# How Universal Is Ownership of Apple Products? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 15, 2013, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054 "2013-06-15T06:48:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/41 "2013-06-16T20:00:30Z")
I picked “No, but would consider” only because I’m not filled with raw, seething Apple hatred. I just have no interest. My son has an iPod but the only time I touch it is to move it out of the way. Nothing against it but, again, I have my own electronics. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/42 "2013-06-16T22:32:22Z")
The last Apple product I owned was an Apple II. Mant passed through my hands as I sold them as part of turnkey packages. Since then I’ve cared less and less for what they produce. My wife and kids all have or had iPhones and iPods. I would consider using a Mac for a PC, but their more other products don’t appeal to me. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/43 "2013-06-16T22:45:54Z")
I don’t personally own an Apple product, but both my kids have iPods and I use a Mac at work. I’m not sure how “Apple-y” that experience really is, though - because the school system runs on Windows computers and all our software is Windows-based, I run Windows for Mac on my computer. I also use Firefox rather than Safari or Explorer just because that’s what I use at home and I like it. And I often end up using Open Office for files that I work on at home, because my netbook didn’t come with Office and I’m too cheap to buy it. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/44 "2013-06-17T00:18:35Z")
I have two PC laptops that are necessary for work. I am the alarm department manager for a small fire alarm company, and the computer programmable fire alarm systems we wrok with are PC specific. There ar a number of systems out there that must be programmed in DOS. At home, there are four of us. We have: 1 iMac 1 Mac Mini 1 Macbook 1 Macbook Pro 3 iPads 4 iPhones and a bunch of iPods. If I could figure out how to get my Macbook to communicate with the fire alarm systems, I would dump the PC laptops in a heart beat. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/45 "2013-06-17T00:32:52Z")
H’m. I’ve had in IPod touch that worked well enough, but I quickly ditched it when I got a Windows phone (first HTC Mozart, then Lumia 920). That’s more because the phones had the functionality of the Touch, in an interface I liked better. I still have iTunes installed, reluctantly, on my main computer, as their music store is much more complete than the Microsoft one. I still dislike its interface, and I only use it to buy music; I use Zune as my music player. I’d consider a future Apple product; a MacBook Air is a lovely piece of kit. But I’d install Windows 7 or 8 on it, and boot to that. _shrug_ I like Windows, and I don’t like OSX. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/46 "2013-06-17T00:45:41Z")
I had an iPhone for work a while back. It was a fun toy but a pretty lousy phone. I ended up buying a Droid for my next phone. I’ve not been impressed with Macs so I’ll stick with PC laptops. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/47 "2013-06-17T01:25:43Z")
My first Apple product was an iPhone 4. I was impressed enough with it that when it was time to replace my laptop (a Dell PC) I looked into getting a refurbed MacBook Pro. Best laptop I ever owned. And I was impressed enough with _it_ that when the time came to replace our PC, we got an iMac instead. I’m not a zealot about it and I refuse to get sucked into stupid platform wars, but I am quite pleased with all of the Apple products I’ve owned. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/48 "2013-06-17T01:48:35Z")
Back in the old days, before Apple was sexy and was instead maddeningly frustrating to use, as it was incompatible with everything, I only had Apple products due to my mom’s innate cheapness and insistence on buying the cheapest computers she could find. (Clarisworks? Why was that even a thing?) No complaints about performance, but many complaints about not being able to compute the way the rest of the world did. Of course, fast forward to the not 1980s, and this isn’t an issue. I had a Mac in 2006ish, which was fine, except it cost 10x more than my current computer (literally), and even if it might be technically a better machine, it’s not worth it. I’m not a graphic designer. I use my computer to check e-mails and post on message boards. I haven’t had any negative Apple experiences in a while, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t justify the price difference considering my usage. Good experiences, but wouldn’t buy again. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/49 "2013-06-17T02:24:12Z")
I have nothing against Macs, and the only thing I don’t like about Apple is their obsession with looking stylish. It just comes across as superficial. I have only ever used PCs because that’s what my friends had when I started venturing into computer buying, which was also at a time when Macs were way way more expensive than PCs, and since then I’ve just remained with PCs because I’m used to them. Those kinds of issues (price point, compatibility, familiarity etc) are less of an issue these days, but I’ve seen no need to change. I don’t have a mobile phone, smart- or otherwise, or a tablet, but I was mightily impressed by the iPhone when it first arrived on the scene. If they were the only ones on the market I’d be tempted, but now other brands are equally as ubiquitous so it’s likely I’ll never buy anything Apple. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/50 "2013-06-17T03:07:21Z")
Love my iPad for its convenience and great apps. Love my iPod for listening to music at work or the gym. Can live without my iPhone. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/51 "2013-06-17T03:29:42Z")
Own one (1) old iPod nano, it has given me excellent service and if anything I’m peeved with the later models in that they changed to all-touch controls. But as a player it served me very, very well. At the time I got my iPhone “serious” people were all on Blackberry, the Android phones were emergent, and Palm WebOS was looking kind of pale. Since I already had iTunes from the iPod I said, eh, one less new installation, let’s go for it. To this day I wield a 3 year old iPhone 3GS, and will probably wait to upgrade to whenever the next iOS starts slowing it to a grind – as you may surmise from my disinterest in updating to every new version it’s not like I’m a gadget freak. By when I get to changing it I may be open to jumping platforms. Actual macs I don’t use – for what I want to use my computer at home, and for the sake of familiarity and compatibility with what I use at work I’ve stuck to the PC/Win side. I don’t need stunning performance for $2,500 when I can have “gets the job done OK” for $750. Overall you could call me satisfied but not ecstatic. ---
**Author:** ![Doggo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/87869e/32.png) [@Doggo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doggo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/52 "2013-06-17T03:36:23Z")
I do not own any Apple products and I’m proud of it. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/53 "2013-06-17T05:09:08Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I have nothing against Macs, and the only thing I don’t like about Apple is their obsession with looking stylish. It just comes across as superficial. > . I would agree with that except for the iphones. they didn’t seem to have the trendy look when first introduced. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/54 "2013-06-17T05:16:25Z")
I recently got a Samsung Galaxy on contract and I’m very happy with it. I’d consider an Apple product when the time comes, but I’d have to have a really good reason to make the change. ---
**Author:** ![Mathematics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@Mathematics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathematics)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/55 "2013-06-17T05:18:10Z")
I haven’t ever owned one, but it’s just because I can always find a cheaper alternative that satisfies my need. I doubt I’ll ever spend enough to get an Apple product, but I would consider it. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/56 "2013-06-17T08:45:22Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I would agree with that except for the iphones. they didn’t seem to have the trendy look when first introduced. Yes, I will certainly agree with that. Apart from being uncomfortable in pockets, they seem to be one of the few gadgets where form follows function in Apple’s oeuvre. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/57 "2013-06-17T09:39:04Z")
I’m a lifelong Mac person, by virtue of being a graphic designer - when I started working on computers back in the late 80s, Mac was The Only Machine that we used. I find it amusing to see the haters now, who are ‘proud’ not to own a mac because they feel like rebels. Back in the late 80s/early 90s, we Mac users were the rebels, routinely laughed at by Microsoft users. I currently own an Old G5, a new 27" iMac, a 1st gen Macbook Air, a new macbook Pro, an iPhone 5, and there’s an old iPod knocking around somewhere. Can’t see the use for an iPad amongst that lot. I wouldn’t consider a PC as 1) they are almost universally butt ugly, and 2) I’m not entirely sure I would know how to switch one on. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/58 "2013-06-17T10:45:01Z")
The only apple product I ever owned was a first generation video-capable ipod, whichever gen of ipod that was. I thought it was AMAZING being able to watch videos on a tiny screen like that, anywhere I could go. It was truly revolutionary at the time. Even up until then I had relied on other mp3 players, not seeing any justification for an i-product’s exorbitant price tag. That was the first and last time Apple impressed me. I’m not at all a fan of the walled garden approach to markets and tinkering and such. I love android for my phone and tablet and have fun customizing it, overclocking it, etc. I think Apple is great for people who don’t want to have to think about customization and whatnot. The walled-garden approach to their market has its benefits. It’s just not for me. So I am in the rare category of having once had and owned an Apple product, but I wouldn’t ever get one again. Just not worth the price or the philosophy of user-ownership that they have. It doesn’t fit me. I am also not a fan of the culture of mac users. I hate how I have to hear about how great macs are all the time from my friends who use them. Why are mac people always so damn vocal and defensive about their stuff? ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/59 "2013-06-17T11:37:46Z")
Haven’t owned an Apple device yet, but if my needs happen to coincide with something they are selling I would certainly consider it. I tend towards technological Ludditism, though, and my perceived needs have not changed much over the past fifteen years, so most of my stuff is laughably old. I did get a phone I can text on two years ago. ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054/60 "2013-06-17T12:24:47Z")
At grad school ( early 80’s) , I started with some flavor of UNIX. When I started work, it was UNIX accessed using Apple PowerMac’s because of the graphics. At the moment, I am at work typing this on my Linux box while an iPhone plays some music in the background. I was given a new laptop for travel purposes but is powered down and in a cabinet. At home, we have had pc’s in the past but they usually would fail after 2-3 years with some hardware issue. I lack the ability and inclination to tinker with computers, so we would just buy a new pc and wait for it to fail. We bought our first Apple ( iMac ) in 1998 since we were being sent overseas and want a computer that would last longer without needing to be replaced. While I would imagine that pc’s have gotten more reliable over the years, we have been quite pleased with our Apple ecosystem at home and see you reason to alter things. As the slogan goes, “It just works.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-universal-is-ownership-of-apple-products/661054.md?page=4)