[citation][nom]back_by_demand[/nom]Correct, but Windows and Android improving won't make Apple any better, the idea that MS and Google are competing in the same business should by all account and the laws of supply and demand, force Apple to do better and sell cheaper.But it doesn't.There are millions of Apple haters who would be Apple haters if they weren't priced out of the market by a sub-standard product.Drop the price by 10%, sales increase by 15%, the higher income creates the same profit but you now have a higher market share.That why Mac desktops will never become as popular as Windows and the same reason why the iPhone will be eclipsed by Android, it's not about hating on Apple, it's all about the Benjamins.[/citation]
I disagree. Windows and Android are not selling in a vacuum. Competition puts pressure on all of them to build better products. I'm glad Windows looks like they are figuring out how to compete with Apple and Android.
All competition forces these guys to do better. This is capitalism, there are no parties immune to competition. The American auto industry floundered until they had competition from the Japanese. Windows was awful until they realized there is viable competition.
Your argument about pricing tells one part of the story.
There are people who like premium products and have the money to buy. Mercedes vs Lexus for example. Both will get you from A to B but people pay the premium for a Mercedes because they want to. Currently Mercedes is taking Lexus as competition in it's lower luxury sales market, but a few years ago they didn't think they needed to worry. Apple is under the same pressure from Android and Windows - If they slip up, they lose sales.
Industrial design, attention to details, etc make a difference.