undefined | Better HN

0 pointswebXL10y ago0 comments

I'd bet that fewer than 5% of Apple customers want a general-purpose computer, and it hasn't deviated much from that over time. Apple has always locked down their hardware and software relative to their competitors. The "it just works" philosophy isn't free, and if it seems like it's getting more locked down, it might have something to do with Apple trying to maintain its profits in the face of increasing competition.

The "household-appliance" moniker is a red herring though. Just because they supply an App Store doesn't mean you have to use it, and it doesn't mean you can't do amazing things with it. Are we really comparing something that can help educate, research, run a business, entertain, etc. with a dishwasher or TV?

0 comments

nobleach10y ago

As I sit here in my building with 400 others sitting around me writing code on Macbook Pros. Knowing that in this industrial park alone there are other startups with hundreds of employees doing the same thing. (And this is in Utah - not San Francisco) I'd venture to say that 5% may be extremely off base. I'd say, you take every coffee-shop college student and match them against thousands who are writing code as we speak.

webXLOP10y ago

So "people writing code" == "people who want a general purpose Mac"? And I didn't say Apple customers who buy/own Macs. Keep in mind that a lot of people get an iPhone or iPad first, then want to be more productive with a keyboard and larger screen, or just want to keep buying App Store-enabled Apple devices in general. These are not professional coders and are the overwhelming demographic that Apple is selling to.

Do you think they don't know who their customers are?

nobleach10y ago

As opposed to a sandboxed device? Yes. Someone who wants the freedom to write code, install VMs, test browsers, compile C, you name it, no, they do _not_ want a little sandboxed device. The college student at Starbucks typing a term paper? sure.

1 more reply

s73v3r10y ago

"I'd bet that fewer than 5% of Apple customers want a general-purpose computer"

I'd bet that fewer than 5% of any computer company's customers want a general purpose computer.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 pointswebXL10y ago0 comments

0 comments

nobleach10y ago

webXLOP10y ago

Do you think they don't know who their customers are?

nobleach10y ago

1 more reply

s73v3r10y ago

"I'd bet that fewer than 5% of Apple customers want a general-purpose computer"

I'd bet that fewer than 5% of any computer company's customers want a general purpose computer.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse