Daring Fireball: Apple's Pricing Advantage

Post by rchowe » Wed, Nov 10, 2010, 1:20 AM UTC

schultzor wrote: post #58

rchowe wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd argue that if the competitors didn't have Android, the tablets would just run on x86 processors. And run either windows or linux. I believe that the presence of ARM early in this market is actually good on the OS side, because it doesn't lead to shoehorning windows onto a tablet. x86 tablets aren't going to succeed both because of the pressure to run desktop OSes, but also because x86 processor companies only see…

With the failure of Linux netbooks, I don't think it'd do any better on tablets, ARM or x86.

Post by netcan » Wed, Nov 10, 2010, 1:35 AM UTC

allenp wrote: post #99

netcan wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The industry has changed and is continuing to change into a world that suits Apple better. Getting in early and big (eg iphones & ipads) is letting them influence the change even more in their favour. What caught my eye in this article was: "Nobody knows what kind of CPU they have in their phones." That's a world that suits Apple. Interestingly, PCs are unique in that people take an interest in components. Do people…

What you're describing is essentially the computer turning into an appliance, and I agree this is what Apple is gaining tremendously from (and of course encouraging). I think you'd find that most enthusiasts or hobbyists have in-depth knowledge of the components of their hobby and that "computer people" are no different. Most people have no idea what is inside their computer - I think the majority of PC owners don't…

Post by yoden » Wed, Nov 10, 2010, 1:40 AM UTC

jsolson wrote: post #59

martythemaniak wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

At this point, you should probably remember that Android came out 2 years ago and managed to overtake the iPhone in that short time frame. I highly doubt Apple will have even a plularity (let alone a majority) of the tablet market in 2 years.

> At this point, you should probably remember that Android came out 2 years ago and managed to overtake the iPhone in that short time frame. I highly doubt Apple will have even a plularity (let alone a majority) of the tablet market in 2 years. More Android devices are sold than iPhones, yes. Add the iPod Touch to that and I'm pretty sure Apple still has a substantial lead (and possibly growing). Also, how many of th…

Post by wtallis » Wed, Nov 10, 2010, 2:09 AM UTC

jrockway wrote: post #78

First, Apple is the world’s leading volume buyer of a precious, expensive component: flash storage. They get better prices and priority availability from suppliers. Do they get better prices than Samsung? Because Samsung is who designs and makes the flash memory. (Also, Wikipedia seems to say that Sony buys more than Apple.)

Post by mitmatt » Wed, Nov 10, 2010, 2:21 AM UTC

nowarninglabel wrote: post #11

The 2nd paragraph: "Now, even putting quality aside, competitors can’t match Apple’s prices." Does not jive with the prices mentioned later: Apple Ipad - $599/$699 for the 16/32 GB models Samsung Galaxy S - $594 HTC A8181 Desire - $527 I don't know what the author's definition of "match" is, but seems to me Android tablet makers have matched prices quite well. *Edit: fixed my formatting