This disappoints me.
I worked as an Apple Genius before the iPhone launch and left right around 2007, when Apple launched its Intel transition. Most of us dealt with PowerMac's, a few iMac's and PowerBook's. The customer base was mostly professionals (photography, digital media, small businesses) and high end pro/consumers. Of course this was when Apple workstations (PowerMac's) cost $1499-$2000 and their three displays ranged from a 20"-23"-30", so customers could buy a workstation with a great 23" IPS CCFL LCD for around the cost of a current Mac Pro.
As a Genius, we had to have at least an associates or BA, experience with building systems and coding, and if hired we had two weeks intensive training at 1 Infinite Loop. We also made annual salary, depending on store, from $30k-$75k. I worked in NYC, SoHo, and earned ~$50-60k through my time while in school. Part-time Geniuses didn't really exist, they were well educated and informed floor specialists that "floated" between area's when needed. We were all professional, and none of this happened when I worked at Apple.
Now, it's completely different. The stores are crowded with obnoxious people, 90%+ with simple iPhone or iPad issues, MacBook owners who recently converted from Windows based systems, etc. The way they speak with Apple retail employees is embarrassing; they feel entitled, many simply want to come in and ask what a Mac can't do that a Windows OS system can which simply irritates the retail floor specialist and wastes their time because someone want to prove how smart they may seem. Most of my colleagues left, a few stayed, and they have told me how much has changed. Standards have been lowered, training has been cut (no longer are Geniuses trained in 1 Infinite Loop, and the local training is sub par), wages slashed as most are on a part-time schedule and educational/experience requirements are so low any one who can turn on a computer, change RAM, reset parameters can get a job as a "Genius". It's very sad.
While I like Apple and have been a user for well over a decade, now a 35 year old venturing into mechanical engineering and product design, I love AutoCAD on my Mac Pro and am thankful Windows app's are now running in OS X. Even Blu-Ray DVD's play in my Mac Pro with software now available. However, Apple is neglecting the pro market, and not because there isn't money in it, it's cheaper to mass produce smaller devices that are more affordable for the average Joe-sumer with larger profit margins than producing current systems that professionals desperately need. Three years will have passed when their workstation may be updated. Now they want to put more iPad's in their stores. I'm sorry, but high-def rendering, intensive AutoCAD work, even simple word processing in Pages on an iPad is painful. Apple may be pushing smaller, portable devices due to their high sales and lowest price points for Apple products, but it will never, never, never replace the need for power and desktop screen real estate necessary for businesses and professionals who need these systems.
Great that Apple is doing so well with their new devices, but with $100+ billion in cash alone, there is NO reason why they can't focus on revamping their lagging professional line and make a hefty profit. One business alone has thousands of dollars set aside for hardware and software upgrades, add all those businesses together and it's not something to readily dismiss.
dmz
