41–50 of 90 posts
> But I discovered that Apple did have one more hidden extra cost in store for 2016 MacBook Pro buyers This seems like an extremely misguided article. The overwhelming majority of users don't buy extra power adaptors. I'd wager that most power adaptors that are purchased are to replace the old power adaptor (because it was damaged or lost). So no, this is not a hidden cost in store for MBP buyers, this is a "hidden c…
Too far? Apple is a luxury good. You are buying the Prada, the Audi/BMW/Benz/etc of laptops - they position themselves at the high end market and will extract as much margin as they can from that market. These price increases follow suit with their aspirational positioning. There is no "too far", just what their target market with a lot of discretionary income will still purchase.
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I think you're missing the point. We all looked to Apple for technical, user-focused innovation.. now all we're getting is a good-looking and expensive things that's best sold in a jewelers shop. I really can't see this working out for them in the long run. (In the short term, sure.)
I believe that you are taking too much stock in believing that you and your needs are Apple's primary market now. Software developers are but a small niche compared to Apple's worldwide consumer base, and they are developing for their market at large, that buys these products for the social signaling and never use 30% of their capabilities. They want good looking and expensive things, and the capabilities of the devi…
I now see Apple moving their focus from "just working" to "pretty", while raising prices.
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There is a "too far". When it slides from being an expensive good tool to a very expensive luxury item mostly used for show. It's a lot easier to be pretty than to solve (new) problems. Of course, their watch foreshadowed all of this. They are not interested in solving problems; they want to turn into a Prada/Chanel/Hermes/LV style super luxury brand.
> they want to turn into a Prada/Chanel/Hermes/LV style super luxuary brand. The Watch Edition showed that there's a step too far for them, but it's not the definition you used. Nobody bought the thing. We had to get into the five figures for that to happen, though, and it's because Apple didn't fully understand the luxury watch market isn't entirely driven by how expensive the thing is. That said, Apple has been pus…
It seems obvious that Apple is trying to reach iPhone-like levels of gross margin in the Mac lineup. Prices of the new Macbook Pros are getting ridiculous. I'm pretty sure that's why they are getting out of the display business; they wouldn't be able to sustain their ridiculous margins, so they leave that part to someone else.
I think you nailed it. Their 40% gross profit margin is quite infuriating. Particularly since they're just milking the franchise by now, rather than actually innovating.
It seems obvious that Apple is trying to reach iPhone-like levels of gross margin in the Mac lineup. Prices of the new Macbook Pros are getting ridiculous. I'm pretty sure that's why they are getting out of the display business; they wouldn't be able to sustain their ridiculous margins, so they leave that part to someone else.
I think you nailed it. Their 40% gross profit margin is quite infuriating. Particularly since they're just milking the franchise by now, rather than actually innovating.
> But I discovered that Apple did have one more hidden extra cost in store for 2016 MacBook Pro buyers This seems like an extremely misguided article. The overwhelming majority of users don't buy extra power adaptors. I'd wager that most power adaptors that are purchased are to replace the old power adaptor (because it was damaged or lost). So no, this is not a hidden cost in store for MBP buyers, this is a "hidden c…
Granted, some of these have Magsafe 1 to 2 adapters on them, but those little things are also expensive.
At around $600 for the additional sets, plus probably another $300 for other dongles in quite a few locations, I think I will not be upgrading anytime soon.
Too far? Apple is a luxury good. You are buying the Prada, the Audi/BMW/Benz/etc of laptops - they position themselves at the high end market and will extract as much margin as they can from that market. These price increases follow suit with their aspirational positioning. There is no "too far", just what their target market with a lot of discretionary income will still purchase.