Mike,

You have it backwards. The OS does not "have to support" the software [applications], it is the applications that need to be designed utilizing a particular OS. Your whole premises is false, I am afraid.

About the hardware, you are indeed correct, although once again, it is the hardware makers who are responsible for meeting specifications.

As far as running different OS – you say Windows machines run both Windows and Linux. But so do Macs, They run all three OSs. In fact, not only will a Mac run Windows natively (i.e. without Mac OS) via boot camp, but, using Parallels it will run Windows inside of Mac OS. So now Mac OS is running all the Mac SW AND all the Windows SW at the same time!

Hmmm…

I love this guy, he's getting a promotion right now!

http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com/

If all you do is check email, web browse and play games, then sure, who cares?

If you do graphic design, develop websites, edit video or record music (and I do all four… plus the above) then an extra few hundred pixels makes a BIG difference.

We're talking the difference between editing an 11×17" document at 100%, having multiple toolboxes AND a full CSS reference tiled beside your code editor, viewing 16 tracks in a digital audio workstation in the same window as your faders, or having your A and B roll at full res, side by side.

Typical ease-of-use of my MacBookPro is when I plug in my 23" Samsung Syncmaster into the DVI port, BOOM not only does Mac OS see it and initiate video, but my toolbar moves to the larger monitor (since that's how I set it up–once–and apparently remembers that's how I like it.) I have seen my Wintel brethren spend 20 minutes trying to set up external PnP monitors.

So how come neither of Microsoft's spokesmodels tell us what they're actually going to use the computer FOR? I, for one, would love to know!

Macs run a tiny percentage of the amount of software Windows does. They are optimized for the small set of hardware that ships with Macs.

If the tables were turned and 90% of the market was running Macs, it's ridiculous to think that Macs wouldn't have the same problems Windows faces.

Imagine how many genius bars you would need!

You can't argue about the quality of the hardware. 90% of the hardware in a Mac is the same as a Dell. Yes you read they correctly 90% of the hardware in your Mac is the same as a Dell.

The smart Mac people argue about Mac OS and why it's worth the extra money. Even though I don't think Mac OS is worth the extra it's at least a valid argument. Arguing about the hardware or the quality of the hardware just means you don't know what your talking about and are just rehashing some BS you were feed in a Apple commercial or fallowing the trend.

Stop being a sheep, do some research and maybe come back with a valid argument.

Apples are cool

Apples are stylish

Apples are well built

There is no reason not to buy an Apple if you can afford it.

In other words, Apples are something to aspire to! That isn't really a slam on the Mac, is it?

And it also demonstrates that the alternative to the "mac tax" is to what… buy cheaply made computers with hardware from 2-3 years ago? Both the first $700 17" model and the "powerful" model this guy buys are hardly the cream of any crop.

These commercials remind me of the Hyundai commercials trying to tell us how the BMW and Mercedes are fine cars, but the Hyundai is just as good. You won't be swaying any BMW or Mercedes customers into your dealership, but you might bring in some Honda buyers. But with these ads, who is going to be swayed?

With all that said, Apple laptops are still overpriced at this point. Apple will have to address that, as having the entry point for a 15" laptop at $1500 is ridiculous. Apple sorely needs a 15" MacBook (non-Pro) similar to the old 14" iBook G4, which was a solid seller.

Merely irritating the other side might make you feel good tactically, but might not work out the way you anticipate strategically.