Apple boosts market share

Apple boosts market share

SINGAPORE (AFP): Apple Computer Inc. said yesterday its Asian
market share should double by 2000 due to a business strategy
change and a boost to consumer confidence from its bailout by
nemesis Microsoft Corp.

Apple's managing director for Asia-Pacific Steven Vamos said
the troubled company's sole manufacturing center in Singapore
would diversify into other business areas as part of the strategy
shift.

Other changes would see Apple beefing up its Asian presence in
the publishing and education sectors, areas where it is already
strong, and farming out more work to local contractors and
suppliers in the region to fuel growth.

"The biggest impact the new Apple-Microsoft relationship will
have in Asia is addressing concerns about consumer confidence,"
Vamos told a news conference here.