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[Elan]

I wasn't comparing the Acer to anything. The point was that there are Windows ultrabooks out now for less than $1000.

 

[laurac260]

And it no joke trying to find support. Unless you plan on driving to the Apple Atore for every little thing you had better be sure there is a MAC geek nearby willing to help. And forget easy to find accessories. It is the life of an off brand type existence.

#1, Mac's are so intuitive it is rare that you can't just "figure out" what you want to do.

#2, if #1 didn't work for you, you can search for our question on the Apple home page and get the answer you want, almost always.

#3, if you don't feel like searching, but just want to call customer support, Apple has THE BEST customer support I have ever, ever called. The people answering the phone actually seem to know what they are talking about, they aren't just reading a teleprompter, and they also, (gasp), speak English. I know, crazy right, that you can live in an English speaking country and call an American company and actually reach tech support and talk to people who speak the same language you do, English. It's a novel idea. Perhaps one day it will catch on, but who knows?

ps..I've been a Mac user for 3 years and have yet to set foot in an Apple store.

 

[IngridN]

#1, Mac's are so intuitive it is rare that you can't just "figure out" what you want to do.

#2, if #1 didn't work for you, you can search for our question on the Apple home page and get the answer you want, almost always.

#3, if you don't feel like searching, but just want to call customer support, Apple has THE BEST customer support I have ever, ever called. The people answering the phone actually seem to know what they are talking about, they aren't just reading a teleprompter, and they also, (gasp), speak English. I know, crazy right, that you can live in an English speaking country and call an American company and actually reach tech support and talk to people who speak the same language you do, English. It's a novel idea. Perhaps one day it will catch on, but who knows?

ps..I've been a Mac user for 3 years and have yet to set foot in an Apple store.

+1. Purchased a Mac last August and because I want an answer immediately, have called tech support or apple store numerous times and have gotten the support I needed from the person I called rather than having to wait until they got the answer elsewhere or stated you had to pay for higher tier support . Love my Mac.

Ingrid

 

[timeos2]

#1, Mac's are so intuitive it is rare that you can't just "figure out" what you want to do.

#2, if #1 didn't work for you, you can search for our question on the Apple home page and get the answer you want, almost always.

#3, if you don't feel like searching, but just want to call customer support, Apple has THE BEST customer support I have ever, ever called. The people answering the phone actually seem to know what they are talking about, they aren't just reading a teleprompter, and they also, (gasp), speak English. I know, crazy right, that you can live in an English speaking country and call an American company and actually reach tech support and talk to people who speak the same language you do, English. It's a novel idea. Perhaps one day it will catch on, but who knows?

ps..I've been a Mac user for 3 years and have yet to set foot in an Apple store.

I was an Apple authorized reseller until they unilaterally "purged" most of them in favor of Apple stores & big boxes back around 2000. To this day I get frequent calls from desperate owners looking for Apple service/support and begging for a local source not 25 miles away in a mall. I have to tell them I know of none - good luck finding one. I don't miss them one bit.

 

[geoand]

We have been Mac users for a long time. Applecare has taken care of us for much of the time. However, even when Applecare has expired, their phone support has helped us out for free many times. We have never had to pay for phone support with Apple.

As to taking the product in for support, perhaps that may be problematic. Here on the Big Island, I see apple resellers in kona and in hilo. I also look at the situation from a pc point of view. We were Dell and Gateway people before. We never had to take the machine in for support but did use phone support.

 

[Ken555]

While cheaper, it is not comparable. You make tradeoffs by going with the less exp. unit.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/14/acer-aspire-s3-ultrabook-review/

Absolutely correct. The price point is good, but its not comparable to the MacBook Air and for an extra $100 or so I'd rather buy the flash memory based Apple product instead.

 

[Ken555]

I was an Apple authorized reseller until they unilaterally "purged" most of them in favor of Apple stores & big boxes back around 2000. To this day I get frequent calls from desperate owners looking for Apple service/support and begging for a local source not 25 miles away in a mall. I have to tell them I know of none - good luck finding one. I don't miss them one bit.

This explains much.

Apple stopped renewing reseller agreements on several occasions in the 90s and later based on sales numbers and support options. If you weren't investing significantly into the Apple portion of your business and weren't interested in becoming an "Apple Specialist" reseller, then they didn't want you.

There are still quite a number of independent Mac support firms around, and most are doing quite well.

 

[timeos2]

This explains much.

Apple stopped renewing reseller agreements on several occasions in the 90s and later based on sales numbers and support options. If you weren't investing significantly into the Apple portion of your business and weren't interested in becoming an "Apple Specialist" reseller, then they didn't want you.

There are still quite a number of independent Mac support firms around, and most are doing quite well.

Oh, they came back to us asking to be reinstated about 5-6 years later. Like there was a chance in he**! If it's so simple and intuitive and secure (it is not - now that they actually have a minor share of users the viruses & malwares are becoming just as common as they are on PC's. Prior to now it wasn't worth the time effort to try to reach a near non-existent user base) let the owners figure it out. They pay enough to get something extra. I have zero interest in even trying to help.

I'm happy to see the MS WINTEL era come to end but long term Apple is no better and it too will wither again before long I'll bet. Open standards will ultimately prevail and thats good for every user.

 

[Elan]

Absolutely correct. The price point is good, but its not comparable to the MacBook Air and for an extra $100 or so I'd rather buy the flash memory based Apple product instead.

There was no comparison intended. My post was addressing the comments that Windows ultrabooks were "in the future". Not only are they out now, they're already under $1K.

If I wanted to compare to a MBA, I'd look at the ASUS UX31. Comparable, if not better, performance and lower price. Imagine that!

 

[Mosca]

#1, Mac's are so intuitive it is rare that you can't just "figure out" what you want to do.

#2, if #1 didn't work for you, you can search for our question on the Apple home page and get the answer you want, almost always.

#3, if you don't feel like searching, but just want to call customer support, Apple has THE BEST customer support I have ever, ever called. The people answering the phone actually seem to know what they are talking about, they aren't just reading a teleprompter, and they also, (gasp), speak English. I know, crazy right, that you can live in an English speaking country and call an American company and actually reach tech support and talk to people who speak the same language you do, English. It's a novel idea. Perhaps one day it will catch on, but who knows?

ps..I've been a Mac user for 3 years and have yet to set foot in an Apple store.

I've had my Mac since 2009 and I still don't know what "Spaces" are, or what they're for. All I know is that there are four of them, and that #1 is checked.

I don't know what "exposé" is, or what it is for.

I don't know what "services" are for, or of what use "services preferences" is.

It took me a long time to conceptualize the difference between Mac file organization and Windows file organization.

Macs are wonderful tools, and I love mine and wouldn't give it up. But I don't think that OSX is better than Windows. It's just different.

 

[hypnotiq]

There was no comparison intended. My post was addressing the comments that Windows ultrabooks were "in the future". Not only are they out now, they're already under $1K.

If I wanted to compare to a MBA, I'd look at the ASUS UX31. Comparable, if not better, performance and lower price. Imagine that!

I dont think anyone said that Ultraportables were 'the future'.

Sorry but I think ASUS committed a major FAIL when they failed to give a backlit keyboard. That is a dealbreaker for me.

 

[geoand]

I don't find it surprising that their are many folks who don't like Windows and Apple products. However, I think that many of these same folks have a much higher comfort level in going the route of open source, etc. The majority of folks using computers don't have that comfort level and do prefer using Windows or Apple products. They provide a "security blanket" effect that many of us like.

 

[SueDonJ]

... ps..I've been a Mac user for 3 years and have yet to set foot in an Apple store.

Oh my goodness, I LOVE visiting the Apple Store! If you ever get a chance to see one completely empty you're left standing there wondering what all the fuss is about because it doesn't look like much, just some random tables around the perimeter and in the middle of the floor with various products plugged in, plus the giant rear silver wall with the Genius Bar logo front and center. Then the place opens and it's like Grand Central Station with the employees seeming to be choreographed as precisely as a big city ballet! All kinds of folks are sitting at all the electronics having fun, and all the Apple Geeks in their blue shirts are dancing around them while coordinating their movements with every other employee via whichever electronic gadget they've got in their hands. I want to someday get a look at a store in action from a birds-eye-view because I'm convinced it will look very much like the scene in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas when he's looking down at all the folks in Whoville dancing around the tree. It's just a happy, happy place where goodness and light shine. :hysterical: :hysterical:

 

[geekette]

Oh my goodness, I LOVE visiting the Apple Store! If you ever get a chance to see one completely empty you're left standing there wondering what all the fuss is about because it doesn't look like much, just some random tables around the perimeter and in the middle of the floor with various products plugged in, plus the giant rear silver wall with the Genius Bar logo front and center. Then the place opens and it's like Grand Central Station with the employees seeming to be choreographed as precisely as a big city ballet! All kinds of folks are sitting at all the electronics having fun, and all the Apple Geeks in their blue shirts are dancing around them while coordinating their movements with every other employee via whichever electronic gadget they've got in their hands. I want to someday get a look at a store in action from a birds-eye-view because I'm convinced it will look very much like the scene in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas when he's looking down at all the folks in Whoville dancing around the tree. It's just a happy, happy place where goodness and light shine. :hysterical: :hysterical:

I'm geekette, and I'm a pc. But I would love to see this!! Where do they hide these stores as I have never heard of them nor seen them until this thread.

 

[pjrose]

I'm geekette, and I'm a pc. But I would love to see this!! Where do they hide these stores as I have never heard of them nor seen them until this thread.

In big cities and big malls.
http://www.apple.com/retail/
put your zip code in at the bottom.

The most fun is the Genius Bar, where you can get all kinds of help, generally at no charge depending on what it is (brainpower vs hardware, for example). Depending on the issue, they'll figure it out, install it, move it, upgrade it, replace it, etc. I went in for an estimate on an out-of-warranty dropped laptop that was fortunately covered by DS's college-student insurance, and while there the Genius noticed the bulging battery and replaced it on the stop at n/c.

I think I would have liked to work at that Genius Bar had it existed back in the earliest Mac days, when I was doing academic support.

It's also fun to be there on day one of a big product launch - standing in line for hours wouldn't generally seem fun, but with like-minded Mac fanatics wanting the iPad on the first day, it was fun.

 

[hypnotiq]

I don't find it surprising that their are many folks who don't like Windows and Apple products. However, I think that many of these same folks have a much higher comfort level in going the route of open source, etc. The majority of folks using computers don't have that comfort level and do prefer using Windows or Apple products. They provide a "security blanket" effect that many of us like.

So given that you're in Bothell...

Are you working at Amazon, Facebook, Google, or MS.

 

[Elan]

I dont think anyone said that Ultraportables were 'the future'.

Sorry but I think ASUS committed a major FAIL when they failed to give a backlit keyboard. That is a dealbreaker for me.

Guessing most people might find that the better benchmarks, better battery life, higher res screen, more compatible OS and cheaper price offset the lack of a keyboard back light. YMMV

 

[geekette]

Thanks, PJ! Found we do have one in town, in one of the "high priced malls", explaining why I've never run across it. Of the 5 stores listed, 3 were out of state, and another was in-state, but hours from here. They have barely graced this region it seems.

So if I lived farther out of town than I do, I would certainly not count on going to the store for issues.

 

[geoand]

So given that you're in Bothell...

Are you working at Amazon, Facebook, Google, or MS.

LOL

Retired from federal employment.

 

[Ken555]

Thanks, PJ! Found we do have one in town, in one of the "high priced malls", explaining why I've never run across it. Of the 5 stores listed, 3 were out of state, and another was in-state, but hours from here. They have barely graced this region it seems.

So if I lived farther out of town than I do, I would certainly not count on going to the store for issues.

I believe Apple stores are only in malls, and particularly in the best malls in the area. They are very welcome by mall developers and management, as they drive traffic to the entire area, per some articles I've read over the years. There are very few self standing Apple stores, particularly the locations in San Francisco and New York, and a few others.

 

[Ken555]

Guessing most people might find that the better benchmarks, better battery life, higher res screen, more compatible OS and cheaper price offset the lack of a keyboard back light. YMMV

The new laptops I saw at CES looked good. I think this will finally make lightweight laptops a commodity at a low(er) price than we've previously had availability, and I expect this will increase the percentage of laptops vs desktops dramatically over the next few years. I'm looking forward to lighter, better laptops from many manufacturers. And, fwiw, I agree with you that backlit display is a low priority item (I consider it a luxury feature that no one really needs, but many think is cool). Of course, I have to disagree with your implication that Mac OS X is less compatible.

 

[SueDonJ]

In big cities and big malls.
http://www.apple.com/retail/
put your zip code in at the bottom.

The most fun is the Genius Bar, where you can get all kinds of help, generally at no charge depending on what it is (brainpower vs hardware, for example). Depending on the issue, they'll figure it out, install it, move it, upgrade it, replace it, etc. I went in for an estimate on an out-of-warranty dropped laptop that was fortunately covered by DS's college-student insurance, and while there the Genius noticed the bulging battery and replaced it on the stop at n/c.

I think I would have liked to work at that Genius Bar had it existed back in the earliest Mac days, when I was doing academic support.

It's also fun to be there on day one of a big product launch - standing in line for hours wouldn't generally seem fun, but with like-minded Mac fanatics wanting the iPad on the first day, it was fun.

Thanks, PJ! Found we do have one in town, in one of the "high priced malls", explaining why I've never run across it. Of the 5 stores listed, 3 were out of state, and another was in-state, but hours from here. They have barely graced this region it seems.

So if I lived farther out of town than I do, I would certainly not count on going to the store for issues.

Oh boy, I hope I didn't confuse you and now you think the Apple Geeks are actually doing choreographed dancing in the stores! Just in case, they don't, but they're so efficient and knowledgeable that it just looks like they do.

Although, pj's correct in that when they launch a new product they do have some sort of opening ceremony in the stores. Usually it starts with the Geeks all lined up behind a temporary curtain at the entrances and then clapping/yelling when it comes down.

There is one strange phenomenon that happens in Apple stores. I think it started with one kid who was fooling around with one of the comps in the store - he shot an iMovie of himself dancing to a current pop hit and then posted it on youtube. If you do a youtube search for "Apple Store Dances" a whole bunch of hits will come up with all kinds of people doing the same thing. Odd but fun.

 

[geekette]

Guessing most people might find that the better benchmarks, better battery life, higher res screen, more compatible OS and cheaper price offset the lack of a keyboard back light. YMMV

Yep. I know where the keys are so back light is of zero interest to me.

We all have our preferences.

 

[geekette]

Oh boy, I hope I didn't confuse you and now you think the Apple Geeks are actually doing choreographed dancing in the stores!

WHAT??!!? Here I was, all ready to forgo my lunch hour just to get a peek at Dancing Geeks! oh well. not the first time my hopes have been dashed...

maybe someday Dancing With The Geeks will be a popular tv show. :hysterical:

 

[pjrose]

. . . Of course, I have to disagree with your implication that Mac OS X is less compatible.

With you on that.

Except for specialized software that is only available on Mac or PC, or software you need/like that is much better on Mac or PC, there are really no compatibility issues.