Apple better smarten up abit!

[superbovine]

I just cant believe what I am seeing here as far as Apple is concerned. I know I am not the only one as I have read many analyst's opinions mentioning this very same problem.

Who in there right mind would announce something like Steve did last week that essentially decapitates any future sales of Mac computers for the next 2 years without even thinking of also announcing any updates to their current hardware? Their stock is tumbling down and people all over the net are talking about 'holding' out on purchasing till something more is explained on the subject of Intel/Mac. What on earth are they thinking? No iBook update. No Mini update. No updates PERIOD!

Now i know he made the announcement at the developers convention but still it made world news so this doesnt just affect developers it affects EVERYONE who ever thought currently, past or future, of buying a new Macintosh computer. Now you can defend Apple on this dumb decision but I am only expressing my thoughts and that can't be punished particularily because I believe that there are alot more people who feel the same as I do about this.

Talk about dropping the ball and walkin out of the building Steve.

the WSJ basically confirmed the Intel hardware switch a few weeks ago, and it was already factored into the price of the stock.

 

[Deepdale]

Smaller market share coming?

Their stock is tumbling down and people all over the net are talking about 'holding' out on purchasing till something more is explained on the subject of Intel/Mac. What on earth are they thinking? No iBook update. No Mini update. No updates PERIOD!

Even though their opinions are rarely the definitive word on a given subject, some technology analysts are now on the record expecting the Intel deal to shake out in a way that marginalizes Apple to the point of a miniscule 1 to 1.5% market share.

After having gradually inched up to approximately a 3.5% share, dropping back down another 2 percentage points is significant. None of us are clairvoyant and in time we will know the effect, but should that occur it will not bode well for Apple's future health in such a cutthroat sector.

 

[Applespider]

Even though their opinions are rarely the definitive word on a given subject, some technology analysts are now on the record expecting the Intel deal to shake out in a way that marginalizes Apple to the point of a miniscule 1 to 1.5% market share.

Though since there have been technology analysts predicting the death of Apple after new announcement, the fact that they're now just predicting a loss of market share might be a positive thing.

I could see a drop in the market share over the next few years if they start broaden the definition of a computer and class all the PPC consoles, GPS systems, smartphones as computers (as they do cash registers and ATMs now). But in terms of actual computer market share, it will go up. Apple's just got its biggest brand awareness jump in years, the public are becoming aware of Apple as an alternative, the same public are becoming weary of constant security problems, they want to do things with all their shiny new camcorders and digital cameras... that part of the market will climb

 

[Deepdale]

Though since there have been technology analysts predicting the death of Apple after new announcement, the fact that they're now just predicting a loss of market share might be a positive thing.

As a Mac user and fan of the company's innovation, I hope you are proven to be right. Meanwhile, an infusion of new blood - especially concerning iBooks - is badly needed. A move away from white would really please me as well as more realistic specs that would better complement the lastest OS they introduced.

People do tire easily of all the hype and promise that is then paired with underpowered machines. Regardless of what anyone tells me, a Mac with 256 MB RAM and the Tiger OS is tantamount to offering a sexy car with half the engine only to justify it on the basis of keeping the price within a more friendly consumer range.

 

[CuriousG]

dan-o-mac...no that isnt what it boils down to as you put it. I dont think you get where I am coming from but thats ok. Life goes on.

Personally I could care less for a new iBook I am looking at the bigger picture here rather than just what I want.

Read my posts again.

PS: to wait or not wait? Well consider this then first http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1130

...apparently sources close to Apple claim its only a matter of weeks before the "summer" hardware lineup is revealed. So I guess it would be kind of pointless to not wait the couple weeks to at least see what they will be releasing dont you agree? If not then I guess you are finding it hard to place your mind in that of someone looking to immediately buy and are only speaking from your @#&.

 

[emotion]

Apple sales will not grind to a hault like people make out. I will still buy the 10 to 15 new macs that I normaly would for my buessnes. Schools will not hold out. Print houses that upgrade on a scedual will not wait. Alot of MR members will not hold out. And a good precentage of the user base doesnt follow all things Apple so they will not ever hear of the change till the new Macs are on Apples website. All the Apple rumor mongers in the world combined make up a very small percent of the user base.

Like I said the world still turns, people will still buy Macs.

indeed. my boss has just asked me to spec up a new 15" powerbook for immediate purchase. at first i did think this was an osborne-like situation but now i'm thinking with a more level head.

didn't stop me holding off on getting the extra powerbook i was going to buy for my partner tho. we'll survive till next year with the one machine (a 12" 1.33).

we live in interesting times. the strategy from intel here is particularly interesting.

 

[Passante]

I just cant believe what I am seeing here as far as Apple is concerned. I know I am not the only one as I have read many analyst's opinions mentioning this very same problem.

Who in there right mind would announce something like Steve did last week that essentially decapitates any future sales of Mac computers for the next 2 years without even thinking of also announcing any updates to their current hardware? Their stock is tumbling down and people all over the net are talking about 'holding' out on purchasing till something more is explained on the subject of Intel/Mac. What on earth are they thinking? No iBook update. No Mini update. No updates PERIOD!

Now i know he made the announcement at the developers convention but still it made world news so this doesnt just affect developers it affects EVERYONE who ever thought currently, past or future, of buying a new Macintosh computer. Now you can defend Apple on this dumb decision but I am only expressing my thoughts and that can't be punished particularily because I believe that there are alot more people who feel the same as I do about this.

Talk about dropping the ball and walkin out of the building Steve.

Another newbie troll post or someone with no perspective?

I know companies that are still using G3 ibooks running OS 9. Did Jaguar/Panther/Tiger make these systems unproductive. People who need to buy new Macs will and those who are able to wait will (and they will complain about it)

Are you suggesting that Apple should have secretly told its developers and had them keep it a secret for a year? Daaa right.

One should not be "punished" for thier thoughts but how about for thier stupidity?

 

[thomasp]

I personally don't care much about this announcement, as long as in a few years time, they're still making PPC compatible software and OSes, which it seems is the case.

I'm still going to buy a PowerBook towards the end of August (need a new computer for uni), and I can see that computer lasting me another 5 years at least, still running PPC software.

Even if the Intel PB's were coming out in early September, I'd still buy a PPC one in August, because I wouldn't want the first revision of a computer as it would probably be a bit buggy (I'd probably do the same if a G5 PB was coming out in September...)

This G3 iMac which I'm currently using has served me well for over four and a half years. We bought this one (350MHz G3) because it was being EOL'd and was cheap! OK, the hard drive is getting small, and the processor is beginning to struggle, but it's running fine on OS9.2.1. The only downside is I can't get any new software for it, which is why I'm going to replace it.


I can't wait until the Intel laptops to come out - I need a new computer before September, and preferably a portable one. For a lot of people who desparately need new computers, they won't wait two or three years for the Intels to come out - they want a new computer now. Apple's sales won't suddenly vanish because they've got completely new computers in a year or two. As long as Apple support PPC stuff for a couple of years after the switch (and it seems they will), I can't see why people would want to wait if they need a new computer now.


However, my dad is a slightly different case. He is a photographer who uses Photoshop regularly, and he has a Dual 867MHz G4 which is just about fine - for now... He also has a G3 500MHz iBook which is rapidly approaching the end of its life.

He was considering upgrading either the G4 to a Dual G5 or getting a new iBook. With the Intel switch news, he's now going to hold fire for a bit and see how things pan out. If he finds in a year's time he desparately needs to replace the G4, he'll buy a Dual G5, otherwise, he'll wait and see what Intel have to offer.


The point I'm trying to make in this (very) long post (sorry!) is that some people can't afford to wait for the Intel's to come out - they will have to buy a new computer before then.

Apple will lose some sales, but not all of them.


*Promises never to make a long post like this again *

 

[dan-o-mac]

dan-o-mac...no that isnt what it boils down to as you put it. I dont think you get where I am coming from but thats ok. Life goes on.

Personally I could care less for a new iBook I am looking at the bigger picture here rather than just what I want.

Read my posts again.

PS: to wait or not wait? Well consider this then first http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1130

...apparently sources close to Apple claim its only a matter of weeks before the "summer" hardware lineup is revealed. So I guess it would be kind of pointless to not wait the couple weeks to at least see what they will be releasing dont you agree? If not then I guess you are finding it hard to place your mind in that of someone looking to immediately buy and are only speaking from your @#&.

"Who in there right mind would announce something like Steve did last week that essentially decapitates any future sales of Mac computers for the next 2 years without even thinking of also announcing any updates to their current hardware?" CuriousG

"What on earth are they thinking? No iBook update. No Mini update. No updates PERIOD! " CuriousG

"Apple NEEDS to stand out from the crowd always. That is what they are known for. But in order to remain cutting edge they must keep on top of their lines and not let them get too dated like the iBook line obviously is." CuriousG

 

[sigamy]

I really believe that the Intel-based PowerBooks, iBooks and Minis are coming in January at MacWorld SF. Steve will start with the Mini and claim that they did it 6 months ahead of schedule (giving him one last dig at IBM).

Then the "one more thing" will be an entire new line of notebooks--with PowerBooks running the dual core Pentium M and iBooks with a single core Pentium M.

The minis and iBooks will be shipping by late Jan, the PowerBooks shipping in March.

 

[wdlove]

Apple has been a secretive company and will continue in the future. It is almost amazing that Steve told us about Intel. Probably the answer is that this one was too big.

 

[yellow]

Another thing to point out here is the fact that if you were a non educated Mac user/owner and just were tired of the Winbloze scene and you went out and bought a new Mac iBook today or Mini and then right after you paid for this obviously higher priced computer than x86 comparibles (aside from OSX) you wake up two days later to see that the line has been upgraded and your brand new computer is now not so new.

That's one long sentance.

Anyway, how is this any different then normal? This happens to a lot of people who buy Macs.