Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) fans are what I generally call "fanatics" in every sense of the word. Apple consumers are a breed apart -- they have a love of their PCs and gadgets and defend them with the fervor I would expect from a mother for an infant. What other tech company inspires that kind of following? None in the main spotlight that I can think of.Apple products have the world's best design and user friendliness from many respects, a result of the company's obsession on the art of the user's experience. Compare that to the attitude of selling a product and you'll see the light. But, there are some things that even Apple fans get miffed about on occasion. The love many Apple fans have about its co-founder and CEO, Steve Jobs, comes from Jobs' obsession on perfection within every Apple product. Jobs can't possibly shake the hand of every Apple fan, can he? That's an unrealistic expectation, but those who have a cult attitude about the CEO, sometimes can't help themselves.
Are items like the inability to replace batteries in many of Apple's products (iPod, iPhone and the new MacBook Air) really that big of a deal to Apple fans? Probably not, although some will say yes. The industrial design Apple uses sometimes doesn't allow modularity in the manner many customers are used to. First up: user-replaceable batteries. Apple seems to put form over function sometimes, and this can rub some customers the wrong way. Will they still love Apple? Of course -- maybe just not as much.
And, how can any Apple fan not love what the company's stock has done in the last 18 months? Although Apple shares have dived down in recent weeks along with the market, its shares are still up hugely from this time a year ago. The fact that Apple shares are down this morning to $165 from $200 just under a month ago will bug some Apple fans who hold stock. Welcome to the zany and oft-illogical marketplace is all I can say to that one.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-18-2008 @ 10:00PM
Preston said...
The inability for me to personally change the battery in my MacBook Air won't deter my purchase. I have never had to change a battery in any computer, ever! The backlit keyboard, on the other hand, is a very helpful feature for users like me whose vision is compromised.
1-18-2008 @ 11:16PM
AJ said...
One must ask, can Apple p-off its loyal users... Take the new MBA's super drive. It only works with the MBA. Why? Why not with any other USB MAC (or PC). Take the ear phone jack on the iPhone. Why do they have to use the special base so you cannot use your favorite Shure headphone with this unit - you have to ask why? I can understand if there was a logical reason... but not just to be different or to sell special headphones?? If they go on this way, one day, Apple is going to p-off their loyal users (such as me).
1-19-2008 @ 1:28AM
jobs said...
"they have a love of their PCs and gadgets and defend them with the fervor"
umm... no they love their macs..
1-20-2008 @ 5:57PM
apple user said...
Several instances of "bugged" apple fans
1. iPhone price drop
2. iPod Touch software update is charges
3. Proprietary hardware (non-standard) - iphone headphone jack, ipod video cables, over priced accessories, iphone jail-breaks, inability to install apps on iphones and ipod touch
4. I am sure there are more ..
1-20-2008 @ 10:39PM
junior lowboy said...
The MBA was totally not the product I had envisioned for the release at Mac World. Thin is cool but I am holding out for the giant sized ipod touch/ iphone. Until then buy more AAPL and hold.
1-21-2008 @ 4:44AM
sachin said...
lack of optical drive in the Macbook Air according to me is a serious concern which may hold people form buying that not only in US but also in India.
Sachin
1-21-2008 @ 4:49AM
sachin said...
lack of optical drive in the Macbook Air according to me is a serious concern which may hold people form buying that not only in US but also in India.
Sachin
http://apple-iphone.blogspot.com