Some of the folks who bash Apple, unfortunately, do it based on erroneous assumptions. Take the claim that Macs are overpriced, or that there’s an Apple Tax of some sort that you pay for the privilege of buying a computer that just works. In fact, if you actually configure a Mac and a PC as closely as possible — from hardware to the bundled software, including the equivalent Vista version, which is Ultimate — the prices are really quite close.

But it’s also true that Apple does make its share of mistakes. Sometimes it learns from them, sometimes it doesn’t. One example might perhaps be the transition to glossy screens, which has made some of you absolutely scream! Now maybe they’re cheaper, maybe they are more environmentally friendly. But what about just using some sort of anti-reflective coating? Wouldn’t that answer at least some of the complaints?

I don’t pretend to know the manufacturing obstacles involved. I’m just asking

But I also think there have been ongoing decisions that, while they may have certain side benefits to Apple in terms of a smooth form factor, do not make sense from the point of practicality. I’m sure there are logical design considerations as to why these things were done, and that some of you will explain them to me. In the meantime, let me tell you what personally upsets me.

Story continued in this week’s Tech Night Owl Newsletter.

This article was posted on Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 at 6:30 PM and is filed under News and tagged with: Apple, battery, Blu Ray, camcorder, Computer, consumer, DVD, Firewire, iMac, Iphone, Jonathan Ive, Mac, Mac Notebooks, Mac Os X, Mac Pro, Macbook, Macbook Pro, mouse, Night Owl, Notebook, Panasonic, Pet Peeves, Steve Jobs, VHS.