Big John,
Trends working on Apple, reply:
1) there are several good sub $1000 Macs out there, and the trickle down effect and economics of the G3 chips will give apple a lead in that market unlike the 603 processor series (which is a pretty good machine itself). However this market could be lost to both Apple and Intel because of the computer on a chip efforts of ... the other chip vendors (forgot their names).
2) Education means exposure, (I'm at UCLA & it does work, most design students after comparing systems still buy Macs despite the hype about Apple folding etc.)
3) It is highly unlikely that IBM will abandon the PowerPC chip
since IBM uses it in its RS-6000 and AS-400 systems, both of which make IBM money. Also IBM has vast experience in processor design and the PPC is way, way faster than Intel chips in FPU performance and about equal in interger performance.
Additionally, there are rumours that Macs will be built using the Merced chip. Rumours that appear to be substantial. Considering the fact that Rhapsody already runs on Intel chips it seems very likely that apple will port Rhapsody to Merced, and they will probably port Allegro. This interest in Merced might have been a ploy by Apple management to apply pressure on IBM or it might just be a natural interest with multiple advantages.
4) MicroSoft will have the feds on its back forever. An irritating monkey, a constant diversion and rightly so. MicroSoft has played dirty with many honest people. Even MicroSoft admits it has hurt its bland image.
5) NeXT didn't fail because of inferiority, it failed because it couldn't compete against established giants Apple/Wintel/Unix. It is likely that NeXT is just what the doctor ordered for Apple. Established customer base (Apple), superior technology (NeXT and Apple), and Unix base (NeXT). Many of the talented people that have departed probably needed to depart. They have been replaced by new effort, dedication and completely new talent.
What they can do:
1) see above and remember DEC had no Apple, also IBM is much larger than DEC with a huge customer base, and multiple other synergistic technologies (hard drive to name one).
2) I don't buy computers for looks, actually I wish the plugs were on the front, I wish stereos, and VCRs had their plugs on the front. Most people I know agree. How about all of you?
3) They are doing the right thing making all of that stuff optional. I don't need 10/100 ethernet, most people don't. Why add it to the base price. I like the fact that they have made it VERY easy to add cards and ram, that is the Apple way, and how it should be.
4) All Apple needs from SGI is SGI software ported to Rhapsody, which hopefully will be easy, since Irix and NeXT are Unix based. Read the December DV magazine which compares NT, Mac, and SGI systems in a very impartial manner.
5) Personally I think the eMates are they way to go. Successful beyond expectation. But if it is a Newton you must have I agree make it small.
just my 6 bits (75› in old street lingo)
Doren |
