Apple Computer Inc is looking at mail order as a means of distributing some future Macintosh products. Computer Reseller News says that mail order outlets are being considered for the new consumer-oriented offerings, but no existing Macintoshes are to be sold via mail-order. Also, Apple intends to target its personal digital assistant handheld computers at commercial and business environments, opening up new opportunities for resellers that were aiming at the home market. Apple is expected to sell the hand-held devices – code-named Newton (CI No 1,908) – through its traditional channels, but it is still unclear if it plans to add alternative ones. It has announced a number of changes to its channel organisation, and divided its US reseller support between two market groups. The four major resellers will be handled by Apple’s Institutional Business Group which accounted for 50% of Apple’s sales last year, primarily into large companies, government agencies and higher-education. The remaining resellers are under the General Business Group.
