Briefly: MacBook Pro, Quanta lands video iPod contract
MacBook Pro lead times improve (again)
Wait times for Apple's new Mac mini Core Solo and Core Duo desktops still stood at 4-6 days on Wednesday, but availability of the company's MacBook Pro notebooks saw another positive surge of availability, as wait times decreased to 3-5 business days from 7-10 business days.
Based on information from industry sources, it appears that Apple may withholding components from the Intel-based Mac mini (and hence full production of that line) in favor of using those components to churn out as many MacBook Pros as possible during its March quarter, which ends in less than two weeks.
The MacBook Pro is arguably one of Apple's most profitable products, far more so than the Mac mini. By ramping production of the high-end notebooks in the last two weeks of the quarter, Apple could do wonders to bolster its revenue figures, which so far appear to be trailing previous quarters by a significant margin.
Quanta to manufacture new iPods?
Meanwhile, Quanta Computer has won a contract from Apple to manufacture new "video iPod devices," according to the Economic Daily News.
The publication, which did not cite sources, said the world's leading contract maker of notebook computers has won certification for its output and will begin delivery of the devices next month.
Inventec Appliances Corp. is Apple's current video iPod manufacturer.
Wait times for Apple's new Mac mini Core Solo and Core Duo desktops still stood at 4-6 days on Wednesday, but availability of the company's MacBook Pro notebooks saw another positive surge of availability, as wait times decreased to 3-5 business days from 7-10 business days.
Based on information from industry sources, it appears that Apple may withholding components from the Intel-based Mac mini (and hence full production of that line) in favor of using those components to churn out as many MacBook Pros as possible during its March quarter, which ends in less than two weeks.
The MacBook Pro is arguably one of Apple's most profitable products, far more so than the Mac mini. By ramping production of the high-end notebooks in the last two weeks of the quarter, Apple could do wonders to bolster its revenue figures, which so far appear to be trailing previous quarters by a significant margin.
Quanta to manufacture new iPods?
Meanwhile, Quanta Computer has won a contract from Apple to manufacture new "video iPod devices," according to the Economic Daily News.
The publication, which did not cite sources, said the world's leading contract maker of notebook computers has won certification for its output and will begin delivery of the devices next month.
Inventec Appliances Corp. is Apple's current video iPod manufacturer.
Comments
Video iPods
iPhones
in that order!
Would be cool
Originally posted by cbrantly
This is all good, but I am ready for the new iBooks. I just sold mine and now all there is to do is wait. Hurry, please!
what do you do for a computer in the mean time?
Originally posted by aplnub
what do you do for a computer in the mean time?
The iBook was my backup laptop. I have a 1.67GHz PowerBook that I use for the bulk of my work. I guess we will have to see how the new MacBooks turn out to determine if the Powerbook will remain my main computer or be relegated to backup.
Ordered March 4, 2006
Initial Estimate Apr 3, 2006
Now: Apr 4, 2006
What is that? We non U.S.-People are always discriminated ;-)
Originally posted by MacGregor
So Apple is going for higher profits rather than higher switching? I suppose the MacBookPro also attracts the switchers, but there is a reason the Mac Mini has a smaller profit ... it is affordable!
I'm not sure that that's the reason.
The reports that are coming in say that while the iMac and MBP are hot sellers, the Mini's sales are lukewarm, about the same as the older Mini.
If that is true, and I see no reason why it wouldn't be, then it's simply smart to assign parts and assembly line time to the machines that are needing it the most.
BTW, iTunes has "Housewives" and "Lost" from ABC/Touchstone. Where's "Alias"? Where's "Scrubs" (which isn't owned by NBC)? Where's "Grey's Anatomy"?
Originally posted by Porchland
I'm still scratching my head about content. Apple gets Disney content in October, Universal NBC content and continues to churn out new titles and new seasons of TV shows for both every week. Several shows are actually growing their broadcast audience. CBS is cooking up deals with Comcast and Verizon, but still nothing with iTunes?
BTW, iTunes has "Housewives" and "Lost" from ABC/Touchstone. Where's "Alias"? Where's "Scrubs" (which isn't owned by NBC)? Where's "Grey's Anatomy"?
So what does this have to do with the topic? or are you just trolling?
Apple is probably holding back content for the iPod video if it's coming in April. If the iPod video is forthcoming, I wonder if CBS content will be part of the announcement. (I would expect, too, that we'll get more content from Disney and Universal -- and probably at least a handful of movies.)
Originally posted by Towel
Making the quarterly estimates has got to be a big part of it, too. SJ has always made a priority of showing consistent quarterly profits. And here Apple managed to go for most of the quarter selling near-zero of the product line that is their single biggest source of revenue and profits after the iPod. PB sales must have tanked as soon as MBPs were announced, and only in the last two-three weeks have MBP shipments started appearing in any quantity. The demand is certainly there, but pre-orders don't count as revenue. I imagine the article is right: if Apple doesn't start shoving MBPs out the door as fast as they can, their quarterly earnings will take a serious hit.
Apple accounted for that when they made their quarterly estimates last January. That's one of the major reasons why the stock is where it is now. Apple's low estimates accounted for the fact that they would not get much revenue from MBP sales this quarter.
I think that plays but a small part in this move. There isn't enough time left in the recorded quarter for this to have more than a miniscule effect.
Originally posted by Porchland
I'm still scratching my head about content. Apple gets Disney content in October, Universal NBC content and continues to churn out new titles and new seasons of TV shows for both every week. Several shows are actually growing their broadcast audience. CBS is cooking up deals with Comcast and Verizon, but still nothing with iTunes?
BTW, iTunes has "Housewives" and "Lost" from ABC/Touchstone. Where's "Alias"? Where's "Scrubs" (which isn't owned by NBC)? Where's "Grey's Anatomy"?
Where have you been? CBS has the entire season of games for CBS CSTV. NCAA games highlights, etc. The whole season. Classic games, and more.
This is a start. CBS has tried to go it their own way. It hasn't been working out too well. This is how they have decided to begin. Sports is the most popular catagory (other than porn
Inso far as the other shows go, give it time. This isn't a simple matter of just putting them up. Licensing and royalty deals have to be worked out with the producers of every show. It's much harder than with music.
Originally posted by melgross
Where have you been? CBS has the entire season of games for CBS CSTV. NCAA games highlights, etc. The whole season. Classic games, and more.
This is a start. CBS has tried to go it their own way. It hasn't been working out too well. This is how they have decided to begin. Sports is the most popular catagory (other than porn
Inso far as the other shows go, give it time. This isn't a simple matter of just putting them up. Licensing and royalty deals have to be worked out with the producers of every show. It's much harder than with music.
I know, I was so glad to see that! I hope this does mean that a broader deal with CBS is coming. I would really like to see Apple make a go of taking on the cable providers with iTunes, which is off to a good start with Universal and Disney.
Although there are some independent distributors out there, iTunes could effectively go head-to-head with cable and satellite if iTunes had the major current shows from CBS, Viacom, Sony and Warner Brothers. I'm ready to shuck my Comcast box and sign up for a $50-a-month Apple content subscription with $3.99 pay-per-view movies.
Originally posted by Porchland
I know, I was so glad to see that! I hope this does mean that a broader deal with CBS is coming. I would really like to see Apple make a go of taking on the cable providers with iTunes, which is off to a good start with Universal and Disney.
Although there are some independent distributors out there, iTunes could effectively go head-to-head with cable and satellite if iTunes had the major current shows from CBS, Viacom, Sony and Warner Brothers. I'm ready to shuck my Comcast box and sign up for a $50-a-month Apple content subscription with $3.99 pay-per-view movies.
Also (for everyone), understand that the money the networks are making from iTunes sales are peanuts compared to what they make from commercials. It's also peanuts compared to what they make selling these shows to their affiliates. One show can get them $20 to 100 million a season from worldwide revenues. The sales to stations for re-runs can earn far more than that.
But, once a show sells on iTunes, the revenue stream is over.
Right now, the affiliates are screaming about internet sales, and rentals. They want to pay the networks less per show as a result. The producers are also concerned about the long term effects on their revenue.
Remember that the revenue from one show pays for the production of the pilots for a new series, most of which never make it. So, that revenue stream is important for the production of future shows, it isn't greed.
We also have the actors, writers, and everyone else on these shows who are entitled to royalties, clamoring for a piece of the action. If they get it, the price will go up.
Even the music on older shows is a problem. If you ever buy a DVD of an old show, you might notice that the music is different. That's because the license for the music for shows is a one-time use clause. Years later, a DVD license can't always be gotten.
So, that's why this takes time. The entire industry is shaking.
Originally posted by melgross
Apple accounted for that when they made their quarterly estimates last January. That's one of the major reasons why the stock is where it is now. Apple's low estimates accounted for the fact that they would not get much revenue from MBP sales this quarter.
I think that plays but a small part in this move. There isn't enough time left in the recorded quarter for this to have more than a miniscule effect.
True, they accounted for it in their estimate, but the actual situation turned out much worse than they expected. The MBP was supposed to ship four weeks after the announcement. Instead it took almost the full three months to get it out in any volume. That's got to put a dent even in their pessimistic forecast. And yeah, three weeks of pushing MBPs like hotcakes won't have a huge gross effect on revenues - but it could make that 1-or-2-cents-a-share difference between meeting an estimate and not meeting it - which is all that analysts seem to care about.
Originally posted by Towel
True, they accounted for it in their estimate, but the actual situation turned out much worse than they expected. The MBP was supposed to ship four weeks after the announcement. Instead it took almost the full three months to get it out in any volume. That's got to put a dent even in their pessimistic forecast. And yeah, three weeks of pushing MBPs like hotcakes won't have a huge gross effect on revenues - but it could make that 1-or-2-cents-a-share difference between meeting an estimate and not meeting it - which is all that analysts seem to care about.
If it were three weeks, then I'd think it might have SOME impact. But it will be less than two weeks, not more than little over a week actually, as the product isn't available immediately, but will still be on a wait. If it adds more than a half cent to earnings, I would be very surprised.
Originally posted by Porchland
I'm still scratching my head about content. Apple gets Disney content in October, Universal NBC content and continues to churn out new titles and new seasons of TV shows for both every week. Several shows are actually growing their broadcast audience. CBS is cooking up deals with Comcast and Verizon, but still nothing with iTunes?
BTW, iTunes has "Housewives" and "Lost" from ABC/Touchstone. Where's "Alias"? Where's "Scrubs" (which isn't owned by NBC)? Where's "Grey's Anatomy"?
Scrubs is an NBC show.
Originally posted by melgross
If it were three weeks, then I'd think it might have SOME impact. But it will be less than two weeks, not more than little over a week actually, as the product isn't available immediately, but will still be on a wait. If it adds more than a half cent to earnings, I would be very surprised.
It's not so much about selling new units. but filling the huge number of backorders. With ship times at apple.com down to 1-3 days, it looks like they've managed to erase the entire wait list over the last week or two. Since they actually collect money when they ship - not when the order comes in - I have a feeling their sales figures look pretty impressive for the past two weeks. As in, maybe as much as the rest of the quarter put together.
Originally posted by Towel
It's not so much about selling new units. but filling the huge number of backorders. With ship times at apple.com down to 1-3 days, it looks like they've managed to erase the entire wait list over the last week or two. Since they actually collect money when they ship - not when the order comes in - I have a feeling their sales figures look pretty impressive for the past two weeks. As in, maybe as much as the rest of the quarter put together.
Backorders are being filled. These lead times are for new orders. Most everyone I know who ordered a machine two or more weeks ago have gotten them.