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lthough many consider them high-
priced, Apple’s premium products
offer a unique value proposition that
might surprise even the thriftiest
of shoppers.
I didn’t always feel this way. I scoffed at
fanboys who stood in line before iPhone
launches, just to pay more for products that
seemingly let them do less. But the Apple
ecosystem won me over.
First and most obvious, Apple’s acclaimed
design means you get a luxurious experience.
The Cupertino, California–based company
started the crusade for thin-and-light computing, and it continues to pack cutting-edge
technology into extremely portable devices.
You can feel the precision manufacturing
and high-quality materials every time you
pick up an Apple device. Less obvious are the
internals that power superior performance
and unique features. Apple designs its own
mobile and wireless chips, giving the company
a huge advantage over manufacturers using
off-the-shelf components. And forward-looking features like Apple Pay (mobile
payments and a digital wallet) and Face ID
(facial recognition) use Apple’s hardware
advantage to make everyday tasks easier and
more convenient.
Then there’s the company’s vaunted
ecosystem: iOS and macOS deliver world-class user experiences on iPhones, iPads and
Macs. If you own several devices, the
effect is magnified. Features like Handoff and
Continuity allow you to work seamlessly
across multiple Apple devices, and Apple’s
iCloud and free i Work productivity software
ups the ante.
Also, Apple’s service is second to none in
the tech industry. The free Apple Support app
puts help at your fingertips. Bonus: If you live
near an Apple store, you can hit the Genius
Bar for live tech support or take advantage
of free in-store seminars.
Finally, there’s the company’s emphasis on
privacy. Unlike other companies, Apple does
not harvest your data and sell it to advertisers.
At this point, my wife and I own more
than a dozen products—iPhones, Apple
Watches, AirPods, HomePod, Apple TV,
iPads big and small. I’ve seen firsthand the
intangible value of a company that prioritizes
cutting-edge design and premium materials.
In this case, you get what you pay for.
Lewis Wallace is managing editor of Cult of Mac
( cultofmac.com), a website jammed with news,
reviews and how-tos for Apple fans.
iPad
Apple
Watch
iPhone
A
The world
of Apple
More than just Macs
at its core
by LEWIS WALLACE
Additional products
Take a bite of these:
• Apple Watch.
Apple Watch Series 4
boosts performance
and features lifesaving
health monitoring.
• AirPods. Ear buds
that o;er superior Bluetooth, long battery life
and portability.
; HomePod. Sparkling audio plus
Apple’s privacy stance
calms fears about smart
speakers that listen 24/7
for voice prompts.—LW
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COSTCO
CONNECTION
Costco features
Apple products in
the warehouses, with
an expanded selection
on Costco.com.