Dennis, from speaking to fellow resellers around the US, Apple's vaporware pre-announced iMac is causing some people to think twice about buying desktops right now.
My personal observation is this vaporware pre-announcement has really dampened 604/604e sales.
Software companies can get away with vaporware, "test-the-waters" announcements...because they can always make their vaporware announcement, but then can adjust upgrade prices, offer free upgrade windows (ie buy now and we'll give you the next release free), whereas hardware companies can do none of these things to protect current-QTR sales. In essence, they sometimes shoot themselves in the foot.
Apple is learning bad habits from Microsoft.
Harm, you ask ? Apple is not yet sold out of their 604e models (8600/300s, 9600/300s, etc)...and if their pre-announcement slows G3 DT sales ALSO...not good short term. As I am not privy to inside Apple sales data, I must state this is my personal speculation & conclusion only.
My agenda ? I own not a share of Apple (wouldn't consider it really), nor do I short it (not given to this investment strategy). I do sell the product, and keep in touch daily w/ fellow resellers in the 'biz to guage where my demand, liability and risks are headed, given the inherent flakiness of current Apple management (IMHO)
Seems I exist in spite of, not with the cooperation and encouragement of, Apple these days. VARs these days are an endangered species.
c-man
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> Hmmmm, we're running out of time -- this Quarter ends on June 27th. |
