When is ‘unique’ too unique? Early in 2006, Apple decided for us with the introduction of Intel hardware. Until then, Apple users rode on the fact that their computers used ‘unique’ hardware, ran ‘unique’ software, thus making users ‘unique’. When Apple removed one side of this exclusive triangle with the introduction of Intel, some users were outraged; some were delighted - but for what it’s worth, Apple’s user base increased wildly; however, the ‘Mac User’ stereotype remains. As a Mac user, I’m interested in bringing to light some of my thoughts, and see how they compare to the average PC user, as well as other Mac users.

‘Mac user’ is a term that has been in widespread use since the Apple II, however, it has been without weight until fairly recently; when Apple’s consumer applications surpassed others’ by leaps and bounds. It was at this point that other companies and users decided to take notice, and thus opinions were formed. Apple users have since come off as more product oriented than PC users, favoring form and function over cost; as opposed to the ‘traditional’ PC user who was more detail oriented and preferred a $500 box and Excel spreadsheets over a fluid interface and great machine design.

According to a poll from Thoof.com (http://tinyurl.com/273zsy): 

 Windows users are 39% more likely to read a story about personal savings than their Mac using counterparts

 Mac users are 6% more interested in intellectual property law, and 5% more interested in fitness

There were other, more arbitrary results in the poll, but from this we can surmise that roughly, PC users are more conservative than Mac users, and Mac users are more creative, more interested in claiming their creativity, and more physically appealing than PC users. While these are both wild assumptions, recent Mac vs PC ads have strangely illustrated the same thing. Most everyone has seen at least one of the white-background ads, depicting the PC as the number crunching nerd that tries too hard to be cool, and the Mac as the in-style hipster that doesn’t have to try very hard at all.

The Mac vs PC argument has been in full swing ever since the introduction of Windows 3.0. It’s been a long chain of imitation (PC users), elaboration (Mac users), and elation (again, Mac users), through bitterly celebrated differences, and flattering similarities. PC users often refer to Mac users as being ‘arrogant, rich, elitist, stuck up, black sheep, artsy, and weird’. Mac users counter by pointing out that all PC users are skinny, virus-prone squares. Some, however, don’t care at all.

According to Charles Arthur (http://www.charlesarthur.com/blog/index.php?p=474):

the Mac/PC debate should be lumped into all other never ending debates;

Increasingly I think the Mac vs PC debate ought to be lumped with other debates that aren’t going to get anywhere - Which Religion Is Best, Creationism, Global Warming Is A Sham, The Middle East, Northern Ireland, and Who Was the Best Tennis/Golf/Tiddlywinks Player of All Time If You Do/Don’t Allow Them To Use Modern Equipment.”

With the introduction of Intel hardware, the lines between beige PC and stylish Apple have blurred. We can now run the same operating system, establish the same compatibility, and experience the same unprovoked crashes. As said earlier, this is one of the biggest factors of the Apple user base exploding the way it has, which is both good and bad. We have gone from a vague social network to a full-fledged user community, full of both the good and bad eggs. However, the only way to really disuse a Mac is to ignore the community, companionship, and innovative potential that accompanies such a product. Mac has been, and always will be, a lifestyle product that fuels the creative, and incites the uninspired.

Take it however you want it, but Mac users are definitely a select few. There’s a certain sense of camaraderie, a sense of security in our white, black, and aluminum machines; and you’ll never find such passion for any beige Windows box. Not only do we have pride in our computers, but we adore our accessories as well. From iPods to mice, we’ve got pride. With our satisfaction comes our own opinions as well (most of which about those in the ‘other camps’: Windows, Linux, etc), which to some might be construed as arrogance, but to us is merely the love of our machines.

It’s at this point that I can determine that yes, Mac users are different. We ‘Think Different’, we see different(ly), and we certainly operate differently. We’ve also got our own opinions, and a certain amount of hubris, but it’s a very humble sort of pride, unlike certain PC nay-sayers; you know who you (they) are. As much as I’d like to say that all of this makes us better, it’d be insensitive to do so. The PC will always have its’ place in our technological society, and there will certainly be functions specifically reserved for the PC. After all, a BSOD just isn’t the same on an iMac.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 at 17:10 CET and is filed under Apple talk. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.