Welcome to the Escape Blog

Never thought I would write a disparaging post about two companies whose products I have admired for being aesthetically admirable - Apple and Dyson - but I have a problem. When I buy a product, first and foremost, it has to work - and work well. In my mind, if it looks ‘cool’, it’s simply not enough, especially now I am so much less fashion and trend conscious.

Apple

I’ve used Macs now since my first Mac SE in 1989 and nearly 20 years later, my last two macs have been cool looking laptops. The main reason I use Macs, is because Apple create amazing software in terms of their operating system and basic applications. But, as far as hardware goes, both laptops had serious problems pretty much as soon as I got them.

My 17″ G4 lid didn’t close properly. It got through a new hard disk and DVD drive, then the battery stopped working and the sound went.

When the Macbook Pro came out, I decided the patched up G4 had to go and got one. Within a few months the battery expanded and broke the laptop casing: I got a new battery on the recall notice Apple issued. Since then, the hard disk has had to be replaced and I have problems with my DVD writer. Now, the battery has gone again (out of warranty) and it seems I’m not alone.

It’s okay though Apple, I’m only trying to work! £1500 on a laptop and it lasts less than 18 months! Sorry, but I am losing faith in your products.

Dyson

I bought into the whole Dyson hoo-hah. David vs. Goliath struggle to get it manufactured and the cool looking design really helped me buy into the product. After owning one now for three months though I am going back to my Henry. He does the job with a lot less fuss, and a lot better. The Dyson is heavy and sluggish and is not very usable.

Yes, it does look nice, but I paid over the odds for a good looking machine that sits in a cupboard 95% of the time.

Fading Stars

These are both two very successful companies but ask any Holywood Actor, looks fade and all you’re left with is the memories. Dyson is a bit of a one trick pony so has lost me. Apple, however, are buggers because the software is the bit I buy and I just need to be mobile so to some extent I am stuck.

It is bad though: Taking your customers loyalty for granted. I think we can all be a little guilty of that sometimes. If it’s something you rely on on though - image - it still harks back to the fact that you need substance behind any brand otherwise you will soon be found out, and with blogs and social networking, the bad news will spread far and wide and very quickly.