Apple Computer Inc expects between six to 12 companies to be making clones of the Macintosh this year, Mary Ann Cusenza, Apple vice-president and treasurer told the Robertson Stevens & Co technology conference in San Francisco last week. Ms Cusenza said Apple does not expect to see significant volumes and revenues generated from the clones until 1996. The fact that industry-wide unit shipments were up about 30% in the 1994 fourth quarter while Apple’s barely rose was raised by the Reuters repeorter on the spot. Unit shipments remain a concern for us, Bill Slakey, director of investor relations at Apple, admitted: Our goal is to increase unit shipments this year. Neither Apple executive would comment on analysts’ estimates for Apple’s fiscal 1995 to September, which show a consensus of $4.40 a share, up from just $1.95 a share in fiscal 1994. Over the next 12 months we will ship PowerPCs in all our product lines, starting early this summer, Ms Cusenza said, adding that the increased growth of multimedia and PowerPC acceptance will be the key factors for its 1995 performance. Mainstream acceptance of multimedia uses for computers can be seen by the growing number of CD-ROM shipments, she said, adding that growth in the personal computer area will be led by the home, small office and education markets, which are also Apple’s core audience. Corporate demand for computers will still be strong, but the other markets are expected to see higher growth. Apple is certainly aware of Microsoft Corp’s Windows95, she affirmed, but she thinks the issue may be overstated. Apple’s challenge is to make the difference between Windows95 and Apple software as clear as possible, she said.
