I have been using Apple products almost exclusively since the mid-90s. Now and then, I engage in debates about the pros and cons of Apple products compared to their competitors, especially regarding the price difference. And of course, the question arises whether minimalism and using Apple products even go together. It creates an ambivalence between design culture and the contradiction of consumption.
At the Hamburg Jungfernstieg, the Apple Store spans two floors, a prime location with the iconic Apple logo on the postcard view. The large glass facade draws attention, while inside, a crowd of people of all ages admires the minimalist design and intuitive usability of the latest Apple products. At first glance, it seems that the world of Apple products perfectly harmonizes with the minimalist lifestyle. The clean lines and purist aesthetics of the devices are emblematic of the approach to focus on what’s essential and minimize distractions. Furthermore, the user-friendliness of Apple products is almost legendary, saving time. You can’t get your lifetime back, so frugality and minimalism are valuable here too. The integrated ecosystem of hardware, software, and services enables a seamless and consistent user experience. Compared to Windows (which I unfortunately still use at work), the issues are minimal. This is also why I no longer help anyone who uses a Windows product. Through its ecosystem, Apple also provides solid privacy protection. If you want something cheap, you pay with your data.
The longevity and quality of Apple products are also crucial for me. Instead of regularly replacing low-quality devices, buying a durable Apple product enables long-term use, reducing consumption and e-waste. My 2012 MacBook Air is still in use today—not by me, but the cost per use, which is my most important metric, is now just a few cents. Yes, I spent a lot of money back then, but I also used the device for six years! So anyone who says they can’t afford an Apple product is thinking too short-term. Saving time and buying fewer devices ultimately saves a lot more.
But there are some counterarguments as well. The electronics industry, in general, is known for its high resource consumption and environmental impact. While Apple has stepped up its sustainability efforts in recent years, the question remains whether minimalists who place high value on environmental protection and sustainability can reconcile their use of Apple products with these principles. Not buying anything is always better than buying something. Moreover, Apple’s strong presence in consumer culture creates a potential discrepancy with the minimalist lifestyle. The company’s clever marketing campaigns encourage the purchase of the latest products, tempting tech-oriented minimalists to upgrade to the newest device. MacBook, iMac, iPad, Watch, AppleTV—the list is long. Minimalists who want to distance themselves from consumer culture and reduce tech distractions might experience some cognitive dissonance when closely examining this.
Last week, I fell in love with the MacBook Air M2 in Midnight. It would have only had two advantages for me: it’s lighter (which would have been very convenient for the trip I’m currently on), and it’s more aesthetic than my 14″ MacBook Pro. I thought about it for several days. But in the short term, no model with more than 16GB was available, and if I’m honest, with my data analysis needs, I’m perfectly equipped with 64GB of RAM, so why update to a new device? But the situation once again showed me how well Apple can push my buttons. The best thing to do in such cases is to wait until the urge for an emotional purchase fades. This time, I was successful.