Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - What would you do if you were... Steve Jobs?

Willravel · 04-30-2008, 09:05 AM

(bear with me, it's a new idea for a thread series)

Let's say that you're basically a demigod at Apple, and your wish is the company's demand. You want the brand and company to succeed. What would you do in your position to fix problems that you see at Apple? Would you make the computers cheaper? Would you change the form factor? Would you develop more towers? Or would you head in the other direction, making them perform better and making them more elite? Would you make a 3g iPhone?

I'll start.
- First off, I'd probably take a long, hard look at the Mac Mini. It's been around for a bit, and it's been the same shape for years now. This is supposed to be the VW Beetle of computers, after all. I'd like to change the colors a bit to reflect the new lineup by changing the white top to matte black. I'd also like to add better performance.
Baseline: 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo, 1.5GB memory, 120GB HD for $399
Better: 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB memory, 320GB HD for $499
Not only that, but I'd want to finally provide a cheaper display that can be sold with the computer. I could simply repackage a Samsung in aluminum with an iSight integrated.

While I realize that I'd probably not make much money on these, it'd be good to establish a larger market presence and then simply adjust the prices accordingly once market share jumped (as it would).

- Second, I'd revisit the MacBook. No more black and white models, we've moved on to aluminum and it makes more sense. I'd rather it simply looked like a 13" MBP. I'd also like to add more education software, like FREE iWork (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote). I'd also bundle a case. The idea is to make this even more perfect for college students and young professionals who need a decent computer. I'd probably drop the prices $100 each, too.

- Third: MBP! This is Mac's God-computer. I'd upgrade the processors to 2.8 and 3.066GHz and make 3GB of memory the norm. I'd also throw GeForce 8800 GTSs in each of them and expand the possible HD to 500GB. I'd keep prices the same.

- Fourth, I'd probably change the commercials. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy them, but it fuels the raging fire of people who aren't fans of Macs. That's bad business. What I might do is open up emails from people who hate apple and directly answer their questions in commercials, honestly. Mac-hate is a big problem, and it should be overcome.

Okay, you're turn. BTW, don't just say "I'd quit and retire" or "I'd blow up the building". This is you actually in Steve Jobs' shoes.

04-30-2008, 09:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	What would you do if you were... Steve Jobs? (bear with me, it's a new idea for a thread series) Let's say that you're basically a demigod at Apple, and your wish is the company's demand. You want the brand and company to succeed. What would you do in your position to fix problems that you see at Apple? Would you make the computers cheaper? Would you change the form factor? Would you develop more towers? Or would you head in the other direction, making them perform better and making them more elite? Would you make a 3g iPhone? I'll start. - First off, I'd probably take a long, hard look at the Mac Mini. It's been around for a bit, and it's been the same shape for years now. This is supposed to be the VW Beetle of computers, after all. I'd like to change the colors a bit to reflect the new lineup by changing the white top to matte black. I'd also like to add better performance. Baseline: 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo, 1.5GB memory, 120GB HD for $399 Better: 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB memory, 320GB HD for $499 Not only that, but I'd want to finally provide a cheaper display that can be sold with the computer. I could simply repackage a Samsung in aluminum with an iSight integrated. While I realize that I'd probably not make much money on these, it'd be good to establish a larger market presence and then simply adjust the prices accordingly once market share jumped (as it would). - Second, I'd revisit the MacBook. No more black and white models, we've moved on to aluminum and it makes more sense. I'd rather it simply looked like a 13" MBP. I'd also like to add more education software, like FREE iWork (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote). I'd also bundle a case. The idea is to make this even more perfect for college students and young professionals who need a decent computer. I'd probably drop the prices $100 each, too. - Third: MBP! This is Mac's God-computer. I'd upgrade the processors to 2.8 and 3.066GHz and make 3GB of memory the norm. I'd also throw GeForce 8800 GTSs in each of them and expand the possible HD to 500GB. I'd keep prices the same. - Fourth, I'd probably change the commercials. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy them, but it fuels the raging fire of people who aren't fans of Macs. That's bad business. What I might do is open up emails from people who hate apple and directly answer their questions in commercials, honestly. Mac-hate is a big problem, and it should be overcome. Okay, you're turn. BTW, don't just say "I'd quit and retire" or "I'd blow up the building". This is you actually in Steve Jobs' shoes.