Gateway Parts

What makes an apple/dell/hp computer an apple, etc.?

If you buy a computer from one of these companies, the computer is known by that manufacturer, an apple comp., dell comp., hp comp., etc, but what makes it accustomed to that manufacturer? While apple says something like their computer and OS are made by them so they get along better , unlike PC's which use different pieces usualy a Microsoft OS. It seems to me any manufacturer simply assembles the machine, the CPU, motherboard, etc. (main parts of a computer) are made by somebody else. So what gives. I can understand the branding on PC machines, but what about apple, sure its their OS, buts is the system really theirs, or is it more like, the Apple OS is made specifically for these components (which are branded apple)?

Public Comments

1. Branding for most computers is just the name on the case. They share the same components. The only big difference is between Apple and All other PC brands, Apple uses their own Operating System (OS) not windows but everything else is pretty much the same nowadays
2. Few computer "manufacturers" actually manufacture computers themselves, but use contract manufacturers, such as Foxconn, whom manufacture a lot of Apple products. That manufacturer will manufacture to the design and specifications of the contractee. Usually they will have custom BIOS and branded OS, to say " I am a Dell" or whatever, and possibly give the hardware pieces custom IDs for that company (so for example, the sound driver shows up as a Dell sound chip, rather than a Realtek or whatever it really is) 2nd and 3rd tier manufacturers will built will off the shelf parts, or chose a ready to go design an ODM has on the books..