I keep thinking Apple will enter the “netbook” market. However, today Tim Cook says Apple is not interested and the position Apple takes as been interpreted as they suck. I think the position that “they are limited in what they can do” and “they suck” are distinct and making this distinction is important in how you are viewed by the public.
Anyway, a differentiated market in many tech areas makes sense to me. It annoys me that Dreamweaver is now pretty much my only commercial choice if I want to design web pages. I liked the old days when companies had a high end $300 product and a low end $79 product.
Apple has multiple great high end products. I have no problem selecting a full featured computer. I need my Mac to do video editing or podcasts with Garageband. For such activities, a Mac is the tool to have (it actually doesn’t matter if you are cool or not). I do not need the same power in a tool to check my email or author a blog post. So, limited to one computer, the decision is easy. However, what if I want multiple mobile machines suited to different needs. Or, what if I did not have the income I enjoy at my age.
Wake up Apple.
I am thinking Apple is smarter than my comments may indicate. They dominate certain markets and that may be good enough. Perhaps the profit margin in the <$400 slot is not worth the effort. The “they suck” thing is then not the correct public position to take.
While I am in the mood to complain, Apple also said today they are happy with their relationship with AT&T. Great – I will repeat my personal slogan – available in 70 countries, but not North Dakota.
OK, my Blackberry works great and I do prefer real keys. My netbook is also in the mail. I guess I am set.
A somewhat different take from MacWorld.
