The PC folks, like me, are the ones who might be more familiar with how computers work. They can take it apart, add to it, subtract from it, customize it.
I've heard this before. Of course, in the past, it used to be said the other way around. It was the computer geeks who would buy apple computers so they could hack it, and PCs were for the big corps that just wanted something to work.
I would say that, yes, Apple now sells itself to people on the basis of ease of use. But Mac's OS is based on open source software, and Mac users come out with their own programs and hacks almost daily. And, I don't think it's really arguable that most PC users are NOT hacker types, like Gabe, they're just people who need to open Word and Excel docs and make PowerPoint presentations for their boss.
As for whether or not Macs are more or less "disposable" than PCs, well, I've had PCs and Macs. The longest I had a PC was about... I dunno, 8 years? In that time, I think I upgraded the OS once and never upgraded anything else (actually, not true. One PCMCIA card). So far, the longest I've had a Mac is about 3 years, and in that time I've done a major OS upgrade, I've added dozens of programs, upgraded the memory, and even instituted a few very minor hacks of my own. Granted, anecdote is not evidence. I know that. But considering how many people I know who still use iMacs as servers, or have G3s that run faster than my year-old Titanium G4, I have to think that this idea of Apple computers being unalterable or anything other than disposable, isn't true.
There's scientists that use Macs, game developers, video and photography professionals. These are people who need more than just simple point and click operation. I would think it appeals to these people for reasons other than that they come in shiny silver cases.
I've found the functionality of a Mac, to be annoyingly exclusive to a particular model, and/or/as well as a particular opperating system. ... Interchangeable components are all but nonexistent. And very soon after the next version of "whatever" comes out, one is more or less expected to just throw the old system out and just "shut up and buy a new one...
I'd like to know specifically about some of these problems you're referring to. Again, anecdote is not proof, but I haven't had many issues with making things work with my Mac. My cameras, my mouse (not from Apple), my printers, they work fine. If I wanted a camera, I could get one that works with my mac, no problem (I've looked)
Many new version of the Mac laptop (first the G4, now the Macbook) have come out since we bought our first Mac. So far, no need to upgrade. No egregious loss of functionality. My wife and I consider our money to be very well spent. Macs work for us in ways that our PCs did not, and I'm not shy about learning to make things work.
At work, I have both a Mac and PC. The office is split 50/50 with Mac and PC users. Most of the people who do work like mine use PCs. Our IT guy is a PC guy. He doesn't know the first thing about Macs. but, despite my repeated attempts to find out how to do things with my PC, with the IT guy's help, I still find my Mac more functional. I prefer to use it. To be more specific, I find it much easier to organize and find files, to navigate multiple progams at once, and to find programs to do specific tasks that I need (like finding a sweet, free chat client, or a great RSS aggregator).
I think the PC & Mac really have their place depending on the user's position.
There's one thing I can agree with. I really don't mean to sound like a Mac zealot. I wouldn't say Macs are a.) perfect or b.) for everyone. Horses for courses, or something like that. All I'm saying is that there are a great many people who know from more than a little to a whole lot about how computers work and how to make them do what they want, who use Apple computers. Do hacker (or knowledgeable) types make up a greater percentage of PC users than Apple users? I doubt it, though I suppose it's possible.
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