Apple has posted a brand new Web page on its site that asks for PC users’ feedback. Divided into two sections, one asking for comments from PC people looking to switch, and one asking for comments from PC people who have already made the switch, Apple is looking help in understanding how PC users think. The text from Apple’s "PC Users" Web site:
If you’re a PC user who’s eyeing a Mac, we’d love to know what you’re thinking.
What sparked your interest and made you think about getting a Mac? Do you have questions or issues you need to resolve before you decide? If so, what would help you make up your mind to go for it? Also, do you have a specific time frame in mind for getting a Mac, like (say) within 1—3 months, 3—6 months, or 6-12 months?
If you’d care to share what’s on your mind, please write us and tell us all about it—and let us know if it’s OK to contact you with a follow-up question or two (rest assured that it will not be a sales call). We look forward to hearing from you.
If you’re a PC user who’s recently bought a Mac, we’d love to hear from you.
You know something we don’t. We’re Mac people, so we don’t know what it feels like to go from using a PC to using a Mac. What’s the best thing about using a Mac? What’s it like, upgrading from a PC to a new iMac, iBook, Power Mac G4 or PowerBook G4? Was it hard or easy to make the transition, and was there anything so new and different that it took some getting used to?
How long has it been since you became a Mac user? What made you get a Mac instead of a PC in the first place—what was the deciding factor? Did you have questions or reservations before you made up your mind to get a Mac? And—now that you have a Mac—are you pleased with your choice?
If you’d care to share your experience with us, please write us and tell us all about it—and let us know if it’s OK to contact you with a follow-up question or two. We look forward to hearing from
The page has an e-mail link at the bottom of the page labeled "Write us," with that address being [email protected]. You can find all this at Apple’s PC Users Web page.
The Mac Observer Spin:
This is absolutely outstanding, and we offer the folks in Cupertino a big Mac Observer Salute.
Salute!
Apple’s stated goal is to go after the "other 95%" of computer users who aren’t using a Mac. With PC users comprising almost all of that other 95%, asking for their feedback is a great idea. Now the company just needs to get the word out. You can help by encouraging PC users you know to go to the page and write Apple. Many of us know PC users who at least keep an eye on Apple, and getting those people to comment shouldn’t be too hard. Even if it is the typical reactionary, ignorant stuff we all know and loathe, Apple seeing people react that way will help them understand the mind of the PC user, what little of it there might be.