My Lord, you need to stand up!

Chapter 758 Who wouldn't want to make money from a monopoly?

The 86 Mac computers released last June eventually sold 2.7 million units.

This has firmly secured one-third of global computer shipments last year, overtaking IBM's leading position and leaving more than a dozen or twenty other computer brands far behind.

Therefore, in the second half of the year, various international computer brands, including IBM, focused their efforts on foldable and laptop computers, perhaps all with the intention of avoiding direct confrontation.

After all, everyone is exploring the next form of personal computers, thinking that portable computers will soon replace desktop computers as the mainstream.

However, the highest number of these computers sold was only 200,000 units. For at least the next 20 or 30 years, Wei Dong could foresee that desktop computers would still be the mainstay.

Even the X-computers using Famicom chips shipped 200,000 units.

Then, the Shanghai-based OEM delivered approximately one million MAC units of the 86 models and 1.8 million monitors within that year, earning over US$1.5 billion in foreign exchange.

Although it's not profit and includes various costs, the compensation received for contract manufacturing is in US dollars.

In the 1980s, when the country's foreign exchange reserves were only a few billion, it's no wonder that the Shanghai Municipal Government entrusted him with such an important task.

This fully demonstrates the correctness of the Shanghai Electronics Industrial Park's development strategy.

Therefore, the city repeatedly urged Apple to continue to sell well, so that the contract manufacturers could also benefit greatly.

This would make Wei Dong even more determined to help Apple dominate the market.

But as it turns out, having a third eye doesn't necessarily mean having strategic vision.

Steve had a broader perspective: "This means that all computer game developers will flock to the Mac system, and everyone will want to develop a game with sound effects."

Wei Dong suddenly realized, "Yes, yes, yes."

What people see as a battle between computer systems!

There are currently several different computer operating systems on the market.

But now Apple's system is the only graphical system, which is the main reason for its huge sales last year.

Even though Microsoft released Windows version 2.0 this year, it has made no impact on the market.

Because IBM did not fully promote the graphical user interface system as the mainstay, experts dismissed it as merely a clumsy imitation of Apple's system.

There are already office suite software packages available on Apple's operating system, attracting various business computer customers. As everyone uses this software package, Apple's operating system naturally becomes the standard.

If a large number of game developers were added and all the games were brought together on the Apple system, wouldn't players all buy Apple computers as well?

Therefore, Apple, which combines hardware and software, is already showing signs of becoming a dominant force!
This is the change that Wei Dong brought about.

If he hadn't had that fateful encounter with Steve in 1985, Steve would have sold all his Apple shares and resigned after returning from Japan. Ten years later, when he came back to rebuild the company, Microsoft would have completely spread the Windows system all over the world.

By then, Steve had already lost hope in the computer industry, and ultimately chose to rise to prominence through smartphones.

It's impossible for the thief to profit in this lifetime.

An excited Steve, a true shrewd businessman, held up the built-in sound card: "Alright, Pete, I'm now certain that Apple will have an epic victory this year. How much does this amazing little gadget cost?"

Wei Dong mustered his courage and said, "$99 each for the sound card and speakers. I suggest you launch two versions, one with a hard drive and one without, to maximize your market share and sales volume."

At the end of last year, Steve Jobs, who decided to leverage the 386 chip, also launched the 86pro portable computer, riding the wave of portable computers worldwide.

Priced at $6999, it uses a 386 chip and 4MB of memory, and is a limited edition of only 9999 units.

This desktop computer, which is on par in terms of specifications but definitely performs better, is now selling for $4999.

It's definitely a high-end computer on the market, and even though its performance is undoubtedly top-notch, it's still a bit pricey.

Two or three thousand US dollars is the mainstream price.

If we cut the hard drive cost by over a thousand dollars, then we'll completely crush everything else!
At least it's visually appealing.

The facts still prove that Wei Dong still has the mentality of a loser, even though he now has the appearance of a lord, the country is still poor.

Steve laughed and shook his head in denial: "We need to firmly establish the positioning and image of high-end computers from this point on..."

At this point, his eyes suddenly sharpened, and he held up the sound card in his hand to show Wei Dong: "What is this?"

Without Wei Dong needing to speak, the true father of sound cards responded: "The built-in sound card model is compatible with all computers with ISA slots."

The founders of publicly traded computer companies certainly know what kind of slot this is used in; the problem is that Apple computer motherboards don't have any slots at all!
This industry-standard bus slot design was introduced by IBM a few years ago, allowing users to easily add various devices. It was later adopted by almost all computer brands for their motherboards.

Apple computers are the only exception; they've always been like this, offering no room for self-upgrading.

For example, later on, mobile phone batteries could not be replaced, and even non-original charging cables could be recognized.

What they want is for Apple employees to be exploited for generations to come.

In short, this only proves that this sound card is not unique to Apple computers.

Wei Dong readily lied: "Yes, my X-computer motherboards in mainland China have ISA slots. From the very beginning of the R&D, we made both external and internal versions, so it's not impossible for other brands of computers on the market to buy from me. We have already applied for patents for various sound card chips and design concepts, hoping to foster a diverse landscape of multimedia computers."

The words sound nice, but there's no shortage of intrigue and conflict behind them.

Originally, Wei Dong was prepared to threaten to sell it to other brands like IBM if Apple didn't use it this season.

He simply didn't intend to keep working on the computer to make money. He didn't really understand what would happen next. Right now, he had to cut his losses drastically to have the money to build big ships and repair docks, thus solving many urgent problems.

They say they have hundreds of millions in assets, but when it comes to big projects, it all disappears in the blink of an eye.

He was still somewhat focused on immediate gains, just as he had always told Qin Yuye: the overseas business could belong to her later, and what he wanted was the foreign exchange during this most difficult time.

Wei Dong was told to only focus on the long-term prospects of the mainland, while overseas opportunities were merely for exploitation.

Steve reached out and turned off the computer, then got up and unplugged the external sound card from the back.

The casing was actually made on the same production line as memory cards, about the same size as game cartridges, with the words "sound card" embossed on it, but no other markings.

In theory, any personal computer has a parallel printer port and can be plugged into this device to expand its functionality.

It's just a matter of what storage method the drivers and playback software use to transfer to the computer.

This is a truly terrifying thought.

"Pete, if you had told me about this plan from the beginning, I would definitely have incorporated it into the motherboard, or at least made it an internal slot, making it a feature unique to Apple computers. But now anyone can use it, is that what you mean?"

Since the first Apple computer launch event two years ago, Wei Dong has earned over 100 million US dollars.

The initial 20 to 30 million was used to invest in OEM factories in Shanghai. Later, tens of millions were spent on buying things in California. The remaining amount was transferred to Hong Kong after taxes to support many projects that urgently needed foreign exchange.

They now receive two to three million US dollars in software dividends every month.

So Qin Yuye immediately tensed up, displaying the weakness of the petty bourgeoisie to the fullest extent, and even the translator's voice trembled a little.

On the contrary, Po-zai was more determined.

Seeing Wei Dong lean back in his chair with a smile in response, he immediately took over the task: "Steve, when it comes to business, don't talk about feelings. If I had told you this idea during the R&D phase, do you think Apple would have been able to do better without me, given the technological strength of California, Silicon Valley, and Citibank? So my team has to develop the product and absolutely guarantee their own interests before making it public. At least for now, I'm the first one to disclose it to you because I believe our cooperation has the best future."

Steve didn't even notice the male translator: "I suddenly realized that your software package, this sound card, and even the OEM manufacturer, are like leeches clinging to Apple..."

Wei Dong immediately shook his head: "No, no, no! A leech doesn't provide any benefits to its host. I'm very hurt by what you're saying. I've put in a lot of effort to make Apple computers what they are today. Last year, we sold over two million units. Did the company make money? Did the stock price go up? I only received a very, very small share of the profits. I never expected you to label me a leech..."

He can also act, and he spoke with a rather melancholic tone.

This froze Steve, who quickly stood up and patted his shoulder, saying, "Okay, okay, I misspoke. I just suddenly realized you might be plotting against me, which made me a little sad..."

The female translator quickly followed.

Wei Dong spread his hands: "How about this, just like with Kungfu Software, I will set up a sound card company in Citibank and give you 20% of the shares to find someone to hold on your behalf. I also have a huge business, and I have to figure out how to protect my rights. But I have never thought about maximizing my profits from you. I just take what I should get."

Qin Yuye finds the translation most enjoyable.

Steve still loves geniuses. Maybe he finally lost his romantic aura and discovered that even goddesses have to poop, have leg hair, and are cunning.

Now, pinching the bridge of his nose hard, he said, "The main problem is that we're holding a press conference the day after tomorrow, and we've already prepared more than 400,000 units in stock. And now you're telling me you want to add a sound card. This is an excellent product from Idi, but you... I wish you would be exclusive, but that would easily lead to a monopoly lawsuit."

Wei Dong glanced at the small shareholder Po Zai beside him, and finally decided to pick up the butcher's knife: "Let's sign a supplementary investment and procurement agreement, guaranteeing that the $99 unit price is a special supply to Apple, and that all other computer companies will not be lower than $169?"

But Steve was even more ruthless than he expected: "169? That's our selling price. 199 dollars, whatever you have, I'll take it all! Internal or external..."

He wanted to monopolize the market.

(End of this chapter)