Linked by Thom Holwerda on Wed 20th May 2009 13:27 UTC
Hot on the heels of the Russians, we have another clone maker popping up, this time in fish & chips country: Freedom PC. "Powerful and versatile, environmentally friendly yet inexpensive computer systems compatible with any and all of the main operating systems: Mac OS X, Linux or Windows. So YOU can decide which one to use for what YOU want to do. And we give you a choice of models, too - from the low priced and good looking office machine, the ideal choice for business, to the high powered, sleek, gaming media centre. All, with the operating system of your choice pre-installed - or none at all - at prices accessible to all." They offer various models pre-installed with Windows, Linux, or Mac OS X.
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RE[3]: What's the point of cloning a Mac?
by digitaleon on Wed 20th May 2009 20:16
in reply to "RE[2]: What's the point of cloning a Mac?"
Member since:2006-01-22
Just like last time.
Not quite. When I look back, I perceive two stark differences between the situation now and the situation 12 - 15 years ago.
1. The Apple brand is considerably stronger now. I believe this is more due to their recent non-Macintosh work: iPods, iTunes Stores, iPhones, changes to online stores, Retail store efforts (even though these are largely U.S. centric so far), various software, more 'vertical integration', and so on. I like to think of this as the true 'halo effect' (i.e. in raising the profile of their Macintosh lines, independent of whether it drives sales of those of not).
Like you, I live outside of the U.S., and I recall it being quite difficult to find Macintoshes at anything other than dedicated resellers 12 - 15 years ago. Now, they're fairly easy to find... along with iPods, iPhones, iTunes Music Store gift cards, and so forth. Apple have also managed to significantly increase traffic to their online sites, including their online stores, over time.
No doubt the cloners are selling a product which can run Mac OS X well, has a price/performance advantage, and certainly has a market ready and waiting. But without Apple's blessing (which the cloners had last time, and which I don't see Apple conferring in the near future), it's debatable whether these advantages alone will draw enough customers away from Apple to cause significant changes to their business model or pricing.
As you would be only too well aware, the history of computing is littered with those who had good products at good prices and yet failed to take off.
2. The Operating System question has been solved. I don't think it's a stretch to say Mac OS X is much better regarded and much more popular than System 7 was, and Apple aren't looking to replace Mac OS X (as they were System 7 then).
I recall this factor did limit the appeal of Macintoshes generally the last time around - regardless of whether it was Apple selling them or cloners - which defeated the purpose of the program, since it couldn't generate significant sales in markets not already interested. Ironically, these clones may in fact succeed, for those (few) cases where the brand strength isn't an issue, since the appeal of Mac OS X is essentially what the market for the cloners is built upon.
All of that said, as a long-time Macintosh user, I do agree with the rest of your post and would be very happy to see some changes in mentality of Apple the company. Wait and see, I guess.
Edited 2009-05-20 20:20 UTC
RE[3]: What's the point of cloning a Mac?
by OSGuy on Thu 21st May 2009 09:15
in reply to "RE[2]: What's the point of cloning a Mac?"
Member since:2006-01-01
Well, if they are so bad, then what does Apple have to fear? People will still buy Macs, right? Since they are so much superior and totally worth the money, right? What's the problem for Apple? What is Apple so afraid of, if these clones are so bad as everyone says they are?
The answer is simple Thom: "Money, Power" but there is more to this....
1. Image & Reputation. If someome who doesn't know anything about Macs gets one of these clones and they don't work that well as an orignal Mac, the average user would think it's the OS and this will create bad image & reputation to Apple.
2. EULA
3. Money, lost sales
4. Because they can
Anyway, I don't see Apple winning on this one. They will eventually run out of money if they go after every one of them.
There is a cure. They can create better DRM that requires activation and without the authentic DRM chip, you won't be able to activate your copy.
Edited 2009-05-21 09:17 UTC
RE[4]: What's the point of cloning a Mac?
by Thom_Holwerda on Thu 21st May 2009 09:17
in reply to "RE[3]: What's the point of cloning a Mac?"
Member since:2005-06-29
Member since:
2005-06-29
Well, if they are so bad, then what does Apple have to fear? People will still buy Macs, right? Since they are so much superior and totally worth the money, right? What's the problem for Apple? What is Apple so afraid of, if these clones are so bad as everyone says they are?
The answer is, of course, that if given actual bloody choice, people will buy cheap, because they simply don't care about computers in the way that we do.
And that's the problem for Apple. Right now, there's a demographic that puts up with Apple's limited hardware choice, buying machines that are simply not the right fit for them i.e. they would be happier with the infamous xMac, since that means they can keep their screen.
And clone makers offer xMacs. And as soon as this has been declared completely legal (as I'm relatively sure it will be), Apple will be in a world of trouble.
Just like last time.