So Much More: What Apple Means to Me
Apple October 4th, 2009If you know much about me, you’ll know that I love Apple; the products, the innovation, the lifestyle. Since June 2008 I have used a MacBook for computing, an iPod (touch & shuffle) for music, and an iPhone 3G for communication and (generally) 24 hour connectivity. The term ‘Apple fanboy’ might be on your mind right about now, but I don’t believe that I fit into that category. While I am, of course, a huge fan of Apple, the term ‘fanboy’ just doesn’t fit. I didn’t replace my Windows PC, Sandisk MP3 and Blackberry because of the cool image of Apple, or because I think they look pretty. I chose Apple because its simplicity, impeccable design, usability and community. I’ve yet to meet many people who, given the chance, would turn down an iPhone 3GS or brand new MacBook Pro. Sure, the majority of Apple products can seem overpriced to potential customers, but I personally have never looked back after a purchase.
Take a look at the quote(s) and video below. I believe they sum up quite nicely what Apple is all about.
“What we’ve done, and we’ve made a habit of doing this at Apple, is we decided just to start over. When you start working on your personal projects, it becomes so much more than just a collection of parts. Our very best idea’s, all of our innovation, we bring to the most popular Mac. If something doesn’t need to be there, it’s not there.” Jonathan Ive
Apple is more of a community than a company. While I was in San Francisco over the summer, I noticed several cars with an Apple logo sticker on their bumper or back window, yet I didn’t see a single Microsoft/Windows logo sticker, or the phrase “I’m a PC”. I also had the chance to visit the Apple Headquarters in Cupertino. Driving through the campus, it felt relaxed. Employee’s were walking around chatting, a Starbucks in one hand, their MacBook’s in the other. Even in the Mothership Store, there were many other visitors buying a huge range of accessories from key-rings and pens, to laptop cases and hoodies. I love wearing my Apple hoodie. Whether some people see me as an Apple fanboy that would buy anything with an Apple logo on, I don’t care much.
To me, the Apple logo, brand and company signifies design excellence, a care to detail, thought-out innovation and a somewhat unified community. Care to disagree? Leave your views below as a comment, and I’ll be happy to listen.
