rob53

This is simple to explain. Inflation and the ridiculous price increases blamed on COVID are causing people and companies to slow down on computer purchases. It's the same with cars and trucks. Everything is overpriced. CEO's are getting too much money, workers still aren't getting enough and stock holders are getting way too much money. Anyone with a brain knows this was going to happen. 

gatorguy said:

rob53 said:

Apple is correct in stating there are five stores because the software available in each store only works on a specific platform. This is like saying a company that owns a pharmacy, sporting goods store, hardware store, grocery store and electronics store is required to call all of them one store, maybe called PSHGE, instead of five different stores carrying different products. 

So a store like Walmart.
 They are a pharmacy, a sporting goods store, eye glass store, clothing store, and a grocery store. So they're not really one Walmart store then? 

I don't believe Walmart sells one item that they have actually manufactured. They only sell products made by various companies. Apple created each operating system. Yes, they are now built around the same code (Xcode) with variations for each specific product. Contrary to @Avon B7's statement, iOS is not the base coding system for all the others, Xcode is. Apple also hosts Apple-created apps on all five Apple App Stores. Apple allows the hosting of non-Apple created apps on all their platforms. @gatorguy, I know you know all of this.

As for the "European Union's attempt to level the playing field and increase competition by reducing the dominance of major tech firms" I find this just another attempt by a non-American company to force a successful American company to open their system for control by foreign country companies. I'm trying to think of one foreign country company that the USA forces the opening of their product so the US Government can access it. This is what the Digital Markets Act is all about and members of the EU simply refuse to acknowledge it. Apple makes one of the most secure and compatible computer operating system environments, something no EU company can match, so the only way to break into this environment is to force them to open it up. Once it's been opened up, it will no longer be secure. This is why Apple fights to stay closed, even fighting the US government, which I totally agree with. 

Apple is correct in stating there are five stores because the software available in each store only works on a specific platform. This is like saying a company that owns a pharmacy, sporting goods store, hardware store, grocery store and electronics store is required to call all of them one store, maybe called PSHGE, instead of five different stores carrying different products. There are many companies that have multiple store fronts with different names that keep their stores separate. (don't ask me specifics, because I don't care to research this but take a company like Whirlpool, who makes all kinds of brands of household products, each having a store under the brand's name) 

As for anything the EU does, it's time they quit trying to run another country's product line. I'm sorry but anything related to current computers and operating systems rarely is created in EU countries anymore. Sure, you can find a few high tech companies in the EU but not as many as before and nowhere near as many as in the USA.

multimedia said:

Why is everyone ignoring the M3 and M3 Pro Mac minis?

Because they’re not in the same league as an M3 Ultra will be. Nothing wrong with the minis, they’re just not configured for the same level of work. 

I always find it interesting that the EU only brings in American companies to try and regulate. The article didn't include who the "more Big Tech" companies are but I assume none of them are from the EU. It would be nice if the EU cartel of countries actually had something to offer to the world instead of simply taxing a company to make its payroll.