Overcoming Challenges in Launching a Revolutionary Mac II Accelerator

In my tenure at a prestigious tech company, my team and I embarked on an ambitious project to develop an accelerator platform for the Apple Mac II Color Computer. This platform was designed to significantly enhance the computer's performance by featuring a 33MHz 68030 CPU, a 4-way set associative second-level cache, and a MC68882 floating-point math co-processor. Despite a high price point, we faced several challenges in bringing this product to market.

The Extreme Specifications and Vision

The journey began with assembling the most powerful Mac II accelerator possible. The specs were impressive: a 33MHz 68030 CPU, a second-level cache, and significant floating-point capabilities. This made the Mac II up to 20 times faster than the production model. However, the cost was a staggering $1700, a very high price for 1990. The owner of the company, with a background in aeronautical engineering, proposed an outlandish price of $3400.

Persuading the Board to Set a Higher Price Point

My disagreement led to a heated discussion. I argued that potential Mac II users, especially those in scientific research, would gladly pay the $7000 for a system that delivered effortless performance improvements and significant computational power. The company's board ultimately agreed to my suggested price.

Launch Preparation and Strategies

With the board's approval, the next challenge was the launch strategy. We needed to secure media coverage and sell the system to potential clients. Three key systems were developed: one for MacWorld Magazine, one for MacUser Magazine, and one for Tiger Direct's catalog, a major seller of Mac-related products.

Embarking on a Cross-Country Installation Tour

My plan involved traveling to Boston for MacUser Magazine and then to San Francisco for MacWorld Magazine. For the Boston trip, I installed the system, used Stu's Mandelbrot Loop software to demonstrate the performance gain, and photographed the system for advertising purposes. The same process was repeated in San Francisco, securing positive reactions from both magazines.

Overcoming Logistical Challenges

Traveling from Boston to San Francisco required a harrowing cab ride to make my flight. The streets of Boston are notoriously narrow and navigating them in a cab can be perilous. I held out a hundred dollar bill to the driver to ensure I arrived in time for my flight. The driver successfully navigated the challenge and I was able to make it to San Francisco in time for the MacWorld Magazine demo.

Launching the Product

The launch involved several critical steps, including:

Hiring a professional graphic artist experienced with Macs to create pre-press 4-color art and booth graphics. Hiring salespeople. Acquiring and resizing the tradeshow booth. Pre-reserving booth space, arranging for seating and backdrops, and ensuring plants were in place. Securing a shipping company for booth transport. Booking hotel rooms near the venue. Writing booth collateral materials and user manuals. Summoning a professional photographer to capture the system. Writing and distributing press releases to non-Mac hardware magazines.

Each of these tasks required meticulous planning and execution. My experience with previous company shows and trade events helped mitigate potential issues, but preparation and coordination were key to our success.

Conclusion

Launching a revolutionary product in the tech industry comes with numerous challenges. However, with strategic planning, an experienced team, and a thorough understanding of the market, even the most daunting tasks can be overcome. By addressing the cost, performance, and market demand, we successfully launched the Mac II accelerator and secured positive reviews from both MacUser and MacWorld magazines, paving the way for a successful sales campaign.