Apple Dissertation: An Exercise in Rambling

So I've come to discover that I have an obsession or enfatuation with Apple (not the fruit, nor the celebrity baby, but the company). But its not the typical Apple fanboy obsession. I don't own a mac, but rather a pc. I have a Creative media player rather than an iPod. I have no intentions of owning anything from Apple in the near future. Not an AppleTV. Not an iPhone (read jesusPhone). Not an 8 core mac pro. So where does the Apple obsession come into play.

I think I'm more obsessed with the apple phenomenon. I often find myself wandering into the Apple store on mall trips to gander at the pretty white computers like the average (rich) joe schmoe. I sometimes use an iMac at the library just for kicks. But, at the end of the day I come home to my pc. Don't get me wrong though, I'd gladly accept a 30-inch iMac if offered.

I can understand why some people do it. Sure I could ask why one would pay $2,000 for a laptop when you can get a comparably equipped windows pc for a damn site less. Why pay $600 for an iPhone that doesn't do corporate email. Why spend $300 on an AppleTV when an xbox 360 can do the same and more for $100 more. I could ask that, but I won't. There are some hardcore computer users out there that swear by macs. Nearly all of the Lifehacker editors use them, and they are some of the most resourceful and productive people out there.

But what about everyone else? What about Joe College who's gotta have a macbook. What about Tabitha Teen who needs nothing but an iPod. What about Business Bill and the iPhone craving. Does great marketing really have that big of an effect on people? Is Apple a superior company or does everone else's marketing just plain suck? Granted, when apple does decide to include in its products, they make sure it works well and beautifully. But sometimes after using OSX or reading specs on the latest products (AppleTV, iPhone), I'm left with an overall feeling of..."Is that it? Is this what people swear by? Does cool mean that much to people?"

So, basically what I'm getting at is this. I need to get rich. I need to start a business. One where I could give people less of what they need at a higher price, while making them exceedingly happy and undeniably smug. That appears to be the secret to success. Or I could take the Bill Gates route: find a way to rule the world and the money will follow.