User 200631

End of the Line for Apple's FireWire

"Apple has apparently concluded this is a niche market to be ceded to Sony (SNE) and others."

While possible, seriously doubtful. Firewire 800 is still essential for video professionals, and there does not seem to be a universally viable replacement currently in the wings. I seriously doubt Apple would kiss off this market segment - which was responsible for its own "halo" effect in Apple's growth.

Apple has always differentiated between its higher and lower end offerings - which is why certain modules of the FCP suite (like Motion) were not officially supported on the basic Macbooks or the Mac mini. Leaving Firewire 800 in the 17" models, but dropping it from the new offerings may be their way of maintaining this separation.

Apple Will Flourish With or Without Steve Jobs

"Remember, it took no less than 3 CEOs after his departure the first time to run the company almost into the ground"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't John Sculley the guy who licensed portions of the Mac OS to Microsoft? If Steve Jobs were still around back then to prevent this, wouldn't Apple now be the dominant OS?

In any case, John Sculley's self-deluded run while at Apple pretty much set the stage for its decent into the abyss. The other 2 knuckleheads were just ineffective CEOs who were minding the store as it was going bankrupt. That he has not been taken to task for his role at Apple just mystifies me.

And no, I'm not a pissed off Steven Jobs...

Dell: No Angles Left?

From Real Expert:
"To User 200631.. You are obviously some kid who..."

It's good to know your knuckleheaded powers of observation are not only limited to financial matters... Not that it's your business, but I'm in my 50s...

Listen pal, you want to offer your opinion as the gospel, fine by me. Just be prepared to back them up with some basic facts - something most posters here have clearly shown that you're unable to do.

Dell: No Angles Left?

A serious question for anyone:
Does Dell have a totally separate tier of tech support for their corporate (vs consumer) customers? Perhaps even domestic-based?

I just find it hard to imagine a Fortune 500 company having the patience to deal with the tech support issues that the consumer division seems to have.

Dell: No Angles Left?

One more thing:
"Michael Dell grew his company to be one of the world’s greatest"
Apart from creating an incredibly astute business model, just how was this "one of the world's greatest"? Did it innovate? Did it create any new technology? Any new products that didn't exist before?

No. Yet you call Steve Jobs "useless"...

The only difference between you and the Apple partisans you denigrate is the flavor of Kool-Aid you drink...

Dell: No Angles Left?

"As for Apple, I am personally disgusted by their marketing ads and would never buy one for that reason."
"...and I have determined that Steve Jobbs is useless as a CEO. if you examine the historical stock price chart, this confirms my claim..'

Um, you're joking right? I suppose there's nothing wrong with having an irrational bias with little thought behind it, but you're really taking it some pretty wild extremes.

Dell: No Angles Left?

Dell's business model was the corporate world. Since most companies have IT Departments, I would imagine tech support costs for Dell were minimal, and even less so once they outsourced their support staff to India. Unlike Apple or even HP, Dell spent very little on R&D - something they're now paying dearly for. Truly ugly boxes lacking in any sort of innovation. And a company clueless in how to proceed.

I bought a Dell in '98, and while not quite a disaster, I certainly would NEVER recommend anyone do so. Tech support was about the worst - long cue times (over an hour most times) to speak to someone who was difficult to understand, and who would generally be unable to help. I always questioned how publications would give good marks toDell's tech support.

Add to this Dell's policy of NOT supporting their computers once the OS was upgraded (has this policy changed?). Within a year of my purchase, the hard drive died and it took THREE weeks for a replacement. Contrast this with the generic white box I bought at a computer swap meet for $450 in 2001 that NEVER had a problem and where I could walk in to the store with any issues.

Contrast that even further with the Macbook Pro & IMac's we now have - a more robust OS, simple to network, great ITunes integration with Airport Express to my stereo. Add to this truly outstanding phone support, not to mention the Genius Bars, and is it any wonder people are looking at other options.

I have no sympathy for Michael Dell or the company..