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Good post.
Summarizes well the problems Apple faces getting into small businesses.

There are a couple of points I think you could have expended. You wrote:

However that group is also most likely to know little of computers - other than using the apps. They are used to Windows and fear the unknown. Therefore they simply do not consider Macs because "everyone" uses Windows. Of course they would also face the added cost of buying things like mac Office for their machines.
Such businesses are generally loathe to spend such a significant amount of money.

Two problems Apple faces: cost and leeriness about computers. Mercifully, I've edited out my explication of all the software, services, etc. for which Apple charges.

Most small business owners I've encountered consider the computer an unfortunate necessity. They learn what standard things the computer does and use it with some trepidation. They are satisfied in the device does them no harm.
The idea that computers might do something to improve efficiency is met with the response that there's no time and an increase in capability will be too costly to be justified.

There's little hope that a computer represents more than a standard, fragile part of doing business.

Apple's sales pitch is exactly that they can do more, and reliably. The problem is the functionality they've emphasized has little to do with business.

Apple has created a circle for itself: they advertise capabilities having little to do with most businesses, so businesses don't see them as a significant possibility, so few business sales result, so Apple adds capabilities where the sales impact will be greatest.

If Apple did decide to concentrate on the business market, they might be successful. The problem is, that's against the record, and a change in the way the company thinks of its products.
Posted by: Anton Philidor   Posted on: 09/02/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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