We received an email this morning from a Windows XP user, Michael P., that we feel sheds some light on how some Windows PC users feel about Apple. Here is the email in its entirety:
“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.”
“Which comes down to the reason I am writing: The iTunes Music Store. Why can’t I buy songs on my Dell running Windows XP? What kind of a company would open a store that only 1% can shop? It’s worse than opening a store catering only to left-handers – there’s many times more left-handers in the world than there are Apple computer users! This is ridiculous!!!”
“I would love to use my iPod with iTunes and the Music Store, but I cannot. All because Apple can’t seem to sell computers and they are trying to force people to buy Apples. Why limit all of these applications and services to a tiny, insignificant speck of the market? Why not offer them to the majority standard platform and create Windows versions, so the rest of the world can use them, too?”
“In closing, here I sit wanting to spend money at the Apple iTunes Music Store, wanting to run iTunes, iMovie and the rest (I’d even PAY for them), but I cannot. Apple needs to provide a solution for millions and millions of computer users like me! You can print this if you want and I’m sending this to Apple as well. Thank you.”
– Michael P.
Editor’s note: click for the followup “Windows user Michael P. responds to ‘Mad at Apple; wants his iTunes’ feedback, 5/28“
Have you heard?
What about the years us Mac users had to go thru because MS “forgot” to make Mac versions, and when they do, it’s inferior to PC versions….
Why don’t you just wait until MS makes it’s own version of “rented” music and let MS crawl all over your computer to check on you.
Get a Mac buddy, I did and I am never going back. Feel the freeeeeedom.
Yo Michael P.,
If you agree how amazing Apple software is, just imagine how OS X is. Have you ever tried OS X? Also, how PCs got control of the market was by offering software and services that were only available on PC and not on Mac. Now the shoe is on the other foot. One more thing, Apple is not interested in becoming a software company, rather it is more interested in selling computers. Apple knows though that it it creates good software its computers will sell. I would type some more responces to your complaints, but I have to go and buy some music from the iTunes music store
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Micheal P. is just showing why he is a “Windozzzzzz” user. He has no clue about much of anything. (Take note, Mike, Apple is at least 3% Marketshare, not 1%.)
Mike is penny wise and pound foolish. He spends pennys on his system and then gets nickle and dimed to death for support, repairs, anti-virus measures and lost data.
NEWS FLASH, Mike…….Apple makes it’s money from HARDWARE SALES. It produces superior software to promote the sale of that hardware (which, if more people bought it, the marketshare would grow). Some of it’s software is going to be ported to your pathetic, clunky wanta-be OS, so stop whining.
Apple is currently working to port iTunes to Windows and should have the product out by the end of this year. NO, it may won’t be as good as the one for Mac……just like the Micro$oft products for Mac usually aren’t as good as the ones written for their own OS (noted exception is Office X for Mac), but it will get the job done………which is more than I can say for Windows Media Player for Mac. I can’t get that app to play correctly no matter what I try………funny, all the other media handling apps I have seem to work well, just M$ can’t get it right. Hell, they still won’t produce a PowerPoint viewer for OS X….so I bought a third party product that costs a heck of a lot less than M$ Office for Mac….an over priced monster that I don’t need.
Oh, yeah……..How does it feel to be treated like you don’t exist? We Mac users have had to deal with that feeling for several years now. Of course, we did not suffer as badly as you are, now. You see, we could always fall back on the knowledge that ours was a superior OS and our hardware was top-notch. You do not have either of these comforts.
Pity might be in order, except that you made the choice to use Windows. You got what you deserved, now shut-up, stop crying, and grow up.
Get a Mac. You’ll feel better once you’ve adjusted to what a superior OS is like.
My goodness…you are in a Matrix…the world pulled over your eyes that you only see what they want you see. Windows is in a way VERY proprietary, more so than Apple. You just dont see it or you CHOOSE not to. Your choice and your loss.
FINALLY we start seeing Windows users who wish they had our software selection…
I’d like a Chianti with my irony please. Oh and order some for Michael and his foot.
d
Hey! Why can’t my Ford look and drive like my BMW? I’m really mad at Ford for making an inferior product that most of the world drives.
Hey! Why can’t my Ford look and drive like my BMW? I’m really mad at Ford for making an inferior product that most of the world drives.
This is so dumb, it’s unbelievable. This has to be somebody trolling, right? When Apple released all its software to run on other companies’ hardware, it lost a lot of money. Why would it make the same mistake twice? If you buy a chevy cavalier, there’s no way you should complain that it doesn’t come with all the niceties of a mercedes. Go and buy a mercedes. Of course, with a Mac, you’re not paying that type of premium. $799 for an eMac with a 17″ monitor, and you’re in good shape. If you can go a bit higher, you can get a DVD burner and lots of other goodies, or move up to a flat-panel iMac. Apple does NOT WANT YOU to buy other companies’ hardware. That’s why they only release stuff for their own hardware. iTunes for Windows is solely for the purpose of selling iPods and music. Start thinking like a businessman. Actually, if you start thinking, you might just buy a mac. I find it funny that you won’t buy a mac because it’s “non-standard” and won’t run software. Well, the only software you apparently want is stuff that’s only on Macs! So buy a Macintosh already! Why worry about what’s “standard” especially when you can get Virtual PC for running any (necessary) windows software?
Matthew
OK. Well why won’t Microsoft release Halo for a different console or at least for the PC/Mac? To force people to buy an Xbox if they want the game.
The PS2 has sold many millions more units then Xbox and Gamecube combined. Why would Microsoft want to sell to the 1%?
According to Michael P, Apple can’t seem to sell any Macs. If so, why does Apple keep reporting profits? I would imagine if Macs weren’t selling, Apple wouldn’t be making much money.
While this article certainly has comedic value, I would expect MacDailyNews to post something of more substance. 😀
With this e-mail, this guy just did the equivalent of running through Hell in a gasoline tuxedo.
First of all, dear flamebait, Apple isn’t forcing you to buy anything. If you want to run Mac-only software, obviously you need a Mac. The opposite argument has been thrown in the face of Mac users for years regarding PC-only software. The gist of your argument is that you want all the advantages of a Mac without actually having to buy one. Why didn’t you address your e-mail to the wizards of “innovation” at Microsoft and ask them to spend some of their $4.3 billion R&D budget on stuff that works as well, as elegantly, and as simply as Apple’s?
I don’t understand why seemingly intelligent people can’t get this, Apple is a COMPUTER manufacturer. They make their money pushing boxes out the door. Apple produces software as value-added products to help them ship computers. Of course it’s a proprietary system. And Windows isn’t? Where is the sense in debasing the market for their own products? Not to mention the headache of making sure it runs with mix and match components from JoeBlow Technologies.
These and many other points have been presented in a much clearer and more articulate fashion than I have, and I’m sick and tired of know-nothings attacking people who use other platforms, and this applies to zealots of all persuasions, not just this Windows troll. Now go and swarm with the rest of the lemmings. Apologies to the many Windows users who don’t share this fool’s views.
As many others have said already, this guy should spend a bit of money on an Apple computer. I would suggest an eMac or an iBook, both of which would give him access to the Apple Music store as well as the iApps he so desires.
Of course he would never do that because he seems to think that Apple users are an “insignificant speck” and becoming one would somehow lessen his standing in society. Oh well, he can always hold his breath until OS X is ported to x86 hardware.
The letter is clearly fake. You guys are so na�ve sometimes.
ROFLMAO
It is really working. Windoze users are little by little opening their eyes. Just give it some more time and switchers will start to flock. Good, GREAT laugh.
PS
I personally switched 12 people at work and more, much MORE are coming. OS X has been yesterday declared ready for prime-time, that is, officially supported.
PPS
Great post Michael P., now make a little effort and go get a real computer at the closest Apple Store. Drop that Dell FPS toy.
Many people (including Michael P.) are under the presumption that Michael P. needs to dump his Dell to get a Mac. For many people this is impractical. Instead he should buy a Mac to use in ADDITION to his Dell. If he wants his Windows-compliance he always has his Dell box, and when he wants to do some real multimedia work he can use the Apple box. Over time he’ll see how much Macs can really do and slowly transition over to it. Going cold turkey isn’t the best idea IMO. This way, Michael P. is happy and so is Apple.
The left-handed store analogy was funny and right on. How can Apple be so damn stupid??? If you’re in the software business you don’t exclude 99% of the market on purpose, it’s just plain idiotic.
Apple: Stop cutting off your nose to spite your face.
Apple is a hardware company, always has been, always will be. I don’t see how one can logically fault them for making every effort to grow the selection of good software for the platform.
As far as Michael P’s dilemma goes, he could either get a Mac… or wait patiently for iTunes for Windows, or perhaps for one of the copycat solutions on Windows that most people expect to see this year. Lots of choices, no one is being forced to do anything.
Odd, a Windows user complaining of a sales tactic that Microsoft started years ago. I toast Apple for stealing a page from the Microsoft Marketing Manual, turn about is fair play.
Personally, I decide years ago that I would not buy an inferior product that carried an OS designed by Microsoft, and Dell isn’t much better.
I applaud your letter Michael! Hooray! I’m glad SOMEBODY has finally said it loud and clear!
Not that I agree with you, but because you and your frustrations represent what I see is the payoff of years of hard work Jobs and Company have been (and continuously doing so) in building a solid OS (OS X), super fast machines (970’s) and supporting application software that is the best. I see his letter as only the beginning of people like him. Unfortunately for Michael, his problem is that he is stubornly caught in living a life with blinders on.
For the most part, Apple has had to develop a core (iLife) themselves, rather than wait for other developers to do so. Other important pieces (Safari, Keynote) are now being added to Apple’s strategy and more to come. No doubt an Office alternative is in the works. The idea is not to have to depend on M$, otherwise they’ll f**k you over.
XP users: Keep those letters coming in folks! You represent the future of Windows/M$!
I bet this guy considers himself intelligent. I really couldn’t believe I “heard” these words come out of this guys mouth.
He bought the cheapest computer he could find knowing that there was a better solution then has the nerve to complain that what he really wants is a Mac. Someone needs to b***h slap this guy and call him and idiot.
I can imagine him poring over all the magazines, studying, consulting all his friends to “buy the best” computer.
Sheesh.
Cinque
Oh, no! Apple, step on it! This person demands you do business the way he thinks you should! Hurry, or this guy will go out and buy a Windows-based solution! Hurry!
Spoken like a true PC user. The interesting thing is this: I’d bet my right butt cheek that he’ll wake up one day, suddenly “get it”… and end up being a Mac user for life.
I’ll never understand why Windows users have the crappiest computing experience and still defend MS (like they’re worth defending.) Or worse yet – condemn Apple for having a tight business strategy in one of the most competitive arenas ever.
Hey Buddy, you managed to buy an Ipod but cant afford to
buy a used imac or blue and white g3. come on. I Build my own windows box long ago,and i still do. But I still use my Macs.
Hey Michael P. we haven’t heard back from you?
I really hope you’re reading all the feedback and getting an education from it.
Since you twisted the percentage of Apple Marketshare, I guess I also can twist the some of Carly Simons lyrics by saying: “You’re So Lame”.
Are y9ou for real?
Okay you …
bought a half-assed solution when you decided on a Windows PC (a Dell no doubt)
… then you …
bought a half-assed solution when you bought a Creative Jukebox.
Now you complain that Apple doesn’t join you in your pursuit of half-assed solutions?
Give me a break.
CDL
OMG i cant belive this guy if u want the quality of the programes and the wonderfull ITMS then why dont u get a quality computer to match them as well. I mean its hard to program Apps for a Horribly written OS as XP and all the other wintel its just never makes since when people write in and dont get why apple does this get a clue man apple is a much better built computer just cause everyone else has one doesnt mean u have to have one and if u want these Apps then why not get a computer that can handle them