Do we need a cheaper iSight?

Posted:
in iPod + iTunes + AppleTV edited January 2014
Forking out $150 is pretty steep for a webcam these days. I know, it's a bit better than those other critter type ones. My Quickcam 3000 is crap.



I doubt it'll ever happen, but I'd love to see Apple come out with a lower cost model in around $60-$75.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 12
    pscatespscates Posts: 5,847member
    Well, you pay for what you get I guess.



    The iSight does seem to be a better product. Combine that with Apple's longstanding history of pricing their hardware a bit more than the other guys and you arrive at: no big surprise.



    Maybe it'll come down to $129 or so as more people buy them? I don't know.



    Compared to some alternatives out there - AND what it used to take to do this sort of thing - I imagine $150 isn't that bad.



    But yes, a $99 iSight might make a huge difference. I know I'd probably have one at that price, simply because of the perception of >$100 vs. $150.
  • Reply 2 of 12
    Well, I wish Porsche would release a $10,000 twin turbo too.
  • Reply 3 of 12
    amorphamorph Posts: 7,112member
    You could get the twin turbos for $10K, you'd just have to fork out for the rest of the car.



    As for the iSight: It's a significantly fancier item than most webcams, so yeah it's going to cost more. I expect the price will come down eventually, but keep in mind that iSight isn't a passive camera. They stuffed a computer in there.
  • Reply 4 of 12
    dmband0026dmband0026 Posts: 2,345member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by k squared

    Well, I wish Porsche would release a $10,000 twin turbo too.



    Always with the car analogies...will it never stop?







    Edited because I'm an idiot.
  • Reply 5 of 12
    The iSub was first selling for $99. Now you can pick it up for $39. I suspect the same markup is at play here with the iSight. Meaning, that fair value would be in the $59 range.
  • Reply 6 of 12
    satchmosatchmo Posts: 2,699member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by infedelguy

    The iSub was first selling for $99. Now you can pick it up for $39. I suspect the same markup is at play here with the iSight. Meaning, that fair value would be in the $59 range.



    Problem is, the iSub is not from Apple.



    What Apple should/could do is offer a discount on it's peripherals with the purchase of a laptop/desktop. Perhaps $99 for an iSight with the purchase?
  • Reply 7 of 12
    mcqmcq Posts: 1,543member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by satchmo



    What Apple should/could do is offer a discount on it's peripherals with the purchase of a laptop/desktop. Perhaps $99 for an iSight with the purchase?




    That would be a good promotion... I think $99 is the sweet spot for the iSight in general, but if they can't do it all the time then a promotion would be nice.



    I think Apple could sell a decent number of iSights if they could bundle them in packs of 2. Maybe a promotion during back to school time and market it as a way for college students keeping in touch with parents would work also.
  • Reply 8 of 12
    torifiletorifile Posts: 4,024member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by MCQ



    I think Apple could sell a decent number of iSights if they could bundle them in packs of 2. Maybe a promotion during back to school time and market it as a way for college students keeping in touch with parents would work also.




    Fantastic idea. Really. I'd buy an iSight if I knew anyone who had one. If they had bundles for like $199 or even $249, it'd be a nice incentive.
  • Reply 9 of 12
    Quote:

    Originally posted by satchmo

    Problem is, the iSub is not from Apple.



    What Apple should/could do is offer a discount on it's peripherals with the purchase of a laptop/desktop. Perhaps $99 for an iSight with the purchase?




    Wasn't there a big hoopla made by uncle Steve regards it being a coordinated effort - Apple providing their knowhow on making that clear plastic shell, and HK providing their knowhow on the acoustics/electronics side?
  • Reply 10 of 12
    a_greera_greer Posts: 4,594member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by DMBand0026

    Always with the car analogies...will it never stop?







    Edited because I'm an idiot.




    these boards are like car rasing: go around in circles end up at the startingpoint 500 miles later
  • Reply 11 of 12
    I had been hoping for a price drop on the iSight but decided I couldn't wait any longer.



    I really wanted one for chatting with my parents and my sister long distance, plus one of my best friends was planning on getting one.



    The best deal I found was $129 with free shipping from buy.com.



    There regular price is usually $139.



    Last weekend I was shopping on their site and but an Applecare for iPod in my shopping cart. I've been meaning to buy the extended warranty for my iPod and they had it for $15 off retail.



    I noticed on their site that they were running a special coupon.

    $10 off any purchase of $150 or more. I believe the sale ended on Sunday, but they may repeat this coupon.



    I decided to get the iSight. Sale price is $139. With my coupon applied my cost on the iSight was only $129.



    free shipping, too.



    I was pretty happy. NOw, with my luck... Apple will probably drop the price on iSight next week.
  • Reply 12 of 12
    wrong robotwrong robot Posts: 3,907member
    I think what apple should do is sell single iSights for the current price, then sell 2-packs(one for you, one for the person you will chat with...girlfriend, family..etc) for $200, maybe have a 'family pack' for $350 or so that includes 4 iSights.



    this would not only promote the iSight well but it'd get more people using iChatAV and realizing how awesome it is.
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