All Is Optional

My first laptop was the free Gateway offered to students at the Pforzheimer Honors College, class of 2003. On the eve of my first college final – introduction to philosophy – it crashed. From then until August 2005, I was a regular at the computer support office, visiting every two weeks. Keep in mind, I wasn’t one of those people that downloaded music illegally or anything to entice viruses and whatever other reasons exist for hard drive failures. Yet, it happened.

In August 2005, I made the switch. I bought my beautiful, beloved 12 inch Powerbook G4. I haven’t talked to a computer support person since.

The reason I love Apple (and firmly believe Apple loves me back) is not simply because they provide me with beautiful, functional technology. I love Apple because its customer relations go far and beyond the polite servitude of Dell employees.

On Wednesday, September 5, Apple released a new line of iPods. Alongside the iPod release, the coveted iPhone price dropped from $599 to $399, pissing off plenty of early adopters.

The next day, CEO Steve Jobs issued an apology and $100 store credit to those early adopters. I can’t think of a single other company that would take care of its base the way Apple has.

Three cheers to you, Apple.