it's superiority.

All I know is my macbook pro runs like a stolen Ferrari and that works for me.
dP

[BarkMaster]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Apple fanaticism can be a little too much for some just like the fervent dedication to the Rolex brand might turn off those who don't subscribe to it's superiority.

All I know is my macbook pro runs like a stolen Ferrari and that works for me.
dP

It IS interesting to me how both can be like a religion to some....

[sea-dweller]

No negative stigma generally, but the implication is that one is technically trendy and up to date.

[Dan2010]

Not really a stigma, just that there are some SERIOUS Apple fan boys who basically think EVERYTHING sucks other than their Apple stuff. My I.T guy is like this and it annoys the crap out of me.

I'm a business person so I have to use Microsoft products because thats what the world uses.

[zak98]

use both.. on my macbook air right now. microsoft products at work. both have good and bad qualities. they are all just tools, for work or play.

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by Dan2010

Not really a stigma, just that there are some SERIOUS Apple fan boys who basically think EVERYTHING sucks other than their Apple stuff. My I.T guy is like this and it annoys the crap out of me.

I'm a business person so I have to use Microsoft products because thats what the world uses.

I didn't know this. I have 2 Apple computers at home and the 2 kids have Apple computers at college. Don't know why that's just what we have. I only use the computer to go to forums, the newspaper that sort of thing.

[masterserg]

I use both as well. Apple provides a much more enjoyable experience for me. Besides, their customer service is second to none.

[gettocard]

Generally yes.
And generally I don't like Mac users but.......I'm one of them. I'm on my new MacBook Air now and this Lion is one heck of a thing,seriously.

[Actsulb]

I don't think there is any stigma attached, they are great products and I agree wi the earlier post that their customer service is top notched. I have owned Apple products for 6 years and will continue to be a loyal Apple fan.

[cornerstore]

I stay away from their products as they are a constant reminder to me that I sold my Apple stock in 98' at pre adjuusted splits for $15

[tattooedfagin]

i always seemed to have issues with my previous laptop (PC), running slow & other hair pulling problems and, not being an IT person i always had to go asking for help, i've been with Apple now for over 5 years & they do exactly what i need it to do, it work's for me & computing Apple = less stress

[JimSnyder]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Apple fanaticism can be a little too much for some just like the fervent dedication to the Rolex brand might turn off those who don't subscribe to it's superiority.

All I know is my macbook pro runs like a stolen Ferrari and that works for me.
dP

Well put

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by gettocard

Generally yes.
And generally I don't like Mac users but.......I'm one of them. I'm on my new MacBook Air now and this Lion is one heck of a thing,seriously.

Why would you not like someone because of the computer brand that they use?

[crew]

Originally Posted by JimSnyder

Well put

+2
Well said.
Love my iPad.

[gettocard]

Originally Posted by Art 1

Why would you not like someone because of the computer brand that they use?

Right. Maybe it's because of my years spent in San Francisco....

[snowbird]

Not sure there's a stigma, but there are some folks that think everything Apple makes is the best, and how could someone even consider another brand . . . that can be a little tiresome.

The products themselves are great (though in some cases overpriced IMO).

[Dan2010]

Originally Posted by Art 1

I didn't know this. I have 2 Apple computers at home and the 2 kids have Apple computers at college. Don't know why that's just what we have. I only use the computer to go to forums, the newspaper that sort of thing.

You can run Microsoft Excel, Word, etc, but you have to use a special Windows set up for Mac and that kinda defeats the purpose of owning a Mac if you are still going to run Windows in the background. The business world is 99% Windows. I have found more artistic/musical type people use Mac's for their business because of its superior graphics and software for this kind of work.

[speedo]

i don't care about the brand of my fridge, dishwasher and equally don't have any affection for my computer. when i bought a new one i considered apple but it was exactly twice as expensive as anything else in the same category.

[GradyPhilpott]

I don't think there's a stigma, but when the computer clueless ask me which computer to buy, I tell them to buy a Mac.

They'll pay through the nose for it, but at least they won't come whining to me when they get malware or the completely incompatible software they load on the thing causes it to run slow and freeze up.

I'm not against Apple, but I don't like the way they control every aspect of every device. That works for some. It doesn't work for me.

[rkot07]

I see it as buying the Rolex of computers. With pc's my friends are complaining in no time about viruses. I currently own several apple products and I love them. My iMac was getting old and wanted the newer one but couldn't come up with a reason to get rid of it since it worked like new, so I gave it to my dad to justify the new purchase.

[LostInTime]

I think there used to be a stigma around Macs, but this is fading as they are gaining popularity outside of the artist/coffeeshop crowd.

With other Apple products such as the iPhone, there does not appear to be a stigma since every other person seems to own one.

[HL65]

Love Apple products myself! iPad, iMac, iPhone etc...all Apple here and no stigma!!

[CashGap]

It's the twenty year old generalities that get me...

"Macs are too expensive", when you hear that one, you'll know they haven't checked in a decade. Macs are less expensive than comparable products, and have actual resale values. Now, I agree... you can get an absolutely craptastic $349 laptop at Staples most of the time, and you can't get a Mac at that price. Mmmm, I love when you can hear the circuit board traces flexing when you pickup the laptop! "Comparable" is the key word, you aren't going to find a product of such poor quality in the Apple store. A laptop will start at $999, with features that will cost you $999 from the competition, at least. Unfortunately, a year later the one year old $999 Dell will only sell for $200, compared to $600 for the Mac after a year.

"Too much control", that tells you that the speaker sees instability as a revenue source, earning a living supporting uncontrolled environments.

Etc.

[conrail]

They are well made products, so I don't think there is a bad stigma attached to the products themselves, its quality stuff - but sometimes the owners of Apple products put themselves up on pedestals of superiority for no good reason. It is also apparent that many Apple owners will buy the products just b/c it says Apple on it, but cannot explain the superiority of the particular item as compared to a similar product. Thus comes the idea that Apple can put its name on a pile of shit and charge $599 and it will sell out.

[Dan2010]

I should also preface that I am the CFO of a technology company (and a large law firm). Nothing wrong at all with Apple products. It's just some of the fan boys that irritate me,

[Cato]

No offence to anyone, but some see Apple users as pretentious and self absorbed. Apple products aren't genuine tools, but are silly diversions. They are shiny "got to haves" that eat up money and time and allow some to prove how hip they are.

[gwozhog]

I love the software but the quality of the hardware for 3 times the price of other brands to me is garbage. I have taken apart a few apple laptops and they use the same junk that you see in all other brands. Take away the beautiful asthetics and your left with an overpriced toshiba or acer.

[TattooedGQ]

Personally I hate the Fan boys most. 99% of all Mac users don't know the specs of their machine and how it stacks up to a PC, only that it's "cool" to have one so that makes the product superior. Yes they might look slick, but that's about it.

I love the ones that still say Mac's are the end-all-be-all for graphics. I know several people in clothing design, architectural design, TV and Film production (film on the big stuff) and all but 1 uses the PC for their daily work.

To me Mac is like Absolut Vodka, it sells because it's in a nice wrapper and has phenomenal marketing. At the end of the day not many people figure out it's mediocre at best.

One thing i do like, is that once the new model of something comes out the Apple fan patrol deems you subhuman if you're using the "OLD" model.....sheep...baaaaaaa

[TattooedGQ]

Originally Posted by gwozhog

I love the software but the quality of the hardware for 3 times the price of other brands to me is garbage. I have taken apart a few apple laptops and they use the same junk that you see in all other brands. Take away the beautiful asthetics and your left with an overpriced toshiba or acer.

Originally Posted by Cato

No offence to anyone, but some see Apple users as pretentious and self absorbed. Apple products aren't genuine tools, but are silly diversions. They are shiny "got to haves" that eat up money and time and allow some to prove how hip they are.

Well said boys!!