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     See {Blogger, BlogSpot, LiveJournal}.]
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Friday, May 30, 2003
17:19 - The strongest kung-fu
http://www.macdailynews.com/comments.php?id=P1154_0_1_0

(top) link
This story is a lot more cheering. Actually, it's a series of stories-- letters sent via e-mail to MacDailyNews, by a Windows XP user by the name of Michael P. Assuming we can take him at his word (it's possible that this whole thing might be an elaborate troll-hoax), it's quite astonishing.

It starts out like this, on Tuesday:

"To be perfectly honest, I don't understand why anybody would buy an Apple computer. It is non-standard (everybody uses Windows) and proprietary. Also, it seems to me that Apple is very desperate to sell computers, so much so that they will withhold products that many would want by making them "Apple-only," in a bid to force people to buy an Apple in order to use these products."

"I am a music fan. Yes, I wanted an iPod when it first came out, but it was Apple-only, of course. So, I bought a Nomad Jukebox for use with my Windows system. But, still, it was obvious that the iPod was better, and I kept my eye on them over time, so when Apple finally gave up and made a Windows version, I got my new iPod only to find out that I was stuck with MusicMatch software and not iTunes."

"At this point, I would like to make it clear that I want a Windows XP version of iTunes, iMovie, iPhoto, iChat, iDVD, Sherlock - yes, I've been all over Apple's site - these applications look great, but I can't find versions of them that run on Windows! Why would Apple bother to create all of these applications and not make versions that will run on 99% of the world's computers?!"

"Instead, Apple would force me to buy an Apple computer to run these programs. Why is Apple so insecure? Why do they need to try to force sales of Apples? Obviously, nobody is buying them or they wouldn't have to try to make Apple-only reasons to try to force sales of computers."

"Damn Apple! How dare they make superior products and then not sell them to me just because I'm not using their other products, which must suck because nobody uses them? What a pathetic two-bit company! Aaargh!"

MDN is correct in saying, however, that this guy's e-mail offers a valuable insight into how a lot of the Windows world feels about Apple: if they're so confident in their products' superiority, why don't they just develop their vaunted superior software and sell it for Windows? That way, everybody would get to use it, and everybody would win! And if Macs are so much better, then they'll win through natural market forces anyway, right?

Yeah, but the incentive to buy a Mac rather than a Windows box is at its greatest when it's the only way to get Apple software-- and with that as the prevailing reality, it's still only got them 5% penetration (or 2%, or 1%, or whatever number you feel is realistic). If Apple made its software for Windows, a) it would have to make a lot of sacrifices in the area of the underlying OS X technology that they can currently take advantage of; and b) it would transform them overnight into a Windows software house, because nobody would buy a Mac ever again. Why spend twice as much for a computer that runs the same software?

So anyway: Michael P. writes back on Wednesday to MDN, after reading through all the reader feedback (much of which took quite strong exception to his tone):

"I was looking at what I thought was some great software from Apple. I run one piece of Apple software on my PC - QuickTime. Although it doesn't work as well as WMP and the files are huge in comparision, it's OK. And it keeps nagging me to upgrade for a price. Also, I was thinking of Apple as a software company, not as a hardware company. Specifically, I was wishing I could have iTunes for Windows, like I have an iPod for Windows. I think iTunes looks/works better than MusicMatch and I want access to the iTunes Music Store from my Windows PC."

"I also really would like to have the ability to run iMovie, iPhoto, iDVD, etc. on my Dell after looking them over on Apple's site and watching movies of those applications in action. I still don't understand totally why Apple can't make these programs cross-platform and sell them, but I kind of see the point after reading the responses."

Yeah, I'm sure Apple's business planners kind of see the point as well.

Again, good insight into the Windows perspective on Apple: a software company, making an annoying-but-okay media player, oh-and-I-think-maybe-some-weird-proprietary-computers-on-the-side. You can imagine what kind of culture clash is involved when someone with this viewpoint expounds it to a bunch of people for whom Apple is the sun and moon and evening star.

But here's where the eye-opening part starts:

"I think Apple could make a ton of cash selling iMovie, iPhoto, iDVD, etc. to the much, much larger Windows market. I wish they would try it. But, I see the point of tying it to the hardware side of their business - it's all integrated and it helps sell hardware."

"So, instead of waiting forever for something that probably won't happen, I'm thinking of falling into Apple's trap. I am considering buying an eMac for $799 to try it. I won't be able to do iDVD, but I'm not willing to spend an extra $500 for that just yet. This way I can try iTunes (will my Windows iPod work with it?) and iMovie, iPhoto and all the rest. I will see if I like it or I will sell it on eBay."

Someone willing to put up or shut up. That's a rare thing in today's world.

Fast forward to today:

"Well, I went in there [the Apple Store] expecting to buy the low end eMac, but after about an hour with two staffers who had to be the best 'computer store' employees I ever had the pleasure to meet, I walked out with a 17-inch iMac with a 1GHz PowerPC G4 (which intitially seemed 'slow' to me spec-wise, but after the G4 vs. the Pentium 4 differences were explained, seemed plenty fast enough to me), with an 80GB hard drive and a SuperDrive. So I do have iDVD."

"I took your advice about the RAM. It was easy to install myself. So, the iMac has 1GB of RAM now, too. Thank you, by the way, for all of your advice. You really helped me out and saved me a lot of time. I've got it connected to my Dell and did it in about 5 minutes by following your directions."

"I haven't had time to do much, yet. But, I want to tell you that from the moment I opened the box, I felt I was in for something quite new and different. The iMac is packaged like it is fine jewelery - very high-end. I have never seen anything like it - right down to the styrofoam shapes and tie wraps and books and cd case. All in a surprisingly small box. Very impressive. I felt like I had purchased a $10,000 fine audio system or something. Quite unlike any Windows computer packaging I had ever opened."

"The buttons and finishes of the case, keyboard, and mouse are solid quality. The whole thing screams quality. My Dell's buttons, keyboard and mouse now seem somewhat thin and 'plasticy' compared to the iMac's."

"The startup sequence of the first time turning it on only heightened the quality level. The thing was on my internet connection (cable modem) as if it was set up for me in the box. It just worked. I downloaded the Safari browser first. Wow! Compared to the included IE for Mac, it really is about 10 times faster. Plus I love the tabs."

"I will write you a followup when I have time this weekend to spend with the iMac. This email is sent with Mac OS X Mail. So far, so good. I spent more than double what I was was planning, but I am sure I made the right decision already. Thanks for your help! You can print this email if you like."

Quoted in its entirety.

I could comment further, but I kind of don't see the point.

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© Brian Tiemann