Does your company offer the Mac experience?

I had a conversation about iMacs today.

I switched to Mac at Christmas and ever since I have shouted from the rooftops on how everyone should get one.

Sure, I have problems with Mac. For instance, there are compatibility issues with Windows users and some of my favourite apps (I call them apps now, not programs) such as the truly fantastic infranview, are now not available to me.

But I don't care.

I don't care because my Mac makes me feel special. I am now part of a tribe who knows something PC users don't. (I don't know what this is, to be honest - maybe it's just a state of mind!!) To the extend that I know feel it is the PC users problem, not mine, that I cannot use Microsoft Access!

Why do I feel this way though?

It's not just the fact that my Mac always works faultlessly (kiss of death...), if I spent the same amount on a PC, I could crank up the RAM, etc, so it should work just as fast.

It's the experience of owning a Mac that is the real difference. The store is nice and modern, the staff dress cool, the box it comes in (one box) makes you feel cool as you walk to the car park. You get home and open the box (a box that just has the nicest, silky finish), and then you pull out your new Mac. Just three pieces including the mouse and the keyboard, and one plug. You even get a 'special cloth' to clean your screen!

You plug it in. Your away.

PC's just don't offer this.

My last laptop was a HP. If I saw someone with a HP, I wouldn't think of starting a conversation with them regarding our shared make of PC. However, it's a different story with Mac users.

And from these conversations I have with fellow Mac users, I've discovered that they feel exactly the same as I do. I don't know how many Macs are sold via recommendation, but I'm willing to bet the amount is way in excess of the PC counterparts.

So. The question to you is this...

Taking the assumption that your product or service works as it should, do your customers feel special. Do they feel they have entered a whole new world, one which they readily talk about with everyone they meet?

p.s. Just in case you're wondering, I have no affiliation with Apple products!