Your #1 source for Apple news and reviews

The Church of Apple

Tag Archives: Why

Why Apple Stores work

Posted on by Posted in Apple articles Leave a comment

Why do Apple Stores work? These stores have the most sales per square inch than any other store in the Big Apple (pun intended :)). Thats incredible, considering how many stores there are in New York. Plus, they are in the top ten for stores around the world. If they have fewer stores than most companies in the world. In fact, other than the Apple Store in the mall near me, the next nearest store is 60 miles while Walmart’s are about 5-10 miles apart at most. So how are they making more many than these stores put together?

Busy Bee

The Apple store near me is the most popular store in my area, despite it being one of the smallest. It is located in the mall and it is one story unlike most (see the Boston Apple store or the New York stores). I have never ever seen it anything other than PACKED, I mean you can barely move in the place. Why is it so popular? Because its Apple! Apple is the most valuable company in the world. It is certainly also the most popular company in the world.

Why don’t you try our products?

Apple is the one of the only companies in which you can fully try the product before you buy them. People go there for free Internet and free computer use. The products are not locked. You can do, really what ever you want except for jail breaking 🙂 Once people get a chance to use all their products, they’ll get hooked to what they tried. This is how Apple succeeds. People like to try things before they buy them. With Apple stores, you get a perfect opportunity to do this.

Layout

If you have ever gone into an Apple Store you know that it has a VERY simple, beautiful layout and look. Apple stores are set up a little like this: Macs on one side, and iOS/iPod devices on the other side. MacBooks together, iMacs together, Mac Pros together. Now on the iOS side. All iPods together and iPads together. All of these products have an interactive iPad next to them explaining the product, instead of the typical paper signs. Even the iPads have iPads next to them, explaining the iPad! Every product has its own individual table(s). There are beautiful signs everywhere! Of course, there is the Genius Bar in the back.

A genius walks into the bar and says to Steve Jobs…

If you ever have a problem with an Apple product from iPods to Mac Pros, they will be happy to assist you! They are the Apple Geniuses. They are very knowledgable in what they do and can assist customers with all kinds of problems. In order to become an Apple genius they have to be Apple specialists first (the guys on the floor). They are also another part on why Apple Stores are successful.

My name is Steve, how can I help you?

It is harder to become an Apple employee than to go to Harvard. Okay, maybe not, but it is still insanely difficult. In order to become an Apple employee, one must go through a series of interviews. The ones that are selected are the best of the best. These guys are personable, intelligent and know how to handle high stress situations such as dealing with a large crowd (like the ones that form when an Apple product is released), and you must know about Apple, it’s products and obviously be an user or even more preferably, a fanboy. Apple loves to hire fanboys because they know Apple like the back of their hand and they can convince people about Apple. These guys are on the floor and are the main reason Apple Stores are so successful.

So now we know why Apple stores are so successful. It’s a collection of things. It involves the fact that they are popular. But the reasons they are popular are: their easy layout, their aesthetics, their geniuses and Apple employees on the floor. All these come together to create one powerful customer experience. The Apple Stores are one of the main reasons that Apple is the most valuable, most personable, most helpful and most successful companies in the world and there is absolutely nothing that can stop them from maintaining this!

Thanks for reading,

Joe

Why you should switch

Posted on by Posted in Apple articles 4 Comments


If you currently a Windows user, I’m going to list off reasons why you should switch to Mac. I might change your mind about Windows and have you switch to a better computer.

Security

This is probably a reason that you’ve seen on other sites, but it is something that is important. Apple has the best security in their computers, so much so you don’t need an antivirus for it. Apple uses a different safe and coding compared to Windows. This code is called UNIX and has security built right into the system.

However, there have been reports of a new malware targeting Macs, perhaps you’ve seen it on the news. However, and this is a big however, Apple patched the vulnerability within a few weeks. It takes Microsoft the time from one major update to the next to do that. You know what a major part of a Windows update is? It’s security patching and lots of it, but yet they still can’t seem to get it right.

Better user experience

It’s ease of use, slick GUI, better multitasking, the Finder, the Dock, better looking icons, the system software is easy to use (no need for drivers, uninstalling application is as simple as drag and dropping them to the trash bin etc.)

Good Quality Parts

While a lot of PC makers are lagging in terms of quality, Apple is not. Apple uses one piece of metal to protect its computers’ guts. The quality of the screen on Macs are higher def than Windows PCs (however, I will admit that MacBook Pro’s screens aren’t as good as they could/should be but are still better than a lot of other PC computers).

Nothing Blinks

That annoying blinking doesn’t exist on Mac laptops. You know what I’m talking about, there isn’t a blinking light for battery, for wifi signal, for stuff that I don’t even know what it’s for. None of these exist on a Mac which adds to the sexiness of the machine.

All that glitters isn’t gold

Apple tends to get carried away when it comes to their computers’ neatness and it works. Just work with or see a Mac and you’ll know what a beauty it is.

Shoot two OSs with one computer

Why have only one OS when you can have two legitimately. On Mac, you can run Mac OS and Windows OS if needed. You can use Mac OS all the time but if there ever comes a time where you need to run a windows application, you can. And it’s simple.

Simple

Apple is known for its simplicity with their products. In fact, with the iMac, you don’t need a single cord except for a wall outlet plug. Thats it. When it comes to MacBook, same thing you need a charger, Mac mini you need three cords. One for wall outlet, one for speakers and one for monitor. Thats it. Very simple.

More useful apps out of the box- Even hardcore Windows fans probably agree with me when I say, stock apps on Windows stink. Mac apps are the way to go. iMovie, iPhoto, iDVD, Photo Booth, Safari, App Store (to get more apps), Finder, settings, iCal, Address Book, Mail, FaceTime and more. Better than IE and Windows Movie Player and about 10-15 useless advertisements for anti-virus software.

Settings

I have used both settings applications on both OSs and I have to say that Mac settings are more intuitive and simple to use. It’s very easy to locate computer settings.

Individualized settings bars for every app

You know where the top bar is where “file” “edit” and “view” are? Sure you do. And on a Mac each app has its own “setting bar” equipped to what it needs and not what it doesn’t.

Customer Support

Should you have a problem with your Mac (had mine for 6 years, haven’t taken one it once) you have the best customer support team you can find. You don’t even have to talk to those annoying robot voices either. Just drive to the Apple store with your Mac (or any Apple product for that matter) and they will do anything and everything they can to help the problem. They are rated one of the best, if not the best, customer services in the world.

Macs are cheaper than PCs

I know all you Windows users are outraged so allow me to explain. The initial cost of buying a Mac is more expensive, however the amount of times you replace a Mac and buy a new one than that of PC is a lot less. In fact a PC usually lasts about 1-2 years, maybe three before you need to replace it. Macs have a lasting rate of about 6-7 years, possibly going just a little bit slower at that time then when you got it. Plus all the headaches Windows will cause you (crashes, viruses, etc) isn’t worth it either. So short term, yes Macs ARE more expensive short term, but long term, they will save you money and the environment.

Environmentally friendly

I have to hand it to Apple, over the past few years Apple has gone from one of the most Earth costing companies on the globe to the exact opposite. First, their screens are very economically friendly. Second, the computers use about a third of the energy that Windows computers use. Third, if you have a old phone or device you don’t want, Apple will not only recycle it for you, but it will usually give you credit as well.

Creative people unite!

You know who you are. The professional photographers, the movie makers, the music makers, the band members, the techno music makers, the gamers, the designers, the graphic designers, the photoshoppers, the business people, and the creative ones (as aforementioned) You know who you are, and the Mac is perfect for you.

Gamers will love it!

I know that Windows Fanboys are notorious at putting out the opinion (and false statement) that there isn’t games nor any good software. It is true that PCs are better for gaming to a certain point, to get a good gaming computer you need to spend about as much as a Mac or more (about $2000). However, the statement that Macs don’t have good games is an untruthful statement that can be disproven to three points. First, the Mac App Store (MAS) has many high quality apps and games at reasonable prices. Second, just look up the game you want for Mac and you will more than likely find it. And third, GameFly, one of the biggest game rentals on Earth is joining the Mac game. They are adding a Mac category to their service in the coming weeks or they may already have! The reason people don’t believe that there are no games for Mac is simply because they aren’t advertised.

Finder

Have you tried searching for a file on a Windows computer. Depending on what you’re looking for, it can take a long time. With Finder, it doesn’t take a long time. In fact, to find a file deep in the computer takes a few seconds if you know what the file is called. Even if you don’t, it won’t take long to find, maybe 30-45 seconds tops. On Windows 7 it’s been improved, but it took Microsoft over a decade to figure this out!

iOS users

All the owners of a iPod touch, iPhone and/or iPad listen up- Your iOS devices and Macs are meant to go hand in hand with one another, they are meant to be best buds while your PC and iOS devices are just meant to be acquaintances.

Just try it!

If you’re sure you want to try Mac but you don’t know if you can afford a 1000 dollar computer, Apple has kept you in mind, don’t worry! The Mac mini is the perfect solution for you. It allows you to use your existing mouse, keyboard and monitor and give you the Mac experience , the low end Mac mini is just $599. It is 2.3 GHz i5 processor or the $799 model is 2.5 GHz i5 processor. To get Mac with all the amazing features noted above at only $599 is a real bargain. However, this is only if you are more of a casual computer user. Minis can handle big software like Adobe CS5 but not nearly as well as a iMac can. iMacs are the computers up the line. These computers pack a big punch AND it includes EVERYTHING you need! It has the computer, monitor, keyboard and mouse/trackpad all in one. It truly is the all in one computer. The final one up the line is the Mac Pro. The Pro packs the biggest punch of them all, some of the best specs on the market AND the best Professional computer out there. However, it isn’t for everyone since it is $2499. Here is the way of the desktops. Mac mini is for consumer use, iMac is for the people who are more of a power user and don’t have the monitor, keyboard etc., and the Pro is for Professional people. Now to the Laptops. There are two kinds of laptops, the Airs and the Pros. The Airs are more for the consumer based market and the Pro is more for those who are, you guessed it, professional. The Air may be very thin, but it still packs a big punch. The Airs are very thin and are very fast. They are not, however, made for high-end applications. The Pros, however, are. The MBPs are very fast laptops with exquisite capabilities. They are able to run high end applications as though they were nothing, the MBP is just a very powerful computer. However, I would wait until new MBs come out, since they will be even better.

Conclusion

Macs are safe, intuitive, easy to use computers that makes a normally difficult task on Windows almost fun. Macs are made for business, power, creative and average consumers alike. Macs have a wonderful, easy to use OS and applications. There is a saying that goes a little like this, once you go Mac, you never look back, and since I made the switch years ago, I never have. I don’t expect you to run out right this very instant and buy a Mac, but when you are ready to buy a new computer, I hope you take it into very serious consideration. And I hope when you do make a choice, I hope you go with the better computer.

Thanks for reading,

Joe