Miss #1: Apple USB Mouse
Where do we even begin? The USB Mouse was introduced in 1998 along with the iMac and befuddled users with its hockey puck shape and ridiculously short cord.
Miss #2: Macintosh TV
Kudos to Apple for trying something innovative at the time (1993), but the Macintosh TV was a horrible TV and even worse Mac. The all black colorway was neat, though.
Miss #3: Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh
If Apple were to release a limited edition Mac today they would be able to fetch a premium, but that certainly wasn’t the case in 1997. Within a year of its release, the TAM went from $7500 to $1500.
Miss #4: Apple III
Apple was notorious for charging a premium in the 80s and 90s and the Apple III really kicked things off with a $7500 price tag in 1980.
Miss #5: Macintosh Portable
The Portable was not only expensive ($6500) and underpowered, but it was unwieldy and when the battery was shot you were SOL.
Miss #6: Newton
So you’re telling me that I can send a fax with this thing? Let’s all blame John Sculley for this one and never speak of it again.
Miss #7: Apple Lisa
Who in their right mind would pay $10,000 for a computer in 1983 regardless of it being the first to have a GUI? NASA.
Miss #8: Apple TV
When Steve Jobs says something is a “hobby” then you know something is wrong.
Miss #9: Earbuds
Hey, kid, I don’t need to hear your music.
Miss #10: MacBook Air
No optical drive, high price tag, and one USB port? It’s thin and fits in a manila envelope, but I can get a more powerful MacBook Pro for $300 less.
Hit #1: Powerbook G4
The G4 was the start of something special for Apple’s laptop line. It was an inch thick and came in an aluminum or titanium body. The design was radically different and sexy.
Hit #2: iMac G3
Despite the USB Mouse, the iMac G3 All-In-One was quirky and came in a variety of candy colored flavors. This is when Apple really started to think differently.
Hit #3: AirPort Express
Some might argue that the original AirPort should trump the Express, but the features that it packs in these days is perfect for travelers.
Hit #4: Macbook Pro early 2008
While the MacBook Air was the first to implement the multi-touch trackpad, the MacBook Pro from early 2008 offered consumers the total package.
Hit #5: OS X
OS X is simple, intuitive and the attention to detail alone is what drives this current iteration of the Mac OS aside from little treats like Exposé, Automator, and Cover Flow.
Hit #6: 4th generation iPod Classic
It wasn’t until the iPod went color that it really took off. My first iPod was a 30GB Photo.
Hit #7: Marketing
From the “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC” campaign to the brightly colored iPod commercials with U2 or Coldplay, Apple’s marketing has driven brand awareness to new heights.
Hit #8: iPhone 3G
The iPhone drastically changed the mobile landscape and for the better. Like OS X, the iPhone OS is ridiculously easy to use, but it would be nothing if it weren’t for all those apps. The original iPhone was great for Web browsing but little else.
Hit #9: App Store
We’re on the cusp of seeing some great things happen on the iPhone platform. It’s certainly made the subway ride to and from work bearable.
Hit #10: Steve Jobs
If Apple had not acquired NeXT in 1996 and brought back Steve Jobs where would Apple be today? I wouldn’t be writing this list and I would probably be using a Windows machine.