Dear Phil:
I live in N. New Jersey near a number of large malls with a lot of traffic. From Apple, I got the names of Apple dealers in the area but went to only 3 of them. One of them does not stock any computers at all although has an Apple sign outside. The other 2: CompUSA and Computer City had their Apples away from the main traffic of the store. Both of them have cut down tremendously on Apple software. Each one had about 5 Apples in boxes and 2 for showing. One of them had 2 laptops. One of them showed the ? sign when I turned it on and the other took till doomsday to start up. So I left it.
Now we know Apple has superior material and I have an Apple and most likely will buy another but Apple must to do something to get the machines into main traffic areas. I don't think anything is going to improve throughout the rest of the year. Apple is bleeding very badly and I feel Jobs and company don't know what to do and they are moving too slowly. Apple must get a strong sales team to get to the retailers and coax, cajole or twist arms to get the retailers to start pushing Apple. Heavy deals must be made with these retailers to make it profitable for them to push the machines. Like Intel advertisements, that's what Apple must do. Forget about Gandhi, Einstein and co. I also feel that Jobs may not be the man for this job and I think his relationship with the early success of Apple should be reevaluated. I have a gut feeling that he has received too much credit. In retrospect, Amelio, who was not the man for the job, was the type that is needed. One thing Apple needs is someone who will strengthen Apple's sales arm and fast. Jobs may have been good then when Apple began but we must question whether he is the person we need for this job. I feel that he may not be. Let us not fall in love with Job's mystique or the stock. Falling in love with any stock is like falling in love with a prostitute. In each case, you get screwed. You are right about the relationship between Motorola, IBM and Apple. This triumverate should be strengthened and by doing so will strengthen Apple. There has to be a fundamental rebuilding of Apple, from the ground up. Jobs may may not be the man for this job.
I try not to predict stock trends although I usually cannot prevent myself. I don't see support at the 20 level. I looked at graphs going back 6 years and IT SEEMS TO ME there is support at the 12-15 level. In conclusion, I feel Jobs, Ellerson are not what Apple needs now. I hope I'm wrong but Apple is bleeding like a sieve and I don't see Apple's present management doing what's needed fast enough.
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