Re: Apple's next move (was Apple II just won't die.)

[ur448@freenet.Victoria.BC.CA (John Edward Flanders)]

In a previous article, rubywand@aol.com (RUBYWAND) says:

>
>
>Johnny Lau (<Dotq9s.IyM.0.queen@torfree.net>, be063@torfree.net) writes:
>
>>Maybe it's about time someone buy the rights and licences off Apple 
>>Computers and build and market a brand new Apple II clone?
>>
>>
>
>RUBYWAND (rubywand@aol.com) replied:
>
>>      Maybe so. However, if Apple sells the rights to the II series they
>> can pretty well pack it in as far as any hope for a rebound is
>concerned.
>>
>
>Dave Althoff (dalloff@freenet.columbus.oh.us) suggests:
>
>>The smarter move would be to license (not sell) the hardware and source
>>code to someone interested in continuing the product line...I think a
>>laptop GS would be just GREAT...naturally feeding a license fee back to
>>Apple for any unit sold.  Not necessarily the best scenario for us-folks,
>>but it would enable Apple to reap some benefit from the product (which
>Big
>>Beige would like) with a minimal amount of effort (which is probably why
>>Big Beige gave up on us in the first place).
>>
>
>    This is probably the kind of situation Apple was aiming for with the
>Sun deal. Basically, it sells-off its manufacturing component, parcels out
>licenses (for laptops, OS implementations, etc.) and clips coupons. The
>main problem is getting someone to 'buy the farm'.
>
>    Supposedly, Apple's new Consumate Enlightened One is good at knocking
>troubled companies into shape. This takes time-- like a couple of years.
>
>    IF Apple plans to remain in the computer-making business, its options
>are fairly easy to identify. We can pretty well eliminate competing as a
>PC clone maker. No one is going to undersell the gruds. PC clone shops and
>medium-size resellers operate too close to bare bone profit margins. They
>also define, via sheer volume, the 'standard machine'. There is not really
>much room for the add-ons and extra features which might temp buyers to
>pay premium Apple PC prices.
>
>    Apple's best shot is to target the home market with a new 65xxx-based
>II. Assuming the II-GSX ("II-Omega", "Hydra", "II-Altair", etc.) 
>represents a significant performance boost over the current (accelerated,
>4MB) IIgs and is 65xxx-based, Apple could expect good support from II
>users. While being, perhaps, "troublesome", the II user base is also
>"activist" and very good at recruiting.
>
>    Today's home user would welcome a machine that  (1) does not become
>obsolete every two years   (2) does not require re-configuration for each
>new entertainment software release  (3) is _not_ PC compatible  (4) offers
>built-in user-friendly programmability  (5) is supported by a big-name
>manufacturer  (6) has the support of an active, computer-wise user base.
>
>    One might expect that the above considerations are obvious, even to
>Apple, Inc.; but, Apple could blow it:
>
>A. II users are not likely to welcome a mixed Mac/II machine because
>anything of the sort must represent less than optimal II performance. Most
>Apple II users simply do not like Mac. We do not want Mac stuff polluting
>our machine. If Apple feels compelled to toss a bone to Mac users, let it
>be via an optional Mac plug-in card.
>
>B. II users want Apple to commit to the 65Cxxx and back development of
>bigger, faster uP's in the series. Some kind of RISC-based kluge that can
>execute 68xxx or x86xxx series code is certain to evoke mistrust.
>
>C. II users want an 'open', expandable machine (i.e. lots of Slots).  A
>closed machine would be a major turn-off.
>
>D. Price for a satisfactory machine must be low enough so that there is
>good reason to expect that non-II home users will be attracted. Taking
>"satisfactory" to mean, roughly, a 16MHz, 8MB (expandable), 65C816-based
>box with 8 Slots, mouse, 512MB IDE hard disk, 8x IDE CD-ROM, 1MB ensoniq
>Sound, SVGA monitor, SVGA-class plug-in Video card with at least 640 x 480
>4096 color capability, ..., then, price should not be much above $1200.
>
>    Putting the above in clear, non-ambiguous terms: Apple absolutely must
>attract enthusiastic II user base support. If it succeeds in this, all the
>rest--  support from major software developers & vendors, net navigation
>wares, winning over Mac users, sales to new home computer buyers,
>education sales, and a jump in stock prices-- will follow.

>Rubywand
>

Since this thread is still going, and a lot of very good ideas have been
presented here by highly skilled computer users (who've been at it for a
long time), you'd think the folks at Apple Computer would be reading this
newsgroup to pick up on what their *original* customers really want and 
need.

I wonder if they ever bother reading it - they must pick up this newsgroup
on their site.

john
-- 
if you ask Him, He will come.