AI_lias

Apple priced itself right out of that market, and also other markets. It's all a matter of balance. If they go for profits, they'll make those profits, at the expense of some mind share from people who cannot afford Apple stuff. Even for me, I am watching carefully for deals of refurbished or used Apple equipment, I can't just afford to buy new devices from them, especially now that you cannot upgrade them. In my opinion, Apple is making a mistake, just like they are making a mistake for not including a consumer, non-pro 15" laptop. This is not about quality/non-quality and race to the bottom, but about protecting your image and ecosystem itself. Schools are especially important, because loyalty which can be ingrained early. So, yes, price matters, not just quality. Or, quality, yes, but at what price?

Wow, that's one more edition since 2013 than Mac Pro... Google is fickle with hardware.

Here's something I never understood: why doesn't Apple's competition offer a lot of storage for no additional cost, as a way to differentiate themselves from Apple? It seems that they themselves only up the storage when Apple goes higher. I thought storage was relatively cheap. 

So good to see many people here who are not whining, and are good Apple users and customers. Good job! Because of you, Apple will continue to keep releasing all kinds of good products, and will continue to perpetually do better and better. Good times for Apple ahead.

foggyhill said:

GeorgeBMac said:

All this attention on the appearance and thinness of the phone is a bit ridiculous...

Not only does it violate the Jobs principle of 'making people's lives better' but, more ridiculous is the fact that the last time most people ever see the back of their phone is the day take it out of the box and immediately encase in a thick, ugly case. A case that makes a mockery of all of Apple's efforts to produce a thin phone with a beautiful back.

If Apple wants to do something to make people's lives better, let them design a phone that doesn't need a case!

You don't really need a case, AL 7000 is tough enough for anything, I'd gather stainless steel will show scratches more.
I think a Ceramic (or ceramic composite) back with the edge being stainless is the best. Only an idiot would put a case on that though people will still do it anyway.

It's not the aluminum that's the problem, but the glass which is at the edge, and not recessed. So, it is the design with the curved glass, which does not provide a good grip because the edges are so rounded, and once dropped, the glass which is not recessed. Remember that guy on TV that just bought one of the first Iphone 6 Plus-es, and dropped it on live TV?