Apple has performed staggeringly well since 1999 with its sleek iPods, iPads, Macbook Pros and sophisticated cinema displays and with every passing year its products become more advanced in design, form factor and hardware technology.
Apple is an integrated technology company which manufactures both hardware and software, and unlike HP, Dell, Toshiba, Acer and Lenovo who only manufacture hardware and reply on Microsoft’s Windows Operating platform for most of their software needs, Apple does it all.
This does not mean, Apple manufactures everything from scratch. it relies on Intel and Samsung for its Processor, CPU or GPU needs, and relies on AMD for its graphics processor needs. There are other components such as Hard drive, memory etc which is outsourced to vendors in Taiwan and China, but Apple is able to integrate and package all these components into better packaging and more appealing products.
It is interesting that many of the original equipment manufacturers are the same for Apple as well as other Giant manufacturers such as HP, Dell and Acer, but somehow, these manufacturers are unable to introduce innovative designs which can rapidly gain marketshare and expand the overall market for sleek and lightweight machines.
It is only Apple and Sony so far who have been able to crack this technology development code leaving behind others to foloow the footsteps in deciphering the needs of consumers, who want less weight, more beauty and more power.
One of the principle reasons behind this Gap in Apple’s innovation and other manufacturers constantly playing catch-up is because they have not been able to command premium prices due to a lack in brand cachet. This makes it difficult for them to contain costs of newer innovative products which incorporate more expensive technologies and more financial and engineering resources to design and manufacture.
