1.12.2005
mistake
Well, it looks as if Apple's Steve Jobs has finally snapped. While the newspapers tout the Mac Mini as a step toward making Apple Computers less expensive and more buyer-friendly, folks on Slashdot have been saying that this is a move by Apple to say that they had been wrong in exclusively offering premium computers. I disagree.
This is the equivalent of a BMW for $15,000. It's stripped down, doesn't come air conditioning, stereo, or power anything. Doesn't come with tires, but wow it looks cool. And it's a BMW! And it's only $15,000! The problem is that no one has really taken aim at BMW, Rolls Royce, Bentley, or Ferrari for only making premium cars. There's an entire market in premium ice cream, for goodness sake. What is it about computers that says that you can't make a living with good, honest computers for people who care a little more about craftsmanship, design, or forethought by the computer manufacturer as to how this piece of metal and plastic will function in your life? Apple has done so for many years, and while they certainly have made missteps (Newton, G4 Cube), they have done a good job getting back into things. This just sucks all of the momentum out of their line. Grr.
This is the equivalent of a BMW for $15,000. It's stripped down, doesn't come air conditioning, stereo, or power anything. Doesn't come with tires, but wow it looks cool. And it's a BMW! And it's only $15,000! The problem is that no one has really taken aim at BMW, Rolls Royce, Bentley, or Ferrari for only making premium cars. There's an entire market in premium ice cream, for goodness sake. What is it about computers that says that you can't make a living with good, honest computers for people who care a little more about craftsmanship, design, or forethought by the computer manufacturer as to how this piece of metal and plastic will function in your life? Apple has done so for many years, and while they certainly have made missteps (Newton, G4 Cube), they have done a good job getting back into things. This just sucks all of the momentum out of their line. Grr.
