Faustus, why are you forcing a mac vs pc debate on the thread?
If you want help learning to use mail and ical
Clicky.
I realise that my original post didn't answer the OP itself, it more focused on why I own a Mac and the fact that people did purchase them before they were cool so will continue to do so after.
So will they end up becoming uncool to the majority?
To start lets look at the reasons they are so popular at the moment.
Firstly generally in the last few years it is no longer geeky to own an external hard drive, have a phone that can tell you where you are and a laptop that allows you to have video conversations with people on the other side of the world. Just a few years ago these things were considered geeky, but now everyone has a use for them in the real world. Everyday people but external hard drives to put their music and videos on, these same people like using sat nav from their phone and they also love to skype with people.
So why has Apple in particular been picked up by teen girls (as in the op) and the masses as a cool brand?
I personally think there are two reasons;
Firstly design, Apple has has created products that are perceived by the majority as aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. This encompasses the hardware and software that they produce. Yes I am talking about the "OOO look its shiney" effect and its derivatives. Obviously the devices must be easy to use as well or they would never have taken off.
Secondly marketing, Apple has made the conscious decision to attempt to be the "cool" brand. Look at their branding and adverts, they are minimalistic and different from the rest. They don't harp on about specifications of products but have fun and interesting tv ads, or ones that show product features. Hell even the company director when making presentations about new products to the world wear's jeans and a plain black tshirt (polo neck :/) This isn't by accident but a conscious effort to implant an impression of the company to its potential customers.
So when will this effect die out?
I think when either possibly the general public decide that they no longer need gadgets and technological advancements in their life (not going to happen).
Or when Apple changes as a company, either no longer designing aesthetically pleasing, easy to use products. Or possibly when they want to change their own image and try and appeal to a different market.
Of course they could also be dragged down by the press after a launch of an extremely unsuccessful product that tarnishes their company image but I think this is unlikely. Every time they release something new their is some kind of uproar from different user groups and/or the media, but I don't see them doing irreparable damage to Apples image.
So to conclude, as long as people still want new gadgets and computers and apple still want to be the "cool" brand then I can't see Mac's or any of their other devices becoming uncool fast.
