Last modified: January 9, 2003 11:04 AM PST
Where Apple's going astray
I just wanted to add something to your comments, regarding the Macworld event. I am a "dark-side" switcher. I used to have a Mac, and now I have a powerful Wintel machine (cheaper and more compliant with my friends' software). But I am still a big Apple fan, or at least a big fan of Steve Jobs' keynotes.
This year, I found it was quite a weak presentation (no iPod 2). I'll remember three things:
One more time (since the .Mac initiative), Apple gets publicly inspired by Microsoft, when it comes to marketing, and packages a software suite. "We'll do for creativity what Microsoft did for productivity." iLife is Office for creativity. I expect more from Apple, in terms of marketing, than openly copying Microsoft's approach.
By necessity or by vision, Apple is putting its finger on a trend it helped launch: laptops at home. I am afraid this is a vision that will benefit the cheapest PC laptops.
Why is Apple is releasing a PowerPoint-like killer application? I wonder if Apple, with its whole Switcher approach, is not going after CEOs as a main target. Unfortunately, I agree with you that information technology managers and chief financial officers might be the most important titles to target when you want to switch a company. That's where price, availability, compliancy and reliability are the most important criteria.
Arthur Kannas
Paris, France
