|
It is very obvious that the Apple evangelists out there - and there are many - are very willing to give their favoured manufacturer the benefit of the doubt when they and others would not do the same for other companies. And I mean 'other companies' - it isn't just Microsoft that gets it in the neck when they get things wrong. However, before the cries of 'unfair behaviour' go up, we need to remember that all these companies can and do aim for pretty much the same people in their sales and marketing strategies. Apple has managed to create a relationship with a large number of its customers which just about everyone else (with the possible exception of Google) can only dream about. Kudos to Apple. Everyone else had the same chances and they blew it. Now Apple - through a series of screw-ups - could lose that relationship, but the others (especially Microsoft) will never, ever create it. Not now. They lost their chance.
I'm not one of the fans. For me a product is a product: It does what I want it to, or it doesn't. If a company consistently produces duds, or fails to support me through the invevitable issues that arise, then I become increasingly less likely to consider their products in the future. But I don't have it in me to love or to hate a company. Apparently though, many other people do and Microsoft has managed to press their 'hate' button whilst Apple has their love. It may be irrational - humans are - but it isn't unfair. Apple have worked hard and carefully to earn the position that they now have and you have to be impressed. Even if, like me, you don't really 'get it.'
|