Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!tank!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!brutus.cs.uiuc.edu!rpi!batcomputer!cornell!vax8530!pv9y
From: pv9y@vax5.cit.cornell.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Possible Macintosh Clones??
Message-ID: <3432.25d5c924@vax5.cit.cornell.edu>
Date: 12 Feb 90 00:20:52 GMT
Distribution: comp
Lines: 36

I have an idea which might solve the low cost Mac problem and create a larger
Mac market in the process.  It's a fact that a main reason why the PC's are so
popular is that everyone cloned them and undercut IBM in price.  Apple has
always refused to allow such competition by keeping the technology secret (or
least closely guarded).  Think about what would happen if Apple started
licensing the technology needed to produce a Mac+ with the 128K ROMS.  

1) A lot of companies would start producing Mac clones that would undoubtedly
be cheaper than the standard Plus, so there would be cheap, low-end machines
for the masses to whet their consumer teeth on.  This would help the Mac gain a
greater share of the market through basic economic competition.

2) Apple would be able to concentrate on the newer, faster, neater machines and
the new System software without having to make as many compromises to keep both
ends of the market happy.

3) Apple would make money on the licensing and on the sale of System software,
which would remain Apple property.

4) As Macs became obsolete, as the SE is rapidly doing, Apple could license the
technology for that machine, and so on.  This would keep the clone makers in
business, but they would always have to be one step behind Apple because Apple
would retain control of the leading edge technologies.  If a clone maker ever
challenged Apple, Apple could either respond to the challenge and make a
better, cheaper machine or cheat and change the specs to prevent System
software from working on the challenger's machine.

5) Apple's reputation would also benefit because there would be less of a sense
that Apple is merely trying to gouge the user for the most money possible
since they have a monopoly on the Mac hardware.

I'm sure that my logic isn't impeccable, but I still think a program something
like what I've outlined above would do wonders for the Macintosh system as a
whole without hurting Apple in any way.  Comments??????

Adam Engst    pv9y@vax5.cit.cornell.edu