Didn't we already cover this? The ones below $499 have very low % gross margins (maybe 5 to 10), with the percentage increasing to something more in Apple's usual territory (25 % +) by the time you get to about $799.
If the margins on $800 computers was 25% or better then Dell would doing much better than it is.
i submit that they are in the 14% ballbark given Gateway's traditional margins and less confusing product line.
My thought is that Apple doesn't make enough "shabby" stuff for ordinary people like me (and I'm certainly not a student). Ordinary people I talk to about getting a Mac are dismayed that all Apple seems to offer is professional computers. The only affordable stuff is, as you say, the MacBook, the mini and the low end iMac. That doesn't give ordinary people much of a choice.
if the mini and the macbook had the X3100 things would be a little better. At least casual gaming wouldn't be as painful. A mini with medium end modern discrete GPU would be even better (X1450 or X1700)...although the X3100 benches pretty well. If intel's drivers ever shape up it might be roughly X1450 class at the expense of stealing memory.
If the mac pro had a $1499 option things would be a little better. At least prosumers could get a tower (even if it had workstation parts) for under two grand.
These two things would make the Mac a lot more approachable without any substantial changes to the lineup and they are relatively easy changes for Apple to make.
Comments
Didn't we already cover this? The ones below $499 have very low % gross margins (maybe 5 to 10), with the percentage increasing to something more in Apple's usual territory (25 % +) by the time you get to about $799.
If the margins on $800 computers was 25% or better then Dell would doing much better than it is.
i submit that they are in the 14% ballbark given Gateway's traditional margins and less confusing product line.
I am speaking for myself. Would you rather I spoke for my cat?
philip
No, duddits speaks for your cat.
My thought is that Apple doesn't make enough "shabby" stuff for ordinary people like me (and I'm certainly not a student). Ordinary people I talk to about getting a Mac are dismayed that all Apple seems to offer is professional computers. The only affordable stuff is, as you say, the MacBook, the mini and the low end iMac. That doesn't give ordinary people much of a choice.
if the mini and the macbook had the X3100 things would be a little better. At least casual gaming wouldn't be as painful. A mini with medium end modern discrete GPU would be even better (X1450 or X1700)...although the X3100 benches pretty well. If intel's drivers ever shape up it might be roughly X1450 class at the expense of stealing memory.
If the mac pro had a $1499 option things would be a little better. At least prosumers could get a tower (even if it had workstation parts) for under two grand.
These two things would make the Mac a lot more approachable without any substantial changes to the lineup and they are relatively easy changes for Apple to make.
minitowers. Reason: most computer users run Windows. They don't run Windows because Apple doesn't offer a minitower.
philip
Your logic here is clearly lost on your cat