Posted on 04/05/2010 2:10:35 PM PDT by Raymann
That's exactly what they were saying when the iPod came out in the early 2000s. In fact, companies like HP and Sony had a couple of years to react to the iPod as it was slow at first to gather steam.
However, despite having much more research and development resources at their disposal (at the time), HP, Sony and all the other major players in the consumer electronics industry were caught napping as Apple built a juggernaut with the iPod, literally taking over the entire music industry, and becoming unstoppable. Even today, they are so far ahead of the curve with the iPod that even if they stopped developing the product line today, it would take five years for their rivals to catch up. The only product that comes even close to iPod is Microsoft's Zune - but 75% of Americans will never buy a Zune simply because...it's a Microsoft product!
They then went on to repeat history with the iPhone. Despite having one hand tied behind their back (with AT&T), Apple is running circles around their competitors in the cell phone market. Sure, Apple is still behind in market share but they are closing the gap quickly and once they announce later this year that AT&T is no longer their only carrier, they will not be able to make iPhones fast enough come Christmas time.
Now the iPad. Now I'm not an Apple fan-boy or anything (I'm typing this post on a Microsoft computer) but it is obvious to all that the iPad is going to be the most successful consumer product in the history of human civilization and it will REPLACE the desktop and laptop computer.
Repeat: The Apple iPad will REPLACE the desktop and laptop computer. Maybe not with this version. In fact, definitely not with this version. Take a look at the 1st generation iPod (from 2001) and compare it to the iPod touch of today. Why it is like comparing Orville and Wilbur Wright's airplane to an F-15 Tomcat.
So it is not today's iPad that will conquer the computer industry but future iterations of the iPad that will. Once this product is perfected (around the 3rd or 4th generation), there will simply be no reason to ever buy a desktop computer or a laptop again.
This is my sales forecast (worldwide) for the iPad. Check this post in future years to see how right I am:
2010 - 6.5 million units
2011 - 13.8 million units
2012 - 44.7 million units
2013 - 121.2 million units
2014 - 255.7 million units
2015 - 438.3 million units
2016 - 929.1 million units
2017 - 1.33 billion units
2018 - 2.68 billion units
2019 - 3.48 billion units
LOL! Bravo! Imagine, a wireless, mobile device with no USB port, and only 16, 32, or 64 gig of primary storage.
That’s exactly what they were saying when the iPod came out in the early 2000s.
:::::
Well HP is not in the phone business, but they are in the computer biz. And Apple made a lucky gamble when they did the iPhone — it saved them, even though they still claim to be a computer company. As we know, the iPod/iPhone products are not computers, per se, and none of Apple’s actual computers are leading edge or competitively priced. And they are a disaster when it comes to software — that is a whole other story.
I think to gain any speakable share of market in the true PC market, they are going to have to something revolutionary or even just smart. It has taken them more than a decade to finally put the right processor into their computers. I worked with Apple back in the semiconductor hay-days and watched them bad decision after bad decision when it came to positioning themselves against the IBM PC. They just did not get it — what it would take to attain a leadership position in terms of share of market.
So we will see what they do. My humble guess is that the iPad will see a second generation model VERY soon that is more in line with what would be more versatile and useful.
Cheers!!!
Cards; it’s got to read an 80-column Hollerith card(s) including ‘overpunches’ ...
Not quite:
Android Market Share Leaps 153% As iPhone Sputters
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2468850/posts
Android Crushes the Competition, iPhone Stands Still
http://hothardware.com/News/Android-Crushes-the-Competition-iPhone-Stands-Still/
http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2010/03/android_nipping_on_iphone_os_heels.html
Yeah..and I am Mother Teresa too.
” but it is obvious to all that the iPad is going to be the most successful consumer product in the history of human civilization and it will REPLACE the desktop and laptop computer.”
You got any of your Apple Kool Aid left or you drank it all?
“Repeat: The Apple iPad will REPLACE the desktop and laptop computer. Maybe not with this version.”
We heard you the last time, but hey, don't let me stop ya.
“2010 - 6.5 million units
2011 - 13.8 million units
2012 - 44.7 million units
2013 - 121.2 million units
2014 - 255.7 million units
2015 - 438.3 million units
2016 - 929.1 million units
2017 - 1.33 billion units
2018 - 2.68 billion units
2019 - 3.48 billion units”
Now you've just gone and done it. We'll be sending the men in long white coats to you presently, ok?
But it’s still $800+, right?
I got the cheaper one. Still love it! Can do more wonderful things than I ever imagined.
It is very cool.
My sister’s husband has a flight-school/checklist application for his private pilot training. Very cool.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.