Top 10 Apple Myths Unveiled

Like many successful tech giants, Apple, Inc. attracts its fair share of myths. The reason is simple: the company from Cupertino, California is known for its secrecy. Rumors about Apple's next big product always run rampant across the press and social media, keeping the mystery around the company alive, much like the closely guarded secrets behind the production of "The Hobbit" movie.

The aura of mystery surrounding Apple is both earned and well-deserved. Founded in 1976, the company quickly gained success with the Apple I Personal Computer. Yet, it was the release of the Macintosh in 1984 (along with the iconic TV commercial that debuted it) that catapulted Apple into fame. This success was short-lived, however, as tensions between co-founder Steve Jobs and president/CEO John Sculley led to Jobs’ exit the following year. It wasn’t until 1997, during Apple’s steep decline, that Jobs returned [source: The Apple Museum].

That decline might have been a blessing in disguise, as no one saw the iMac coming. Similarly, the groundbreaking impact of the iPod, iPhone, and iPad caught everyone off guard. Thanks to these wildly successful products, Apple enthusiasts eagerly await the annual MacWorld conference, speculating on what new product announcements might be revealed.

Despite Apple's superstar reputation in the tech world, there is still much about the company that remains a mystery. In this article, we will debunk 10 myths about Apple, in no particular order. Have we solved the puzzle, or is it still unsolved?

10: Apple is Going Out of Business

The longest-standing joke in the tech world is that Apple has been on the verge of bankruptcy for the past 33 years. For decades, it was the distant outsider in the personal computing world, with a tiny market share compared to the Microsoft-dominated industry.

Many of Apple's product launches have been met with mockery from the tech journalism community. A major target of criticism was the Newton, the first commercially available writable tablet PC, which ended up being a critical and financial failure. Innovation comes at a price, and some journalists always believed Apple was just one misstep away from financial collapse.

One instance of this myth played out in 2007 when Apple introduced the iPhone. Today, the iPhone is the most recognizable name in smartphones. However, in 2007, critics dismissed the iPhone (and its hefty price tag) as "nothing more than a luxury gadget for a small group of tech enthusiasts" [source: Lynn]. Yet, in the fourth quarter of 2008, amidst the economic recession in the U.S., Apple sold 4 million iPhones, an 88 percent increase over the same quarter the year before [source: Apple].

For years, critics have predicted that Apple would eventually be pushed out of the computer hardware business and would need to shift focus to software or electronics. In 2006, experts even predicted that Apple would stop manufacturing Macintosh computers by 2010 [source: Siebold]. Of course, those forecasts were wrong.

In contrast, Apple shipped 25 percent more Macintosh computers in May 2009 compared to the previous year. For perspective, the overall personal computer market grew by just 1 percent during the same period [source: Gonsalves]. By 2009, Macs held 9 percent of the U.S. PC market, a solid increase from just 6 percent two years earlier [source: Cheng].

Even Apple's harshest critics would struggle to find fault with these impressive figures. However, the next point in our list has some people keeping a close watch on Apple, regardless of its strong numbers.

9: Without Steve Jobs, Apple is Finished

Steve Jobs is often seen as the driving force behind Apple's remarkable success. When he returned in 1997 as interim CEO after being ousted in a boardroom power struggle in 1985, he led a legendary resurgence for the company that continues to this day [source: Cheng].

Jobs was the iconic tech leader who, year after year, took the stage at MacWorld to unveil some of the most groundbreaking computing and electronics products of the last two decades, including the original iMac, iPod, and iPhone.

In January 2009, when Jobs took a six-month medical leave due to serious and undisclosed health issues, the world was left wondering whether Apple could continue without its charismatic CEO. This question persisted after his return, especially when he stepped down from his CEO position in August 2011. Jobs passed away on October 5, 2011, at the age of 56.

Despite the grief and uncertainty following his passing, most experts are confident that Apple will continue to thrive without Jobs. It's easy to forget that, despite his undeniable influence, Jobs didn’t create or design many of Apple's biggest hits. Jonathan Ive, senior vice president of industrial design, is credited with designing the original iMacs, the click-wheel iPod, and the iPhone 3G [source: Arthur]. And those famous Apple commercials and marketing campaigns? They were the work of Phil Schiller, senior vice president of global marketing [source: Dannen].

More importantly, the Apple that Jobs left behind in 2011 was very different from the Apple that Jobs saved in 1997 [source: Harris]. Thanks to Jobs, Apple now has a clear vision, a strong brand identity, and an incredibly loyal customer base. Even as the company moves forward without him, Apple is likely to remain on solid ground—at least as solid as any company can be in the tech world—for years to come.

The next myth has caused many potential Apple buyers to second-guess their decisions, but let's take a closer look at why this concern is really just a misconception.

8: Macs and Windows Computers are Incompatible

One of Apple's most significant cultural impacts was its memorable "Get a Mac" campaign, which featured John Hodgman as PC and Justin Long as Mac. The commercials sparked intense discussions and countless parodies. With all the buzz, it’s easy to think that Macs and Windows PCs are completely incompatible.

While it’s true that Macs and Windows PCs operate on different systems—Macs run the UNIX-based OS X, while Windows machines run Windows—that doesn't mean the two are entirely foreign to each other.

To begin with, almost every widely used software application is compatible with both Macs and Windows PCs. This includes Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), the most popular web browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari), Adobe Photoshop, and even iTunes. As a result, Mac and PC users can share nearly all types of files and documents. Additionally, Macs and PCs can seamlessly operate on the same home or office network.

For most users, the primary distinction between a Mac and a Windows PC comes down to appearance and functionality. A seasoned Windows user may look at a Mac and wonder, "Where's the Start menu? Why don't apps close when I click the X? What exactly is a Finder?" Another difference is in gaming, where some PC games may appear on Macs only after their initial release, or sometimes never at all.

Much of the confusion arises from the different ways the two systems handle menus. On a Mac, the main application menu is always positioned at the top of the screen, independent of the active application window. So, even if you close a browser window on a Mac, the application remains open. To fully quit the app, you need to select "Quit" from the menu.

The best part is that you don’t have to choose between Macs and PCs anymore: Apple provides an app called Boot Camp that allows you to run Windows on your Mac. Using Boot Camp, you can switch between OS X and Windows when rebooting the computer. Apple ensures that Windows gets all the necessary drivers for your Mac, although it does restrict you to the 32-bit version of Windows, even if your Mac hardware supports 64-bit.

Next, let's dive into a myth that could directly affect your finances.

7: Apple Products Aren't Overpriced

This myth is fueled by Apple's skilled public relations team and amplified by its global fan base. While it’s true that Apple products generally carry a higher price tag than similar alternatives, Apple argues that its products' superior quality justifies the extra cost.

Take the sleek and minimalist design of the iPod and compare it to the bulky MP3 players that came before. Then, think about the effortless touchscreen interface of the iPhone and the clunky, confusing menus of other smartphones. And who can forget the first time they saw an iMac? It was a game-changer, outshining those outdated beige boxes.

Naturally, people are willing to pay a premium for superior design and a better user experience. But how much more are they willing to spend? Style may be priceless, but hardware certainly has its price tag.

In 2009, a comparison of a MacBook Pro and a Dell laptop, both with nearly identical hardware specs, showed that the MacBook came at a premium of $675 more [source: Wildstrom]. Whether it’s worth paying more than 50 percent extra for a MacBook just for the OS X operating system remains a point of debate. Microsoft dubs this the "Apple Tax." However, Apple refers to it as just another misconception [source: Fried].

The higher cost of Apple products has also inspired some innovative hackers to create their own versions of Macs. For instance, PC enthusiasts at Hackintosh.com provide guides on how to install Mac OS X on less expensive PC hardware, even though OS X is not officially supported on non-Mac hardware. In the next myth, we’ll explore why these attempts to modify or replicate Apple software aren’t as simple as they may seem.

6: Apple is a Friend of Open Source

In the tech world, Microsoft is often seen as the monopolistic villain that stifles the creativity of small, open-source developers, while Apple is viewed as the "good guy." This perception seems justified since OS X is built on the community-developed FreeBSD kernel and Safari uses the open-source WebKit technology [source: Cubrilovic]. Additionally, Apple provides an application programming interface for iOS, enabling anyone to create their own apps for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

The irony is that Apple, once seen as a champion of open-source, is now considered by many tech enthusiasts to be more proprietary than Microsoft [source: Asay]. The criticism, often voiced by open-source developers, is that Apple uses top-tier open-source technologies in its products but then locks them away behind exclusive, tightly controlled systems and a team of lawyers.

For instance, Apple recently pressured a small group of Linux developers to halt their online discussions regarding reverse-engineering iTunes, aiming to make iPods work with non-iTunes software. Apple claims this is illegal [source: McMillan]. Apple insists that iPods should only function with iTunes and requires iPhone users to obtain apps solely through its official App Store. This has led to frustration among developers who must seek Apple’s approval before distributing their software.

Apple's legal battles are not limited to software rights alone. In our article 'Why has Germany blocked sales of the Samsung Galaxy Tab?' we take a quick look at Apple's lawsuits against Samsung and other tablet manufacturers for allegedly copying both hardware and software designs. In other words, Apple is not just defending its products, but ensuring that no one else can profit from cloning the features that contributed to its success.

While you may not be able to replicate Apple products, would Apple ever create a clone of one of its own products to produce another? We’ll explore that question in the next myth.

5: The iPad is Just a Big iPod Touch

After the iPad's release, critics looked beyond the flashy demonstrations to see what the device was really about [source: Fox and Albro]. Their verdict? It's essentially a bigger version of the iPod Touch.

At first glance, this seems accurate. Both devices run on Apple's iOS, meaning they can both use any app available from the App Store. The look and feel of the operating system are identical on both devices, as well as the sleek, minimalistic design with silver edges, a black frame, and a single button. The main difference is that the iPad offers a larger screen, which provides a better experience for reading e-books or watching videos.

However, the devices do have some significant differences under the hood. For one, the iPad can function as a larger iPhone if you buy the model with 3G capabilities, available on networks like AT&T and Verizon in the U.S. This is great for users who need wireless internet access when there's no WiFi around.

In addition to the 3G option, the iPad is powered by a 1 GHz dual-core processor. This gives it the ability to handle apps more effectively, especially for tasks like streaming videos or running graphics-intensive games.

Lastly, the iPad supports full HD video. Apple claims the iPad can play video up to 1080p at 30 frames per second. It can also display 1080p video on larger screens when connected via Apple's proprietary adapters.

When it comes to proprietary adapters, the next myth sets the record straight on whether it's actually worth it to buy Apple-branded accessories for your computer.

4: Macs Work Better with Apple-brand Accessories

When you step into an Apple store, it’s impossible to ignore how every accessory is designed to complement one another. Every Mac desktop comes with a matching monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers. Even the adapters and cables are designed to fit seamlessly into the Apple aesthetic.

While having matching accessories might make you feel more satisfied with your purchase, don’t fall for the myth that buying them is always the best choice. If the accessory uses USB, WiFi, or Bluetooth, you have plenty of non-Apple alternatives on the market, as these are all standard connection methods in the tech world.

Take, for example, the Apple Magic Mouse. This wireless mouse uses Bluetooth and runs on two AA batteries. Aside from the proprietary Multi-Touch feature, which is similar to the MacBook’s touchpad, it’s just another wireless mouse priced at $69. In contrast, the Logitech V470 Cordless Laser Mouse for Bluetooth sells for $49.99, and discounts of $10 or more are often available at retailers across the U.S. [sources: Apple, Logitech].

If an accessory requires a proprietary connector, you might need to buy an adapter, but not necessarily the accessory itself. For instance, a current MacBook has a Mini DisplayPort (MiniDP) to connect to external displays. If you want to use a non-Apple display with standard connections like DVI or VGA, you'll need to purchase an adapter from Apple, which costs about $29 [sources: Apple, Apple].

However, it's important to note that some accessories don't have reliable alternatives. Take the MacBook's proprietary MagSafe power adapter, for example. Apple fiercely defends its exclusive right to manufacture MagSafe adapters. While third-party knock-offs are available, using them can be risky. If the adapter malfunctions, it could cause severe damage to your computer, and this might not be covered under warranty [source: Apple].

Next, let's address a myth that has left many potential iPhone buyers hesitant.

3: Apple Hates Flash

Flash is a proprietary media file format created using Adobe Flash software. To access Flash content, your web browser needs an Adobe-provided plug-in. While most web browsers support Flash, Apple iOS devices, including the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, do not.

The myth behind Apple's decision is that the company simply dislikes Flash. This idea began when Apple launched its first iPhone without Flash support. Over time, updates to iOS confirmed that Apple had no plans to include Flash on its mobile devices. It seemed as though Apple was silently opposing Adobe. Tensions in the media grew, with both industry critics and Adobe becoming increasingly bitter, particularly after the iPad's introduction in January 2010 [source: Dilger].

However, in April 2010, Steve Jobs, co-founder and then-CEO of Apple, published a statement titled "Thoughts on Flash" to address public criticism. This statement clarified Apple's reasons for not supporting Flash on iOS. Jobs explained that while Apple’s products are proprietary, they believe web standards should remain open, advocating for technologies like HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript over proprietary ones like Flash [source: Jobs].

Jobs also corrected the misconception that the web would be unusable without Flash. He pointed out that although much of the web’s content is Flash-based, a significant portion of it is also available in H.264 format, which iOS supports. Additionally, Jobs noted the growing security and reliability concerns surrounding Flash, a sentiment echoed by many in the tech industry [source: Jobs].

In short, Apple’s reluctance to support Flash on iOS was driven by business strategies rather than personal preferences. Ironically, in November 2011, the tech world buzzed with the news that the quiet war had ended in Apple’s favor. Adobe announced it would cease developing Flash Player for mobile browsers, leaving interactive mobile web experiences to be powered by the newer, increasingly popular HTML5 technology [source: Finkle].

Apple may not be concerned with Flash, but are they monitoring your every move? In the next myth, we’ll explore whether iPhone users need to worry about Apple tracking them.

2: Apple is Using Your iPhone to Track You

On April 20, 2011, reports emerged from around the world, claiming that Apple was secretly tracking users of its mobile devices. The rumor originated from tech researchers Pete Warden and Alasdair Allan, who posted their findings on Warden's Github site (iPhone Tracker).

Warden and Allan revealed they had discovered a hidden file in iOS after the June 2010 update. They noted that no similar tracking codes were found in Android’s mobile OS. The story spread rapidly without an official response from Apple, fueling speculation and even prompting a legal inquiry from the U.S. Congress to investigate Apple’s actions and intentions [sources: Arthur, Keizer].

On April 27, a week after the rumors broke, Apple released a statement denying that it was tracking users. The company clarified that the data collected was anonymous and encrypted, consisting of information from cellular towers and WiFi hotspots detected by the iPhone. Apple explained that this data was being used to build a crowd-sourced database aimed at improving traffic services for iPhone users in the future [source: Apple].

Despite Apple's clarification, some remained skeptical. The company didn't explain why it had hidden the file that stored the collected location data in an unencrypted form on the iOS file system. Additionally, it categorized certain behaviors as bugs, like the ongoing collection of location data even with Location Services turned off. Apple assured users that fixes would be provided in the "next major iOS update," which turned out to be iOS 5, released later that year [source: Keizer].

For our final myth, let’s tackle one of the most common reasons people give for choosing a Mac over a Windows PC.

1: Macs Can't Get Viruses

One of Apple’s most prominent selling points for Mac OS X is its perceived immunity to viruses and malware. However, that’s not entirely the case. No operating system is fully immune to malware, and even Mac OS X has its vulnerabilities.

The key difference lies in the amount and type of malware that targets Macs. First, there simply isn’t as much malware created for Mac OS X. Malware developers often focus on reaching the widest audience possible, and Mac OS X isn’t usually a primary target. Several factors contribute to this, including the following:

Secondly, the kinds of malware that impact Macs tend to exploit user naivety rather than weaknesses in the operating system itself. A notable example was malware disguised as an anti-virus program for Macs, which went by names like Mac Protector, Mac Defender, and Apple Security Center. This malware mimicked all the typical features of an anti-virus program, including installation prompts, system scans, and even registration requests.

The best defense against malware threats on a Mac is ensuring that the system is regularly updated. Apple typically identifies and resolves any vulnerabilities in Mac OS X before they escalate into major issues. Additionally, it's important to vet any new software before installing it, especially anything claiming to be an anti-virus tool or an official Apple product.

Throughout this series, we've debunked 10 common myths about Apple and its products. Given the company’s growing popularity, expanding market share for Macs, and the success of its mobile devices, it's likely that more myths will surface. Meanwhile, feel free to explore even more information on Apple myths on the following page.