With
the introduction of new Intel-based Macs, machines that are over three
times faster than their Power PC predecessors, Apple is on the threshold
of doing what it’s been claiming it has done—redefining the personal
computing landscape. After all there were three major arguments against
the Mac: it cost more, it was slower, there were fewer apps. The first
two are actually one objection. With performance parity, many consumers
will accept the price differential as the price of quality, distinction,
and stability—characteristics long associated with the Apple brand.
As for the third objection, the lack of apps, that is already changing.
At
Macworld this year, Steve Jobs noted that iPod had enjoyed record sales
of 14 million iPods in the fourth calendar quarter of 2005. Also during
his keynote Jobs revealed that the company had chalked up record revenues
of $5.7 billion during the quarter, a 63% increase over 2004.
The stage was set for new Macs and Steve Jobs didn’t disappoint with
new iMacs and notebooks renamed to MacBook Pro to lose the old “Power”
designation of Powerbooks.
We probably take a picture of this guy’s T-shirt every year.