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Should Apple abandon the Mac??

2K views 23 replies 6 participants last post by  Macaholic 
#1 ·
#2 ·
Twits.

Wow, I can't believe how many analysts and whatnot, who are paid for thier "vision" can't see the facts.

Must be the big MS paychecks they get as kickbacks.

Then again, they could just be morons. I bet they thought Gateway was a viable company too.

Add these boneheads to the Apple Death Knell list and let's move on with our iLives.
 
#4 ·
Wouldn't that be like saying Pepsi-Cola Co. should abandon it's whole line of carbonated beverages and only sell Aquafina (or do they sell Dasani? It's one of the two.)?

Louderback has some interesting opinions, even if they are comparable to business .
 
#5 ·
It BLOWS ME AWAY how these guys are getting phased by the iPod phenomenon! You'd think that such "esteemed analysts" would be able to maintain an objective "big picture" perspective, but they don't.

Despite the current success of the iPod, I say "so what?" to it. It's success IS temporary. Demand for such a device is limited in this world to certain types of users -- personal computers, on the other hand, are needed by just about everybody and every "thing" (businesses, schools, etc.). As a result, demand will eventually level off for the iPod as it becomes a niche commodity (like all portable MP3 players), but the computer market, while fluctuating (and this sector is on the upswing at this point), is forever.

With its computers and operating system, Apple has a special thing amidst a sea of commodity PCs -- and this specialized entity of theirs isn't as easily interchangeable as going from using an iPod to using some other MP3 player (although AAC format will add a challenge to this, depending upon the extent an individual has used this format/bought iTMS content). Now, we all know that this speciality is a double-edged sword, because the notion of migrating from Windows to Mac OS (this is what the "switch" is all about -- NOT the hardware) isn't an easy one. The more somebody researches the Mac platform, however, the more compelling the notion becomes. The contrasting result IMHO is that Windows-to-Mac switchers are more staunch and committed long-term to the platform than any iPod user will ever be. "Once you go Mac, you never go back" is the general feeling, whereas "the Fickle Factor" is a lot higher in consumer products.

In light of this, I feel that Apple's biggest challenge is to battle the (OBVIOUS) misperceptions of the platform; something the "Switch" campaign FAILED to really do. Despite this, I don't think I have ever seen as many "switchers" to the Mac platform as there has been since Mac OS X came out! There are a lot of dissatisfied Windows users who feel trapped by the ubiquitous presence of Windows and Microsoft. The only option they might know of would be Linux, which is a demanding environment for the end-user. Meanwhile, Mac OS X would give them pretty well everything they're looking for in a better way.

As for Apple themselves, I don't see them moving away from computers at all. Yes, there are BIG PROBLEMS at IBM and the G5 and I'm worried about it. But, unfortunately this is just another day in Macland with lame processor suppliers. Despite this -- and UNFAZED by the iPod phenomenon, Apple is still unleashing killer professional video creation software, amassing a complete suite of superior technologies: FCP, Shake, Motion, Soundtrack, xServe (Pixar's Renderman for OS X) and now talk of distributed cluster rendering, Logic Audio... you can't run all this stuff on an iPod, can you?

So, those stupid analysts who actually expect and hope for Apple to falter (as they have for many MANY years) can keep on dishing out the FUD. Apple has other plans.


EDIT: Don't get me wrong, however; I think that it is smart of Apple to diversify and get that Apple logo into more people's hands that don't use Macs. It's smart to give them a sampling of Apple's engineering philosophy via the smooth and sophisticated iTMS->iTunes->iPod "musical ecosystem" (as Jobs puts it). It is a sly trojan horse that doesn't give away the farm (like porting OS X to x86 would do -- which would KILL Apple). Apple should definitely do a phone, next, and NO don't do a PDA. Smart phones are where its at, and EVERYBODY needs one -- more than a PDA... and more than an iPod. But that should be the extent of Apple's foray into consumer electronics: well positioned and focused products, benefitting from Apple's awesome esthetic and technological design.

[ May 10, 2004, 11:35 AM: Message edited by: Macaholic ]
 
#6 ·
macaholic, i disagree with your assertion that mp3 players will become a niche item. i believe they will become a ubiquitous commodity like the walkman was.

i agree with your comments about apple's advertising. it's frustrating sitting on the sidelines watching apple make these horrendous mistakes and not being able to do anything about it.

with os x apple is sitting on the biggest asset for converting windows users that they've ever had. and well, their just sitting on it...hopefully they'll get it right with le tigre.
 
#7 ·
Yes, the iPod is the Walkman of our time and could become ubiquitous with people who desire portable audio, as did the Walkman. That aint "everybody". But, a personal computer?? Why, "everybody" needs one of those ;)

And yes, my wish is for Apple to FIRE their ad agency. Somwehow, I don't see that happening. Jobs seems to likee their quirky, 'fuzzy" approach. I DO NOT anymore.
 
#8 ·
#9 ·
#10 ·
#11 ·
"Once you use Mac, you never go back"?

LOL! Back away from the reality distortion field! LOL! If that were true, how do you explain the long term trend in decreasing Mac sales?

You may want to wait until mac java digs up the sales numbers from 1998 and 1999 to compare with 2003 and 2004 sales in another thread we have going. Then, you will see that people do switch between platforms.

BTW, this may be hard for you to understand but not everyone needs a computer and not everyone necessarily needs a Mac.
 
#13 ·
#14 ·
Sure, that was hyperbole. Guilty as charged.

BUT, I know this from personal observation: not since the eighties have I seen as many people switch to Mac OS X. Yes, during the dark DARK 1990's, things were bad and people were leaving the platform. Not so today. When was the last time any of you saw or read of someone migrating to Windows? I read A LOT of Mac news, every day. I can think of at least one that I have read of in three years. Meanwhile, I have probably read of hundreds who have gone Mac (in both cases, you can multiply it beyond this to account for the ones that don't get written up on the web).

I know this from reading Apple's financial reports: their sales are generally UP on their own past reports (sometimes quarterly, and in some cases year-over-year). Is Apple's growth matching the x86 side's? No. Is Apple's USERBASE in RAW NUMBERS increasing? It would appear so. To compare one company to all the rest is unfair. Mac OS is definitely a sliver of what the Windows platform is... but it is growing. But the war is over. Apple lost and it was Apple's superiority to lose. Those mistakes were made A LONG TIME AGO. Apple now has to run its own race, or else be forever paralyzed on the psychiatrist's couch (as you and your insane friend Rob Enderle would prefer it), fretting that it's not good enough on account that they don't sell as many Macs as McDonalds sells Big Macs -- and we all know how high-quality THEY are! The healthy thing for Apple to do is to make the best hardware and software they can at the best price points they can and GET THE WORD OUT. They are doing many of these things and some of them they are doing well. there is room for improvement, however.

Meanwhile, Microsoft takes years to catch up to Apple's technologies, and Bill Gates himself says that "we" (as in the Windows developers at Winhec, last year AND this year), need to make easier software that is more attractive in appearance. BILL GATES himself knows the truth, and he builds a nice, controlled CLOSED PLATFORM prototype PC called "Athens" to show how it should be done. A prototype. Lovely. A prototype, by the way, that is THE ANTITHESIS of what the x86 platform has been all about. Meanwhile over on our side of the fence, life goes on with "the prototype" in action, Apple selling well over a million computers of various types, yearly.

And finally, I know this: the vast majority of computer users out there would be well served by using the Mac platform. I have run my own business long enough and have learned more than enough to state that as fact. Each person's or company's needs are different, and the Mac platform may not be appropriate for EVERY use, but it is more often appropriate than is generally assumed. There are a lot of people dissatisfied with Windows and Microsoft, are either intimidated by or lack confidence in Linux serving them properly, and yet are ignorant to the facts surrounding the Mac platform. There's an extremely viable option out there for them; they just don't realize it.

[ May 11, 2004, 12:38 AM: Message edited by: Macaholic ]
 
#15 ·
BTW, this may be hard for you to understand but not everyone needs a computer and not everyone necessarily needs a Mac.
The Mac is a computer. Just like "a PC" is. There are LOADS of software titles for it of various function. Anyone who wants a computing platform that is less stressful, easier, more dependable and more enjoyable can research their needs and see if the Mac can fill them. I don't know where you're coming from with your "not everyone necessarily needs a Mac" line, but you can do more on a Mac than "edit video" and it's not just WHAT you can do on a computer, but HOW WELL the computer allows you to do it.

And, it may be hard for you to understand, but those people you referenced who do not ned a computer? Well, why the hell do you reference them at all? That's just as much a lost sale for Dell and the rest as it is for Apple. They are completely irrelevant to this thread.
 
#16 ·
why are you so enamored with windows, ironmac?
Ironmac is more enamored with being the doubting Thomas that sticks out here, Trout. It's his little spotlight. He's just like that fool "Reality Check" who harrasses The Mac Observer's reader comment threads.
 
#17 ·
" ... If that were true, how do you explain the long term trend in decreasing Mac sales? ..."

It's a snapshot of a whole market. 10 years ago people who needed a computer bought them and bought them for a specific purpose, and now people who don't need one or are somehow convinced they want one buy them.

My buddy uses a PC for exactly three things:
eMail 1%
Web surfing 5%
playing solitare 94%

I have never seen him use his computer for anything else. Not even a different game. Ever.
He sure doesn't need a Mac, and I would never suggest he get one.

I do.

It's a tool. Who cares what other people do? They use what they need to do a job. If you want a PC, then by all means get one. It's your money.

Of course, surfing the web on a PC could cost you thousands of dollars. Lucky bastards.
 
#18 ·
#19 ·
Trout, I've been using Apple products for 20 years starting with a IIe and I bought Apple stock in 1997 or 1998 at US$13 when everyone said the company was doomed. Does that answer your question?

As for you Macaholic, I may be a doubting Thomas but I'm not delusional like some Mac cultists are.
 
#20 ·
I'm not delusional; just unusually well-read, Ironmac. I'm also saddened by the shoddy goods that the masses think they have to use, when a better way exists for many of them.
 
#22 ·
WHAT?? Got a URL on that? All i can tell you is that I assumed that Apple developed the iPod and was surprised to read that a guy at Real first proposed it to Real and they passed. The fact that the OS is licensed as is the DRM is known to me, and it doesn't surprise me that much of the components are out-sourced. But hey, I don't recall what you're talking about, but please show me the thread.

And SORRY, but I know what I read and what I see. The Macworld is factually NOT as you would have us believe.
 
#24 ·
But, I agreed with you, Rustyironmac. :eek: That ought to show that I have some objectivity and am not afraid to admit a mistake. All of us around here are waiting for you to display the same level of maturity... HAR-HAR!!


I for one won't be holding my breath.
 
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