Apple is known for revolutionizing technology, but not every product has been a hit. While the iPhone, Mac, and AirPods dominate markets, Apple’s history includes some spectacular flops.
Newton (1993-1998) – Apple’s early attempt at a personal digital assistant (PDA) was ahead of its time but struggled with poor handwriting recognition and a steep $900 price. It became a pop culture joke before being quietly discontinued.
Lisa (1983-1986) – The first computer with a graphical user interface (GUI) and a mouse, Lisa was a technical marvel—but at nearly $10,000, it was priced out of reach for most consumers.
iPod Hi-Fi (2006-2007) – A high-end speaker with an iPod dock, Apple expected this $349 product to dominate home audio. But without AM/FM radio and facing stiff competition, it disappeared in under two years.
Pippin (1996-1997) – Apple’s short-lived foray into gaming, this console suffered from weak third-party support and was crushed by the PlayStation and N64. Apple left gaming hardware behind—at least until the iPhone changed mobile gaming forever.
Macintosh TV (1993) – A strange hybrid of a Mac and a TV, this device sold just 10,000 units before being scrapped. It would take decades before Apple would revisit the idea of blending computing and entertainment with the Apple TV.
Apple’s strength has always been its ability to learn from failure. While these products flopped, they paved the way for future successes. The Newton may have failed, but it laid the groundwork for the iPhone and iPad. Lisa was a commercial disaster, but its GUI shaped the modern Mac. Even Apple’s failures often end up shaping the future.