Jobs' Apple gets down and dirty

National Post - Canada ^ | 1/13/2005 | Paul Kedrosky

[Swordmaker]

Interesting take...

[Swordmaker]

Really negative article on Apple's new products from a Canuck...

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, please Freepmail me.

[Terpfen]

Now, however, Apple has to figure out what to do with all this "success."

They did. It's called the Mac mini. The writer isn't grasping the connection between the Mac mini and the whole "figuring out what to do with Apple's success" line that he's complaining about. The Mac mini IS Apple's response to its current success: more success! I love my PC and I'm thinking of getting a Mac mini.

I'm starting to understand what Mac users go through each day.

[7.62 x 51mm]

"Those are over-glossy fashion plates designed for the people who like to overpay for products and then brag about it."

So true! Bwahahahahahahaha!

[coconutt2000]

Pointless Canuck negativity targeted against one of our own companies.

Now, if Apple was a canadian company, 3% of a huge PC market would be something they'd be bragging about.

[HAL9000]

But when Dell CEO Michael Dell announces new prices for his products you don't get saturation coverage from the major North American business press.

Several years ago, Michael Dell assured us that Apple was doomed. Doomed!

Obviously, Michael Dell's prediction was wrong.

Now Microsoft has announced that the target price for future computer systems should be about $100. That could happen if Microsoft starts manufacturing and marketing their own systems. Microsoft could afford to sell each unit at a loss and make up the difference in software sales. It's unlikely that Dell could survive at that $100/unit price.

In the end, Dell could go the way of Osborne, Kaypro and a multitude of other forgotten system manufacturers.

Apple has a huge advantage over Dell - the Mac operating system. It beats Windows on quality, and Apple doesn't have to split the money with Microsoft.

[dennisw]

 

I won't be buying one but the Mac mini is also very clever in that it's portable. 

I can see some universities providing Mac mini stations in their libraries. With a fixed networking connection, a monitor and usb trackball/keyboard combo. Just plug in your mini and you are good to go
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[Swordmaker]

Turns out the author is a Californian... a Professor at UC San Diego.

[BunnySlippers]

Another bitter PC user.

[sodiumodium]

what i find interesting is that a company might actually make a micro sized personal computer that will sell. via and others who make mini-itx form factor boards and epia chips and what not have a small following with case modders, hobbyists, and saavy industrial designers but nothing near mainstream success. i might buy a mini just to take it apart and put an x86 based comp inside with the new nano-itx boards.. like i did with my g4-cube (not exactly a hot product there)

[John Valentine]

Good grief, why? Because you can?

[pageonetoo]

[tubebender]

This is sour grapes on the part of the writer because he didn't buy Apple stock last year instead of telling his friends to short it at $22 a share.

[SunkenCiv]

Heh... gosh, Apple sees an opportunity to regain market share lost years ago to a huge number of clone-makers. Talk about inability to manage a business. Guffaw. I don't have a lot of use for Steve Jobs, but I've found I have even less use for the op-ed writer.

As long as the product is actually in the pipeline (something Apple has a history of not doing well), Jobs' hardworking little elves should be moving all of it pretty easily. I'm not often a buyer of a new machine, but I like to look at 'em. And what generally happens is, I see the ads plastered all over tv and magazines, go to (for example) CompUSA, and see the floor unit. "Backordered, eight weeks."

I listened to the audio (well, I listened to parts of it) and Jobs claimed that it would be shipping "a week from this Friday".

[avenir]

"He is a mesmerizing speaker..."

That's a slap in the face to Anton Mesmer fans everywhere.

Fire up Quicktime and watch the 2005 keynote, and surrender to the Jobsian drone.

[avenir]

"Apple has a huge advantage over Dell..."

Reality Distortion Field: ACTIVATED.

[Richard Kimball]

I use Apple computers, but I have nothing against Dell or MS. A lot of the guys here on the PC side prefer PCs because they can build them themselves. I don't have the time or interest to do so, and have generally found I have less installation, operating, and color calibrating problems with my Mac.

The article seems kind of goofy to me. Apple approached two product extensions that were a logical extension of their current business model, and they were wildly successful (iPod and iTunes). They decided to expand that strategy, while maintaining their current business model. It's called expansion.

Dell's also had a lot of success, but there really isn't any innovation in the Dell line. They produce good quality products at discount prices. I'm glad both companies are successful.

[antiRepublicrat]

Where, in other words, is the BMW strategy? It is as if BMW suddenly tried to undercut Honda's Accord or Toyota's Camry .. it would be ample reason for investors to wonder whether BMW executives had lost their minds..

This guy's an idiot who hasn't done his research. In Germany, both BMW (the 1-series) and Mercedes (the A-class) offer cars in the lower markets, under 20K Euros including 16% sales tax, and they're making a lot of money off of them.

[Lazamataz]

I walked by an Apple once, and it wasn't working. It may have been turned off.

I TAKE THAT AS PROOF THAT APPLE SUCKS!!!

[Lazamataz]

I use Apple computers, but I have nothing against Dell or MS.

Dell freakin' ROCKS! I got an extended warranty plan, and at the two-year-mark, my Dell had a problem (probably with the power supply). They told me not to worry -- they were sending me the most modern version of that line FOR FREE!

I got the power supply working again, called them to call off the replacement, and they told me not to worry and that it would be too much fuss to stop the replacement on their side.

I asked them what I could do to make up for the unneccesary replacement. Direct quote back: "Just please consider Dell on your next computer purchase."

Damn straight I will!!!