Phil Schiller Defends iPad Mini Pricing Decision

[scotty321]

Phil Schiller can make all the comments he wants, but it's still too expensive for me and I won't be buying one. I already have an iPad 3 (thanks for making it obsolete so quickly, Apple!), and I would've added an iPad mini to the household if it was priced fairly at $249 (at most). But at $329, it emphasizes to me that it's a gadget that I absolutely do not need.

[haruhiko]

Originally Posted by MacFather

Nexus 7 - higher ppi, NFC, more RAM, quadcore, GPS, $100 less expensive...

less storage?

[GeekLawyer]

Originally Posted by MacFather

Nexus 7 - higher ppi, NFC, more RAM, quadcore, GPS, $100 less expensive...

Plastic, "cheap," Android, junk.

[blackhand1001]

Originally Posted by Orlandoech

I for one think its a rip off, $249 to $299 TOPS. Thanks to the overpriced, in sufficient hardware, especially resolution it made my buying the Kindle Fire HD that much easier.

Get the nexus 7 instead please. Don't fall for the kindle fire. The nexus 7 is a much better product.

[darthraige]

I already have an iPad "mini."

[chumpy34]

With the $299 iPod Touch, they had to make this slightly more. I don't mind the price, the quality and build of this product makes up for the higher $$$. People seem to forget that Apple is still a niche company in the sense that they see themselves as "BMW" and not "Ford" so they are always going to charge more than their competitors but to me, it's worth it from their packaging to the experience using their products...

[MagicWok]

Hmmm... Phil's argument isn't one that breeds a sense of compassion for Apple, and infact exhibits the opposite for most.

Using the case that the iPad sold very well at $399 so we're going to sell at $349 for the iPad Mini, regardless (that we could, but won't...).

It's the dismissive tone that most will imply Apple simply charge more, because they can - which doesn't sit well with people.

Which is why better products from Android is good, to encourage Apple to consider a more competitive price point. Although Apple will never race to the bottom. You get what you pay for. This still, just about, applies.

[odditie]

The thing people are missing is they are comparing it to a 7" tablet, it isn't 7", it is in a new classification that is bigger then 7" and smaller than the iPad.

That being said, it is still going to be viewed as a competitor of the 7" ones and despite the larger area.

[jakeeisele]

I don't understand why everyone is so upset over the starting price of the iPad mini. Especially since ALL of their products have a large price gap between comparable products. It's not like we aren't going to buy it anyway. After all, it's an Apple product.

[scotty321]

1. Apple could have dealt a death blow to Amazon & Google with the proper pricing of the iPad mini. Instead, Apple gave them a Christmas gift with Apple's blessing. Makes no sense.

2. Why would anyone buy the iPad mini when they can get a REAL iPad for only $70 more? Makes no sense.

[desmoboy]

Sorry Phil, the pricing is very hard to swallow considering the hardware is 2 generations behind your latest iPad and well below that of the competitors (Nexus 7)!

[Danindub]

Originally Posted by MacFather

Nexus 7 - higher ppi, NFC, more RAM, quadcore, GPS, $100 less expensive...

It's not about spec. Andoid devices need much more CPU power and RAM to work any close as well as iOS ones...

[Daws001]

I was thinking $299 initially so $329 isn't a big enough difference to cause me grief. I have an iPhone and a 13" Air so the Mini's size and weight is far more attractive than the iPad's. It's primarily going to be used as an e-reader.

[TallManNY]

These price differences are meaningless on a device that you will probably use daily for years. The price will be quickly eclipsed by your data plan costs anyway. Oh and if you are just buying the wifi version for a device as portable as the mini you are probably doing it wrong. That is unless you plan on having a mobile hotspot with you (which is actually probably the best solution).

[wgr73]

It's all about money. Phil/Apple knows people are going to pay $329 so why not sell it at that. It's cheaper than the full size iPad but no way underpowered.

[nfl46]

Apple products have been overpriced for years, but yet people still buy them. This is nothing new. Apple could have lowered the price if they want, but they already know, its the holidays and people see $329 and iPad name and immediately want one.

[lilo777]

Originally Posted by applesith

Apple doesn't compete on price.

It will have to. It's a consumer electronics market after all. Everybody has to compete on price if they want to be a volume seller. What worked for Apple in small volumes (fanatical following) is not going to work on masses.

[croooow]

Originally Posted by skeep5

Well let's keep our fingers crossed that the iPad super mini will be $49, with a 4" diagonal screen, built in phone, oh wait...

I wish my iPod could make phone calls. No, I don't want an iPhone I know what an iPhone is.

I understand the price. $249 cuts into the iPod touch. People are not complaining so much that a 4 inch "tablet" is $300, but cannot fathom a 7.9 inch one at $330

[MacSignal]

Originally Posted by Oletros

Shocking!!!

The person respnsible of the price defends it

Also not shocking I suppose, a lot of the underlying technology is already dated and Apple will sell a lot of units anyway before updating it in less than year.

[Oletros]

Originally Posted by Danindub

It's not about spec. Andoid devices need much more CPU power and RAM to work any close as well as iOS ones...

No, they don't need that

Originally Posted by odditie

The thing people are missing is they are comparing it to a 7" tablet, it isn't 7", it is in a new classification that is bigger then 7" and smaller than the iPad.

Really? So they compete with the 7.7", 8" or 8.9" tablets out there?

[mattopotamus]

Originally Posted by Newton70

Apple is charging a premium price for a product stuffed with old technology.

Seriously, a dumb move by Apple. I agree that they shouldn't sell at cost (like Amazon and Google), but Apple had a unique opportunity to effectively close the door on its competitors and it chose not to.

exactly. I would have paid $400 if the technology was up to par

[vikpt]

What they cannot defend I'm sure is their pricing with the 13 in retina Macbook Pro lol

[chumpy34]

Originally Posted by scotty321

1. Apple could have dealt a death blow to Amazon & Google with the proper pricing of the iPad mini. Instead, Apple gave them a Christmas gift with Apple's blessing. Makes no sense.

2. Why would anyone buy the iPad mini when they can get a REAL iPad for only $70 more? Makes no sense.

Answer: form-factor. Some people just want something a bit smaller to lug around and also it's the "newest" product so it will sell like hot-cakes. Also, I know I am someone who doesn't mind spending more money for say Oakley sunglasses compared to a cheaper knock-off, so I don't think Apple will have any problem selling the iPad mini, in fact, I could see these taking away sales of the larger ones...

[Want300]

I feel that they should have offered an 8 GB version for around $279 (assuming this still had margins they were okay with)... This would give them the "Starting at $279" pitch they could use in advertising, so it could be less than $300. Also, a $50 price difference between an 8 GB version and 16 GB version sounds good IMO.

When the rumors suggested $249 for 8 GB and $349 for 16 GB, I was still planning to buy a 16 GB model for my GF for Christmas because 8 GB wouldn't be enough for her. I was okay with that price, so I am coming out $20 ahead technically.

[lilo777]

Originally Posted by Danindub

It's not about spec. Andoid devices need much more CPU power and RAM to work any close as well as iOS ones...

Maybe that was true in 2009. It's definitely not the case with Jelly Bean version of Android.