Comments on: Apple Has A Message For Netbook Owners: Your Hardware Sucks

By: Nat

Nat — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:45:58 +0000

From the article:

“When I look at netbooks, I see cramped keyboards, terrible software, junky hardware, very small screens.”

Cramped keyboards – check. Terrible software – sometimes. Junky hardware – depends on how you expect to use it. Very small screens – for the most part.

Nice piece of linkbait here Matt, but I don’t really think this is that big a deal. If Apple doesn’t think the typical netbook is a good fit for their market, that’s their prerogative.

And given that Apple works on considerably higher margins than most other PC manufacturers, they may not be missing out on BIG money anyway. To make something that they (and by extension their target market) would be happy with would probably cost a lot more than the typical netbook right now. They would either have to cut their margins a lot thinner than usual (unlikely) or sell it at a higher price than most netbooks, which might not attract as many buyers as the typical cheap “throwaway” Windows netbook.

Where did that quote in your piece that starts with “Personally, I find Mr. Cook’s comments to be offensive and amazingly ignorant” come from? I don’t see it in the original article but you’ve got it blockquoted as if it was there.

If that’s your opinion, I’d say you’re taking this a little too personally. Why would his comments offend you? If you don’t agree, you can just buy whatever netbook you like.

I really don’t get why people on either side of this Mac vs Windows debate get so “offended” when the other side makes a statement they disagree with. If you think the other side is so wrong, don’t buy their stuff.

By: Psuper

Psuper — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:18:14 +0000

apple just positioned itself as the NET BOOK’s (whichever lucky company is producing them) biggest free advertisement agent one could dream of. it’s nice to see the that apple not only has time to line it’s pockets peddling overpriced technology but can come through and help their competitors share the wealth who are supplying users with computers they want and can afford.

By: Justin

Justin — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:14:55 +0000

That’s funny, I didn’t know that the iPhone and iPod Touch offered flash support like my netbook, oh wait, it doesn’t? Seems kinda funny to down a device that supports the MOST popularly used net protocol next to Java. Hum, even Windows mobile based smartphones support flash through plug-ins. I guess Mac should change its moto from “It just works” to “It just works with whatever we feel like making it work with”.

By: 3G Chromakey ~ Windows Fanatics

3G Chromakey ~ Windows Fanatics — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 01:02:59 +0000

[...] Apple has an interesting message for netbook owners. [...]

By: James Hill

James Hill — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:55:11 +0000

You need a netbook for portability and on-the-go access. The hardware in my opinion does not suck, in fact I think it is far from it.

I received mine today and it has exceeded my expectations by far.

Also netbooks are not purely designed for the web these days. The Eee PC 701 was but not the new models. They are designed for watching movies, typing documents, blogging and giving you a much more pleasurable and portable experience.

Great post Matt.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:30:49 +0000

Nobody ever said you had to buy Apple. If their stance is to not create a netbook, than GO ELSEWHERE. What next – complain that your refrigerator is not made by Apple? If you go to a store and they do not carry a product you want, you don’t whine & complain – you go to another store. How is this any different?

By: Such is the Life of a Geek | Chris Pirillo

Such is the Life of a Geek | Chris Pirillo — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:32:52 +0000

[...] Apple has an interesting message for netbook owners. [...]

By: Scott Salbo

Scott Salbo — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:05:16 +0000

here’s another point. How come you don’t attack Falcon-Northwest, Maingear, or Alienware for not making netbooks? All of them; like Apple; are high end boutique builders. Apple merely goes the extra step of actually innovating technology and influencing the entire of market with both it’s hardware innovations and choices, and with it’s software.

A Macs focus isn’t gaming like those other outfits, but my MacBook Pro 17″ (and I saved 4 months for it) will perform just as well as Alienware with the same spec. Cheaper, too.

By: Thomas Gilling

Thomas Gilling — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:51:09 +0000

No I believe Apple. Netbook owners your Hardware does suck. If you only want to browse the web and surf the net. Why do you need a computer?

By: Scott Salbo

Scott Salbo — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:18:52 +0000

If there is such huge profits in the netbook market, then why are all the windows pc makers struggling financially. It’s not just the recession, because apple is in the same economy and posting record profits this past quarter (and most previous quarters as well)?

Apple is clearly not interested in sacrificing profitability for sensless market share, considering that the iPhone and iPod touch can do most of what a netbook can do, and a portable gaming system can do (and with apps, soon much more).