Apple sells a lifestyle. Look at their ads. They don't say much about what an Apple product does, or why its better than the competition. Instead, they show how pleasant, cool and fun it is to be an Apple user. PC users are older, frumpier, fatter and frustrated with their lives. Apple users are hip and happy.
That doesn't mean everyone who uses an Apple product believes the ads, but it is how Apple increases market share.
You are exactly right that is what they do. It is amazing how effective that has been in selling Mac's. They basically do the same with iPhones and iPod too. You'll never see them compare stats or even give you the stats of their computers or devices. Just a cool reason why you may want one.
I have personally never bought into their marketing, but do find their computers and phones work well for me. Do they work any better than others, in the case of computers, I'd say they are about the same. In the case of phones, I've never had one that I am more happy with, but then I've not had very many others to compare, nor do I have any desire to do so.
The truth is that netbooks are the fastest growing segment of the PC market for 2008 and 2009.
Thats a fact, but I still have no desire to put OS X on it, I do like it with Windows 7 though. Runs GREAT! However, I do see Apples point in avoiding this segment, because the profit margins are so very, very low and the machines don't provide a very good experience, especially when folks get them and then try to use them for more than they are designed.
It's an irritation for people who buy a product for some purpose, but then want to use it for some other purpose that the manufacturer didn't intend. And when they can't, or have trouble doing so, go into a rage that Steve Jobs (or whoever it may be) is "screwing us again!!!"
I have a Samsung N120 and it is a great little netbook, has a 97% keyboard and beautiful 10" LED display. 7 Plus hours of battery life, but it certainly has it limitations. I agree that many buy these then want them to be more than they are. I also think your point is well taken about folks based purely on their on principles that Steve Jobs is the devil, because they can't run an OS that was never designed to be run on a netbook to begin with.
However, with all that said, I don't think Steve should care about such things and they are too protective, none the less they have that right! I also think PROFIT is the key for Apple and they don't give two shits what others think about their business practices as long as they are continue to make bucks. Also they don't care what people think about DRM and from what sector their profits arise. Steve has one job, make money for his stock holders and that is what he does best, all that other stuff you can rest assured stock holders and board members don't care about.
