Customer Service, Apple Dell and Craftsman Tools
If you have any close relationship with me you've probably heard my disdain for all things apple including the ipod, the mini, and pretty much anything else they've come up with.
My first major beef was the cost to performance ratio that they kept at a rediculous level. Prior to the introduction of Intel based mac's, Apple utilized two or three generation old video cards and processors that just couldn't compete (I'm talking <=G4, don't even get me starteded on a $10k G5). Also realize that because of their philosophy (below) they maintain about double the profit margin of Dell.
Beef #2 -- Compatibility-- I work in IT, I manage a corporate network for a living. I have worked for lots of small businesses looking for an easy to manage network with flexibility of user control and scalability. It is almost always necessary to have a common platform as well. It's just not possible to survive with these requirements AND maintain an apple based network system. Windows is King for the small business (especially with the release of 2003 Small business server)
And as for those who say "it works better for my creative stuff" i will guarantee that your software will run on a PC for less money. Adobe has even had press releases claiming that their software will run better on a PC. Forgive me for just not being that convinced.
Lets also not forget market share... since 1999 Apple's market share has declined from somewhere around 4% to somewhere raround 2%
Beef #3 --Philosophy-- As an american, i generally believe that capitalism is the most functional economic system (taking into account human factors). The 'PC' market is an excelent example of capitalism. For every piece of hardware/software it is possible to choose from a wide array of vendors. This drives down price (see beef 1) and keeps forward motion on the technology. Until recently Apple maintained a complete closed loop with regard to their technology. Apple systems will be build BY apple and run APPLE operating systems. No more.... No less...
Recently Apple has allowed windows to be installed on their new x86 processor based systems, but you still must purchase their hardware, that will come with their OS. . . . still not quite there.
Beef #4 ---Support--- Let's talk about Craftsman tools. Ask any guy in the know what is the best hand tool to purchase (outside of highly specialized fields) and they will tell you: craftsman. Why?--Simple, craftsman policy with regards to their hand tools has always been, if you break it--- we replace it. If you snap that #00 screw driver in two, they replace it. IF you find a rusted out pair of pliers from 20 years ago--- they will replace it.
Am i willing to pay a little extra for this service? you betcha...... I'm also willing to make the same concession on any Laptop i would purchase.
Thus the final reason i find it impossible to purchase an Apple laptop. As good as apple care is, you ultimately still have to mail it in. With my Inspiron 8600, i can smash the LCD today, and have a tech here tomorrow replacing it for me-- sitting right here...... in ONE DAY. If you really go nutz, you can get 4 hour response on some systems.
The numbers: If you pull the gross numbers for personal computers and compare them to apple's you can find that as an industry it has grown 13% quarter on quarter whereas apple has actually declined 11% quarter on quarter
(Source: http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=14763 )
Where are they getting their Dollars? look in your pocket... they probably used to be there--- and have been replaced by an expensive piece of art that will hold music, pictures and video.... they call it an IPOD.
The article linked above provides more insight into the business models (specifically comparing Apple and Dell)
And lest you think i'm a total dell rep, if dell stopped offering complete care tomorrow-- i would search for the next best thing. Also, if Apple corrected all of my complaints.... Made OSX available for all systems, allowed outside vendors to develop OSX compatible hardware, and offered me at home service on my notebook, then you could probably find me with a shiny new macbook.
[Apple] [Dell] [Craftsman] [Service] [technology]
My first major beef was the cost to performance ratio that they kept at a rediculous level. Prior to the introduction of Intel based mac's, Apple utilized two or three generation old video cards and processors that just couldn't compete (I'm talking <=G4, don't even get me starteded on a $10k G5). Also realize that because of their philosophy (below) they maintain about double the profit margin of Dell.
Beef #2 -- Compatibility-- I work in IT, I manage a corporate network for a living. I have worked for lots of small businesses looking for an easy to manage network with flexibility of user control and scalability. It is almost always necessary to have a common platform as well. It's just not possible to survive with these requirements AND maintain an apple based network system. Windows is King for the small business (especially with the release of 2003 Small business server)
And as for those who say "it works better for my creative stuff" i will guarantee that your software will run on a PC for less money. Adobe has even had press releases claiming that their software will run better on a PC. Forgive me for just not being that convinced.
Lets also not forget market share... since 1999 Apple's market share has declined from somewhere around 4% to somewhere raround 2%
Beef #3 --Philosophy-- As an american, i generally believe that capitalism is the most functional economic system (taking into account human factors). The 'PC' market is an excelent example of capitalism. For every piece of hardware/software it is possible to choose from a wide array of vendors. This drives down price (see beef 1) and keeps forward motion on the technology. Until recently Apple maintained a complete closed loop with regard to their technology. Apple systems will be build BY apple and run APPLE operating systems. No more.... No less...
Recently Apple has allowed windows to be installed on their new x86 processor based systems, but you still must purchase their hardware, that will come with their OS. . . . still not quite there.
Beef #4 ---Support--- Let's talk about Craftsman tools. Ask any guy in the know what is the best hand tool to purchase (outside of highly specialized fields) and they will tell you: craftsman. Why?--Simple, craftsman policy with regards to their hand tools has always been, if you break it--- we replace it. If you snap that #00 screw driver in two, they replace it. IF you find a rusted out pair of pliers from 20 years ago--- they will replace it.
Am i willing to pay a little extra for this service? you betcha...... I'm also willing to make the same concession on any Laptop i would purchase.
Thus the final reason i find it impossible to purchase an Apple laptop. As good as apple care is, you ultimately still have to mail it in. With my Inspiron 8600, i can smash the LCD today, and have a tech here tomorrow replacing it for me-- sitting right here...... in ONE DAY. If you really go nutz, you can get 4 hour response on some systems.
The numbers: If you pull the gross numbers for personal computers and compare them to apple's you can find that as an industry it has grown 13% quarter on quarter whereas apple has actually declined 11% quarter on quarter
(Source: http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=14763 )
Where are they getting their Dollars? look in your pocket... they probably used to be there--- and have been replaced by an expensive piece of art that will hold music, pictures and video.... they call it an IPOD.
The article linked above provides more insight into the business models (specifically comparing Apple and Dell)
And lest you think i'm a total dell rep, if dell stopped offering complete care tomorrow-- i would search for the next best thing. Also, if Apple corrected all of my complaints.... Made OSX available for all systems, allowed outside vendors to develop OSX compatible hardware, and offered me at home service on my notebook, then you could probably find me with a shiny new macbook.
[Apple] [Dell] [Craftsman] [Service] [technology]
|
|
posted by Peter Webber at 10:53 AM
6 Comments:
honestly.
when's the last time you tried to hookup a mac with a login to your windows network?
oh, you haven't?
borrow mine. it's easy.
Anonymous--
Besides the fact that anonymous comments are totally lame, you have to understand that integration into a network is a lot more than simply being able to authenticate and access shares. Windows based networks allow a wide array of controls and policies to be applied to windows XP/2000 workstations.
Obviously Apple made a smart move with OSX by using a unix base, and it is definetly easier to integrate.... but it's not there yet
lame.
you're lame.
you're lame.
and i'm apparently totally lame by commenting twice.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home