Re: Wozniak vs Jobs

[Jeff Lemke <lemke@terra.cira.colostate.edu>]

> Thus the Apple II could not evolve into an ARM based 32 bit platform, it had to
> be replaced by something completely new. Had someone been in charge who
> understood basic sales and marketing Apple would have the 95% market share
> today, no question. Penetrate and exand, penetrate and expand. Ask Bill Gates
> or IBM (Still ten times bigger than Microsoft) or Dell or SUN.
> 
> It is only Apple that has this flawed approach to finding customers and serving
> them. What we need is Apple's technical inovation and Gates business inovation
> combined.
> 
> Charlie Springer
> 
> P.S. Anybody who tells you a 4 MHz 65816 outruns an 8 MHz 68000 (original Mac)
> is out of their friggin mind.


I think we need to go back in computer history quite a ways to see why
Apple would never have 95% market share, almost regardless of what it
did later.  Apple tried in 1980 to break into the small business sector
with the Apple III, and unfortunately, the machines rolled out in the
first 6 months of its run were quite buggy hardware-wise.  I recall
reading that Apple's advice was to pick up the machine a few inches and
drop it to reseat the loose chips which refused to stay put.  Apple
finally decided to replace all defective machines, no questions asked. 
But as far as public relations were concerned in the business world, the
mortal damage was already done.  Business people were reluctant to begin
with to buy any computer systems that didn't have Big Blue's logo on
them, but a few businesses did try the Apple III's, but Apple stumbled
at a crucial time.  In a year, the IBM PC was introduced, and at last,
there was something they could trust for their needs.  You only have one
chance to make a good first impression.

And then Apple tried the Lisa, but it was way too expensive and a bit
sluggish in performance.  And that was it for Apple in business, except
for desktop publishing.  They did find a niche there with their Macs,
but it really was a small niche.  It was just enough to save them, I
think.

Jeff Lemke