Joho the Blog
An Entry from the Archives

I, for one, plan to wear down my machine to the rims. My 2002 G4 Powerbook still suites me just fine (even after being dropped on my hardwood floor). Battery no longer holds a good charge but we're still cookin'.

Total number of stickers on my Mac: 0

Your post got me thinking. I'll get my (first) powerbook in a few days time, but I can't imagine for now to decorate it with stickers: the surface is so nice flat and un-decorated...

Perhaps I just haven't run across the right stickers yet. I saw some stickers made for a software sprint at my new employer: those might be the kind of stickers I'd place on that laptop. So perhaps you're right. I, at least, plan to use that laptop for a looooong while!

Reinout

My PowerBook proudly displayed stickers from each of the political campaigns I was associated with last year -- even John Kerry's (worst stickers EVAR). When I finally did wear it down to the rims and the hinges snapped on the display, the stickers were the only thing holding it together.

My new iBook only has one sticker on it right now, but it's only a few months old.

Stickers or stickies?
No matter.

Early Mac user here -- and devout! but forced by biz-world to be a multi-platorm type -- and have noticed that Mac instincts tend toward the visual (right brain), while those PC/unix tend to favor linear processes, e.g., command-line, return (left brain).

My 1999 powerbook is a gem, Bauhaus-clean and unadorned. However, my desktop (screen) is covered with electronic stickies (Mac version of paper Post-It). Does that mean I'm a primarily visual processsor?

...also have noted that PC/unix users tend to think hierarchical (Dr. D?), while Mac users think messy... and Macs allow that.

I think the other big issue here is most PC laptops are most likely owned by the person's company and not their self, while Macs are something someone went out and purchased rather than had given to them by their IT dept.

Because Macs come with a sticker? ...or at least they use to when I bought my Macintosh almost a decade ago.

I would also guess it's the same reason why we see more customized license plates on nice cars. 1. You notice them more often.
2. People who identify themselves through the objects they own or buy will feel more compelled to customize those objects. The same group would also be willing to pay more for the style, sex-appeal, or general coolness factor. So if I believe that the car I drive or the computer I own reflects who I am, or if I believe I "think different"ly because of these purchases then unless I'm aiming for plain and boring, Dude! I better go out and buy myself something sweet.

With that said I use to be cool but now I just own a PC (no stickers).

Mr. Vespertine, are you implying that Mac users, who generally pay more for their machines, are therefore making a personal statement about being "cool"? I hope not.

As for "customizing" my machine, I only customize the INSIDE of it -- i.e., the content. And I was never even tempted to fiddle with its classic black, Bauhaus-clean, simple esthetic.

But I do know some guys who have paid for ridiculously expensive custom license plates -- one owns a gold cut-down 1969(?) Barracuda with white vinyl seats...
Is that "cool"?

Let me explain less I offend anyone...

Let's assume the initial observation is true, that Mac owners are more likely to decorate their system. My first point was this may not be the case but we just notice it more often. A sleak silver Mac notebook will be more noticeable amongst the ubiquitous black PC notebooks. A 69 Plymouth Barracuda roaring through the streets will be more noticeable than a beige Toyota Camry (the number one selling sedan in the US).

I can see how my second point can be confused for "people who buy Macs want to be cool." There are plenty of reasons to buy a Mac. Some would buy it for usability. Some because it has a higher resale value? And others for the style, and yet others in opposition to the Windows monopoly. Not everyone buys it to make a personal statement. But if I were to make a personal statement through my notebook about coolness or non-conformity than I would more likely buy a Mac. The misunderstanding arises from thinking that if A implies B than B implies A.

I admit there were some subtle shots at computer marketing especially at Apple. It's amazing and scary how well Apple has done for their brand. But I tried to spread out the tongue-in-cheek ridicule evenly to be fair --the Dude! comment is in reference to Dell.

I wouldnt dream of sticking anything on my powerbook