A misc. post, addressed to Alomex (who is becoming more bullish on AAPL by the week) just for the heck of it.
Musabi: We're all in agreement with you. I think we're just saying that Apple is still doing great things for education and for the most part is moving away from the "going out of business" danger zone they were in last year. Can we get your thoughts on the NC in the classroom idea? It would appear to me that a school can save a ton of money and give the kids the same experience as before, while gaining more control over administration. Also, can you comment on Message 3577934 in terms of an increase in federal grants? Do you have any good news for Apple from your contacts? Happiness with the G3s, increased purchases planned due to new grants, etc.?
Martin and Dirk: I believe Martin's interest in QT 3.0 is entirely due to his Radius investment, which I share. Once QT 3.0 ships, Radius can ship their Windows software. It's a big deal. Martin, if I hear anything I'll bring it over to the thread.
Eric and Phil: It seems to me that margins are a wash from last quarter. More G3s will be sold, but many at the new lower prices, plus all the old inventory is going cheap. Spartacus won't matter because of the limited quantities but is yet another item that will push Apple to be quite cash flow positive this quarter. I wonder when the co. will start using some of it? Apple will have the cash to make a major push later this year or next for NCs, Rhapsody, getting back in the consumer market, whatever.
Alomex: The real point of our interest in the Computer Intelligence survey is not that Apple has 50%, because your reasons are essentially dead on. The point is the recent explosive growth in that chart. Your comment about the cloners is a bit off. In 1996, the biggest year of the clones, they were new, they advertised heavily, and due to a misguided policy from Apple had ridiculous licensing terms. Combine this with Apple having lame products in 1996 and it isn't surprising to see heavy clone sales. I had to go with a PowerCenter over a 7200. There just wasn't any comparison and besides all the former's superiority, Apple couldn't even come up with the 7200 due to their manufacturing/forecasting problems. However, this PowerCenter is a piece of junk. If I'd been in the market a year later I would've gone for an 8600 over any clone, even the PowerCenterPro.
HerbVic: Apple needs Rhapsody to make a major push into the server market because as I understand it, the Mac OS is the limiting factor right now. In years past Apple had 1% of the market. If Apple can get up to 2% of this rapidly growing market, it will do fine things for the bottom line. Also, wasn't IBM interested in selling Rhapsody servers too? Apple should make that happen.
Btw, that 20th Anniversary Mac is essentially equal to the midrange 6500 in power. Would've been the top of the line for consumer systems a year or so ago but pretty tame now.
Marc |
