Apple clearing inventory before debuting new products?

Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited January 2014
Apple Computer is expected to offer conservative guidance for its current fiscal quarter while the company works to clear inventory of several existing PowerPC Macs and iPod nanos, analysts for American Technology Research said this week.



"With the Intel transition and high inventory of older iPod nanos, our sources indicate that Apple is aiming to work down inventories, particularly PowerPC Macs (iBook G4, 12-inch and 17-inch PowerBookG4s, PowerMacG5) and 2GB/4GB nanos in front of potential future product announcements," analyst Shaw Wu told his clients early Monday morning.



Citing his own sources and checks, Wu also said Apple's guidance for its June (current) quarter will likely be conservative when it is reported later this month, in the range of $4.3 - 4.4 billion.



As a result of his findings on inventory and forthcoming guidance, the analyst trimmed his June quarter estimates to $4.4 billion in revenue, 44 cents in earnings-per-share (EPS), and 8.5 million iPods, down from $4.8 billion, 48 cents and 10-11 million iPods.



"For the March quarter, we believe Apple will likely beat its guidance of $4.3 billion and 38 cents, therefore leaving our forecast intact at $4.4 billion and 43 cents, Wu wrote, noting that the market consensus is at $4.6 billion and 44 cents.



The analyst left his 2007 fiscal year estimates unchanged at $22.1 billion in revenue and $2.45 EPS under the belief that the Intel transition will be mostly completed by that time with "Apple benefiting from new product momentum, including Mac OS X Leopard and new digital entertainment products."



American Technology Research maintains a Buy rating on Apple shares with a price target of $101.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 33
    ceddcedd Posts: 13member
    This would certainly seem in line with the 0% interest deals on ibooks (amongst other items) that is running in the UK until 29 April. Clear out the old stuff with attractive deals before bringing in the new...Would probably be quicker if they just cut the prices but maybe that wouldn't be sufficiently "Apple"?
  • Reply 2 of 33
    I'm glad to hear that the Nano will be obsolete soon. Gheez!!!
  • Reply 3 of 33
    andersanders Posts: 6,523member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Cedd

    This would certainly seem in line with the 0% interest deals on ibooks (amongst other items) that is running in the UK until 29 April. Clear out the old stuff with attractive deals before bringing in the new...Would probably be quicker if they just cut the prices but maybe that wouldn't be sufficiently "Apple"?



    That is actually one of the very few clear signs of new products. So I am now on record for predicting new iBooks/MacBooks in April. And I still have a 100% track record.
  • Reply 4 of 33
    zengazenga Posts: 267member
    Transition Harzards...!



    That's what comes to my mind when looking at the kind of news.. Of course everybody is waiting for the new portables and Apple knows this, but also they can't just dissmis their own line of PowerPC portables when they have upgraded them for the second semester of last year. I optimistic about their new line of portables "MacBook", I also think that the new widescreen aspect will be the "Oh look at the new iBooks/powerbooks) from 12 to 13.3 (I HOPE!) my only fear is that they just won't do it.. a disaster!!! mainly because most people wouldn't know the difference between the old and the new besides the intel inside. If they do, the Intel transition will be almost over with a minor hiccup and leopard will be the driving sales for 2007.



    Apple: is time to kick Sony's ass: (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...Fencoding=UTF8)

    and introduce a fantastic 13.3" MacBook and Pro version.. and who knows maybe that macbook thin is also in the pipeline..



    maybe:



    12.1 wide macbook thin

    13.3 wide macbook/pro



  • Reply 5 of 33
    xoolxool Posts: 2,460member
    I'm not sure what improvements they'd make to the nano, aside from increasing capacity or perhaps enabling video content. But to enable video I think the screen resolution would need to be increased and I expect more of a minor update like an 8 GB model.
  • Reply 6 of 33
    gargar Posts: 1,201member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Xool

    [snip] a minor update like an 8 GB model.



    Sold (if the price stays the same, that is)
  • Reply 7 of 33
    cosmonutcosmonut Posts: 4,872member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Anders

    ...I still have a 100% track record.



    Here you go:







  • Reply 8 of 33
    Quote:

    Originally posted by macintel4me

    I'm glad to hear that the Nano will be obsolete soon. Gheez!!!



    Perhaps it's time for iPod Pico...



    Quote:

    I'm not sure what improvements they'd make to the nano, aside from increasing capacity or perhaps enabling video content. But to enable video I think the screen resolution would need to be increased and I expect more of a minor update like an 8 GB model.



    I guess the mini lasted longer..
  • Reply 9 of 33
    jayhighjayhigh Posts: 40member
    maybe they want to clear out the currenty nano inventory for a touch screen nano? just a thought...
  • Reply 10 of 33
    irelandireland Posts: 17,798member
    Same shit, different day!
  • Reply 11 of 33
    iPod niño
  • Reply 12 of 33
    bikertwinbikertwin Posts: 566member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by monkeyastronaut

    iPod niño



    iPod phone?
  • Reply 13 of 33
    andersanders Posts: 6,523member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by jayhigh

    maybe they want to clear out the currenty nano inventory for a touch screen nano? just a thought...



    I don´t know about your fingers but mine is somewhat thicker than tooth picks.
  • Reply 14 of 33
    opnsourceopnsource Posts: 216member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Anders

    That is actually one of the very few clear signs of new products. So I am now on record for predicting new iBooks/MacBooks in April. And I still have a 100% track record.



    I hope you are right. I can't wait! Do you think they will be out in the first or second half of April?
  • Reply 15 of 33
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Zenga





    Apple: is time to kick Sony's ass: (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...Fencoding=UTF8)

    and introduce a fantastic 13.3" MacBook and Pro version.. and who knows maybe that macbook thin is also in the pipeline..



    maybe:



    12.1 wide macbook thin

    13.3 wide macbook/pro







    On this very subject, a recent attempt to purchase a Sony Vaio FE11S for a customer (his choice despite my strongest recommendations to the contrary) ultimately resulted in the discovery that Sony have EOLed the T2400-based FE11S leaving the T2300-based FE11H as their wide-screen CoreDuo-based offering.



    So, on the same day, I installed a MacBook Pro for one of his (more right-thinking) colleagues, I also had to experience the joy of Sony's product engineering which prompted the question: why do people subject themselves to a poorer software experience on a poorer hardware platform (no MagSafe, no magnets even holding the screen in the closed position - some crappy little latch instead, no built-in iSight, no built-in DVI, just for starters).



    The sooner we have a widescreen iBook, the better.
  • Reply 16 of 33
    xoolxool Posts: 2,460member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Mark- Card Carrying FanaticRealist

    The sooner we have a widescreen iBook, the better.



    Damn straight! I've never considered getting an iBook for myself, but if there's a widescreen model with enough oomph I might bite. That or I'll have to wait for a comparable MacBook Pro.



    Then again, I'm sure Apple is aware how easily it would be to cannibalize MacBook Pro sales if the iBook is too powerful. So it all depends on what other MacBook Pros are out. If the iBook is powerful but is only up against the 15" MacBook Pro it will be easier to differentiate the models. However, if a situation arises like the 12" PowerBook versus 12" iBook, I fear the 13" iBook replacement may go the route of integrated graphics and the like.
  • Reply 17 of 33
    baygbmbaygbm Posts: 147member
    I want to grab a G5 PowerMac but the edu price of the low end box is still $1700.





    Are they going to slash prices? or am I going to have to go the ebay route? I prefer to buy brand new.
  • Reply 18 of 33
    jayhighjayhigh Posts: 40member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Anders

    I don´t know about your fingers but mine is somewhat thicker than tooth picks.



    who said the general interface had to have tiny touch screen buttons?
  • Reply 19 of 33
    their is already a way to get an 8 gb nano just look here:



    8GB Ipod Nano
  • Reply 20 of 33
    leonisleonis Posts: 3,427member
    CompuSmart and BestBuy here in Canada are clearing the 12" PowerBook with $300 price cut.



    I have been told some universities are also clearing the iBooks and 12" PowerBooks by either lowering the price or including free AppleCare
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