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Comment by markkanof | Hacker News Reader

I'm not pushing back too hard on this idea, because in general you are likely right about almost anything, that most people don't care that much. However, I'm not sure that Apple really proved that most people don't want too many choices. The choice to buy an Apple computer could be for any number of reasons. Like for example, I really like macOS and the integration between my iPhone and my MacBook for things like iMessage. Anytime I've bought an Apple computer it's felt like I have to compromise on the hardware options, but I still do it because I like other aspects of the overall ecosystem.

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I don't have market analytics, only single cases, but nobody who has ever asked me for help about a computer has wanted to know what the difference is between this 'Intel' part vs 'Celeron' part vs 'AMD', carried on to graphics, disk technology, etc. They typically not only don't indicate a desired minimum amount of memory, but cannot reliably talk about system ram vs storage.

What they want is to know they are getting a good deal and that they aren't buying a lemon, something that cannot meet their needs.

What Apple did is decide they should really distinguish on classes of identifiable hardware differences, eg. a better larger screen for a "pro" class, have good/better/best distinctions within that, and customization for those who are picky.

I assume the intersection between people who have particular hardware requirements and those who do not understand their hardware requirements is extremely small these days. Apple doesn't sell computers which really fall short these days, so I'm able to focus the conversation on usage, user-impacting hardware features, and long-term budgeting (e.g. planning even as far as the replacement for the machine they are buying)

Look back to Steve Jobs’s return. Long before they had ecosystem lock in, before even the iPod was released, he simplified the range drastically to make it easier for people to make the buying decision.

Also, anyone who says “it’s felt like I have to compromise on the hardware options” is an outlier by definition.

I feel like this is a bit disingenuous. The general populous/average consumer prefers simplified options. They aren't tech savvy as many here are. When you throw a bunch of specs at them their eyes glaze over. And then ask you if they can get on their Facebook.

It makes sense from a business sense to have fewer models with small changes between them. You could have tech workers that assemble every custom order. That costs a lot more than a simplified inventory of a few different models that are already pre-assembled, with no hardware customization.

> I feel like this is a bit disingenuous.

Please refrain from insults, or at least make an effort to justify this if you think it’s valid.

> The general populous/average consumer prefers simplified options. They aren't tech savvy as many here are.

Isn’t that exactly my point? The industry serves the general consumer. The framework laptop serves a niche.

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