Apple's edge: fewer choices

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Easy Answer !

You ask why the market doesn't reflect more people choosing
wisely?

In the beginning, there was Apple.

And people bought Apple computers, and they were happy.

Then IBM decided to make some money in the personal
computer market.

They made cute commercials with a Charlie Chaplin look-a-like.

And people bought IBM computers and were confused.

DOS ! Command Line ?

And Consultants were born. And they made lots of money.

Lots.

People who bought computers chose on the basis of cost. Save
$50 and go with IBM !

Plus, the biggest draw for PC's is illegal software sharing.

My own family members have said they choose PC because their
friends have software they promised to share. I point out that's
illegal. They don't care.

It's all about saving pennies with some people.

IBM's reputation didn't hurt either.

Then the Clone Wars began. And people were presented with
hundreds of choices.

Prices plummeted. Quality plummeted too.

And despite the fact that Macs were obviously easier to use, the
market's momentum had it's effect.

The Flame Wars soon followed. PC users attacking Mac users,
mostly. Mac users flaming back.

I concluded at the time, that it was part platform loyalty and part
buyers' remorse on the PC users' side.

Buy a computer for $50 less than another, and any problems you
have, you start to blame on that choice. Applies to DVD
players, too, dang it.

People get defensive, Flame Wars happen.

And if people were dissatisfied by their choice, did they go Mac
on their next purchase ?

Some did !

But businesses didn't. And people often were stuck with buying
PC's at home because they used them at work.

Only now is the Windows Hegemony threatened. Linux is still
harder to learn, but it's growing. And it's eating into Windows
marketshare as people are desperate to get away from M$.

It takes courage or desperation to break away from what you
know even if the alternatives look good.

Ever hear of the Stanley Steamer? A car that ran on Steam
Power with an EXTERNAL combustion engine.

Even now, the car companies could build cars that use
hybridized fuel.

Powdered coal injection burners, steam power, ... heck, cars that
burn feed corn !!

If these were paired with electric motors for easy start and go,
hybrids would really take off !

Would you buy one?

Go look at the cost of gasoline before you answer.

Would you change platforms away from gasoline?

Fuel cells that can strip hydrogen from anything.

Hmmm. Gasoline, used cooking oil, kerosene, corn oil...
interesting, right?

Particularly if gasoline hits $4.00 a gallon.

Are you thinking about it yet?

If you could change platforms away from gasoline, you could
change platforms elsewise.

Posted by: Jkirk3279   Posted on: 10/19/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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