Apple Computer started out as a garage operation in Cupertino, CA. It has done well for a startup that originated from the home of the creator's parents. The first machine created by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak was the Apple I. The company was founded on April fool's day 1976 and later incorporated on 3 January 1977.
Apple are no doubt role models when it comes to inspiration for the young blooded to make it big in the IT world. Given their continuous struggle to build an empire that has lasted for more than 30 years is impressive. How Apple struggled to compete in the IBM PC market to sell personal computers and peripherals is astonishing.
Having first owned a Mac Plus in 1986 was indeed a privillege. I remember the first black&white games that first came out such as 'shuffle puck'. The objective was simple. You had to see who was faster, man or machine.
Apple Macs have struggled enough to capture market share till 2006. With the availability of Intel Core Duo Processors and programs such as BootCamp, any avid computer user can now own a personal computer with multiple Operating Systems. The journey is complete for worldwide personal electronics domination. Apple does not see itself as a computer manufacturer to date
, they are placing their products in every household on the planet. Take Apple TV for instance and the iPhone not to mention the stupendous Ipod.
Apple or rather Steve Jobs have certainly left consumer values behind with their world domination objective. It is no longer about providing the ultimate 'bang for your buck' to the consumer. It is now the opposite. All the profits are for their taking.
Steve Cano, senior International Retail director for Apple Retail Division UK is responsible for the Apple Store on Regent Street. 28,000 sq ft of retail space and all for whom? They claim the top floor comprising of the Genius and Ipod Bar are there to help every owner of a Mac or an Ipod to resolve any issues they might have with Apple Computer products. This is true to a certain extent.
There is much bad news for Apple Mac owners and avid Ipod supporters around the globe. Given the fact that most of Apple Products are now manufactured in China to lower production costs and maximising shareholder wealth, Apple products are of lower quality compared to the days when their products were assembled and distributed from Cupertino, CA.
Apple's response to out of warranty products such as an Ipod is 'get a new one'. The lifetime of the Ipod is not very long. For some limited edition units such as the Ipod U2 4th Generation released in 2005. It has ended its useful life. We have only approached May 2007. The response from an employee at Apple Store, Regent Street is that if you had purchased Apple's extended warranty in 2005, you would have been covoured. This to me and most of Apple users out there only mean one thing. Apple products to date are less durable and the corporate giant has implemented a business model where consumers now pass the ultimate bang for our buck back to them.
Zarique.
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