zoetmb

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zoetmb
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  • Simply Mac bankruptcy: Who to call, what happened, and why

    zoetmbzoetmb
    Dealer margins have been cut to almost nothing by almost everyone.  These companies don’t seem to believe in the age of e-commerce that they need the retailers.   

    Back in the 1970’s, I sold audio equipment for a NYC-area department store chain. If a customer bought a system (turntable, amp or receiver and speakers), we automatically gave them a 30% discount.  That would be impossible today.   Wholesale was generally 50% of list. 

    In the 80’s, I worked for a publisher and we developed for Apple ][ (and Commodore, IBM and Radio Shack). In addition to the free hardware Apple would send, we could buy additional hardware for 50% of list. I believe that was also the wholesale price in those days. 

    Most other companies have put the squeeze on retail margins in recent decades, including Sony and Nikon.   That’s one of the reasons there are so few independent photo and electronics independent retailers left. Those that have survived have done so by selling extended warranties and accessories like cables that are still high margin. 

    One NYC chain now devotes about 25% of its floor space to mattresses, which are also still high margin. 

    I don’t blame Apple for pushing its own retail and its own e-store.  But it has pissed me off royally that end users can no longer replace/upgrade the battery, storage and memory in Mac laptops like we used to be able to do.  For a company that claims to be Green and environmentally conscious, in this regard it’s quite the opposite.  

    Apple wants $600 to replace the battery in my MBP (late 2016).  There’s no reason why memory and storage can’t be plug and play as it used to be. 


    gatorguyappleuseryeahjony0

  • US lawmakers call for universal charging standard - but not necessarily for USB-C

    zoetmbzoetmb
    thadec said:
    dtownwarrior said:
    It’s funny how people still don’t know the difference between socialism and communism!!
    It is funny how so many people on the left call everyone to the right of AOC a fascist.
    I’ve NEVER heard anyone call anyone to the Right of AOC a fascist.   Even the people who were so upset Bernie Sanders didn’t get the nomination - I heard some (stupidly) say they would sit out the election, but no one ever called Clinton or Biden a fascist. Not in my experience anyway. 

    On social media, when people on the Right have accused others and politicians of being Socialists, Communists or “Woke”, I always ask them to define it.   Not a single one ever has. 

    I would contend that the majority of Americans can’t define the three branches of our government and cannot name their senators. They certainly can’t define socialism or communism. 
    bbhmystigobaconstangtwokatmewMplsPwatto_cobra

  • US lawmakers call for universal charging standard - but not necessarily for USB-C

    zoetmbzoetmb
    Kuyangkoh said:
    Geeeee…..we should use one car standard, too many and bad for consumers and the environment 
    We definitely should have been using a single standard for EV charging ports.  It’s insane that there aren’t.  It’s like having different sized gas spouts in cars. 
    thtbaconstangAlex1NcaladanianMplsPgrandact73watto_cobrajony0

  • UK won't copy EU USB-C common charger mandate

    zoetmbzoetmb
    rob53 said:
    Has anyone tried cleaning out lint from a USB-C port? It can carefully be done on a lightning port with a toothpick. Not sure how to get it out of the USB-C port. 
    I use proxy brushes on both.   Doesn't always work, but frequently does.  
    watto_cobra

  • UK won't copy EU USB-C common charger mandate

    zoetmbzoetmb
    I don't get why under the EU rules, Apple couldn't make the charger USB-C, but keep the phone as Lightning (if they wanted to).   
    watto_cobra