In less than half a month, Apple will celebrate its 50th birthday. Tim Cook has also published paying tribute to the journey of the past half-century. However, because of Apple’s image as a constant trendsetter, many people don’t realize that it is now a veritable elder statesman in the IT industry. Among the tech giants of its age, very few remain at the top-tier table today.

As a tech enthusiast who is only one year older than Apple, from the Apple II to today’s iPhone and MacBook, Apple’s products have accompanied me through most of my life. Strictly speaking, I wouldn’t call myself a hardcore Apple fan—I don’t feel regret if I don’t buy a new product on day one, I rarely stay up late to watch keynotes anymore, and I’m even less familiar with the exact specs of their newest devices. But looking back, at every major milestone in my life, I have naturally chosen Apple products, and in recent years, I have become a part of the Apple developer ecosystem.

To be honest, I haven’t entirely figured out where Apple’s enduring appeal to me comes from. Is it because I started using its products so early on? Is it its innovation, user experience, and overall vibe? Or is it Steve Jobs’ charisma? Truth be told, my choice today is driven purely by habit and instinct, much like the unspoken understanding between old friends—it simply no longer requires any specific reason.

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