[WinMac] Re: iMac (WinMac Digest #217 - 02/04/99)

David McKnight(dmcknight[at]fleetwood.com)
Fri, 05 Feb 1999 07:43:46 -0800

> Wintel companies have always been "wait until everyone does it, then try to do
> it cheaper". And what comes out is cheaper, not less expensive.

Keep in mind, Jeff, that when you are competing in a commodity market (as do
*most* PC manufacturers), your strongest selling point has to be price. One of
Apple's biggest mistakes over the past few years was the overabundance of
models, which were (as was common with Apple) more expensive than their PC
cousins. They attempted to compete in a commodity market with higher-priced
product. I don't think I have to explain what happened next.

Whether you like Jobs or not, one of the things he forced was a reduction in
models -- which allowed the engineering folks to focus more on improving quality
and becoming more innovative, while the marketing folks focused first on their
key markets, and then on branching out. So far, I'd have to say it's worked. If
they had to produce *five* different versions (and I don't mean colors) of the
iMac, they'd be right back where they were before.

BTW, I think eliminating a floppy from the iMac was innovative from a marketing
standpoint. It allowed Apple to cut manufacturing costs in an area of their
product they agreed was only marginally useful -- and it created great spin from
a P.R. standpoint. Debate about a product change (when it becomes as widespread
as has this) has immeasurably high promotional value.

----------
>From: "The Windows-MacOS cooperation list" <winmac@xerxes.frit.utexas.edu>
>To: "The Windows-MacOS cooperation list" <winmac@xerxes.frit.utexas.edu>
>Subject: WinMac Digest #217 - 02/04/99
>Date: Thu, Feb 4, 1999, 11:00 AM

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This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b2 on Fri Feb 05 1999 - 08:12:48 PST