Apple Mac Quality Doesn't Sell in Hard Times

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I wish Apple would lower prices too, but I don't see the "identical machines" around that Brian references.
I guess things like the rigid unibody Aluminum construction, backlight keyboard lighting, elegant lines and attention to hundreds of little details on my Macbook Pro pleased me enough to convince me to pay more for the experience, even though yes, the internals are mostly the same. Hey I like what I like, and I shouldn't have to apologize for being willing to pay for it.
There is a reason people convert to Macs, and it's not because they suddenly lost the ability to add--it's because they perceived the value in things other than the internals common to all computers. That's where Apple tries hardest, and where they often succeed in distinguishing themselves from the competition. If you don't think the value added by this is worth it, don't buy from Apple. But if you won't even acknowledge that differences exist, you have a different grasp on what is "reality" than I do. To wish Apple would lower prices to a reasonable level so that you can then take advantages of the differences you claim don't exist is a little contradictory, don't you think;-)
Respectfully,
Dan

Daniel Beck of OH 6:54PM February 22, 2009

Here's the reality:
The hardware that Apple sells for $2,000 is identical to the hardware that HP and Dell sells for $600.
If Apple wants its sales to grow, rather than talk trash about the competition (whose machines are identical), or Windows (which improves every month), why not lower prices to a reasonable level and stop playing "super-cool ultra expensive elitist?"

Brian of CA 1:09AM February 22, 2009

Please note that the original Channelweb article you link to was pretty selective about what it was reporting, skewing your conclusions. The quarterly decline of 30% was only for desktop Macs, not ALL Apples as you mistakenly reported, and no mention was made about upbeat sales of MacBooks, which are doing far better than notebook offerings of competitors.
I think people certainly are being more selective about their money, but far from the conclusion you draw, I think people are doing their homework and discovering that Apple's notebook offerings provide the long-term value that really IS desirable in downbeat economic times. While EVERYONE is going to have lower sales, I don't think Apple is going to suffer as much as others, because looking for better value in long-lasting quality tools is becoming MORE important, and as the customer satisfaction survey you quote makes clear, Macs make more sense than anything else out there for more and more consumers.
Of course, I'm not talking about the DIY-ers who can select quality parts and build their own high-value systems--for them Macs probably offer little--but they're in the same category as those who grow their own vegetables: they can get by more cheaply with better quality because they have invested in a special set of skills and possess the patience to do the necessary work. Most consumers have other priorities, I suspect.
As this plays out, it should become pretty clear whether folks are paying attention to long-term value or not. I hope your pessimism about this is unwarranted, but in any case, I don't think it is supported by the reports you cite.
Sincerely,
Dan Beck

Daniel Beck of OH 1:24PM February 20, 2009

I, like many other Mac users, was a Windows user who switched in 2005. I began with Panther and changed the OS to Leopard as soon as it became available. I would never go back.
Many of my friends are like me, waiting for Apple to do more than a minor "refresh" of i-Macs and Mac Minis. The i-Mac is way behind Windows computers and needs more than a "touch-up". When and if Apple does this, we will be in the market for the NEW i-Macs and Mac Minis and we are willing to pay much more for quality.
Let Windows users debate whether they should stay with a version of Vista or "upgrade" to a version of Win 7 and whether it would be wiser to wait until Win 7 comes out with SP2 or SP3.
A computer is not a luxury but has to work without major problems and people will pay for quality when it is available. If the computer assemblers would put out new computers with Win XP/Home or /Pro, they'd sell like hotcakes.

Arce of CA 12:14AM February 20, 2009