Above all, price will dictate success or failure
Regardless of what cool hardware is introduced, the success of it will hinge on it's perceived value.
For instance, $1800 is too high for an iMac. Even if it has some really innovative feature, wireless, or detachable screen, there are price points which take it out of the hands of the ordinary consumer.
Regulars of this forum may understand what things should cost but other won't.
Bottom line is: Is Jobs serious about getting the other 95% of the market? If he is, he must combine a competitive price along with the revolutionary features.
For instance, $1800 is too high for an iMac. Even if it has some really innovative feature, wireless, or detachable screen, there are price points which take it out of the hands of the ordinary consumer.
Regulars of this forum may understand what things should cost but other won't.
Bottom line is: Is Jobs serious about getting the other 95% of the market? If he is, he must combine a competitive price along with the revolutionary features.
Comments
20% across the board cuts!!!!
j/k
SdC
<strong>
Bottom line is: Is Jobs serious about getting the other 95% of the market? If he is, he must combine a competitive price along with the revolutionary features.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I don't think he even dreams of getting near 100% of the market, should'nt think he wants to either. Think of Apple more in terms of high margin products like BMW/Bang & Olufsen/Nikon.
They don't want to compete with Dell/Ford/Sanyo/Kodak.
Michael
All they need to do is look at why the new iBooks have done sooooooo well in the market, and that's because they, for once, have brought in a product which is great value for money. If they do that sort of pricing across the board of products.....they will easily double their market share.
Just my opinion.
<img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />
In fact, at a time when other computer makers are lowering prices, Apple raised the price of the low end Powermac! That's ridiculous, especially since the component prices for Apple keep falling and falling. Their margins on the Powermacs must be incredible.
I think it's pipedream, at least in pc-land. Now in portable/handheld-land, the book hasn't been written. The only way Apple will ever get to this mythical 10% marketshare is for:
a) 12 million windows users to die in a freak UFO attack.
b) leverage backwards their iDevices to make people want/need Macs to be at the center of them.
c) cut prices to the point of unsustainability (ie, PC prices).
I guess (b) is the safest choice.
But here's to hoping!
SdC
<strong>a) 12 million windows users to die in a freak UFO attack.</strong><hr></blockquote>
heheeh
To some people, this may seem like the most likely choice depending on how they view SJ...
-Paul
In fact, at a time when other computer makers are lowering prices, Apple raised the price of the low end Powermac! That's ridiculous, especially since the component prices for Apple keep falling and falling. Their margins on the Powermacs must be incredible.
iBook anyone? Apple knows value and quality. You get what you pay for.
<strong>Satchmo, you are so right. I fear that Jobs doesn't share your understanding of how important price, or value, is to consumers.
In fact, at a time when other computer makers are lowering prices, Apple raised the price of the low end Powermac! That's ridiculous, especially since the component prices for Apple keep falling and falling. Their margins on the Powermacs must be incredible.</strong><hr></blockquote>
You want to see a recent example of this in actual practice?
Look at SGI. Great products, huge margins, down the tubes!!!
<img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />
<img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />
<strong>
a) 12 million windows users to die in a freak UFO attack.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
I think it might be more like 25 million mate!!
<img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />
a) 12 million windows users to die in a freak UFO attack.
b) leverage backwards their iDevices to make people want/need Macs to be at the center of them.
c) cut prices to the point of unsustainability (ie, PC prices).
<hr></blockquote>
d) Elect a president who's justice department will bust up the Microsoft monopoly.
"Microsoft is big, and DRIVES the high tech market. This means that they MUST be allowed to continue to have the freedom to INNOVATE. Therefore, I have DIRECTED the Justice Department, under Attorney General Laurence Tribe, to cease AND desist all further anti-trust activities."
Darrell Hammond did a great Al Gore.....ah, well. He does a great Dick Cheney, too, so I guess that's ok.....
SdC
<strong>Satchmo, you are so right. I fear that Jobs doesn't share your understanding of how important price, or value, is to consumers.
In fact, at a time when other computer makers are lowering prices, Apple raised the price of the low end Powermac! That's ridiculous, especially since the component prices for Apple keep falling and falling. Their margins on the Powermacs must be incredible.
iBook anyone? Apple knows value and quality. You get what you pay for.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yeah, but why can't Apple realize that with all the other products?
I hope so.
Afterall, the iMac is their cash cow with greater volumes sold to the general masses.
Pro users will bitch and complain but will have no choice if they want to stay with the MacOS platform.
<strong>
The only way Apple will ever get to this mythical 10% marketshare is for:
a) 12 million windows users to die in a freak UFO attack.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
ROFL