Your hypothetical scenario is unrealistic. I don't believe there would be a difference of $500 in the cost of manufacture between the two countries.
What? Do you think it should be more then $500. Or do you mean it should be less? It doesn't matter to me which answer you give because you're pulling that guess right out of your ass.
What? Do you think it should be more then $500. Or do you mean it should be less? It doesn't matter to me which answer you give because you're pulling that guess right out of your ass.
A Xerox 6600YDN printer, the Buy American version, is $672. The comparable China made 6600DN is $550. That's a 22% premium. For a $1800 iMac, that would work out to be $2200.
Even if it costs 22% more to make in the US, that only translates to a 22% more expensive product if 100% are made in the US. If 25% are made in the US and 75% elsewhere, it's only 6% more expensive for the consumer.
i.e. use the 3rd world workers to subsidise 1st world workers. Lol, I wonder what the morality of that one is...
My guess would be that their new "friction-stir welding" technology involved in the assembly of the new iMacs may be something they aren't allowed to export, or perhaps were requested NOT to export, to China.
Indeed, this friction welding thing, somehow I think that could be a reason for it. Not that China couldn't do that (not all iMacs are Assembled in USA, but maybe China couldn't handle the amount, and there are plants in the US that can do this as well.
That must mean that the whole packaging is done in the US as well.
A Xerox 6600YDN printer, the Buy American version, is $672. The comparable China made 6600DN is $550. That's a 22% premium. For a $1800 iMac, that would work out to be $2200.
It will NOT happen.
To clarify, let's play "Choose your country of Origin".
Apple advertises their brand new iMac.
$1,799.00 - Made in China
$2,299.00 - Made in USA.
Same exact machine and specs. Understand that the $500 difference is probably optimistic and would most likely be more.
Which one are you going to buy?
If you pick the Chinese model, you're being honest. If you pick the US model, well then you're lying.
That's the reality. Steve Jobs was right when he told Obama that those jobs are not coming back.
There are equivalent manufacturing strategies just as you illustrate with some well respected , famous high end guitar makers. The purchaser has the option of US built, Mexican or Indonesian in most cases, at three diffent price points. Those made in the USA carry not only a hefty price premium but also a prestige value and are definitely considered of higher quality in the eyes of the afficianados and pundits alike. I'm pretty sure the sales of the high end products made in the USA are doing well.
Time and time again I see a US-centric debate on this. Not all orders, are for US customers. So this theory of saving shipping costs only works if you're talking about US customers.
Time and time again I see a US-centric debate on this. Not all orders, are for US customers. So this theory of saving shipping costs only works if you're talking about US customers.
True but if the return to the US manufacturing model were to prevail then I'd assume a similar return to Cork in Ireland and elsewhere would follow.
If building products in the US will result in higher costs, then I'd want it as an option so I can continue to buy Apple products at the lower (current) price.
If building products in the US will result in higher costs, then I'd want it as an option so I can continue to buy Apple products at the lower (current) price.
To clarify, let's play "Choose your country of Origin".
Apple advertises their brand new iMac.
$1,799.00 - Made in China
$2,299.00 - Made in USA.
Same exact machine and specs. Understand that the $500 difference is probably optimistic and would most likely be more.
Which one are you going to buy?
If you pick the Chinese model, you're being honest. If you pick the US model, well then you're lying.
That's the reality. Steve Jobs was right when he told Obama that those jobs are not coming back.
Taiwan Semiconductor is looking at building their first plant here in the US, to not only satisfy Apple's demand, but all other domestic customers as well. Aegis, a Mumbai based call center company is building a Dallas metroplex and will add 1K new jobs as part of a US deal it made to hire workers. Many domestic and foreign cars are parts manufactured here in the US with assembly. The idea is that if it is assembled in America vs. China, Taiwan, etc., then it will have a badge of excellence and quality, and more and more people will be looking for it and expect it, therefore increasing demand for that seal of approval and lowering any additional temporary domestic costs that it may require. To say "jobs are not coming back", is an ignorant blanket statement that needs to be quantified.
I'm an American and I could care less where my electronics or other gadgets are assembled. Where in the USA would you get the level of workforce needed to crank out all the iPhones a s iPads Apple sells? I suppose they could bring back manufacturing of iMacs and MacPros but it seems to me that would be more symbolic than good business. Besides people seem to forget the "Designed in California" part. The majority of Apple's designers and engineers, plus all product, marketing, operations support (higher paying jobs) work in the USA. I've seen the videos iPhone and iPads being assembled by hans at Foxconn. How many Amerians would do that kind of work? Especially when these days they'd probably make more getting unemployment.
That is great bring back jobs from China and assemble these products in the good old USA.Better quality control also.
Fallacy.
You've apparently never seen the inside of a modern Chinese factory. The quality control is very good.
And given that American work practices create a lot more stops and starts than Chinese work practices, it's conceivable that the quality control would even drop after bringing production to the US.
So what's your evidence that the US has better quality control?
Comments
This isn't something new. I've noticed iMacs coming with the Assembled in USA moniker for at least a year. It's only some batches though.
-> As Apple grew, American workers left behind
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Jojade
This isn't something new. I've noticed iMacs coming with the Assembled in USA moniker for at least a year. It's only some batches though.
Usually, those are the custom ones - e.g. higher capacity drives, more RAM, etc.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dickprinter
Your hypothetical scenario is unrealistic. I don't believe there would be a difference of $500 in the cost of manufacture between the two countries.
What? Do you think it should be more then $500. Or do you mean it should be less? It doesn't matter to me which answer you give because you're pulling that guess right out of your ass.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Macky the Macky
What? Do you think it should be more then $500. Or do you mean it should be less? It doesn't matter to me which answer you give because you're pulling that guess right out of your ass.
A Xerox 6600YDN printer, the Buy American version, is $672. The comparable China made 6600DN is $550. That's a 22% premium. For a $1800 iMac, that would work out to be $2200.
Even if it costs 22% more to make in the US, that only translates to a 22% more expensive product if 100% are made in the US. If 25% are made in the US and 75% elsewhere, it's only 6% more expensive for the consumer.
i.e. use the 3rd world workers to subsidise 1st world workers. Lol, I wonder what the morality of that one is...
Ironic, isn't it?
Indeed, this friction welding thing, somehow I think that could be a reason for it. Not that China couldn't do that (not all iMacs are Assembled in USA, but maybe China couldn't handle the amount, and there are plants in the US that can do this as well.
That must mean that the whole packaging is done in the US as well.
That percentage does sound feasible.
There are equivalent manufacturing strategies just as you illustrate with some well respected , famous high end guitar makers. The purchaser has the option of US built, Mexican or Indonesian in most cases, at three diffent price points. Those made in the USA carry not only a hefty price premium but also a prestige value and are definitely considered of higher quality in the eyes of the afficianados and pundits alike. I'm pretty sure the sales of the high end products made in the USA are doing well.
Time and time again I see a US-centric debate on this. Not all orders, are for US customers. So this theory of saving shipping costs only works if you're talking about US customers.
True but if the return to the US manufacturing model were to prevail then I'd assume a similar return to Cork in Ireland and elsewhere would follow.
That is great bring back jobs from China and assemble these products in the good old USA.Better quality control also.
What is wrong with the current QC? Nothing from my longtime experience, nothing I read on the internet...my iPhone5 arrived without a scratch!
If building products in the US will result in higher costs, then I'd want it as an option so I can continue to buy Apple products at the lower (current) price.
So no Quality Control issues for you either?
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilBoogie
So no Quality Control issues for you either?
Nope. And unless QC issues start arising from building things in China, I'm not going to want to pay more so that jobs can return to the US.
If they decided to build Apple products in the UK, however....:D
Quote:
Originally Posted by sflocal
It will NOT happen.
To clarify, let's play "Choose your country of Origin".
Apple advertises their brand new iMac.
$1,799.00 - Made in China
$2,299.00 - Made in USA.
Same exact machine and specs. Understand that the $500 difference is probably optimistic and would most likely be more.
Which one are you going to buy?
If you pick the Chinese model, you're being honest. If you pick the US model, well then you're lying.
That's the reality. Steve Jobs was right when he told Obama that those jobs are not coming back.
Taiwan Semiconductor is looking at building their first plant here in the US, to not only satisfy Apple's demand, but all other domestic customers as well. Aegis, a Mumbai based call center company is building a Dallas metroplex and will add 1K new jobs as part of a US deal it made to hire workers. Many domestic and foreign cars are parts manufactured here in the US with assembly. The idea is that if it is assembled in America vs. China, Taiwan, etc., then it will have a badge of excellence and quality, and more and more people will be looking for it and expect it, therefore increasing demand for that seal of approval and lowering any additional temporary domestic costs that it may require. To say "jobs are not coming back", is an ignorant blanket statement that needs to be quantified.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sflocal
It will NOT happen.
To clarify, let's play "Choose your country of Origin".
Apple advertises their brand new iMac.
$1,799.00 - Made in China
$2,299.00 - Made in USA.
Same exact machine and specs. Understand that the $500 difference is probably optimistic and would most likely be more.
Which one are you going to buy?
If you pick the Chinese model, you're being honest. If you pick the US model, well then you're lying.
That's the reality. Steve Jobs was right when he told Obama that those jobs are not coming back.
I already buy free range chicken. Why wouldn't I buy a free range iMac?
Fallacy.
You've apparently never seen the inside of a modern Chinese factory. The quality control is very good.
And given that American work practices create a lot more stops and starts than Chinese work practices, it's conceivable that the quality control would even drop after bringing production to the US.
So what's your evidence that the US has better quality control?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogifan
I'm an American and I could care less where my electronics or other gadgets are assembled.
You COULD care less, could you?