In spite of the incredible enthusiasm shown by MacWorld showgoers who’ve been carrying off hardware and software by the cartload, the picture in general isn’t at all rosy. In a typical cause and effect spiral, Apple’s dwindling hardware sales over the last year of bad press have led not only to projected hefty losses for this quarter, and probably the next, but also to a significant overall reduction in sales of Mac software, except in areas like Internet development, which grew by over 50%. Resellers, especially retail outlets, have to be convinced that the Mac market can still make them money, and start giving Mac software a prominent space on their shelves. Apple wants, and needs, visibility and is finally willing to go after this aggressively.
