Comments on: The Next Billion – count Apple Out

By: julie taylor

julie taylor — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 00:56:08 +0000

Most of the computer owners out there have PC's while a very small percentage, like 10%, own Mac's. There are less programs for Mac's and the web is mostly formatted for PC's. People outside of the US are more likely to have NO idea what a Mac is. Also most universities all over the world have computer classes available to the public.

I forgot what company it was, it was mentioned on MSNBC, but it sends PC computer teachers to middle eastern countries and teaches single mothers (previously unavailable to work by the talaiban rule) how to use computers and become business people.

So yeah, PC's are a good thing, they're cheap and more involved with the world. Mac's are great computers but their marketing sucks(not commercial) and they're way too expensive for developing countries.

By: panasianbiz

panasianbiz — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 12:49:18 +0000

You are right. I didn't know that. Thanks for sharing the info and the education.

Jobs is always in the news in this area...I live just 5 minutes from Cupertino...but I still hadn't heard that.

I guess I need to get out more often.

Thanks for dropping by and for the comment.

By: Tommo_UK

Tommo_UK — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 11:11:14 +0000

You probably don't know this, but Apple's Steve Jobs offered to licence Mac OS X for free to the organisation tasked with designing and producing the developing-world targeted $100 laptop. His offer was turned down on the basis that the OS is too proprietary (despite it being built on UNIX). Apparently the tech-heads in charge think Linux more suitable. Mmm sure.. Linux is after all so much easier to use, maintain, understand, and troubleshoot than OS X if you're a villager in the middle of Africa /sarcasm/

My only point is that Apple may not think there is a commercial opportunity in this market yet, but made a philanthropic gesture nevertheless - and a generous one too.

By: james roper

james roper — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 08:56:55 +0000

i think it is a great idea and a way for people who would not otherwise be able to buy a computer to get one. there are a lot of questions as far as what would have to be included. different things are important to different people, so not everyone will care about the brand name or what it looks like. it would probably work best if it was a custom built, option driven program, where people add or take out what they need and don’t need. i know most computers already do this, but it can still be done on a larger scale.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 20:25:34 +0000

Even Genesi ( http://bbrv.blogspot.com ) are launching a community site geared towards research in this area:

http://www.power2people.org/

By: panasianbiz

panasianbiz — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 10:29:04 +0000

Whether developing get a pc or not and what kind they get is up for debate…one thing is for sure…everybody is aiming at them and when they do get pcs/macs to those billions…the marketers/advertisers are going to go nuts….

By: Jennifer Simes

Jennifer Simes — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 09:53:57 +0000

In developing countries, there is a huge gap between those who are technologically knowledgeable and financially capable, and those who don’t. Sometimes surveys/studies that talk about the PC market in these countries are misleading – are they talking about PCs in every household or PCs in technogically capable areas only? PCs in every household is not an accurate yardstick for PC market growth because not every one can afford it, even the “dumbed down version.” Community PCs may be the answer but again there are technical considerations to be made and there’s no profit in it.
So this billion shouldn’t be about the machine (one can “build” a very generic PC using parts from all over, load Linux OS in it, and get as much capability as your average branded PC for a very low price), but it should be about making technology (computer hardware, software, and the Internet)accessible to the masses.

By: Tim Pang

Tim Pang — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 09:31:45 +0000

I think developing countries should have good computers. No one wants a computer that will collate dust over time. Good computers should have basics needs for everyday use. It should have 512 memory, MS Office, Windows XP, CD Burner and 60gb hard diver. A computer like this will coast us here around $600.