I was interviewed about Macs versus PCs. Here is what I said on price, style etc.
Here is the interview in full.
Q. Is it possible to summarise the main differences between Macs and PCs,
the key features that set them apart?
The best way to describe the difference between a Mac and a PC is that they
are two different ways of thinking. In most cases you can come to the same
result using either but they will go about it in a different manner. For example
when using Windows on a PC, to close the program, a user simply clicks the red X
at the corner of the program window.
However, for Macs, this is not the case. When the red X on a Mac program box
is clicked, that window closes but the program does not. It is still open and
running, even though there are no documents or windows open. To close a program
completely, a user must click on the program name on the top status window (it
must be active to do this) and then click on Quit.
Another way to close a program, which is usually faster, is to use the
shortcut Apple + Q. The Quit command closes all multiple windows that may be
open under the program.
This is all down to the fact that Macs run on the Mac OS X operating system
and PCs run on Windows. It's down to the individual as to which is easier to
use. You can run Mac OS X on a PC but not vice-versa although OS X on a PC
wouldn't work as well as on a Mac.
There are also differences in hardware in that Macs are only built by Apple
whereas PCs are built by a number of companies. This reflects in the price, in
that Macs are generally more expensive, and the quality of Macs is considered
more stable and stylish.
Q. Most creatives, designers, musicians and others, seem to use a Mac,
why would you say that is?
Macs appear to be cooler/trendier but they are also a better fit for
designers. Apple has carved out a reputation for being the 'alternative' choice
for those that see themselves as an individual, which is what art is all
about.
But it's not just about image. Macs tend to be the best platform for design
and creativity due to the strength of the applications available for it and the
fact that Macs are generally high quality computers.
This and the image of using a Mac make up the perfect team for those that see
themselves outside the corporate culture.
Q. Would you agree that, for those in the creative industries, a Mac is a
better fit as a laptop, or are there PCs that can do just as good a job, for
less?
There are PCs that can do just as good a job, especially as you can build a
PC. The only problem is that Macs have applications that run only on Macs. Many
would argue that that is not the case, but these applications are built
specifically for Macs and so the PC version is usually an after-thought,
although this is starting to change.
I can't speak for every industry but for publishing it would be very
difficult for us to just use PCs.
Q. Why do you think Macs, just as with the iPhone and other Apple
products, receive so much coverage when they still have a relatively small
market share, compared to PCs?
It's just very good marketing. Apple understands how to manipulate the market
and how to instigate a media frenzy.
The build-up to a product launch is something Apple has mastered, just by
being very secretive about their ideas and what they're creating. This is also
helped by the fact that Apple is genuinely very creative, often releasing
something fresh and new.
Once the product is launched, Apple uses a very subtle yet strong approach.
Their advertising is always understated and the company relies on enthusiasts to
promote their products by word-of-mouth.
It's this passion and eagerness that pushes the media to provide so much
coverage.
Q. To what extent do you think that the discussion about Mac vs. PC is
not so much a case of which is better, but rather about your needs as a user and
what you primarily need a laptop for?
Whenever anyone asks me for advice as to which PC or Mac they should buy I
always ask 'what do you need it for?'
The reason is that unless you're editing video, graphic design etc. then you
probably don't need to spend that amount of money on a Mac.
Most people just want to browse the web, check their e-mails and use a word
processor, which doesn't need a high-powered machine. This is the reason for the
rise of the netbook, they're cheap and do all basic functions without too much
hassle.
The needs of the user are paramount but people like the idea of saying they
use a Mac and the image that goes with it, even though in most cases they're not
using it to its full capabilities.
Q. Apple has a very strong brand identity. How much of the appeal of Macs
do you think has to do with marketing and with its desirability as a brand, a
status symbol?
It has everything to do with marketing and branding but also the fact that
their products are great.
Apple is very clever and deserves a lot of credit for resurrecting a company
that was struggling in the mid-nineties.
There's no question that having a Mac, iPhone, iPad etc. has a stigma
attached to it, but that shouldn't take anything away from the fact that these
are fantastic products. If they weren't so good then all the marketing in the
world wouldn't help.
People buy into the marketing but they then add to it by evangelising the
products. When someone has a Mac, they generally tell people about it and
promote it either by word-of-mouth or by writing about it (blogs, Twitter,
Facebook etc.).
This wouldn't work if the products weren't so good and easy to use.
Q. Although there are also high-end PCs, Macs are generally far more
expensive than a PC. Do you think the higher price is justified?
The price point isn't justified in relation to a similar specification PC but
Apple sells the products at a premium, making them more desirable.
If Ferraris were cheap that would ruin their desirability.
It says a lot about you if you spend money at the higher end and if you save
up for something, you tend to feel more of a sense of achievement when
purchasing it. In a strange way it's a win-win situation.
Q. Macs are considered to be the trendier and cooler laptop option. How
important do you think style and design is to its popularity?
It's part of the package. Apple products are seen to be premium products and
the style and design is part of that image.
The functionality is great but, as I said before, Apple relies on people to
promote the product. The fact these products look great makes people want to
show it off.
In technology you rarely find a product that does well on looks alone, but
when you marry style with functionality then it's a winning formula.
Dell have tried a similar tactic with their latest line of laptops coming in
an array of colours and even going as far as getting designers and artists to
contribute.
Apple has always understood the need to sell good-looking technology, dating
back to the original iMac.
The fact is that if you want people to pay more money then it needs to look
good, perform and, in Apple's case, enhance your status.
Q. Is it possible to say if a Mac or PC is more secure and, if so, why
that is?
A Mac is definitely more secure due to the fact that there are few viruses
that can infect Macs. PCs need virus protection and sometimes that's not
enough.
Malware exists on Macs but it's very rare in comparison to PCs.
Q. What do you personally use, PC or Mac, and why?
Personally at home I use a PC but at work I have to use both. For my personal
life, a PC is more than enough, but at work we manage the website mainly using
PCs and put the print magazine together using Macs, due to the graphic and
design applications available.
I'm comfortable on both platforms but tend to find a PC easier to use.
*Picture from Flickr user hades87
Want a measure of how far smart phones have come in recent years? This short film was shot entirely on a Nokia N8 - and it doesn't suck. The specs are up to it though. Boasting a 12 megapixel camera, Carl Zeiss lens, Dolby digital plus and 720p HD video capability - the N8 is more like a supercompact digital camcorder with a smartphone built in.
The sad thing is, Palm's WebOS could have quite
easily surpass both Android and iPhone had it not been for poor
marketing.
Compared to the other operating systems, WebOS
is the one that I feel is easiest to use as well as being the most fun.
I don't mean fun in a games or widget way, I mean fun in that the way
you interact with the OS, such as flicking apps off the screen, is a joy
and not a chore.
Google is trying to take over the world.
There's also the fact that being a Google OS
means you get Google products first and they work best. Gmail, Google
Maps, Calendar etc. all work best on Android and it really shows. The
apps are integrated into almost everything you do.
Let's start with the fact that Microsoft have
failed incredibly in the mobile phone market. Windows devices were poor
and far behind their rivals Android and iPhone.
Similar to Android, Windows Phone 7 has
features with 'Hubs'. Hubs combine content on the phone with online
content, so if you have pictures on Facebook then your photo album will
show pictures from both. Same goes for contacts, music and video (using
the Zune store), Games (which integrates with Xbox LIVE), Windows Phone
Marketplace, and Microsoft Office.
As far as operating systems go, Apple's is probably the most simple and straight forward. You have a grid of apps that do various things. And that's it, simple.
It's the apps that make the phone. The actual user interface (UI) is good but not great. There are simple things like the ability to change your ringtone that you can't do but with apps as good as these, sometimes it doesn't matter.
"You will see us coming early next year with new phones," Senior HP Eric Cador said in Barcelona today.
Following on from my other post, I've decided to summarise my hatred for Facetime on the iPhone.
If you have an Android phone and you haven't installed it already, the Inspectagadgets app is a great addition to your phone.
Back in 2003 I went to the Three store in Oxford Street and signed up to my first mobile phone contract.
I 
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