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daflake

macrumors 6502a
Apr 8, 2008
920
4,329
That's because the current market was not making them very profitable. 20 years ago, Apple was a hair's breath to bankruptcy and needed a loan from MS to keep things going.

Things change and perhaps what you miss is the immaturity of the computer industry, now in 2017 the computer is less of a cool product that people are learning to use, and more of a commodity.


Too true! We just had a, we'll just call it a debate, about how a smart phone is now needed for everyday life. I don't agree, but I also remember simpler computing times and have a different perspective on it all. It seems today that everyone has to be plugged in and monitoring their digital lives.
 

belvdr

macrumors 603
Aug 15, 2005
5,945
1,372
Old Apple = previous time in life. Many things have changed, not just Apple.
 

villicodelirant

Suspended
Aug 3, 2011
396
697
Things change and perhaps what you miss is the immaturity of the computer industry, now in 2017 the computer is less of a cool product that people are learning to use, and more of a commodity.

I don't know, I'm fine with the computer industry as it is.
Has it changed that much anyway?

Other manufacturers do still make servers, workstations and computers aimed at the executive segment.
Similarly, in the '80s and early '90s there were a few companies that were decidedly not making computers "for grown ups": Sinclair, Commodore (the Amiga really kicked the bucket only in the mid-90s), and Amstrad come to mind.

It's mainly Apple that has changed its product strategy.
In fact, I'm fine with Apple as it is - I'm not a shareholder, so I don't even care that much.

But if we have to "miss" something (as all the "I miss 2011 Apple" threads do) I'd like to spend a few moments "missing" when Apple was more present in the business segment rather than in the "lifestyle" segment.

Perhaps I should edit the title and rephrase it as: I "miss" the old-old Apple, with quotes.
In other words I wanted to express some appreciation of those machines (and those ads and everything else), which in my very humble opinion are more worthy of being celebrated than the various aluminum designs of the OS X era.

I also suggest a reason: because they were, strictly IMHO, classy, timeless designs, beutiful but not trying to grab the attention, made to go with an Omega Speedmaster rather than a smartwatch :)

Too true! We just had a, we'll just call it a debate, about how a smart phone is now needed for everyday life. I don't agree, but I also remember simpler computing times and have a different perspective on it all. It seems today that everyone has to be plugged in and monitoring their digital lives.

I don't know - I don't have a smartphone nor a Facebook account, but I don't particularly feel left out.
I do have a PDA which helps me tremendously, though.
If people want to do Facebook, though, hey, it's a free country.
 
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maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
Other manufacturers do still make servers, workstations and computers aimed at the executive segment.
You completely missed my point.

You were stated
It's just that 20 years ago Apple began to leave that particular market and decided to concentrate on... something more hip.

20 years ago, if Apple didn't change direction there would not be an Apple to write about today.
Other manufacturers do still make servers, workstations and computers aimed at the executive segment.
And Apple has largely never aimed at the enterprise market segment. They've never really tried to sell servers and when they did for a short period it wasn't very successful.

It's mainly Apple that has changed its product strategy.
Yes because they were not selling much products
 

villicodelirant

Suspended
Aug 3, 2011
396
697
20 years ago, if Apple didn't change direction there would not be an Apple to write about today.

Oh, sure. No argument there.

And Apple has largely never aimed at the enterprise market segment. They've never really tried to sell servers and when they did for a short period it wasn't very successful.

I'm not super sure about that.
I think in the '90s Apple was very into the enterprise market.
Why? Because they made laptops, and nodoby bought a laptop for home then.

To be honest, I'm not sure Apple couldn't have become, in some alternate universe, a successful seller of beige boxes.

Certainly their current strategy works and brings food on the employees' tables.
 

pondosinatra

macrumors 6502
Jun 9, 2009
425
37
Calgary, Canada
Yes, you've read that right. The old old Apple.

Disclaimer: I swear I'm not trying to troll, I just want to share my opinion and see if it resonates (which I doubt, but let me have a go at it).

Everybody is going on about how Apple is doomed, about how Ive and Cook are ruining Apple.
How they miss 2000s Apple. About how Apple was really great under Jobs.

Well, me, I miss the old old Apple. I miss beige Apple. I miss Sculley and Amelio-Apple.

I remember when I was a kid with no hair on my chest and my father brought home a spanking new LC.
I remember how it was a magical machine, how its shell was simple and sensible in a way that I've never seen since.
I remember when my father brought home a LaserWriter, I remember the first SCSI external CD-ROM drive.
The thing felt a bit like Star Trek.

Is it nostalgia? Of course it is. But it probably also isn't.
Allow me to continue.

A few years later my father then got a Powerbook Duo.
It went in and out of the dock which went "bzzz-click".
I was later handed it - sans the dock, which broke at some unspecified time.

I don't think I need to remind anyone of all the bad things that were pre-Jobs Apple.
It has been written at length about those.
Let me say something about the good things for a change.

Those were reassuring, practical, plastic beige or black machines., with that delightful embossed, colorful logo.
I liked them more than I like the current ultra thin thing going on.

Those were spreadsheet machines, not Facebook machines.
They were machines (with all their flaws) for people with an actual job.
For neon-lit offices, rather than Starbucks. 9-to-5, rather than 5-to-11PM.
Machines to go with a real car rather than a sweatshirt and an emo haircut.
Machines to go with an Omega Speedmaster rather than an Apple Watch.

I am now the age my father was when he bought the Powerbook.
I just bought a Thinkpad - the L series, the bulkiest variety; and a docking station to go with it.

After wiping the OS and installing GNOME it is a sufficiently close approximation of the Powerbook Duo.

It's no Powerbook, though, but then I'm not hip enough for a gold rMB.


For me the issue is that in the 'good 'ol days', mucking with my Mac IIsi or IIci, hardware advances were dramatic. Going from a IIsi to a IIfx was a huge performance leap (with corresponding leap in cost). Today advancements still occur but at a less dramatic pace. Real performance hasn't changed much, it's simply a matter of die shrinks and lower power requirements for the same speed.

Back then computers were magical. Now they're simply a commodity not much different than a new blu-ray player or toaster.
 
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amg2014

Cancelled
Feb 16, 2014
39
145
I want share my feelings about this. I know people have said this many times, but I do legitimately miss Steve Jobs. After reading MacRumors for the past few years, I hear nothing but news related to music and fashion. It's been getting depressing (for me at least) to hear nothing exciting and genuine. To be fair, trying to be innovative and exciting at the same time is a hard task for a CEO, especially Tim. But there are areas of improvement Apple needs to make. Macs are not getting the love they deserve. And that makes me sick to my stomach. Today, I almost hear nothing about Macs. It's like ignoring a great person and putting more attention on others.

I took some time to look back at a few old commercials. And I also looked at old posts back years ago. There was more hype and genuine interest back then in my opinion. Apple used to be more inspirational with their "Think Different" ads. Those of you back then know about this. My art teacher had a bunch of "Think Different" posters. It would get my attention every time. If anyone remembers Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah, I thought the Aqua user interface was stunning and beautiful. I still have my iMac G3 with Jaguar in it.

Going off that, I looked at old keynotes Steve presented back then. He always presented with character and passion. I adore him for that, and that is why he is one of my role models. While I miss him, there is one thing I agree with: he is irreplaceable. I don't think anyone can match his style or thinking.

It seems like there's too much negativity these days. I felt that MacRumors is becoming less worthy of reading. No offense to anyone, but I read MacRumors everyday, and it feels like watching the same actor star in the same franchise for a long period of time. In full-fledged honesty, I'm starting to lose interest in MacRumors. The hype that surrounded Steve Jobs and Apple are bygone days now. Does anyone follow me on this?
 

DaveOP

macrumors 68000
May 29, 2011
1,600
2,412
Portland, OR
I want share my feelings about this. I know people have said this many times, but I do legitimately miss Steve Jobs. After reading MacRumors for the past few years, I hear nothing but news related to music and fashion. It's been getting depressing (for me at least) to hear nothing exciting and genuine. To be fair, trying to be innovative and exciting at the same time is a hard task for a CEO, especially Tim. But there are areas of improvement Apple needs to make. Macs are not getting the love they deserve. And that makes me sick to my stomach. Today, I almost hear nothing about Macs. It's like ignoring a great person and putting more attention on others.

I took some time to look back at a few old commercials. And I also looked at old posts back years ago. There was more hype and genuine interest back then in my opinion. Apple used to be more inspirational with their "Think Different" ads. Those of you back then know about this. My art teacher had a bunch of "Think Different" posters. It would get my attention every time. If anyone remembers Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah, I thought the Aqua user interface was stunning and beautiful. I still have my iMac G3 with Jaguar in it.

Going off that, I looked at old keynotes Steve presented back then. He always presented with character and passion. I adore him for that, and that is why he is one of my role models. While I miss him, there is one thing I agree with: he is irreplaceable. I don't think anyone can match his style or thinking.

It seems like there's too much negativity these days. I felt that MacRumors is becoming less worthy of reading. No offense to anyone, but I read MacRumors everyday, and it feels like watching the same actor star in the same franchise for a long period of time. In full-fledged honesty, I'm starting to lose interest in MacRumors. The hype that surrounded Steve Jobs and Apple are bygone days now. Does anyone follow me on this?

Fact is, he is dead and the industry is changing. Phones sell in much greater volume than Macs, and are more attainable to more people. Apple is more profitable and successful than ever. No amount of posts will bring Steve back. If he had made better choices about his medical care, he might still be here.
 
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hawkeye_a

macrumors 68000
Jun 27, 2016
1,637
4,384
@villicodelirant

Many times I feel the same way. I chalk it up to just "getting old" and reminiscing. But a couple of years ago, I ended up getting System7.5.3 up and running, and it was great. And 5 years ago, I ended up buying a BondiBlue iMac for $50, and I've been on the hunt for a MacColorClassic.

I can't quantify it, but there was something about MacOS7.5-OS9. Whether it was the menus, buttons, icons.... it was just great style/culture, which I sorely miss.
 
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oldhifi

macrumors 65816
Jan 12, 2013
1,494
748
USA
I went back to my IMac 5,1 20 inch all in one..sold my big 34 in monitor and Mac Mini..

luv it..
 

loby

macrumors 68000
Jul 1, 2010
1,880
1,507
Yes, you've read that right. The old old Apple.

Disclaimer: I swear I'm not trying to troll, I just want to share my opinion and see if it resonates (which I doubt, but let me have a go at it).

Everybody is going on about how Apple is doomed, about how Ive and Cook are ruining Apple.
How they miss 2000s Apple. About how Apple was really great under Jobs.

Well, me, I miss the old old Apple. I miss beige Apple. I miss Sculley and Amelio-Apple.

I remember when I was a kid with no hair on my chest and my father brought home a spanking new LC.
I remember how it was a magical machine, how its shell was simple and sensible in a way that I've never seen since.
I remember when my father brought home a LaserWriter, I remember the first SCSI external CD-ROM drive.
The thing felt a bit like Star Trek.

Is it nostalgia? Of course it is. But it probably also isn't.
Allow me to continue.

A few years later my father then got a Powerbook Duo.
It went in and out of the dock which went "bzzz-click".
I was later handed it - sans the dock, which broke at some unspecified time.

I don't think I need to remind anyone of all the bad things that were pre-Jobs Apple.
It has been written at length about those.
Let me say something about the good things for a change.

Those were reassuring, practical, plastic beige or black machines., with that delightful embossed, colorful logo.
I liked them more than I like the current ultra thin thing going on.

Those were spreadsheet machines, not Facebook machines.
They were machines (with all their flaws) for people with an actual job.
For neon-lit offices, rather than Starbucks. 9-to-5, rather than 5-to-11PM.
Machines to go with a real car rather than a sweatshirt and an emo haircut.
Machines to go with an Omega Speedmaster rather than an Apple Watch.

I am now the age my father was when he bought the Powerbook.
I just bought a Thinkpad - the L series, the bulkiest variety; and a docking station to go with it.

After wiping the OS and installing GNOME it is a sufficiently close approximation of the Powerbook Duo.

It's no Powerbook, though, but then I'm not hip enough for a gold rMB.


In surfing we have some place called, "Old Man Beach" where all of the old surfers hang out, so they can at least get wet and sit on their boards again, but with small waves or no waves at all and a place they can talk about their "Big Wednesday" experiences or the "good old days" or "big fish" stories - Remember when...stuff...

Really...there was no "good old days" (just a little sometimes, especially in our minds) and it is how we remember it that makes it good.

I am kind of seeing Macrumors become either an "Old Man's Beach" or a place for the complainers to vent their frustrations because they do not like the changes to apple.

Understandable of course, but as someone said earlier, I too read Macrumors everyday and is the place where I go to read something to refresh my mind or to think about something "different" and/or maybe pick up something I did not know to improve my user experience. Even those days are probably over, for the last year or so...not much really to read about except the "same 'old' stuff".

Yes, people have their tastes in everything, but besides the PowerBook and the first few mac toys in the beginning from Apple, I think maybe the times in the mid 2000's until maybe 2013 at the last was the glory days of Apple.

There was a reason why Microsoft was the top company in tech in "the old days" During the early days the starter of the thread stated and it was not because they were not "hip" or "thinking different".

Apple is evolving and they are doing well as a business company even if I am losing interest in the company. Personnel die or move on, new people come who "Think Different-ly" then the last ones who had different ideas or ways.

Ho-Humm...

Technologies mature, but people sometimes don't. Computers have and when they do they are not exciting anymore and just become a boring commodity...sometimes like people.. ;)

I don't blame Tim or Apple anymore about the "boring" Mac. It is hard to make it 'fun' when it is all grown up now. Either you regress like I see some old people do, or you continue in your maturity and then eventually die.

The question really is...where is Mac on this timeline....
 
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PITFALLPat

macrumors newbie
Mar 17, 2017
3
2
@villicodelirant

Many times I feel the same way. I chalk it up to just "getting old" and reminiscing. But a couple of years ago, I ended up getting System7.5.3 up and running, and it was great. And 5 years ago, I ended up buying a BondiBlue iMac for $50, and I've been on the hunt for a MacColorClassic.

I can't quantify it, but there was something about MacOS7.5-OS9. Whether it was the menus, buttons, icons.... it was just great style/culture, which I sorely miss.

I totally agree. That was the range of OS on which I was introduced to the Macintosh. My first experience was using it in yearbook publication in high school. We had a PowerMac 6500. WOW - when you fired it up, it had a built-in sub-woofer and the start-up chime was thunderous (it was awesome)!
 

ApfelKuchen

macrumors 601
Aug 28, 2012
4,335
3,012
Between the coasts
Oh, sure. No argument there.



I'm not super sure about that.
I think in the '90s Apple was very into the enterprise market.
Why? Because they made laptops, and nodoby bought a laptop for home then.

To be honest, I'm not sure Apple couldn't have become, in some alternate universe, a successful seller of beige boxes.

Certainly their current strategy works and brings food on the employees' tables.
Apple was certainly trying to penetrate the enterprise market, but they were not very successful, outside of a few key market segments (I was using a Quadra 950 back then, for audio production).

The PC makers current (and life-long) strategy doesn't bring a whole lot of food to their tables, all things considered. Apple walks away with 70-90% of the gross profits in the computer business, yet accounts for less than 10% of unit sales. "We lose money on every sale, but we make it up in volume" is a pretty good description of most computer- and mobile device-makers' business model.

Yeah, you're not a shareholder, but computers is a business. Arguably, if Apple hadn't introduced GUI-based computing to the masses (which, of course, Microsoft followed), home computing might still be a hobbyist pursuit, rather than ubiquitous. The PC makers attacked the low price, low profit margin side of the equation, because, with Windows on every machine (and bear in mind that Windows was a software update for the existing installed base of MS-DOS machines), it's damn hard to differentiate product in any way but price. Apple could have chosen to compete on those terms, but it would have always been an uphill battle; "Is (insert app name here) available for Mac? If not, I don't care if it is the same price as a Dell."

Apple has been positioned as, "More expensive, but worth it" for decades. And that works better for the consumer or small business person (consultant/freelancer, etc.) then corporate and government. Sure, the boss likes the idea of "more expensive, but worth it" for him/herself or certain elite teams, but not when signing the purchase order for thousands of machines for the rank-and-file.


,
 
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