Eric, I think your #12468 is right on. Product intro makes a big difference. Plus, we had the extra $200 million in Performa revenue for Q2 1997 that was counted in the previous quarter, according to Anderson. So really, revenue declined last year from Q2 to Q3.
Nonetheless, I am feeling positive as long as the PowerBooks are available early and in quantity. Note that the 292 mhz version isn't due until weeks after May 6. Note also that Macintouch isn't sure that any PBs are going to be available by May 6, though this is a minor point.
Alomex's point about Newtons and printers is useful (and his revenue projections may well be right on, we've always been too high on the revenue projections for the last year) but not too important. Apple never sold that many Newtons and the printers were already mostly phased out last quarter. Plus, one could argue that those who still buy Apple printers are the schools, who take them in bundles. We know that the education buying season is starting. Hopefully Apple's year-on-year 9% increase in K-12 buying that it saw last quarter will be a positive trend that can continue.
On the regular G3 side, I think the RAM/VPC deal is a very good one. And the machines are priced very reasonably already. Sales should hold up, though I hope for a 375 mhz version late in the quarter.
Marc |
