Last time, we took a look at Halo 3’s hype. That time, it was over-executed, sending it into the drains.
This time, we look at the newest version in the Mac OS X line – Version 10.6, or better known as Mac OS XÂ Snow Leopard.
(cue dramatic entry video sequence)
(Before I begin, this post is written on a Mac 10.5, so it means I am not a windows fanboy. Stop calling me that.)
The first thing you notice about snow leopard is its slogan.
The world’s most advanced operating system. Finely tuned.
Standard Apple flare. In your mind, you picture the best OS out there once you see the words “most advanced”. Another way to make Mac look like the OS for experts.
But we go into the hype which drive the Apple war machine…
Apple’s image twist their hype to a different type. The fanbase is unique, trying to spread the word on how good Macs are. I personally know quite a few fanboys which will argue till the very end on trivial stuff like why are apple products are so expensive.
When snow leopard was first announced, the speculation started, and Apple sat back and let it go rampant- thus, the fans are so pumped up about the possible new features that they start going “Did you heard snow leopard is going to have (example)?”
When they are reaching the breaking point (before the point of overhype), Apple reveals what is Snow leopard. Instead of a press conference, they host their own events (WWDC) which centerpiece is Apple’s press conference, and presented by Steve Jobs himself. They have LIVE streams of it, broadcasted on the internet by none other then Apple themselves.
And here we see how Apple pitches their products.
The fans are pumped after the keynotes, and even though the changes are minor, the hype is strong. The changes in Snow Leopard is underwhelming, in my opinion. Sure the extra 20GB they give is good, **Wait. I am getting a report. Snow leopard cheats your 20gb.
However you feel (Betrayed! Nonplussed! Sleepy!) about Apple’s decision to switch the way Snow Leopard calculates space from the more traditional base 2 method to the more flattering base 10, it was disappointing to find out that Apple hadn’t magically carved 20GB out of your Leopard install.
–Gizmodo (Actual article hyperlinked)
But Apple products have a way of “ignoring” its flaws. Apple TV, anyone? If there is one thing, the only way hype will decrease is over a long time. The hype, insured by Apple’s invulability and extended via the low cost sent in into one of the more successful Mac OS releases of all time.
Apple’s hype is unique – a dedicated fanbase and an insurance via the brand name, they never fail to WOW us with their products.
Next time, we look at the vaporware of the century contender Duke Nukem Forever.