Retail Representation

According to an article from CNET news, for the 7^th year in a row Apple has topped its competitors in the PC world.

Apple scored an 86 out of a possible 100 on the University of Michigan’s “America’s Customer Satisfaction Survey” (ACSI). This was the highest-ranking score since 1995. Dell, Acer and HP tied with a score of 77 and Compaq trailed with a score of only 74.

One reason Apple’s customer service is so superior is because of the implementation of their retail stores. Apple retail store are one of the most important ways for customers and potential customers to interact with apple in a face-to-face situation.

Apple controls the entire experience of the store, from the geeky/hip employees, to the limited amount of products on the shelves, to the layout of the store, to the educational classes taught by the tech staff. People feel as if they are owners of the products and getting special attention.

Apple iPad; Business or Pleasure?

Apple released the iPad in April 2010. They sold three million iPads within 80 days of the release of the device.

Many thought of the iPad as a recreational product that was intended for pleasure. It wasn’t until the fall semester, when I realized that the iPad was being using for both business and pleasure.

Although the primary use of the iPad is considered consumer based to be used for activities such as, watching movies, playing games and searching the web

A survey commissioned by Sybase found that "the number one reason U.S. consumers would use a device such as the Apple iPad is for working on the go." The nearly 2500 survey participants indicated business use over watching movies or playing games.

I do not own an iPad, but I would like to sometime in the future. I find them to be sleek and convenient. Weighing only 1.5-1.6 lbs, the iPad is portable and easy to take with you on the go whether it is on vacation or on a business trip.

PC World, Business Center describes the iPad as delivering “notebook-functionality on a smart phone OS platform.”

Another way that the iPad is benefiting society is by giving disabled people the opportunity to excel and have just as many opportunities as everyone else with built in accessibility features and an intuitive multi-touch interface.

In a recent New York Times article, Massachusetts Representative Edward J. Markey, “Apple is an outlier when it comes to devices that are accessible right of the box. 

I would personally, like to use my future iPad for both business and pleasure. Being a student I find myself always having to do some last minute touch up on a paper or look something up on blackboard at any moment during the day. Having the ability to send an email, check my grades, play some games, and online shop all on a lightweight, eight by ten device.