Blissful Japan

Recently I came across this article which sheds a bit of light on Japanese manufacturing methodology vs Apple’s. I think it’s far easier for the Japanese engineers to critique the crappy Taiwanese construction rather than to create their own new device from scratch. But it’s too bad though that Apple doesn’t have a bit more of the manufacturing expertise that exists in Japan, and doesn’t have a tighter link with their manufacturing partners. But if I had to choose one, I would also choose to emphasize design over manufacturing. It’s also unfortunate that Japan still can’t quite get out of the manufacturing mindset and into the product design mindset. Of course, the manufacturing mindset has its benefits, such as Japan’s great trade surplus and great economic position.

[MacBook Air Teardown] ‘No Waste Outside, Nothing but Waste Inside’ [Part 5]

Update: My friend who used to work at Apple adds his comments:

Thanks for the article Jim, but it is simply laughable.

Here’s one example: “The MacBook Air’s mysterious internal design might be a violent antithesis against Japanese manufacturing, which allows no compromise even in detailed parts of the hardware.”

Having worked at the company, I can say 100% that Apple agonizes over every aspect of the hardware design, down to small details such as the hue of the metal, to the friction when sliding the iPhone screen. Apple also maintains tight controls on manfucturing in China. Several of my colleagues spent significant time there. Steve Jobs created a culture where little details are obsessively managed by him and his staff; I know this because there have been days where we were at work until midnight because Mr. Jobs wanted to change the color of an icon! I therefore couldn’t find that quote further from the truth.

Also, Japan doesn’t have a cell phone anywhere close to the capabilities of the iPhone (even admitted by a former senior VP of NTT DoCoMo), and at the time the Macbook Air came out, they had nothing of comparable horsepower in that small of a package.

People may say what they will about Apple’s expensive prices or UI, which are open to debate. But I don’t think the Japanese manufacturers have anything on Apple in terms of design processes or innovation.

Therefore it seems, unfortunately, this article is based mostly on Japanese pride, as opposed to factual analysis. (Isn’t it interesting that this is also how the Japanese view history. See the textbook controversy)