Each student is required to submit a personal essay (4-page, 12-point font size, double-spaced). In this essay, each student will need to assume the role of a senior executive of Apple to analyze the industrial environment of personal computer (PC) industry.

In your essay, you are expected to apply our discussion about external analyses (macro environment, five forces) and competitor analysis to highlight the features of the PC industry in a whole, as well as the particular competitive structures your firm (Apple) encounters.

You are encouraged to incorporate external sources to support your analyses. Those sources will need to be appropriately cited or quoted. Figures and charts and reference list do not count against the page limit.

Hint:

Please refer to our discussion on external analyses for possible analytical tools you can use in this essay. Examples include (but not limited to) five force model, competitive position analysis, competitor analysis, generic strategies (both Apples and competitors), and so on.