I don't know how much Apple makes off the iPod but I'd like to point out some simple logic.
With the iPod, Apple can have one of two goals. Either they want to make a lot of money by selling them for a good profit or they want to use the iPod as an incentive to get Windows users to buy a Mac.
If they want to make a lot of money, they should come out with a Windows version because it has been estimated by analysts that they would sell 4 times as many if they opened it up to Windows users. Personally I don't see why they wouldn't sell 20 times as many if there are 20 times as many Windows users.
If they want to get new Mac users, they should sell it very cheaply. For example, people will be much more likely to buy a CRT or LCD iMac to use the iPod if it is priced at $250 rather than $400.
So it is very unwise for Apple to keep it high priced with good profits but also Mac only because it accomplishes neither goal very well. If Apple wants to make money, they'll make much more money with a Windows version. If Apple wants to use the iPod as an incentive to Windows users to buy a Mac, it'll be a much more powerful incentive if it's an incredible steal at $250 than if it's a high end item at $400.
And this also leads to an idea. I would like to see Apple give you a big discount if you buy an iPod with a new iMac or iBook. It's a shame Apple raised the price of the iMac to $1399. Imagine at the Apple retail stores if they ran a promo where you buy a new iMac for $1299 and you can get an iPod with it for $299 or maybe even $249. $1599 for an iMac/iPod combo would be a really sweet deal. If Apple couldn't get new users with a deal like this, they might as well give up.
I never had an MP3 player, never needed one, didn't want to carry around a lot of stuff just to put a soundtrack to my life, UNTIL I saw the iPod 5GB, learned that it could also be portable HD, ordered it in the First Wave and now I would not give it up. Apple got a confirmed customer (original Macintosh 1984) to get all excited about fun software , one who then went on to snap up a new iMac for iPhoto and then made the switch to X. I'd say they made a good amount off me.
Now I have given one engraved iPod away and will order one 10GB version in Japan where I want to get it engraved in Japanese!
I've recently bought the 5GB iPod after learning that Apple is not cutting the price. I've chosen the 5GB iPod instead of the 10GB one as firstly, I don't really need 2,000 songs in my iPod. To me, 1,000 is more than sufficient. I've saved the US$100 and bought a B&O earphone from Hongkong at US$75 which will give me more enjoyment of the iPod.
I"m having a hard time reading this thread. Wah wah!! The iPod is too expensive for me on my college budget and I wish they would lower it!! All some people do is bitch and moan about price. Apple is not selling food to hungry people. They are marketing materialism to some really materialistic people. If you're gonna be materialistic, at least don't be cheap about it. Jeez.
<strong>Find me documentation that it's the Toshiba 1.8" drive that's in the iPod.
I'm very sure that it's a normal laptop drive.</strong><hr></blockquote>
unless the dude in that photo has a very large hand, I would say its the toshiba drive. The HD in my laptop is larger than the entire unit in that pic.
[quote]They are marketing materialism to some really materialistic people. If you're gonna be materialistic, at least don't be cheap about it. Jeez.<hr></blockquote>
Seeing as how I've been ragging all over the iMac price increase, I should at least commend Apple for what it did right.
The iPods are priced right. 100 more for double the size. What's the problem? This is the kind of device where they can afford to charge more. It's a VERY high end consumer electronics piece. There might be higher capacity MP3 players out there, but none of them have pulled off what Apple has in terms of usablity, portability, battery life, and design. Plus, this is more of a boutique item, conspicious consumption, demand can here (unlike in the iMac case) justify steeper prices. Different market, different rationale.
They ought to seriously look into at least officially supporting a third party Windows software package. Perhaps a read anywhere html/java browser based (if limited) access software. Then one little App could work from what ever compliant browser you're using either in Windows/linux/OS9/OSX etc etc...
<strong>Find me documentation that it's the Toshiba 1.8" drive that's in the iPod.
I'm very sure that it's a normal laptop drive.</strong><hr></blockquote>
It is NOT a normal laptop drive. The first iPod I got was damaged (it had already been purchased by someone else) and it was cracked open. Soo, I poped it the rest of the way open and it is NOT a laptop drive. It is MUCH smaller!!! You'd be suprised how big the battery is!
It is NOT a normal laptop drive. The first iPod I got was damaged (it had already been purchased by someone else) and it was cracked open. Soo, I poped it the rest of the way open and it is NOT a laptop drive. It is MUCH smaller!!! You'd be suprised how big the battery is!</strong><hr></blockquote>
Mr. Mike, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this forum is now dumber for having read to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Aaagghhh!! Business school??? Me? I'm a psychologist and I hate business... Hmm. I thought that it was a pretty good line though. I think I'll make it my sig...
Comments
$199.95 4 inches x 2 1/2 inches x 1/2 inch
From Apple website [ipod dimensions]:
$399 and up 4.02 inches x 2.43 inches x 0.78 inches
From Firefly website [Regular 2.5 inch laptop drive ]:
$259.95 20MB 5 inches x 3 1/4 inches x 3/4
Happy now Jonathan. 2.5 inch laptop drive very big, 1.8 inch drive very small. Apple charge big premium.
[ 03-23-2002: Message edited by: cowerd ]</p>
With the iPod, Apple can have one of two goals. Either they want to make a lot of money by selling them for a good profit or they want to use the iPod as an incentive to get Windows users to buy a Mac.
If they want to make a lot of money, they should come out with a Windows version because it has been estimated by analysts that they would sell 4 times as many if they opened it up to Windows users. Personally I don't see why they wouldn't sell 20 times as many if there are 20 times as many Windows users.
If they want to get new Mac users, they should sell it very cheaply. For example, people will be much more likely to buy a CRT or LCD iMac to use the iPod if it is priced at $250 rather than $400.
So it is very unwise for Apple to keep it high priced with good profits but also Mac only because it accomplishes neither goal very well. If Apple wants to make money, they'll make much more money with a Windows version. If Apple wants to use the iPod as an incentive to Windows users to buy a Mac, it'll be a much more powerful incentive if it's an incredible steal at $250 than if it's a high end item at $400.
And this also leads to an idea. I would like to see Apple give you a big discount if you buy an iPod with a new iMac or iBook. It's a shame Apple raised the price of the iMac to $1399. Imagine at the Apple retail stores if they ran a promo where you buy a new iMac for $1299 and you can get an iPod with it for $299 or maybe even $249. $1599 for an iMac/iPod combo would be a really sweet deal. If Apple couldn't get new users with a deal like this, they might as well give up.
[ 03-23-2002: Message edited by: spindler ]</p>
Now I have given one engraved iPod away and will order one 10GB version in Japan where I want to get it engraved in Japanese!
<strong>Find me documentation that it's the Toshiba 1.8" drive that's in the iPod.
I'm very sure that it's a normal laptop drive.</strong><hr></blockquote>
unless the dude in that photo has a very large hand, I would say its the toshiba drive. The HD in my laptop is larger than the entire unit in that pic.
besides the fact it says so in this article:
<a href="http://www.businessnewsnow.com/storydetail.asp?storyid=3976"; target="_blank">http://www.businessnewsnow.com/storydetail.asp?storyid=3976</a>;
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
dude, you so belong in a business school.
i love that line.
The iPods are priced right. 100 more for double the size. What's the problem? This is the kind of device where they can afford to charge more. It's a VERY high end consumer electronics piece. There might be higher capacity MP3 players out there, but none of them have pulled off what Apple has in terms of usablity, portability, battery life, and design. Plus, this is more of a boutique item, conspicious consumption, demand can here (unlike in the iMac case) justify steeper prices. Different market, different rationale.
They ought to seriously look into at least officially supporting a third party Windows software package. Perhaps a read anywhere html/java browser based (if limited) access software. Then one little App could work from what ever compliant browser you're using either in Windows/linux/OS9/OSX etc etc...
<strong>Find me documentation that it's the Toshiba 1.8" drive that's in the iPod.
I'm very sure that it's a normal laptop drive.</strong><hr></blockquote>
It is NOT a normal laptop drive. The first iPod I got was damaged (it had already been purchased by someone else) and it was cracked open. Soo, I poped it the rest of the way open and it is NOT a laptop drive. It is MUCH smaller!!! You'd be suprised how big the battery is!
<strong>
It is NOT a normal laptop drive. The first iPod I got was damaged (it had already been purchased by someone else) and it was cracked open. Soo, I poped it the rest of the way open and it is NOT a laptop drive. It is MUCH smaller!!! You'd be suprised how big the battery is!</strong><hr></blockquote>
Mr. Mike, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this forum is now dumber for having read to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
<strong>
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
dude, you so belong in a business school.
i love that line.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Aaagghhh!! Business school??? Me? I'm a psychologist and I hate business... Hmm. I thought that it was a pretty good line though. I think I'll make it my sig...