Apple: 'We can't build a great $399 computer'

Jagi

True Fist of the North Star
OG Investor
Apple: 'We can't build a great $399 computer'


Apple has posted its earnings for the third quarter of the 2009 fiscal year, which amounted (once again) to the best non-holiday quarter in Apple's history. The company's revenue grew 12% over last year to a total of $8.34 billion, with a net profit of $1.23 billion.

During the quarter, Apple saw record-setting adoption of Macs and iPhones by consumers, thanks in large part to the price cuts on the lower end of both lines. Wall Street anticipated a 3% contraction in Mac sales, but the company actually grew by 4% over last year, with a surge in sales taking place after the WWDC price cut announcements. During the quarter, 2.6 million Macs were sold, nearly meeting the company's all-time quarterly sales record.

While Apple did not speak specifically about which Mac was the best-selling, COO Tim Cook said the new $1,199 13-inch Macbook Pro attracted a lot of customers who would otherwise have bought the $999 13" Macbook. Indeed, Mac's "most affordable line ever" is coming extremely close to becoming its best selling line ever.

Just because cheaper looks to be selling better, that absolutely does not mean they will be joining the netbook "race to the bottom" any time soon, as rumors had suggested. Cook said, "Our goal is not to build the most computers, it's to build the best. Whatever price allows us to build the best computer, we'll build it there...we can't build a great $399 computer."

When asked about the possibility of an Apple netbook, Cook said, "I never want to discount anything in the future....[but] they're not robust, they lack horsepower, they have small displays, and cramped keyboards. Many people won't be happy with that. We're only going to plan things that are very innovative that we can be very proud of."

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There u have it.. You want cheap, you get shit. You gotta pay for greatness.

Whatever.

I've built $500 or $600 budget computers that have smoked the shit out of some of my friends "high-end" PCs to they point where they're asking me how do I get my "custom built" computers from Dell, Gateway, Alienware, etc, and how can they get them.

You want greatness you need to build it yourself. And save $300 or $400 in the process.

I've used Macs on campus when I was in college. The GUI in the OS is very nice, but as far as applications and the like go, it just seemed like over priced bullshit.

Although I am interested in one of those Mini-Mac PCs to setup a HTPC with the Mac flavor of XBMC. But that shit was $800 dollars when I configured it with everything I wanted.

I'll take my "cheap ass" else where.
 
I only surf the net and download music, so I don't need (or will pay for) a $1000+ computer/Mac. I love my small net book.

I think in the future Apple will make a smaller, more compact portable computer.
 
Whatever.

I've built $500 or $600 budget computers that have smoked the shit out of some of my friends "high-end" PCs to they point where they're asking me how do I get my "custom built" computers from Dell, Gateway, Alienware, etc, and how can they get them.

You want greatness you need to build it yourself. And save $300 or $400 in the process.

I've used Macs on campus when I was in college. The GUI in the OS is very nice, but as far as applications and the like go, it just seemed like over priced bullshit.

Although I am interested in one of those Mini-Mac PCs to setup a HTPC with the Mac flavor of XBMC. But that shit was $800 dollars when I configured it with everything I wanted.

I'll take my "cheap ass" else where.

they don't hear you though.
 
"I would build a $399 computer, but why should I? My sheep happily pay $1,200 plus for my computers. I mean do you think there's $1,200 worth of anything in there.

And shit, livers and G5's aren't cheap. I lost a fucking grip to Bill Gates and Warren Buffet in a dice game last week. I gotta get that guap back somehow!"

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apples marketing is soo great they can sell their products for 40% more than they are worth.. Its that simple.. They dont need to sell their goods fro cheap.. and at this point doing so would hurt their brand image in much the same way that a $12K 3 series would hurt BMWs brand image in america..
 
The funny thing is I have a quad core that I built running Windows 7 and OSX 10.5.6 dual boot and it cost me less than $600.

Sure Macs are pretty, but after you get past the eye candy, it just blah. When I need my mac fix I restart my computer and choose the mac installation. Problem solved, but I wont be buying a mac anytime soon
 
Macs are about brand idendificiation.

Like an expensive purse or hand bag.

You are paying for a brand name not functionality, which can be a good business model for the business if people feel good about the brand.
 
Tru dat! Macs hold their value.

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Do you really care if something holds its value when it's a commodity that essentially gets replaced every 3-4 years and the new model DOUBLES in power during that same period?

I mean shit, if I spent 2,500 on a G5 ...yeah I would hope it has some residual value. But then again, if I'm replacing it in 3-4 years and I only spend $1,000 on a PC would I really care?
 
Macs are about brand idendificiation.

Like an expensive purse or hand bag.

You are paying for a brand name not functionality, which can be a good business model for the business if people feel good about the brand.

"Yooooo! Why are you snitchin' nigga. I don't go telling all your secrets. Calling my lawyers right now to send your ass a quick cease and desist letter."

images-2001-12-13-steve-jobs.gif
 
Do you really care if something holds its value when it's a commodity that essentially gets replaced every 3-4 years and the new model DOUBLES in power during that same period?

I mean shit, if I spent 2,500 on a G5 ...yeah I would hope it has some residual value. But then again, if I'm replacing it in 3-4 years and I only spend $1,000 on a PC would I really care?

Because traditionally Macs are still useful for 6-7 years before Apple starts dropping OS and program support. Yes, that mac may be slow compared to new machines but you could still likely install the latest OSX on it. the G5 is an exception, but the the 6-7 year thing is probably going to be true for the Intel generation.
 
the G5 is an exception, but the the 6-7 year thing is probably going to be true for the Intel generation.

i built my pc 8 years ago, and this joint is still running smooth.

it IS time to upgrade though, because everything from apps to hd movies are so memory intensive that you HAVE to have a contemporary device.

but nobody can tell me a mac would've performed better or longer than this joint that i built.
 
I'm gonna call BULLSHIT. Post the specs. No upgrades in 8 years?

i built my pc 8 years ago, and this joint is still running smooth.

it IS time to upgrade though, because everything from apps to hd movies are so memory intensive that you HAVE to have a contemporary device.

but nobody can tell me a mac would've performed better or longer than this joint that i built.
 
What i dont understand is why they dont start selling osx that you can put on a pc.The main selling points for macs are the security and stability of the OS.. not the hardware. They could make even more bank if they sold the OS as a standalone product. would seem like a win win situation for everyone *shrugs*
 
You gotta overpay for "greatness"

let them keep thinking that way, they wouldnt be shit without the iphone in this economy

Macs are about brand idendificiation.

Like an expensive purse or hand bag.

You are paying for a brand name not functionality, which can be a good business model for the business if people feel good about the brand.

And there you have your answer.
 
Do you really care if something holds its value when it's a commodity that essentially gets replaced every 3-4 years and the new model DOUBLES in power during that same period?

I mean shit, if I spent 2,500 on a G5 ...yeah I would hope it has some residual value. But then again, if I'm replacing it in 3-4 years and I only spend $1,000 on a PC would I really care?

If, by replace, you mean throw away the old one, then no, you would not care. If, by replace, you mean SELL the old one on eBay, then yes, you would care.

Just like a car, where the actual cost of the car is the purchase price - sell or trade in price.

In fact, many Mac POWER users upgrade every year. Especially those of us with Apple Developer Connections that allow us to purchase new systems every year at a discount. Same with Education Discounts, a K-12 staff member can purchase a new computer every year at a discount, and sell the old computer.

Some people, like peripheral designers, NEED to have an example of the latest and greatest. Others just take advantage of the high resale value and indulge themselves. :yes:

PC owners just don't understand.
 
The main selling points for macs are the security and stability of the OS.. not the hardware.

NO!

The main selling point is that "it just works". That's because of the tight integration between hardware and software.

One example: Mac owners never have to worry about interrupt conflicts.

Another example: There is no finger pointing by Apple Customer Service. Dell blames problems on the software, and Microsoft blames problems on the hardware, and it's all done in an south Asian accent. "Ah so, fuck you very much!"
 
Macs are about brand idendificiation.

Like an expensive purse or hand bag.

You are paying for a brand name not functionality, which can be a good business model for the business if people feel good about the brand.


You can't be serious the multi-touch gestures on the trackpad alone, Is tops in
its class for functionality. I don't know of another manufacture who's trackpad is like this. Expose,able to operate for days on in without rebooting.

Snow leopard is about to crush everything
when its release. I will be 1st in line:lol:
 
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