Apple Inc.

Table of content

The beginning (1976)

The early years (1976 to 1983)

Apple vs Microsoft : the struggle (1989 to 1994)

A new beginning (1998 to nowadays)

Conclusion

Bibliography

The Beginning (1976)

Apple has been created in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. They all left ATARI Computers to create their own company.

Apple's first headquater was the Jobs' parents garage where Jobs and his friends desing their first computer kit : the Apple I. It was box wood-made with a basic motherboard inside.

The Beginning (1976)

Their business really starded when Jobs hada deal with Byte Shop, a computer store which bought fifty Apple I. At this time, as Wozniack and Wayne worked night and days to assemble the Apple 1, Jobs try to find money to pay the providers.

Then came the Apple II (with floppy disk drive !) and a software called VisiCalc wich was Apple's "killer application" : a spreasheet program !

The early years (1979 to 1983)Thanks to the succes of its software application, Apple Computer invested in a production line and a hired several computer designers. They also had a deal with the Xerox PARC in Palo Alto, the computer R&D center in the world at this time, to benefits its patents and its scientist staff. In may 1980 it unveils the Apple III to compete IBM.

Due to this collaboration Apple introduced the first computer with a graphical user interface in 1984 : Lisa (Jobs' daughter).

Apple vs Microsoft : the struggle (1989 to 1994)

The Graphical User Interface made Lisa real success but one year later, a small software company called Microsoft shipps its own GUI supported by every IBM compatible computers. IBM was Apple's main rival and it was dominating the market.

Apple vs Microsoft : the struggle (1989 to 1994)

As a consequence the Apple board react in removing Steve Jobs to his management duties (a resigned a few months later) and in adopting a very aggressive strategy.This strategy was lead by a main idea : innovation

Thus Apple ships a quality and ergonomic laptop : the PowerBook 100. It contributes to set the brand a good reputation.

The same year the Cupertino's firm unveils its new operating system called Mac OS which confirm Apple as a refer as far as the graphical interface is concerned.

Apple vs Microsoft : the struggle (1989 to 1994)

During this period a new religion birth : the Apple-Mania and its cohort of Apple-evangelist. The fan of Apple aren't simple costumers satisfied by their products, they are fanatics !

They pray Saint Steve Jobs, they celebrate Christmas during the MacWorld Exposition every year in San Fransisco, Cupertino is their Mecca and Bill Gates is the Devil !

But it was not enough to prevent Apple decline in front of the "Wintel world conspiracy" (Wintel=windows+intel) and in the mid-90s Apple started a slow decline.

Apple vs Microsoft : the struggle (1989 to 1994)

A new beginning (from 1998 to nowadays)

The rebirth of Apple starded in 1998 when Steve Jobs himselft (back in the company since February 1997) introduced the new iMac at the MacWorld Expo. It is small, nice, fun and competitive. This new computer comes with a complete suite of softwares and a new operating system called Mac OS X. It was a success. Then came the iBook, Apple's new laptop.

A new beginning (from 1998 to nowadays)

But the real blockbuster was unveiled in 2001 : the iPod. Surfing on the digital audio player trend Apple succeed to take 75.6% of the market share in the US.

Furthermore Apple make a deal with Intel to become compatible with Microsoft Windows.

A new beginning (from 1998 to nowadays)2004, however, was a turning point for Apple. After creating a sizable financial base to work with, the company began experimenting with new parts from new suppliers. As a result Apple was able to produce new designs so quickly over a short amount of time, with the release of the iPod Video, then the iPod Classic, and eventually the iPod touch and iPhone. Each Apple product thus far has been under equally high demand.

On January 9, 2007, Apple Computer, Inc. shortened its name to simply Apple Inc. In his Macworld Expo keynote address, Steve Jobs explained that with their current product mix consisting of the iPod and Apple TV as well as their Macintosh brand, Apple really wasn't just a computer company anymore. At the same address, Jobs revealed a product that would revolutionize an industry in which Apple had never previously competed: the Apple iPhone. The iPhone combined Apple's first widescreen iPod with the world's first mobile device boasting visual voicemail, and an internet communicator able to run a fully functional version of Apple's web browser, Safari, on the then-named iPhone OS (later renamed iOS).

A new beginning (from 1998 to nowadays)

Conclusion

For 37 years Apple has been a trend-setter company able to foresee the future of domestic computer it will probably continue during the next decade.

Thank You!