The 5 best and 5 worst Apple products ever introduced

As Apple turns the big 40, we want to take a look back at some of the popular products that shaped an entire industry, and some that definitely did not.

The great…

Apple II – The Apple II was Apple’s first computer designed for the mass market. Designed by Steve Wozniak, it was used to learn programming and computer skills by a whole generation. The success of the Apple II helped define the PC market and made Apple the company to keep an eye on.

The Macintosh – When the Macintosh was introduced in 19984, Apple has no idea it would be the name that would stick with the company for more than 30 years. The original Macintosh had 128kb of memory and was the first PC with a mouse.

iPod – In 2001 the iPod was launched and it immediately became the gold standard of digital music players. The combination of the iPod and iTunes made buying, owning and listening to digital music easy. The popularity of the iPod laid out the groundwork for the next decade of success at Apple.

iPhone – The importance of the iPhone as a whole is difficult to overstate, it redefined the smartphone almost overnight. Not only did the iPhone leave all competitors playing catch-up for years, but it pushed forward the mobile internet and put Apple products into the hands of millions of consumers. It is Apple’s best-selling hardware device ever.

OS X – When OS X arrived in 2001, it was a big change for Mac users and was the basis for the next 15 years of software innovation. Annual upgrades from Apple have helped keep the Mac fresh and ahead of the competition, plus those upgrades have been free over the life of a machine.

The not so great…

Macintosh Portable – In 1989, computing meant sitting at a desk, so the debut of the Macintosh Portable promised to allow users to work wherever they wanted. The computer looked good at the time, but it weighed 7kg and its worst feature was the battery which couldn’t run from a wall outlet, you had to wait until the battery recharged.

Power Mac G4 Cube – Looks aren’t everything, so when this computer debuted in 2000, Apple had high hopes. However it was discontinued a year later after the sales proved to be lower than expected. The Power Mac G4 Cube is best remembered for the “cracks” discovered by users in the cases of the machines.

Apple III – This PC goes down in history as Apple’s first big flop. Aimed at business users, the Apple III had buggy software and chips that wouldn’t stay in their sockets! Apparently Apple told customers to drop the computer on the desk to keep the chips in place.

eWorld – Before the internet was common, there were a handful of online services. Apple’s eWorld launched in June 1994 and offered mail, bulletin boards and had limited access to internet services. It managed to gain 100 000 subscribers before being shut down two years later.

Newton – Sometimes you’re just a head of your time. The Apple Newton was an early try at a PDA that helped pioneer handwriting recognition. But it suffered from poor battery life and an expensive price, so it was cancelled in 1998.

Even though Apple is probably the most successful business out there, they have had their ups and downs throughout the years.

The Computer Guyz in Cape Town and Centurion is a reliable, affordable and exceptional IT company. Looking for a range of IT services or equipment? Give The Computer Guyz a call today!