C |Net has published a very interesting article about Appleis retail strategy. The article deals with Appleis market share and the fact that it is increasing in some areas, the companyis approach to building stores, and other facets of Appleis ongoing battle to grow. The most interesting tidbit concerns some ideas the article says Apple is considering to help convert Wintel users. From the article:
Apple Computer is expanding its retail store strategy as it considers new ways to draw Windows users to the Mac, according to sources close to the companyis plans.
The Cupertino, Calif.-based company is considering a number of in-store demonstrations to attract potential PC users, the sources said. One strategy under consideration would involve bringing Windows PCs into the stores, where customers could presumably be shown the advantages of Macs.
If the proposal is adopted, PCs from one or more manufacturers would be compared with Macs, the sources said. Apple also plans to run Connectix VirtualPC--emulation software for running Windows on Macs--on store demo units. This too would be part of the "conversion" strategy, showing potential PC customers that they could continue using current Windows software on their new Macs.
There is a lot more information in the full article, and it is a very good read. We strongly recommend this article.