Why Apple Works

Posted on August 27, 2008

I am going to start this off by saying that I use both Macs and PC, and I know that both  have flaws. With that said. What is it that makes Apple Computers a better system than a PC running Microsoft Windows?

Apple runs a closed environment, that is why their hardware and software work with each other with fewer problems. This has both advantages and disadvantages.

The first advantage is you know what is in all the computers you have produced and only have a handful of drivers to load and deal with. This is also why you can only get so much upgradeability out of a Mac. Apple will eventually say we are no longer going to support your system. This means you can’t update anymore, and when you want to run the latest software you will also need to go buy a new Mac. This happens about every 4 to 5 years.

Second, Apple also knows all the ins and outs of the Mac OS. So Apple can make their programs use every resource the computer has available. Apple apps have a clear advantage over a 3rd party developer like Adobe. For example, Final Cut the video editing software, works better than any other editing software available for the Mac. It is also the only software that runs in 64bit.

The 3rd advantage is limited choice in what products to buy. You can go in to any Apple Store and you only have to make a few decisions to get a computer that’s right for you.

Here are some disadvantages of a closed environment.

As a software developer you need to work by Apples rules. This has become more and more of a problem lately. Apple has been holding out on it’s 3rd party developers for some time, keeping parts of the OS secret so only Apple apps can run in 64bit. What if Apple doesn’t like a piece of software you write? Apple can make it so it won’t work properly, or as in the case of the iPhone, make it so you can’t even sell your software.

The other major disadvantage of the closed system, as is the case with OS Leopard, when the OS doesn’t work or is extremely buggy, it takes a long time for the problems to be addressed and fixed. Go in to any Apple store and ask about any problems and they make it seem like this is an isolated problem to your computer. Go online and you will usually find posting all over about your problem. Also the online advice is better because you don’t need to make an appointment to ask your question, and you are not made to feel stupid for having the problem.

Lastly, the issue of limited choice in what products to buy. No matter where you go, you pay about the same price for an Apple product. There is no, “this week it’s on sale”. Nor is the other Apple dealer down the road cheaper.

So what can Microsoft learn from Apple? Coming soon…

 

Pixar’s Collective Genius

Posted on August 25, 2008

An interesting interview with Pixar’s cofounder Ed Catmull

http://discussionleader.hbsp.com/hbreditors/2008/08/how_pixars_ed_catmull_empowers.html

 

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