Many will remember the classic 2x2 product matrix that helped revive Apple a few years ago.
iMac, iBook, PowerMac, PowerBook.
Extremely simple and easy to follow, it stood as a customer's dream for convenience in decision making.
Then the tinkering came, with the Cube, the accessories, the eMac. Nothing wrong here, but it's starting to get cluttered. Now with iSight thrown in, two choices for wireless networking, a huge array of both pro and consumer software for machines that can't decide if they're pro or consumer. In other words, it's a little too grey.
Now, you must be thinking, the Mac Head that you are, that Average Joe is not going to have a problem with a selection of this size, and I'd have to agree. However, there are still many dumb, rich people that want Macs and can't understand a product line-up or tech. terms. It's nothing much for someone to learn, but why not strive for simplicity?
We need a new product matrix or a method of differentiating the product lines.
If a product matrix is the choice, then go with consumer, prosumer, and professional products, or some other variation on the products. I personally prefer the tiers listed above, allowing a 2x3 matrix.
Consumer: eMac, iBook 12"
Prosumer: iMac, iBook 14"
Professional: PowerMac, PowerBook
Now to make this listing work, name changes would probably be in order, with possibly an eBook (or some other god-awful name).
Another method, and one that I like a fair amount that Apple itself has done, is the color variation, with white meaning a consumer machine and metal meaning professional, but this solution does not currently carry over to Apple's software, with iTunes, for example, proudly showing off its brushed metal, the current symbol for the pro.
iMac, iBook, PowerMac, PowerBook.
Extremely simple and easy to follow, it stood as a customer's dream for convenience in decision making.
Then the tinkering came, with the Cube, the accessories, the eMac. Nothing wrong here, but it's starting to get cluttered. Now with iSight thrown in, two choices for wireless networking, a huge array of both pro and consumer software for machines that can't decide if they're pro or consumer. In other words, it's a little too grey.
Now, you must be thinking, the Mac Head that you are, that Average Joe is not going to have a problem with a selection of this size, and I'd have to agree. However, there are still many dumb, rich people that want Macs and can't understand a product line-up or tech. terms. It's nothing much for someone to learn, but why not strive for simplicity?
We need a new product matrix or a method of differentiating the product lines.
If a product matrix is the choice, then go with consumer, prosumer, and professional products, or some other variation on the products. I personally prefer the tiers listed above, allowing a 2x3 matrix.
Consumer: eMac, iBook 12"
Prosumer: iMac, iBook 14"
Professional: PowerMac, PowerBook
Now to make this listing work, name changes would probably be in order, with possibly an eBook (or some other god-awful name).
Another method, and one that I like a fair amount that Apple itself has done, is the color variation, with white meaning a consumer machine and metal meaning professional, but this solution does not currently carry over to Apple's software, with iTunes, for example, proudly showing off its brushed metal, the current symbol for the pro.
The only thing that may be changed is the iBook and PB. I like the products offered, but some people want the 14" iBook out. 
