Apple’s growing popularity and switch to Intel chips has made the Mac OS a target for manufacturers wishing to sell Mac clones.

Ultimately, this begs the question: “What makes an Apple computer an ‘Apple’?” Is it the hardware? Not really. The software? Negative. It’s the “Apple Experience.” It’s being a member of an elite squad of computer and electronics users. You’re not buying an Apple laptop for the price when you could get a much cheaper version from any number of other manufacturers. You’re buying into an experience whether legitimate or not. Customers of Apple computers feel that their purchase is going to speak to their character. They believe in quality with form and function. Is it all true?

They’ll tell you every bit of the money spent is worth it, and they’re probably right. Would that customer feel the same way about purchasing a Mac clone from “John Q Computer Manufacturers?” Probably not. Why? Because they don’t get the full Apple experience with this ‘clone.’ Sure, it may run a Mac OS, and it may ever share some of the same components, but after all is said and done, it’s a knockoff. And nobody really wants that, right? Right…

Continue on to the Wired article »