Hacker News Reader

Comment by braindead_in | Hacker News Reader

What about brand appeal. Macs are also a status symbol. A way to make a statement about yourself, telling others that you are 'in' that exclusive club, you are cool and happening.

View on HN

I really think that this is an overstated effect for computers. For the iPhone and iPod maybe that's true. But for the laptops? I dunno.

I know OSX is the #1 reason I prefer a mac at home. Being able to play like a native member of the Posix world while still having one of my favorite GUI APIs available is a big deal in my book.

Opening up a laptop in a coffeeshop is like a peacock spreading its feathers.

Oddly enough on the lekking[1] front; I've gotten more comments in the last few months when I pull my smallish (8.9in.) netbook out and use it, than I've seen anyone get for using a Mac in the past couple of years.

1. Lekking - A gathering of males engaged in competitive mating displays http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lekking

Whether they'll admit it or not, that comment is probably the #1 issue holding back more hackers from switching to a Mac. Hackers :: Linux as Hipsters :: ObscureIndieRock. Switching to a Mac is like admitting you listen to Nickleback.

I'd guess price and compatibility with already-purchased or Windows-only software is the #1 reason, but you have a good point. Years ago my friend Nick used to use an old Dell with stickers and tape and missing keys. He ran Slackware and wrote magical code. I hate to think of it as a question of "status" but I do unconsciously and unintentionally appraise people as hacker/non-hacker at coffee shops, airports and such based on their laptops. From lowest to highest: Dell with Windows, corporate asset tag and Outlook on the screen; next, Sony Vaio playing Disney cartoon full-screen; then a Mac; and at the rare top, something like Nick's old computer with stickers and tape and syntax-highlighted terminal editor on the screen. I'm sorry, now I feel bad about judging people like that. And Nick now uses a nice black MacBook.

I think this comment says more about you than a Mac about its owner. ;)

Reply on news.ycombinator.com