Quote Originally Posted by niky
Apple doesn't need to build in planned obsolescence. Their customers will gladly change up even if nothing's wrong with their products.

Aside from the fact that Apple batteries are built-in and can't be serviced outside, their products are mostly solid. In fact, Apple warranty and customer support is incredible. If something breaks that isn't supposed to break, they'll replace it for free, no matter when you bought the product. Hell... even if it's your fault (some broken iPod/iPhone screens), they'll replace it.

Customer service, product quality and durability help keep Apple entrenched. Their advantage is that they can charge a big premium for their products, so they can fund this otherwise extravagantly wasteful business model.

Try saying "HP" or "Compaq" in the same sentence as Apple. Their computers are crap. We once had three HP Pavilions bought at the same time all burn out within six months, and only one was replaced under warranty. The quality sucked, despite Apple rivalling price. We haven't had a single Apple device break down over the past several years... not even the iMac my brother dropped down the stairs.
+1. I have a macbook for more than 4 years and never found a need to replace the batteries yet (fingers crossed)