In addition to the other great points in this thread, Apple has a cost barrier that other operating systems don’t.
In an economic climate where everything is getting more expensive, a consumer isn’t going to fork out $800+ on a MacBook or an iPhone without first actively wanting to be part of the ecosystem, especially if the hardware they have gets the job done.
The reason Apple isn’t growing as fast as it’s competitors right now is exactly that. Apple is expensive to get into. No amount of enshitification on other OS’s is going to change that.
For people who consider this a sign of social status
Ok well,
Anyone who considers apple products a status symbol already has bought in and won’t be swayed one way or the other by windows becoming worse.
Anyone who actually understands technology knows that regardless of how many different apps or environments apple OS’s provide, you are always operating in a closed system with the tools they allow. Whereas an operating system like android, or Linux, or (at least for now) windows, your options for the capability of a tool are limited only by what exists or what you have the capability to write.
In short, apple isn’t an OS that technologically literate people flock to as an exclusive option.
Anyone who actually understands technology knows that regardless of how many different apps or environments apple OS’s provide, you are always operating in a closed system with the tools they allow. Whereas an operating system like android, or Linux, or (at least for now) windows, your options for the capability of a tool are limited only by what exists or what you have the capability to write.
With desktop MacOS it’s the same as with Windows for now.
In short, apple isn’t an OS that technologically literate people flock to as an exclusive option.
In addition to the other great points in this thread, Apple has a cost barrier that other operating systems don’t.
In an economic climate where everything is getting more expensive, a consumer isn’t going to fork out $800+ on a MacBook or an iPhone without first actively wanting to be part of the ecosystem, especially if the hardware they have gets the job done.
The reason Apple isn’t growing as fast as it’s competitors right now is exactly that. Apple is expensive to get into. No amount of enshitification on other OS’s is going to change that.
They had cheaper periods and series in the past. eMac and such.
Being more expensive is their competitive advantage. For people who consider this a sign of social status.
But they are a company with the goal of making money, so if changing that part of their image seems more profitable, they’ll do it.
Ok well,
Anyone who considers apple products a status symbol already has bought in and won’t be swayed one way or the other by windows becoming worse.
Anyone who actually understands technology knows that regardless of how many different apps or environments apple OS’s provide, you are always operating in a closed system with the tools they allow. Whereas an operating system like android, or Linux, or (at least for now) windows, your options for the capability of a tool are limited only by what exists or what you have the capability to write.
In short, apple isn’t an OS that technologically literate people flock to as an exclusive option.
With desktop MacOS it’s the same as with Windows for now.
No, but many do.
$599 is the entry point and the OS upgrade is free. Every app you might need is free. Like Pages, Numbers, Keynote. Etc.
So, it’s a pretty good package. You can also run all the apps Linux would have.
And while you might say they aren’t as popular, they sure have the money to ensure their products are up to date and secure.
Also, my 2013 MacBook Air (i7, 16gb, 512gb)—Running Neon now—is still very usable. Find me a PC laptop that holds up like that for less money.