Photo by Courtland Jeffrey.Ugh, Apple. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not Apple’s No. 1 fan. This company is loved by the masses for its quality and its products like the iPhone, iPod and MacBook Pro.
While all of my friends owned their Apple devices in high school, I was that kid who proudly owned a Zune (Microsoft’s attempt at an mp3 device) and a Droid phone. Apple may produce some quality products, but there are many reasons why you should steer clear of the company.
When I bring this argument up, everyone points out that I use a MacBook Pro. I quickly explain this paradox by redirecting them to Apple’s locked mentality. Many Apple programs are locked, so that only Apple products can run them (iOS only runs on iPhones and iPods, Mac OS only runs on Apple computers, etc.). Since I am a broadcast journalism major, I am going to need to invest in Final Cut Studio and this bundle of programs is locked to only run on Mac.
Because I knew that I would need this software later on, I was forced to choose the MacBook Pro. Rather than letting the consumer decide which operating system they prefer, Apple forces a decision upon the consumer — if you want our software, you must also own our product. Let me be clear, Apple creates nice, quality products, but they do not seem to have the consumer in mind with their business model.
Every time I use my MacBook Pro, I think about it’s cost. The pricing of Apple’s product lineup is insane. They know that they have a huge demographic of returning customers, lemmings, that will need to buy the newest version of the device; thus, Apple takes advantage of the consumer by marking up the price drastically. Defenders of Apple always say you are paying for quality when you buy their products and I will agree with that-- to an extent.
My MacBook Pro is a well-built, light device, but it was not worth the money. When I went laptop shopping before my freshmen year of college, I found a PC that I loved and this MacBook Pro. The PC had higher specifications than the MacBook, faster processor, bigger battery, a Blu-ray disc drive and much more. All for half the price! In the end I spent double the amount of money in which I needed to for a laptop that was already behind the curve.
Apple’s other problem is their independence complex. Recently, Apple decided that they no longer wanted to align themselves with their competitor, Google. When the time came to renew contracts on the YouTube and Maps applications, Apple decided to go their own way. When iOS6 was released, Apple integrated their Maps app, rather than Google’s, and the reaction was widely negative. Instead of realizing that their app was not up to consumer standards, Apple pushed their ill-prepared setup on users to avoid prolonging their relationship with Google.
Microsoft and Google both allow their software to be compatible to more than just their devices. They keep their prices to a more sustainable level and they make apps on each other’s platforms. Apple’s actions are deplorable; they are a selfish company and since their products have become a fad for the masses, people turn their heads and allow themselves to fall in love with everything they manufacture. In summary, if you want to throw your money at Apple, do it with logical reasoning; do not make a purchase without considering all of the pros and cons first.
If you have any other tips or questions, message me on Twitter @Court_Jeffrey or via email at cejeffre@asu.edu.
