Things Apple needs to do before normal people switch

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Platform, like Sun's machines with Solaris. Or the Alpha machines with Tru64 out there. IBM's POWER series with AIX. You know, platform.

Yeah, but those are poor examples in the context of this thread. We're talking average users, not net-admins.

Apple makes a "computer" that has an operating system which performs various tasks. So does dell. To most "normal" people, as this thread is calling them, they're more concerned with price. Nothing about lowering their price says that apple would have to lower its standards or quality. Maybe the profit margin per unit would decrease but I bet they'd sell enough to make up for it and then some.

Apple makes a nice computer with a nice OS, I don't think too many people dispute that anymore. I'd love to have one. But it's simply not affordable. I can invest into the "PC/Windows platform" and accomplish the same stuff, for far less money, than the apple alternative.

Average users aren't important. What is the profit margin per unit on the iBook? Powerbook? PowerMac? iMac? eMac?

I wouldn't have the slightest idea. But if average users aren't important, then they sure do alot of wasteful advertising that seems marketed towards students and the middle class. And apple sure doesn't seem to have any kind of strangle-hold on the server market....and the corps I've seen/worked for have all used Windows based solutions for their networks.

....so who exactly is important to Apple?

Students aren't exactly just average users. What's important to Apple? What other company does Steve own?

I disagree. I'd say most students ARE average users, especially 'cause they're a demographic for whom a significant percentage will buy a new computer when going off to college, or purchasing a new one during their time as a student. Many kids ride off their folks and/or loans/scholarships = disposable income for new computers. However, they're still a frugal demographic.

If you're talking about Pixar, all I can say is that it would seem to me that alot of money is also to be made by catering to the financial status of "normal" people and offering options they can afford. As opposed to riding only on Hollywood. I remember when SGI machines were all the rage in hollywood and the CG world (atleast it was all I ever heard about). A new trend/innovation could come around which knocks apple out of the game as well. And Hollywood is exactly the industry which CAN afford to upgrade/scrap/switch all its machines in a year.

Hollywood, plenty of graphics artists, and music professionals are 3 areas Apple seems to do well in. Also, Apple customers are often quite loyal. Everyone else? If they want it, they'll buy it. I doubt many of the people that want the $400 Mac would buy one.

 

[Siva]

Every since I quit playing games I have stopped being such a hardware junkie. I am content with the little laptop that my school gave me to handle word processing, media, and internet surfing... So what's that mean in the context of this thread?

Apple has provided its user with an OS that does everything I mentioned above in a fairly simple and absolutely gorgeous way. I consider myself normal and would gladly switch to a Mac if I had the money/need for a new machine. I honestly don't know how affordable a Mac is, but perhaps in a few years when my free laptop is outdated I might consider going the way of the devil (assuming Apple is still doing what it has been since OS X).

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Insomnium

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: Insomnium
If we're talking about "normal" people here, then Apple's high prices on just about everything are holding it back from gaining a much greater market share. The higher prices don't only extend to hardware though, as Mac software tends to be more expensive than it's PC counterpart. Ditto for other hardware like Airports. Apple seems to put a sort of "luxury" type premium on all of its stuff.

If the current lowest level G5 iMac was available for $899 or even $949 at a place like Walmart, Apple would make an absolute killing.

eMac.

the eMac doesn't have the sexiness that the iMac has, and "normal" people would come in to a Walmart, look at the eMac (1.25Ghz), then look at a cheaper PC (1.6Ghz) and think, "hmmm, better for less, i'm buying the PC". eMac also doesn't come with an Office Suite at it's lowest prices (most PCs come with Works).

eMac is specifically for educational market, and falls in the price range you mentioned.

If the iMac was on the shelves at a lower price with specs comparable to those of the cheapo PCs, it would more than likely fly off the shelves. Well, actually, it would be interesting to see what the average joe would choose if presented with an equilly equipped Mac and PC.

Put your money where your mouth is. Put up, or shut up. It's really the only way to find out.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Apple intentionally doesn't give a sh!t about the "low" end average user. The fact that they stopped allowing Apple clones to be made shows that. Short of allowing clones to be made again, they will never and probably don't care to tap that market.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Apple intentionally doesn't give a sh!t about the "low" end average user. The fact that they stopped allowing Apple clones to be made shows that. Short of allowing clones to be made again, they will never and probably don't care to tap that market.

They stopped the clones because it was killing them. Hmmm, cancel the clone deal and live, or continue it and die? Tough decision.

The iMac and iBook are for the non-professionals. The eMac is for students. PowerMacs and PowerBooks are for professionals.

 

[notfred]

I'm posting from a mac right now. I must not be normal.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Everyone else? If they want it, they'll buy it.

That's not true! Are you talking from the perspective of someone who's unfettered by financial burden? I know plenty of people, myself included, who're average users (myself not included) who want one...and would buy one...if only they could afford one....even if all they do is surf the net, chat, email and listen to music.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: notfred
I'm posting from a mac right now. I must not be normal.

I don't think those two statements really have anything to do with each other.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Everyone else? If they want it, they'll buy it.

That's not true! Are you talking from the perspective of someone who's unfettered by financial burden? I know plenty of people, myself included, who're average users (myself not included) who want one...and would buy one...if only they could afford one....even if all they do is surf the net, chat, email and listen to music.

Of course I have financial burdens. Of course I can't just get one on a whim. I have to save, and sacrifice a bit here and there to pick one up. But I'm willing to do that.

 

[Insomnium]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

If the iMac was on the shelves at a lower price with specs comparable to those of the cheapo PCs, it would more than likely fly off the shelves. Well, actually, it would be interesting to see what the average joe would choose if presented with an equilly equipped Mac and PC.

Put your money where your mouth is. Put up, or shut up. It's really the only way to find out.

Since I'm no longer a spare time codemonkey, I'd take a Mac if priced equally with a perfectly comparable PC

But really, this experiment would be interesting. I would think the average joe user would just treat the two computers like 2 equally priced shirts and then just choose the better looking one.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

GAMES. I would switch TODAY if I could run games on macs.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Everyone else? If they want it, they'll buy it.

That's not true! Are you talking from the perspective of someone who's unfettered by financial burden? I know plenty of people, myself included, who're average users (myself not included) who want one...and would buy one...if only they could afford one....even if all they do is surf the net, chat, email and listen to music.

Of course I have financial burdens. Of course I can't just get one on a whim. I have to save, and sacrifice a bit here and there to pick one up. But I'm willing to do that.

Well, and I guess that's what priorities are all about, and to each his own. Me....I'd rather put that money into my camera....or....food, as circumstances may be. Maybe someday either I'll save for one or Apple will lower the price.

until then, cheers. :beer:



...time for bed.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: notfred
I'm posting from a mac right now. I must not be normal.

I don't think those two statements really have anything to do with each other.

Maybe not, but that's what the title of the thread implies.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Everyone else? If they want it, they'll buy it.

That's not true! Are you talking from the perspective of someone who's unfettered by financial burden? I know plenty of people, myself included, who're average users (myself not included) who want one...and would buy one...if only they could afford one....even if all they do is surf the net, chat, email and listen to music.

Of course I have financial burdens. Of course I can't just get one on a whim. I have to save, and sacrifice a bit here and there to pick one up. But I'm willing to do that.

Well, and I guess that's what priorities are all about, and to each his own. Me....I'd rather put that money into my camera....or....food, as circumstances may be. Maybe someday either I'll save for one or Apple will lower the price.

until then, cheers. :beer:



...time for bed.

See, that's not tough. Everyone can get along if we bother to realize that some people like things that don't make sense to us. Except for Intel users. They're just nuts.

:beer:

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Insomnium

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

If the iMac was on the shelves at a lower price with specs comparable to those of the cheapo PCs, it would more than likely fly off the shelves. Well, actually, it would be interesting to see what the average joe would choose if presented with an equilly equipped Mac and PC.

Put your money where your mouth is. Put up, or shut up. It's really the only way to find out.

Since I'm no longer a spare time codemonkey, I'd take a Mac if priced equally with a perfectly comparable PC

But really, this experiment would be interesting. I would think the average joe user would just treat the two computers like 2 equally priced shirts and then just choose the better looking one.

I think it would be interesting. I think you could convince Jobs to let you clone it for a limited time in the experiment. Shouldn't set you back more than a a couple hundred million really. Good luck.

 

[GroundZero]

Originally posted by: amdfanboy
[*]Lower the price of hardware to normal Windows box prices ($1000)
[*]Provide lots of tools to help people switch
[*]Get rid of the Apple == Gay designer image
[*]Show how it is easier to use a Mac than a PC
[*]Promote games and software for Mac
[*]Then show off the pretty stuff



Any other ideas?

kill bill and blow redmond off the map, then after a few years people will start thinking that an apple is ok on their desk instead of the fridge.

oh yea and make 90 percent of the software makers start writing progs for apple crap...

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: amdfanboy
I have no wonder why n0cmonkey si defending Apple so much? Fanboi in hiding :Q ?

Who's hiding?

Good point

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Siva
Every since I quit playing games I have stopped being such a hardware junkie. I am content with the little laptop that my school gave me to handle word processing, media, and internet surfing... So what's that mean in the context of this thread?

Apple has provided its user with an OS that does everything I mentioned above in a fairly simple and absolutely gorgeous way. I consider myself normal and would gladly switch to a Mac if I had the money/need for a new machine. I honestly don't know how affordable a Mac is, but perhaps in a few years when my free laptop is outdated I might consider going the way of the devil (assuming Apple is still doing what it has been since OS X).

yea pretty much the same here. after a while its like u've played every possibility there is..and not much is new and exciting. start getting sick of running the upgrade treadmill.

start to care more about how much noise the computer makes, how decent the design is, how it doesn't take up much space etc.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: amdfanboy

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: amdfanboy
I have no wonder why n0cmonkey si defending Apple so much? Fanboi in hiding :Q ?

Who's hiding?

Good point

I can see pros and cons for just about every architecture I've investigated. The MacPPC just happens to be one of my favorites, along with AMD64.

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: amdfanboy

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: amdfanboy
I have no wonder why n0cmonkey si defending Apple so much? Fanboi in hiding :Q ?

Who's hiding?

Good point

I can see pros and cons for just about every architecture I've investigated. The MacPPC just happens to be one of my favorites, along with AMD64.

I didn't say it was bad, I just think there are a lot of people that would switch if they made the i* stuff come down to about 800-900

 

[nageov3t]

I'd buy an Apple if they were more affordable.

emacs are cheap, I guess, but also ugly as sin. I'd rather have a beige box.

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: loki8481
I'd buy an Apple if they were more affordable.

emacs are cheap, I guess, but also ugly as sin. I'd rather have a beige box.

My point exactly

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: Insomnium
If we're talking about "normal" people here, then Apple's high prices on just about everything are holding it back from gaining a much greater market share. The higher prices don't only extend to hardware though, as Mac software tends to be more expensive than it's PC counterpart. Ditto for other hardware like Airports. Apple seems to put a sort of "luxury" type premium on all of its stuff.

If the current lowest level G5 iMac was available for $899 or even $949 at a place like Walmart, Apple would make an absolute killing.

Show me a comparibly priced wireless solution that supports sharing USB printers, 56k modem, bridging, and authentication through RADIUS.

 

[Zugzwang152]

i for one am going to be very interested in those imac g5's soon