Problem 1: What strategy (or combination of strategies) did Steve Jobs use to make Apple into the powerhouse we know today? Has it changed over the years, or been constant? How does this strategy "fit" with the environment of the personal computer industry?
Problem 2: Begin this case with a brief SWOT analysis of the computer industry. Consider both the environment of the early years (1980's) and how it has evolved. For a quick-and-dirty analysis, Wikipedia gives a pretty good overview of Apple's history, from which you can sketch out a simple SWOT:
Problem 3: Consider which strategy (or strategies) Apple has used over the years. You may want to rely on Porter's four generic strategies, described in one of the required readings for this module, or you might prefer one of the strategic models presented in the optional reading by Comeford and Callaghan. The choice is yours.
The following article will help you evaluate Apple's recent strategic moves, so you can comment on whether or not the strategy has changed:
Burrows, P., Hesseldahl, A., & Crocket, R. (2007). WELCOME TO PLANET APPLE; how the high tech maverick became a global trendsetter. Business Week. July 09. 2007, Issue 4042.