14.002 4. The Computer Wars Chronicles: ISSUE 67/ Revolution: Let Them Eat Cake
Description
This article is from the Apple II Csa2 FAQ, by Jeff Hurlburt with numerous contributions by others.
14.002 4. The Computer Wars Chronicles: ISSUE 67/ Revolution: Let Them Eat Cake
Does Big Green management truly wish to be rid of the II? I doubt
it. As security against future Mac troubles, the II series has
proved to be priceless insurance. (Remember, it was the IIgs and
solemn oaths to 'be true to our Two' that turned things around in
'86.) The Apple Lords appear, instead, to have opted for the
no-development-cost, string-the-user-along strategy perfected by
Commodore in dealing with its 64/128 line. Unfortunately, the
IIgs is priced against '386-class competition, not cartridge
arcade machines.
In the long run, the biggest problem with this 'Mac in red, II
gets fed; Mac in black, II gets sack' philosophy may be that it
makes for remarkably poor PR. Scan through the message bases of a
few local Apple BB's and what you find is the kind of mistrust
and ill will that used to be reserved for 'The Phone Company'.
There is, for some reason, a widespread perception that Apple is
perfectly willing to sit on its hands while hefty user computing
investments turn to mush. Now, what do suppose is going to happen
when many of these thousands of II owners and former owners are
asked to suggest company, school, and university computer
purchases? Somehow, Apple is managing to convert its most
valuable asset into a fatal liability. (It's not nice to skimp on
your II insurance premiums!)
Continue to:
My Books
