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External Circumstances 101 (6/7/01)
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Looks like the economy might get worse before it gets better-- at least from a computer industry perspective. According to a press release linked to by The Register, the propellerheads at IDC have just revised their estimates for personal computer shipments in 2001, and the numbers aren't good. The firm originally expected an anemic 2.2% growth rate in the U.S. this year, but is now projecting a 6.3% loss from last year's figures, due to a "swooning" U.S. market. If Steve's right and the PC isn't dead, it's sure doing a fine impression of hovering just this side of the grave.
Now, about that timing: here we are, mired in an economy that encourages consumer computer purchases the way that two broken legs and a bleeding head wound encourages a person to enter a tango contest, and Apple is unveiling all kinds of keen equipment, rolling out a shiny new operating system, and opening dozens of expensive retail stores. In a healthier economic climate, Apple would be poised for market greatness, as scads of new customers fork over the green to own some of that irresistible technology; instead, all of these incredible advances are likely going to be overshadowed by financial difficulties as cash-strapped consumers tighten their belts for another year. It's enough to make a grown Mac fan cry.
On the plus side, at least things are poised to get better next year, if only slightly; despite the current "economic dislocation" carrying over past the upcoming holiday season, IDC expects the personal computer industry to grow 4.6% in 2002. That's not great by any measure, but it's a distinct improvement over the current sales nightmare. At least Apple has plenty of cash to ride out the drought, and maybe some of the Wintel manufacturers will be decimated in what we can only expect will be a long, bloody, and highly entertaining price war. How's that for looking on the bright side of things?
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SceneLink (3101)
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And Now For A Word From Our Sponsors |
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 | | The above scene was taken from the 6/7/01 episode: June 7, 2001: Apple beats Dell at a school district contract by cutting one seriously aggressive deal; evidently Steve really wants his crown back. Meanwhile, computer sales are poised to get worse before they get better, and a recent Intel ad triggers a sense of familiarity that goes far beyond a simple slogan...
Other scenes from that episode: 3100: An Offer You Can't Refuse (6/7/01) Lip service? Ha! Steve said Apple was serious about retargeting the education market, and evidently he wasn't kidding. If you weren't swayed by earlier corrective moves such as the rehiring of Cheryl Vedoe, the purchase of PowerSchool, and the launch of the Apple Teacher Institutes, maybe the details of Apple's latest education success will finally convince you that the company is going for the throat... 3102: Originality Is Overrated (6/7/01) Over the past couple of months, we've received dozens of messages from viewers pointing out that Intel's marketing campaign for the Pentium 4 is resoundingly familiar to anyone reasonably well-versed in the finer points of Stevenote history, but up 'til now, we've chosen not to make too much of that fact...
Or view the entire episode as originally broadcast... | |  |
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