Apple Computer: How Apple Managed to Re-Invent Itself

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Apple Computer: How Apple managed to re-invent itself

NETW583 – Strategic Management of Tech

7/11/2014

        Apple Inc. has been consistently re-inventing itself over the years in terms of product innovations and making consumer electronics user-friendly. Stephen Wozniak and Steve Jobs both began the company now known as Apple Inc. back in 1976 with the introduction of the Apple I. The re-invention of Apple began much later as its start is not as impressive as was its failure with certain products and its success with others.

        The first success for Apple would have been the Apple I computer which was a do-it-yourself kit which had no computer case to house internal components when built by the purchaser. For both Wozniak and Jobs, this was a monumental achievement as more than 200 units were sold at a price of $666 each. This computer today is consider one of the most collectible piece of electronic today. Noting the first success of Apple computer would not last due to certain failures relating to the introduction of a GUI named Lisa among other threats, such as IBM’s introduction of a personal computing machine and the media blast received by Steve Job’s when the personal computer is acclaimed in a TIME magazine cover and he in turns is given a hatchet job by the same magazine.

        Its single greatest failure which is unrelated to the production of any computing or electronic device is the ousting of Steve Jobs by the board of Apple Inc. and all executive duties are removed. The time between Jobs removal and his return would be deemed the dark ages for Apple between 1985 and 1996. There were certainly some successes after Jobs left that shouldn’t be neglected such as the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984 prior to Jobs leaving as well as the introduction of the Macintosh SE/30 in 1989. These computers both boasted a GUI interface by the name of LISA that was superior compared to computing software of DOS being used by IBM and the cloners of IBM (Compaq). Another great success was the introduction of the PowerBook 100, deemed the first real laptop but this innovation was tarnished by the device’s high price. A price cut later in the year would be bring the price down from about $2,500 to $1000 but this of course did not include the price of peripheral such as the addition of a floppy drive which would have cost you another $250.

        Another claim to fame in Apple’s pursuit of consumer electronics before the IPod, IPhone or even smartphone cameras was the Quicktake in collaboration with Kodak built in 1994 which lasted for about 3 years but was definitely ahead of its time in regards to digital photography. The Power Macintosh 9500, a powerhouse of a machine with a powerful processor as well as the ability that would allow you to expand its capabilities delivered a unique machine that for all intents and purpose might be surviving in this day and age due its upgradeable processors which allowed it to survive through the G3 and G4 era.

        With the return of Jobs to the board, the era of illumination for Apple took off in the form of the iMac in 1998. Though not as cheap but cheaper by Apple standards. The sales of this particular device delivered Apple from its clunky grey funk in terms of what the past machines looked like to the vision of what was sold now. In the year 2000, the introduction of the flat panel Apple computer which introduced the concept of the wide-screen to consumers who already were keen to flat-screens but not at the size or the sleekness that Apple displayed. The introduction of these screens pretty much killed off the CRT standard that held sway as well as space on your desk. The following year, 2001, we are introduced to the PowerBook G4 and the IPod introduced consumers to the popular MP3 style of listening to music as well as the introduction of the ITunes music store which changed the music industry forever in how songs were delivered to your device through a simple connection on your computer whether it was a PC or a MAC. This innovation of course led to the IPhone as well as many other digital streaming devices that are sold today by Apple as they continue to move onward and upward. A significant breakthrough for a company that had its worst moments realized almost at the beginning and oftentimes with the new, such devices are frowned upon.

        Some of Apples biggest failures were right at the beginning with its first introduction of the GUI known as LISA. It was essentially a great computer but much of the problem wasn’t with the hardware but how much the hardware cost which it made almost unavailable to everyone. Its initial price was at $10,000. On another note, we flash forward from 1983 to 1993 with the introduction of the MessagePad and the Newton OS, pre-cursor to the IPad. The price and all around general clunky design as well as its inability to sync properly with a PC lead the Newton OS to its downfall. The Newton did have its upside considering that there are still many develops creating software and writing code for this device which may keep it going for a just a while longer. Some of Apple’s innovative designs were met with failure during its twentieth anniversary such as the mouse with no discernable clicker and the celebratory MAC which was bronze and sold for a hefty price but did not sell well even as a limited edition. Another failure in design was the PowerMac G4 Cube which was a good computer but was clearly defeated by cost as well as the inability of being upgradeable which turned away many consumers.