Thought Press.

One huge trend that began at the beginning of Apple’s existence was a growing cohort of people who became followers of Apple’s innovation and insanely great ideas. Not only that. Macintosh has become a “lifestyle”.

Since then sprouted fan and rumor sites, a Cult of Mac book and blog, forums, product unwrapping ceremonies. The Cult of Mac book says that Apple has become sexualized in the eyes of its hardcore followers (see undressing below). New product and software releases, store openings pull thousands out to retail stores in long lines and hours of waiting. When have you seen that for Microsoft?

When they get home they take “undressing” or unboxing photos of their new Mac, exemplifying Apple’s artsy and efficient packaging. There’s even a site devoted to unboxing ceremonies: Unbox.IT

With Apple’s Mac market share rising above 8% and the release of Leopard, you can expect the Cult of Mac base to grow. More will find themselves checking AppleInsider.com or MacRumors to find out about the newest Apple product rumors or taking unboxing photos and posting them to their Flickr. Macintosh is a lifestyle, for sure.