“I got an earful at the New York State Fair last week…. My primary advice to readers who are ready to buy a new computer has been to switch to an Apple Macintosh. Apple’s computers are based on Unix, a safer operating system than Windows, and they are unaffected by Windows viruses, spyware and zombieware. That’s what I told fairgoers who asked me what I thought. And it’s probably what I told folks who didn’t ask me what I thought, too,” Al Fasodlt writes for The Syracuse Post-Standard.
“Some of those I talked to said they hadn’t realized that Apple’s computers handled such common Windows documents as Microsoft Word files. In fact, Microsoft created Word for the Mac first, then created the Windows version after it was clear the program would be a success. Microsoft even offers a Mac OS X version of the Office suite; it’s Office 2004,” Fasodlt writes.
“I had some spirited conversations about personal choice in computing, too. Competition is vital, but information is important, too. I had the feeling, after talking to many readers, that Microsoft’s competitors need to advertise on TV and in print media more,” Fasodlt writes.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We must meet the same people as Al. Almost universally, they don’t know a thing about Apple Macintosh. Apple hasn’t just dropped the ball, they buried it several miles down. Here’s hoping that Apple wakes up and takes advantage of Microsoft’s malaise by actually getting the word out through advertising that the Mac is quite compatible with other platforms and is the better choice for the vast majority of personal computer users.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Forrester analysts: Apple should advertise Mac OS X Tiger on television and in movie theaters – April 29, 2005
Mac fans line up for new operating system as passberby asks ‘what is a tiger?’ – April 29, 2005
Apple posts QuickTime movies of Mac OS X Tiger features in action – April 13, 2005
Why doesn’t Apple advertise Mac OS X on TV? – April 12, 2005
Why doesn’t Apple show its patented Mac OS X ‘Genie Effect’ in TV ads? – October 07, 2004
Top Ten things Apple needs to show the world about Macintosh – July 30, 2003
Well said kenh
The lack of tolerance toward Windows users on MDN is really getting out of hand. It is an established fact that the majority Mac users at present are themselves switchers. The generation that started with Macs and stuck with them is slowly disappearing.
So what is the reason behind all this abuse?
My guess is that some are so upset with themselves for having been on the Windows camp for so long, that they are taking their anger out on those who still are.
What is odd is they haven’t asked themselves about the process they went through to switch. Those that are technophiles were obviously able to figure out which is the better platform, but those who are not must have been attracted to the Mac just like any consumer would be attracted to a product: a process that usually involves a bit of advertising. They were lucky since Apple hasn’t done much of that.
So, a bit of LUCK is involved in switching (thanks to Apple’s malaise). Intelligence is not the primary factor for many. I don’t believe all Mac users are high-end users. Most that I know are just regular folk.
In fact, the unfortunate thing is that the most geeky people don’t even go for the Mac, they prefer Linux. They typically are not impressed with GUI and enjoy command-line work. Some have switched to Mac OSX as it allows them the regular UNIX use, but they haven’t been defecting in droves.
As long as Apple doesn’t advertise, MS will continue to make Office for the Mac.
One thing many forget is that Windows is not Microsoft’s cash crop, Office is. Obviously, MS makes money indirectly from the Windows platform by the dependency on it of many bits of software. Technically, however, MS would probably make as much money on office as it would lose on Windows and others if Apple advertises more effectively.
I would really love it if Apple’s next big thing would be an office suite that is compatible with MS Office, but does things better, is more stable, more elegant and works cross-platform.
That would really hurt MS.
MacDoctor—Physician, heal thyself.
>incorrect, snotty, hateful coments from know-it-all Windows zelots like ron, Joe and Sputnik. Don’t show them the facts, they have their minds made up already.>
Dear Doctor, I have always been a Mac zealot. That is ‘zealot’, spelled with an ‘A’. Didn’t they care about spelling at your doctoring school? It originates with the word zeal…great energy in pursuit of a cause.
I have turned on/sold many, many people into buying Macs.
Please don’t associate me with a loon like sputnik.
Apple may begin to advertize more agressively once they switch to Intel processors for two reasons:
1) Intel will be able to deliver the quantities that Apple will need to keep up with demand.
2) Intel may kick in a little cash itself to promote its specialized chips at the same time.
We’ll see…
I would be happy if Apple just made the points:
1. Microsoft Office files are cross platform compatible
2. CDs and thumb drives (and even floppies!) are cross compatible between Macs and Windows computers
3. OS X is a much more secure platform and currently there are no viruses, adware, spyware, or other malware that effects OS X
4. Except for bargain basement cheapo junk computers Macs are very similar in price
5. Macs come with all the software most light users will ever need and it is included for free
6. There is tons of software available for the Mac and pretty much anything you can do on a windows machine, you can also do on a Mac – AND there are a lot of things you can do on a Mac that you CANNOT do on a Windows machine
As mentioned before – made a CD of our holiday photos using iPhoto and the default (Ken Burns) slideshow. Dropped into DVD player when friends round – ‘how did you get that made’ – ‘I did it on a Mac – took 5 minutes’.
Apple need a series of task focused adverts on things like Magic Movie, iPhoto, Spotlight – even just 15 second mini-adverts. Or those pre/post program sponsorship ads.
As for why the Mac Mini now – let’s be honest, OS/X only got mature with Panther, and Tiger is more so. Ditto iLife. I think they’ve assessed that they have a system that is now ‘mass market’ rather than ‘computer market’.
(Sung to the tune of B Streisand’s People)
Sheeple… Windoze using Sheeple
Are the most unfortunate Sheeple… in the World
re: “As long as Apple doesn’t advertise, MS will continue to make Office for the Mac.”
After all this time, and the lack of advertising for the Mac operating system, you have to wonder if that is not true.
re: “I would really love it if Apple’s next big thing would be an office suite that is compatible with MS Office, but does things better, is more stable, more elegant and works cross-platform.
That would really hurt MS”
If the trade for lack of advertising is Office, then that could be the tipping point that would allow Apple to take on Microsoft heads on.
You always have to wonder why Steve has never done that. We might be approaching the point of critical mass as OSX gets stronger and Windows gets weaker for so many technical reasons.
But the real prize (some kind of “tool kit”) that would allow companies who require (and there are a lot of them) industry specific software created on Windows to port them over to OSX. And would allow them to correct things that need correcting.
And I agree that being on Intel gives Apple some credibility that might get them into some companies who are big enough to leverage their software suppliers of their industry specific software to make the changeover.
Probably asking for the impossible there. But just how impossible?…………
re: “If the trade for lack of advertising is Office, then that could be the tipping point that would allow Apple to take on Microsoft heads on.”
I agree. The way I see it, and I’m no business expert, if direct advertising is not on the agenda, indirect methods would still be adequate to turn the market share situation on its head. Consider the following possibilities:
1- iTMS spreads to cover the entire world, rather than a list of countries. Think of secondary iPods sales that would result, and the halo effect.
2- Aggressive invasion of the server market with Xserve and the storage market with Xserve RAID. More variety of products would obviously improve our chances. The more server-side Apple hardware there is, the more easy the choice would be for businesses to consider client-side hardware and software from Apple.
3- An office suite that is cross-platform and makes MS Office bite the dust. This is the entry into most small businesses and average Joe computing that has given MS its dominance. Secondary sales of OSX would dwarf the iPod halo-effect.
4- More gaming friendliness. Perhaps an Apple gaming console? (Even though I hate gaming, it is one of the fastest growing computer markets)
5- Allowing more flexibility for the “build-it-yourself” gang. If apple would start selling (retail only) Apple computer parts and provide manuals, allowing hobbyists to mod their Macs (I would never do it myself) they would return the favor by more aggressive word-of-mouth advertising, as well as allow the uber-geek gang to feel welcome.
These and other ideas would seem to me good ways to change the current market dynamics.
I don’t think Apple wants to clog their customer service lines (or Genius Bar lines) with idiots that would buy a computer based on a 30-second commercial. Smart people tend to socialize with other smart people. This is the best way to get the customer base you want, not some flash and dance blurb marketing to a nation of couch potatoes.
It amazes me how many people here have no concept of “quality over qualtity”. They feel that if more people used Macs, that it somehow makes Macs better. Macs are superior without a horde of neanderthals using them.
that was… “quality over quantity”… my mistake, not my Mac’s.
Jules, my little sister the former technophobe recently made a really nice hard cover book of pictures on her iBook, got it printed, and showed it to relatives. They all loved it and were really impressed that she, a mere mortal, could do something that looked so professional. They asked how she did it and of course she told them that she made it on her Mac and could order it really easily right out of iPhoto.
Did any of them switch? Not that I know of. People on windows think you must have some secret knowledge and be willing to go through lots of trouble to do something like she did. You tell them it was easy and they think: “Yeah, Right”. A lot of windozers that I know are scared to try anything new on their computers cuz they think it will be hard and frustrating and probably won’t work right and might mess up their machines. And the sad truth is, they are right a lot of the time.
I also meet windozers who are more technically savvy and when I talk about all the great things I can do on the Mac, they are always pointing out that they can do the same thing on windows – and they are right, they can, but it is not easy, clear or fun, it is a chore.
I have never ever heard a windows user talk about how much they love their machines. Almost every time you hear them talking about computers it turns into a bitch fest. Almost every Mac User I know LOVES their machine. That ought to tell you something.
I always tell windozers about Macs and tell them they owe it to themselves to at least check out the Mac next time they buy a new computer. A majority will probably end up sticking with windows since they are comfortable with it but at least I have given them the chance to improve their quality of life.
I buy Macs with my own money to use for work rather than using the windows machines my company provides. Why? Because life is too short and too much of mine is spent working on a computer to choose pain over pleasure. It is MORE than worth the price to be able to enjoy working on a Mac and avoiding all the frustrations inherent to windows.
</rant>
All I can say is that I’ve been a Mac user for close to 2 years. And when people see what I can do on something like Final Cut Pro or Pages or Photoshop – they think it’s absolutely cool, hence, I am cool. The Mac makes me look cool, you know why? Because it’s cool.
Can you imagine anyone looking cool with a Gateway?
Just imagine what would happen if iTMS was available in China, India, Brazil, Russia and the Middle-East? These are the most populous areas in the world; they are also the markets that are growing most rapidly. Apple is virtually non-existent in these countries, which account for a substantial proportion of MS market share.
You’re not cool just a dumbass Maczealot. People who think you’re cool are probably trailer park trashes.
re: I don’t think Apple wants to clog their customer service lines (or Genius Bar lines) with idiots that would buy a computer based on a 30-second commercial. Smart people tend to socialize with other smart people. This is the best way to get the customer base you want, not some flash and dance blurb marketing to a nation of couch potatoes.
It amazes me how many people here have no concept of “quality over
qualtity”. They feel that if more people used Macs, that it somehow makes Macs better. Macs are superior without a horde of neanderthals using them.”
Hmm….. If you actually believe that Apple hardware is better, and OSX is clearly better as I do, then exactly how is it that those dumb couch potatoes would not benefit from that.
And how exactly would “neanderthal” users prevent the Mac from being superior? It presumably would make the “neanderthals” better, and why do you have a problem with that?
I will just go back to my neanderthal friends, you go back to your intellectually superior friends and we will probably all be happier.
I will keep using my Mac while communicating with both neanerthals and the intellectually superior, while you isolate yourself.
Not a problem for me. Have a nice day.
The ones that should really fear from Windows users awakening are in Redmont. Imagine what will happen if Joe Sixpack suddenly was to discover that using a computer could be… how to put it.. rewarding! rather than a frustration.
There would be millions of switchers in just few months and Wall Street would shake.
Apple Stores = Apple advertising.
The Apple ad budget goes into the store budgets to make the numbers look better for the stores.
Apple has found that people only buy Apples who come into the store and “test drive” them. Advertising does not get non-Apple users into the stores – Windows users stumble into the Apple stores at the shopping malls. It takes 2-3 visits for a Windows visitor to buy a Mac —if they are even in the market.
Apple has supply problems, just look at what happened when the PowerMac Dual 2 Ghz G5 was introduced, they were swamped.
Apple had to create the Dual 1.8 Ghz to share the demand load across another IBM fab line.
Apple can’t meet the demand if it started to advertise heavily, now when the MacTels arrive that’s a different story.
however if you need promo videos, just check out this site. Be sure to download and host some of the videos yourself, this site has been overloaded before.
http://www.esm.psu.edu/Faculty/Gray/movies.html
Apple have no need to aggresively advertise. Word of mouth, personal recommendation from Mac users is far better.
It also helps keep the number of calls for tech support to a minimum by not selling to those with little idea of what they are doing in the first place.
Problem with Apple not purshing for more and more market share via whatever means, is that the producers of Internet content will ignore the Mac. How many web services can you NOT access on the Mac? Can you rent a movie for download and viewing online on your Mac? Nope. Gotta have Windows and IE. Can you get songs from Yahoo’s Music service? Nope. Gotta have Windows and IE. Can you get access to some Disney content (for your kids, for example), Nope. Gotta have Windows and IE. If the Mac and/or Linux do not gain more desktop share that is visible on the Internet, we’ll continue down this route to what will eventually become the WINternet. And then Microsoft truly owns it all.
that’s BS. Apple would be able to sell more computers if Microsoft didn’t flagrantly disregard antitrust legislation. The only reason the Justice Dept. actually went after them is because it was just soooo egregious and obvious what Microsoft was doing. Microsoft has learned from the mistake and has become more subtle in their attack on the little guys.
“It is an established fact that the majority Mac users at present are themselves switchers. The generation that started with Macs and stuck with them is slowly disappearing.”
Uh, no. The Mac has only been around for 21 years. What, do you think 60-year-olds were the early adopters? Most of “the generation that started with Macs” aren’t even 40 yet.
I’m an early adopter. I’m 72 and coasting.