A vision, cored; buyout or not, wounded innovator isn't the same

Article Abstract:

Apple's future remains unclear, even as rumors of a takeover by Sun Microsystems persist, but some analysts insist that Apple's problems are big enough to make it an unattractive target. Industry insiders claim that the company has lost a considerable amount of talent. Apple's strengths lie in its Internet products, since the Macintosh offers the easiest way to reach the Internet, and Apple's Internet servers are the most popular alternative to Unix-based servers. Acquiring Apple would allow Sun to strengthen its line of software products for the Internet, which includes the Java programming language and Internet server software. Despite the convergence of the Internet lines, many doubt the success of a merger, pointing out that Apple has double the number of employees and revenues that Sun has, that Sun subcontracts most of its products while Apple builds its own and that Sun is unfamiliar with the PC market.

Mergers, acquisitions and divestments, Sun Microsystems Inc., SUNW, Company Acquisition/Merger

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A very bad week for Mac lovers

Article Abstract:

Apple begins 1996 with reports of larger-than-anticipated losses, but consumers should not despair because all businesses go through down cycles. Apple is worth $10 billion, making it unlikely that the company will disappear overnight. Apple's losses are exacerbated by its apparent failure to penetrate the corporate market, but more particularly by the company's failure to come up with an innovative application. Software developers are focusing increasingly on the Windows market, where greater profits may be earned. In 1996, each sale of a Macintosh computer will be matched by sales of nine Windows-based systems, creating a significantly larger market for Windows software. Apple has passed through similar crises in the mid-1980s and in the early 1990s, and it still has superior technology and clever employees. However, users are frustrated by the lack of new products.

Analysis, Management, Company analysis

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Apple's best hope: on-line sales

Article Abstract:

Highly publicized financial and management difficulties have cut into shelf space allocations given to Apple products and software by computer stores, but online marketing and sales could help Apple regain its market presence. Surveys reveal that users of Apple's Macintosh computer are twice as apt to have Internet connections as Windows users. Despite its management difficulties, Apple remains a dynamic and vital company with easy to use, effective products and wide software availability. Much hybrid software is available that runs on either Windows or Macintosh, but such software is inevitably stocked in Windows sections, leading to underreporting of Macintosh software sales. Consumer wariness has reduced Apple's market share, once estimated at 10% of the consumer market, to 7%.

Usage, Market share, Electronic commerce, E-commerce, Distribution, Company market share, Company public relations, Company Distribution Practices

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