Given that Jobs is taking a leave of absence, the Apple faithful are now panicking. In the short term, there will be downward pressure on Apple' stock due to Job's departure and the fact that consumers cannot afford Apple's laptops and computers. The iPod is still a perennial favorite, but there are consumers now that are looking for perhaps a lower cost alternative to the iPod, especially now that Apple has lifted DRM from iTunes songs. Apple will survive, but it will be a tumltious couple of months as we learn the fate of Job's and what Apples succession plan is.
$82.22 (01/15/09)
