> We want not be dominated by our technologies, but rather, to control them.
If that were true then nobody would choose Apple products, which always lack control-features that are offered elsewhere. It starts with their hardware and continues on throughout all of their software. Apple is the company of "one button" and "why would you want to do that?"
Their most basic mode of operation is to offer the bare essential amount of control to users. It's a great way to do business for them because it costs less to make things that have fewer options and if they perfect the few options that they do offer, then they can claim to be "better" than other products.
Apple products will force you to do things the "Apple way" and if you don't like it, then you're not going to have a good time. If you do like the Apple way, then perhaps you can fool yourself into believing that you actually have some control over your technology.
But as a practical matter, the Apple product is the one that's simple enough to use where the users feel in control. My mom used to fear her Windows PC. She controls her iPhone and iPad.
The other day, I tried to set up a computer as a Netflix machine in the guest bedroom. Ubuntu 14.10 on a pretty standard i5-4200 machine. Spent a couple of hours fighting to get audio output over HDMI--futzing with Pulse Audio, installing new drivers, etc. Gave up and installed Windows on the machine. I can't say the experience was an empowering one that made me feel in control.
I think the author is referring to control in a slightly different way. I know a lot of people who having switched to a Mac feel a lot more in control (my dad, for example). Previously they didn't have much of a clue what was going on, they were constantly bombarded with strange messages and alerts and now they have switched, most of that has gone away.
It's about feeling in control, not about having 1000 options.
I am using one for a large portion of my waking hours, I agree with the OP. I would argue that your definition of control is more limited than theirs or mine.
And I'm guessing the only reason you're guessing that is because you think Apple products are the greatest and you could never imagine anyone not liking their stuff?
No, I actually have a Macbook Pro sitting right next to me and we have iPads, iPods, iPhones, etc. throughout the house. I actually recommend them to users who don't care as much about control, which is most people. They're just not for me though.
Which Macbook can I choose that has 2 physical trackpad buttons instead of just one multi-touch pad? I need it because multi-touch sucks for video games, but Apple only offers the one option. How about a laptop with a number pad? You don't get these choices because it's bad for Apple's bottom-line.
I'd also like to replace the OS X Dock with a Taskbar app, but all of the taskbar apps have the same bug because Apple doesn't let software developers modify the NSScreen.visibleFrame property (only the Dock can do that). So, windows always end up behind the taskbar. On Windows all of the APIs are there to replace the Taskbar with a Dock if I want to.
I'd also like to turn off the Macbook display when plugged into an external monitor.
Right, but according to one commenter "This works once you boot. But only until the computer goes to sleep. Waking it back up turns the built-in display back on." and according to another one there is a three step process which must be implemented on every single boot.
So, wouldn't you agree when I say that Apple just doesn't give you the option?
If you're serious about gaming you shouldn't be using any kind of trackpad. You'll always be at a severe disadvantage. There are many portable usb mouse options available.
This is a "why would you want to do that" type of answer that Apple apologists often give to people when they ask for options that Apple simply does not offer.
Did you consider that I might be playing a single-player game and there's nobody to be at a "severe disadvantage" to? Maybe I want the trackpad to work with an OS that doesn't have multi-touch drivers...
There are plenty of valid reasons for which I personally prefer a physical right-click button on the trackpad that's built into my laptop.
> ...type of answer that Apple apologists often give to people when they ask for options that Apple simply does not offer.
How could Apple offer every option? You can ask for other options all you want, but thats probably a waste of your time and energy. The rational thing to do would be to just buy from a different brand.
It may surprise you to find out that no single company can possibly offer every possible configuration, option, and/or form factor possible. Luckily, different brands tend to cater to different niches.
> Did you consider that I might be playing a single-player game and there's nobody to be at a "severe disadvantage" to?
Interesting. Are there no enemies or objectives in your single player game? You're objectively better off with a normal mouse. Even a tiny portable usb mouse.
If that were true then nobody would choose Apple products, which always lack control-features that are offered elsewhere. It starts with their hardware and continues on throughout all of their software. Apple is the company of "one button" and "why would you want to do that?"
Their most basic mode of operation is to offer the bare essential amount of control to users. It's a great way to do business for them because it costs less to make things that have fewer options and if they perfect the few options that they do offer, then they can claim to be "better" than other products.
Apple products will force you to do things the "Apple way" and if you don't like it, then you're not going to have a good time. If you do like the Apple way, then perhaps you can fool yourself into believing that you actually have some control over your technology.