Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
4GB 'iPod Mini' and 15GB iPod
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Awimoway
macrumors 68000
HO HUM
No kidding. I watched this with a large audience at an Apple Store. When Steve announced the price of the iPod mini, there was an loud groan from everyone of disappointment. I even overheard two store employees muttering to each other about how the new iPod wasn't impressive.
Being a somewhat recent switcher, I haven't seen a lot of Stevenotes, but this was definitely the least inspiring. 😱
(Macs are still the best thing on the planet excepting my wife and kids, but today was not memorable.)
No kidding. I watched this with a large audience at an Apple Store. When Steve announced the price of the iPod mini, there was an loud groan from everyone of disappointment. I even overheard two store employees muttering to each other about how the new iPod wasn't impressive.
Being a somewhat recent switcher, I haven't seen a lot of Stevenotes, but this was definitely the least inspiring. 😱
(Macs are still the best thing on the planet excepting my wife and kids, but today was not memorable.)
Re: iPod UK price?
Personally I'm a bit concerned about this...
Take the new Xserves as a US/UK price example (ignoring VAT) (current exchange rate: $1.82 to £1)
Single: US - $2999 | UK - $4396.10
Double: US - $3999 | UK - $5826.06
😱 😱 😱
Now, I know they've got to accomodate for currency fluctations- it could go either up or down, but that is one major fluctuation!
I agree with you, I think the US iPod mini price is acceptable, but it could be attrocious over here.
--------------------
Secondly, my opinion on the 'high' price. The staggered international release suggests low initial production numbers. With such low numbers available they might as not bother pricing it low as they wouldn't meet the demand (I assume many resources are going toward iPod Big production). Over the time the price will drop and reduction will rise, just like it did with my lovely 20GB 3G 😀
Personally I'm a bit concerned about this...
Take the new Xserves as a US/UK price example (ignoring VAT) (current exchange rate: $1.82 to £1)
Single: US - $2999 | UK - $4396.10
Double: US - $3999 | UK - $5826.06
😱 😱 😱
Now, I know they've got to accomodate for currency fluctations- it could go either up or down, but that is one major fluctuation!
I agree with you, I think the US iPod mini price is acceptable, but it could be attrocious over here.
--------------------
Secondly, my opinion on the 'high' price. The staggered international release suggests low initial production numbers. With such low numbers available they might as not bother pricing it low as they wouldn't meet the demand (I assume many resources are going toward iPod Big production). Over the time the price will drop and reduction will rise, just like it did with my lovely 20GB 3G 😀
i don't know how anyone can like the new minis. they're ugly and don't even have a good form factor. i don't like them, and if people had sense, they would slap down the extra 50 bucks for a 15 GB.
We are ripped off here in Europe as regards iPod pricing.
Example:
15 gig
US$ =299
Euro = 349
Wheras actual dollar/euro exchange rate should make that = 249
Or, put it like this. In Europe we are paying $127 more for the same product!!.
As regards the minipod pricing I think the thing that has unbalanced the equation is the new 15 gig at $299. If they had kept the 10 gig at $299 then the new 4 gig at $249 would look like such a bad deal. As it stands now it is clear someone at Apple is having a laugh.
Example:
15 gig
US$ =299
Euro = 349
Wheras actual dollar/euro exchange rate should make that = 249
Or, put it like this. In Europe we are paying $127 more for the same product!!.
As regards the minipod pricing I think the thing that has unbalanced the equation is the new 15 gig at $299. If they had kept the 10 gig at $299 then the new 4 gig at $249 would look like such a bad deal. As it stands now it is clear someone at Apple is having a laugh.
MorganX
macrumors 6502a
If Rio can sell their 4GB player for $199 (remains to actually be seen) then Apple can. They've set themsevles up to give a price cut. Wow, mom, the price just went down $50, can you get me one now?
And remember, the Pepsi blitz will have an impact...
I think they'll do... good at this price point.
pjkelnhofer
macrumors 6502a
You and Apple are dreaming if you think some one who is looking to spend $100-$150 for a portable MP3 are going to suddenly double their budget for a mini iPod just because it looked cool.
We are not talking about the low end market. Steve himself said Apple is going after the high-end flash market with the mini iPod. He defined this as $100-$200 flash players. Now, I admit that people who are will to spend $200 may well go up to $250, but Steve did not really explain why people who wanted to spend between $100 and $150 (who he himself defined as part of the market they are after) would buy it.
One would have to assume there is more than the 4Gb mini as part of the plan to take over another third of the mp3 player market.
I am a Mac owner and I am not going to pay more than something is worth. I may pay more for my Mac than for a PC equivalent, but I do not sign blank checks and send them to Apple.
C'mon. I hate when Mac fans get too carried away. The "wow" factor counts for something, but Apple says it wants to gain market share (at least in the mp3 player market) and the only way to gain market share at some point to offer value, not just "wow".
Judging by the crowd's reaction, people were only saying "wow" to the price, as in "Wow!" that is more than I expected.
Re: 4GB 'iPod Mini' and 15GB iPod
I don't understand why Apple did the mini-pod, it sure seems like a waste. $249 for 4GB, I think most people will either buy the 15GB Ipod or will buy some other smaller, cheaper flash based player. The only way I would buy a mini-pod is if they started at $100-$175.
I don't understand why Apple did the mini-pod, it sure seems like a waste. $249 for 4GB, I think most people will either buy the 15GB Ipod or will buy some other smaller, cheaper flash based player. The only way I would buy a mini-pod is if they started at $100-$175.
Sorry but try again. The mini comes with only a belt clip. Everything else is an optional acce$$ory.
now that i have studied it
now that i think about it... its cool but not so cool as the larger ones....
now that i think about it... its cool but not so cool as the larger ones....
My two cents
When I heard $249 I, as all the MacRumors posters did, thought too high a price.
When I think of my cousins who just bought 2 iPods for their Windows-based kids for x-maxs, I think, they would have gone mini if they were available.
iPod = MP3 Player and Storage device
iPod mini = MP3 Player
When I heard $249 I, as all the MacRumors posters did, thought too high a price.
When I think of my cousins who just bought 2 iPods for their Windows-based kids for x-maxs, I think, they would have gone mini if they were available.
iPod = MP3 Player and Storage device
iPod mini = MP3 Player
Re: Re: Re: NeatGekko scooped you all
Oops, yep, you're right. I was crossing his claims and someone else's in my mind ...
I suppose he can keep his hand 🙂
Although, to be nit-picky, he did say it would be 4.5GB instead of just 4GB ... 🙂
Oops, yep, you're right. I was crossing his claims and someone else's in my mind ...
I suppose he can keep his hand 🙂
Although, to be nit-picky, he did say it would be 4.5GB instead of just 4GB ... 🙂
Sir_Giggles
macrumors 6502a
I find all this rather amusing. The new iPod mini pricing doesn't go over too well with people ready to buy, yet for people who already bought theirs, they are secretly feeling a little smug, or even happy.
Depends on your side of the fence I guess. Anyway, whatever, the mini's were designed to compete against other 4GB flash players like Rio, so in that respect, they will sell like crazy, regardless of what you may want or feel.
Depends on your side of the fence I guess. Anyway, whatever, the mini's were designed to compete against other 4GB flash players like Rio, so in that respect, they will sell like crazy, regardless of what you may want or feel.
The mini iPod is going to cost £199 in the UK according to the Guardian online. About £60 more than it costs in the US.
Disgusting. We always get screwed on pricing.
Disgusting. We always get screwed on pricing.
If it bombs Apple will EOL it and it will dissappear. Apple doesn't lower prices on duds, especially not if they don't have a huge margin to begin with (considering the competition is at or around the same price point in this size/capacity range, I doubt Apple has 50%+ margins which would justify dropping to $149 to gain market share ... six months down the road may well be a different story, but I doubt that Apple could have done so today or could do so a month from now).
For all those saying "but for $50 I can get 11 more GB":
You are all making the assumption that storage capacity is the highest priority for all buyers of mp3 layers. There will be a subset of buyers for whom size is a significant priority. It may even be the top priority. This is the market for which the iPod mini is targeted.
Also, one advantage of the iPod mini is that since it is a flash-based player, there are no moving parts, making it ideal for someone who wants an mp3 player to take along while running/biking/doing other sports. In this case, size becomes a big issue as well. For these users, being able to hold 2-3 hours of music is plenty, and well within the storage capacity of the iPod mini. Remember, 2-3 hours of music was the storage capacity of the original Sony Walkman when it was introduced.
You may also laugh at the people who would buy the iPod mini as people concerned only with style and having too much money to know what to do with. But these may be the people that keep Apple in the black.
Just because you, the individual, might not go for the iPod mini, doesn't mean that there are not others who will. If everyone agreed with MacRumors forums readers, Apple would have a >80% share of the computer market.
My prediction: the iPod mini will show up in lots of TV shows, movies, and music videos. I can't ever remember seeing a Rio player in movies or on TV.
You are all making the assumption that storage capacity is the highest priority for all buyers of mp3 layers. There will be a subset of buyers for whom size is a significant priority. It may even be the top priority. This is the market for which the iPod mini is targeted.
Also, one advantage of the iPod mini is that since it is a flash-based player, there are no moving parts, making it ideal for someone who wants an mp3 player to take along while running/biking/doing other sports. In this case, size becomes a big issue as well. For these users, being able to hold 2-3 hours of music is plenty, and well within the storage capacity of the iPod mini. Remember, 2-3 hours of music was the storage capacity of the original Sony Walkman when it was introduced.
You may also laugh at the people who would buy the iPod mini as people concerned only with style and having too much money to know what to do with. But these may be the people that keep Apple in the black.
Just because you, the individual, might not go for the iPod mini, doesn't mean that there are not others who will. If everyone agreed with MacRumors forums readers, Apple would have a >80% share of the computer market.
My prediction: the iPod mini will show up in lots of TV shows, movies, and music videos. I can't ever remember seeing a Rio player in movies or on TV.
Re: Re: Re: Re: NeatGekko scooped you all
Where's the "loads of RAM" so it won't skip? A skipping memory-impaired altzheiPod is not for me - I'll stick with the larger memory in the brainiPods.
Where's the "loads of RAM" so it won't skip? A skipping memory-impaired altzheiPod is not for me - I'll stick with the larger memory in the brainiPods.
CrackedButter
macrumors 68040
Sorry about the negative posts, but does anyone beside think Apple could have shrunk the iPod mini considerably? (at maybe a slight thickness cost) I mean, the admittedly small difference in form factors between the iPod and the iPod mini isn't going to make people flock to the mini (but instead encourage to spring for the 15GB)
IMHO, if Apple was dying to keep the touch wheel, they should have just shrunk the iPod and kept its proportions (shape), but used the current mini's rounded sides and anodized aluminum. That form factor would have been a much more noticeable difference, and would have been entirely feasible, instead of the voice-recorder-esque shape.
IMHO, if Apple was dying to keep the touch wheel, they should have just shrunk the iPod and kept its proportions (shape), but used the current mini's rounded sides and anodized aluminum. That form factor would have been a much more noticeable difference, and would have been entirely feasible, instead of the voice-recorder-esque shape.
ipoddin
macrumors 65816
question about the new 15gb ipod.
A year ago, I think, there already was a 15gb version, which was then later dropped for the 10gb, right?
So is there any difference in this new 15gb version? It's not a 4th generation, but still the 3rd generation ipod, correct?
Sorry if I'm asking the obvious.
A year ago, I think, there already was a 15gb version, which was then later dropped for the 10gb, right?
So is there any difference in this new 15gb version? It's not a 4th generation, but still the 3rd generation ipod, correct?
Sorry if I'm asking the obvious.
Ipod Mini - just right
I think it is funny how many people seem to think that Apple is a non-profit organization or something.
Apple is in business to make MONEY. The ipod mini is priced to do so.
Think of this. Apple will only be able to manufacture so many ipod minis. There is plenty of current demand that will pay $249. As the product matures they can lower the price. This will attract more people. Remember that it is not volume a business is interested in it is PROFIT. Why wouldn't Apple maximize this?
Apple is a premium product. Always has been. The Costco/Walmart el cheepo mp3 player is for those that price is the only factor. Those that want quality, style, and dependability will buy the ipod mini or ipod. That is the market Apple wants.
Apple is in the market to make money and to continue to do so as the whole digital music market matures.
Ride the wave!
I think it is funny how many people seem to think that Apple is a non-profit organization or something.
Apple is in business to make MONEY. The ipod mini is priced to do so.
Think of this. Apple will only be able to manufacture so many ipod minis. There is plenty of current demand that will pay $249. As the product matures they can lower the price. This will attract more people. Remember that it is not volume a business is interested in it is PROFIT. Why wouldn't Apple maximize this?
Apple is a premium product. Always has been. The Costco/Walmart el cheepo mp3 player is for those that price is the only factor. Those that want quality, style, and dependability will buy the ipod mini or ipod. That is the market Apple wants.
Apple is in the market to make money and to continue to do so as the whole digital music market matures.
Ride the wave!
amin
macrumors 6502a
I think this is a good move by Apple, which should and will sell well. Many people with flash players realize that they have little reason for more than 4GB. My dad has had a 30 gigger for a while now and has yet to fill the first GB. These look great, "mini" has an appeal that it is hard to put a price on, and $50 is $50, ie some people are simply willing to spend $250 and not $300 for a music player (especially those people who don't own more than 2-3 GB of music in their entire music library). I know several people that are planning on getting these - my mother and my wife for starters.
Learn that other countries use the dollar as well, in this case S$, which is Singapore. Furthermore, this was pointed out earlier already.
Secondly, the 4GB Rio costs the same as the 4GB iPod Mini. All that is different will be the styling and onboard software. Most likely the iPod Mini will win here. However the Rio does have a 16 hour battery life ...
pjkelnhofer
macrumors 6502a
Re: No enthusiasm ?
Just reported that the xServes have a 90nm G5 in them!!!
That bodes well for the future.
I got the feeling that there is a lot of stuff in the pipeline. Steve seemed to keep repeating "A lot of great things coming later this year." I suspect there were things he wanted to intro that weren't ready.
A little off topic, sorry.
Just reported that the xServes have a 90nm G5 in them!!!
That bodes well for the future.
I got the feeling that there is a lot of stuff in the pipeline. Steve seemed to keep repeating "A lot of great things coming later this year." I suspect there were things he wanted to intro that weren't ready.
A little off topic, sorry.