Why isn't there a direct rival to Apple?
Discussion
Or is there, and I don't know about it??
I mean, with the world the way it is today, I think it is bizarre that there is only one company on the planet that (commercially) manufactures it's own hardware and then puts it's own software on it too, thereby giving it full "it just works" bragging rights, and the like.
Don't get me wrong, I like Mac's - I've just bought one actually, hence why I was wondering.
So why has no one else stepped up to the plate? Surely all it would take is some tasty machined aluminium, some half decent components, and then a bit of development on one of the already very good Linux distro's to ensure that it too "just works".... or am I missing something?
I mean, with the world the way it is today, I think it is bizarre that there is only one company on the planet that (commercially) manufactures it's own hardware and then puts it's own software on it too, thereby giving it full "it just works" bragging rights, and the like.
Don't get me wrong, I like Mac's - I've just bought one actually, hence why I was wondering.
So why has no one else stepped up to the plate? Surely all it would take is some tasty machined aluminium, some half decent components, and then a bit of development on one of the already very good Linux distro's to ensure that it too "just works".... or am I missing something?
alfettagtv2000 said:
There were altenatives but the likes of Acorn and Commodore were dead by the mid 90's..
I always thought the Acorn Archimedes was better than anything Apple was putting out at the time...
I'm pretty sure you can still buy Acorn's - Iyonix still produce them, and a new version of RiscOS has been released. Used to love using them when younger, and my Dad still uses his on a daily basis. I always thought the Acorn Archimedes was better than anything Apple was putting out at the time...
Worth having a look at - they still work 'out of the box' and there's some very impressive software available for them!
I might be living in the dark ages, but I don't see apple as being that great personally..
Their laptops are expensive and they're just as bad as anyone else for releasing new models and pushing the "must have" idea for the new model.
I bought an iPod Touch, it replaced a 4 year old zen vision:m that died - apps aside the zen functionality was better, as was battery life. The zen never nisbehaved - the iPod does quite frequently, so I don't buy the "it just works" claim. iTunes is probably the worst piece of software I've had to use, thankfully once initialised I can use media monkey and avoid it.
It just seems to be style over substance to me.
I think there are plenty of other manufacturers producing smart looking laptops, other companies produce smart looking media players - just apple choose to do both.
Their laptops are expensive and they're just as bad as anyone else for releasing new models and pushing the "must have" idea for the new model.
I bought an iPod Touch, it replaced a 4 year old zen vision:m that died - apps aside the zen functionality was better, as was battery life. The zen never nisbehaved - the iPod does quite frequently, so I don't buy the "it just works" claim. iTunes is probably the worst piece of software I've had to use, thankfully once initialised I can use media monkey and avoid it.
It just seems to be style over substance to me.
I think there are plenty of other manufacturers producing smart looking laptops, other companies produce smart looking media players - just apple choose to do both.
Didn't realise that Apple didn't manufacture their own hardware if that is indeed the case. However, they probably get it made to their own spec don't they?
Raised the question initially thinking about laptops/desktops, and why there is no one else out there with a similar business model - I guess it's a bit different when you start thinking about their other products too as there are plenty of companies out there making their own mp3 players with their own software, etc.
Raised the question initially thinking about laptops/desktops, and why there is no one else out there with a similar business model - I guess it's a bit different when you start thinking about their other products too as there are plenty of companies out there making their own mp3 players with their own software, etc.
ccr32 said:
Didn't realise that Apple didn't manufacture their own hardware if that is indeed the case. However, they probably get it made to their own spec don't they?
Raised the question initially thinking about laptops/desktops, and why there is no one else out there with a similar business model - I guess it's a bit different when you start thinking about their other products too as there are plenty of companies out there making their own mp3 players with their own software, etc.
As different companies do different things.Raised the question initially thinking about laptops/desktops, and why there is no one else out there with a similar business model - I guess it's a bit different when you start thinking about their other products too as there are plenty of companies out there making their own mp3 players with their own software, etc.
Take LG, they are bigger than Apple will ever be. Not on profits but on the actual company size.
Take Sony, such a wide variety of products.
Look at HP, their products and services cover a lot wider range than Apple.
Apple are a small company that is marketing, design and software.
agent006 said:
ovlovist said:
Don't underestimate the 'bit of development' required to deliver a competitor to OSX.
Exacty. Also don't forget the 20 years or so of relative mediocrity before Apple's popularity exploded with the iPod and OSx etc.Must admit though, I DO rate the iphone. Although agree with most of the above.
okgo said:
agent006 said:
ovlovist said:
Don't underestimate the 'bit of development' required to deliver a competitor to OSX.
Exacty. Also don't forget the 20 years or so of relative mediocrity before Apple's popularity exploded with the iPod and OSx etc.Must admit though, I DO rate the iphone. Although agree with most of the above.
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