Re: What's the reliability like?
Thumbs up from me on that one BTW :)
I have to admit that you're suggesting we have the same problem elsewhere, but I can't understand if it's a means of justifying the behavior such as "We do it with so many other things, why not this too?" or if it's a welcome from me to denounce those things too.
I don't do it with cars, motorbikes, bicycles or generally with technology either. I'm kind of utilitarian. Modes of transportation are for transporting me from point A to point B... if a specific model or device of transportation provides me greater utility, I'll use that if I can financially justify it... hence my crumby little Piaggio scooter which allows me to avoid traffic.
I use an iPhone 5S because I found the thumb print reader to provide me utility. In addition, the quality of the apps I use are higher than on other devices. I tried others but found them less practical and provided less utility.
I have a bicycle, I don't know if it's a good one, but if I push a pedal, it moves.
I have a Microsoft Surface Pro because I needed a tablet and a PC and it was the right weight, size, performance and screen quality to meet my needs for my job.
I think you made a greater point which is simply that I don't have one or maybe I don't understand other peoples. My perception of what I personally consider a human weakness is something you seem to understand better than me or accept better than I do. I see these vain attempts by people to try be more than they think they are as a sad emptiness which must be compensated for.
This morning I talked with a guy who has a BMW Z4 which I know is causing him physical pain due to it's poor ergonomic design (in favor of aesthetics) and I love and respect him in most cases. But he drives that car because it's pretty. I suggested that he should consider keeping that car in the garage as a toy to play with occasionally because it's fun once in a while. And he should have something more suited for utility and daily use instead.
BTW... I lost a great deal of respect for Audi because the CEO said a few years back that he has no intention of wasting time on things like fuel economy, electric cars or fuel cell since his cars are about status and power, not about utility. I wish I could find that article, I think it was on The Register.