Originally Posted by
anrkitec
Yeah, you clearly have missed my point entirely. I never questioned that many, many people would buy them, even said so in the pre-release thread here. What I said was that I don't believe that the iPad solves any real problems for most of those people the way that it might do so for GadgetFreak for example.
Again. millions of people bought the 'pet rock' back in the 70's so I am still not convinced that simply selling something to a lot of people is any indication of the relative worth or lack thereof of any given product.
Why are Apple fans such a sensitive lot? As I said I currently use a Sony VAIO TZ because at the time I was shopping it best solved the problems I needed it to, yet I have no particular loyalty to Sony [none at all really, awful company], and if Joe-Bob's Computers comes out with a better product next time I am in the market then I will happily switch to the product that works best for my needs.
It seems as though with Apple products so many of their owners seem to have a heavy personal investment in the purchase, as if they see owning an Apple product as saying something, reinforcing something positive about themselves personally. Never understood that. It strikes me as a lot like hardcore political party ideologues; we are a unique and special group and our group is better than your group, weird...
So, to summarize, you buy products that solve problems, but most Apple consumers only think their purchases are solving problems, but actually they aren't....
Here's a thought: people buy, and use products they find meet their needs. No need to over-analyze.
But if you do want to over-analyze, consider this opinion: Apple is the Nespresso of the tech world, the BMW, the Bose etc. Real purists object because these products are safe, accessible and minimize the knowledge and experience required to use them when compared with legacy competitors.
As much as that's a positive for me, it's a turn-off for others. Which is ok, as last time I checked Apple weren't forcing their products upon people against their will!