1) Ecosystem is outstanding.
2) Design is second-to-none.
3) iOS is the best OP out there.
That's my top 3, tell them that and it will shut them up.
After going into iPhone development, I have found that my computing environment has gone Apple almost by stealth. First, I picked up a Mac Mini and placed it on a KVM switch with my Windows box to work on either platform as needed.
Then the usage cycle transitions to Mac almost by osmosis.
First, I was only using Xcode and a web browser on the Mac Mini. Then I discovered several open source Office suites that worked with Microsoft file formats. Then I started to save in open source document formats.
Over a period of a few months, any app with alternative support on Mac had its use there. As the app projects came in, I picked up different iOS devices for development from an iPod Touch, to an iPhone and even an iPad Air. These devices became my "casual" home devices when not developer targets.
By the end of a very productive summer, I found my Windows PC turned off for weeks only running apps with no Mac counterpart. Most of these were old favorite games, embedded systems IDEs and Win32 compilers that were not supported on the Mac.
Then my tried-and-true, workhorse, Windows XP laptop was sent out to pasture. Money from the iOS app and accessory development had me look at the MacBook Pro. My local Apple store had a full-tits version 15" MBRr ready to go. Dropped the cash, took it home and I'm writing this on that MBPr.
Future embedded systems projects had processor selection based on the existence of a native Mac OS X development environment (yes, I know there is Boot Camp but I'm not willing to compromise any system performance) if there were not any other differentiating factors.
Then, the realization came about, I morphed into an Apple user from this development path. I still keep the Windows PC and laptop as legacy devices in case of support issues with future projects.
Didn't bother with Windows 8 and I doubt if I'll even download Windows 9 if I have to pay for it. I'll probably install it on my Windows 9 box for sheer professional curiosity and backwards compatibility of projects I maintain every now and then from my Win32 development years.
Then there is the old XP laptop, should I switch it over to Linux?
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Yes, but you also can never convince them….. unless they have been given an opportunity to try out or play with the iPhone (or other Apple products).
Sadly this is the case in many areas that do not have access to a nearby Apple Retail Store. This is also the case in many countries where they have zero Apple Stores. Hence the few "Apple fans" in those countries are considered weird, considered fringe people who dabble in Apple devices when the rest of their countrymen use Androids/Windows. Clearly they are an outnumbered bunch, and all their friends will criticize them for using Apple devices which is "not normal" in the society.
My observation is the Apple vs. Android mindset is quickly paralleling the old "Ford vs. Chevy" attitude prevalent with those in the south. I have known people who have made house purchase decisions based on the location of a local Ford or Chevy dealer in southern States.
Also, the most glaring void in Europe missing an Apple store is Denmark. Been told many stories about Danish cronies keeping it from happening. I'd love to get a full story whom knows that market well.
