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By editorial@silicon.com, 13 June 2002 15:05

NEWS News that Apple is to target PC users in its latest marketing campaign (http://www.silicon.com/a53859 ) reawakened the old antipathies between Macintosh and PC users. In Tuesday's leader, we posed the question 'Macs are cool -- too cool for you?' (http://www.silicon.com/a53880 ) and here are the pick of your replies: So why are the Unix geeks buying Apple laptops?
Read around and you'll find that the Unix and even Linux geeks, especially in the US, are buying Apple gear, specifically for OSX. It's nothing to do with being cool it's about getting stuff done from wherever.
Charles Arthur The old wars are the best...
I fear that the Apple-oriented bias of PCs being drone-like, uninspiring, unwieldy beasts is finally matched by the PC-oriented bias that Apples couldn't possibly be used for REAL work, unless you're a spikey-haired design type. Both perspectives are largely based on hearsay and a traditional marketing view. Apple know their audience are loyal and are keen to expand into the mainstream without upsetting their arty, sensitive stereotypes. I just wish PCs would reciprocate and try to make computing a bit more interesting and user-oriented.
Neil Taggart Home users are key target
Apple has always had a share of the business market because of the niche it has made in the creative industries.
Apple now needs to concentrate on increase its 'share' of domestic users. This digital hub strategy is fine and will attract more converts I'm sure. But what Apple fail to understand, time and time again is that entertainment (i.e. games) drive the domestic market (anyone who buys a computer for the home and says they won't be playing games is a liar).
Geoff Chant What chasm?
There's absolutely no reason for a home user to opt for PC over Mac. We are talking about users that only ever send email and surf the web, with maybe a bit of bringing Excel spreadsheets and Word docs home from the office. Apple should have been attacking this angle for ages, people feel let down by PC World-style promises about their technology.
Mark Harold PCs are now consumer items
The change which makes Macs more acceptable is being missed by the marketing experts. That PCs are no longer a box with bits that gets upgraded, but a closed unit that delivers an application.
With thin clients, choosing between Intel or Apple becomes even less of an issue.
Simon Mallett Been saying that for years
I'm a Mac user in a large IT manufacturer. I co-exist happily with Windows users and believe my choice of platform gives me a number of advantages.
If you read some of the Mac boards, people have been telling Apple for years to focus on this kind of consumer, in addition to their trendy creative types. Especially now with the Unix core of Mac OS X, interoperability is better than ever, without compromising the inbuilt Mac advantage.
Rory Choudhuri Macs too cool?
Yes all you Wintellies - stick to your beige - it could be the new black.
Name withheld