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Apple 1st Quarter Results and Conference Call
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To suggest that it's 100% compatible is not really fair. They're not.
Let me count the ways...
1) Microsoft Office
While Mac Office may be mostly file-format compatible, it's certainly not price-compatible with the Windows version. It's much cheaper to acquire Office for Windows. This has me currently using Appleworks to view Word docs and I generally send everything out as PDF.
2) Microsoft Access
To my knowledge, there's nothing on the Mac platform that can open an ".mdb" (Microsoft Access) file. This is a show-stopper for many small businesses. Yes, there is FileMaker, but nobody is going to rebuild all their stuff just to be able to make the Switch(TM).
3) Windows (SMB) Networking
Yes, OS X supports SMB, but it's far from perfect. Many bugs and annoyances exist. This is especially true when connecting to a machine outside of the local network. Ironically, it seems more reliable to connect a PC to a Mac using SMB than to connect a Mac to the PC.
4) Software Titles
While many good titles exist exclusively on the Mac and many good titles are cross-platform, there are many, many others that simply don't exist on the Mac side or exist only as older versions on the Mac. This can be very annoying to businesses when they know that solutions exist and they can't use them. Virtual PC can "help" in this area, but it's a kludgey solution and folks might be better off by placing a $500 PC under their desk next to the Mac. Windows terminal services can obviate the need for a second monitor.
5) Hardware
USB has gone a long way in helping the hardware world to make cross-platform products. However, the drivers are still a problem. Apple needs to go even further in making it as simple as possible for vendors to make high-quality Mac drivers. Furthermore, Apple should have folks dedicated to open source projects that attempt to create drivers for non-supported hardware.
On the bright side, Macintosh's are now more compatible than they've ever been. SMB and printer support is better with each OS X release. I can only dream of a day where it's simpler to use Windows networking on a Mac than it is on Windows!
I'm confused.
Now I am a retard at all things finance, but it seems to me, that in the worst economy in almost two decades, and certainly in the worst economy since the 90s net/tech revolution, that pretty much breaking even while having 4.5 billion in the bank, all while pumping tons of money into R&D for long term growth, is actually very, very good.
What is the problem? Interest rates will go back up.
Now I am a retard at all things finance, but it seems to me, that in the worst economy in almost two decades, and certainly in the worst economy since the 90s net/tech revolution, that pretty much breaking even while having 4.5 billion in the bank, all while pumping tons of money into R&D for long term growth, is actually very, very good.
What is the problem? Interest rates will go back up.
Maybe I have it wrong - but the mac users seem to be in the creative area, the schools and at the home front.
I do not yet :-( see the day that big corporations are switching to the mac. In any event, then if the artsy people around us are content, schools can do what they need to do on a mac and we at home can use office for mac, then what is the point to be griping about compatibility issues ?
I love my mac, it works super-well, and my company runs entirely on mac.
If we get more compatibility for the 'special programs' fine, if not to hell with the Windows world. We all seem to be able to do just fine, there will always someone finding something that does not work on a mac. So what.
The argument about Access is very valid, but MS are not putting Access on the mac for precisely that reason - that we can continue with our self-flagellation, and that would-be-switchers who read these threads have something to turned off.
Mac is a terriffic experience. That is what Apple are trying to sell. Let's give them a helping hand
I do not yet :-( see the day that big corporations are switching to the mac. In any event, then if the artsy people around us are content, schools can do what they need to do on a mac and we at home can use office for mac, then what is the point to be griping about compatibility issues ?
I love my mac, it works super-well, and my company runs entirely on mac.
If we get more compatibility for the 'special programs' fine, if not to hell with the Windows world. We all seem to be able to do just fine, there will always someone finding something that does not work on a mac. So what.
The argument about Access is very valid, but MS are not putting Access on the mac for precisely that reason - that we can continue with our self-flagellation, and that would-be-switchers who read these threads have something to turned off.
Mac is a terriffic experience. That is what Apple are trying to sell. Let's give them a helping hand
Switchers
There are many, many good reasons to switch. However, the worst thing that we can do as Mac-heads is to mis-lead a potential switcher by suggesting that the platforms are 100% compatible.
Users should switch to the Mac on its primary merits.
1) The Best user experience
2) The Best bundled software
3) Better OS/App reliability
4) Faster-improving technology (Apple is moving much faster than MS these days in improving their systems)
5) Superior hardware/software integration
6) Higher Quality software
7) More overall compatibility (Mac/Unix/Windows)
8) Inherent PDF capability (great for print)
9) HUGE open-source capability (so many projects to build from)
100% compatibility will never happen and people basing a buying decision on that are bound to be disappointed.
There are many, many good reasons to switch. However, the worst thing that we can do as Mac-heads is to mis-lead a potential switcher by suggesting that the platforms are 100% compatible.
Users should switch to the Mac on its primary merits.
1) The Best user experience
2) The Best bundled software
3) Better OS/App reliability
4) Faster-improving technology (Apple is moving much faster than MS these days in improving their systems)
5) Superior hardware/software integration
6) Higher Quality software
7) More overall compatibility (Mac/Unix/Windows)
8) Inherent PDF capability (great for print)
9) HUGE open-source capability (so many projects to build from)
100% compatibility will never happen and people basing a buying decision on that are bound to be disappointed.
Take away the restructuring fees and they made a profit. You're right, not bad for the economy we are in. Dell is the only other pc make making any money. With Gateway closing stores left and right, Apple is actually rocking.
You're aren't confused, other are.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Apple 1st Quarter Results and Conference Call
Go to Best Buy or Radio Shack, and they'll try to sell you an extended warranty on anything you buy. A guy once tried to sell me an extended warranty on a cordless-phone battery; another one on a $20 digital thermometer. They do this for a basic reason: the margin on these warranties is huge, so most stores give bonuses to salespeople who sell them. Doesn't matter how many computers you sell, your bonus is based on sales of extended care.
My first question when asked is usually: "Do you have so little confidence in the quality of the product I'm buying that you think I need to buy an extended warranty?" That usually shuts them up. If not, I just keep repeating the question, phrased slightly differently. If they persist, I tell them that I'd better not buy the item if they're that certain it will break outside the regular warranty period.
Long and short of it is that unless you are extremely risk averse, extended warranties, like Apple Care, are a waste of money. Sure, things break, but usually in the first few weeks, when they're under the regular warranty. After three years, you probably don't want the thing repaired, you want an upgrade anyway.
Go to Best Buy or Radio Shack, and they'll try to sell you an extended warranty on anything you buy. A guy once tried to sell me an extended warranty on a cordless-phone battery; another one on a $20 digital thermometer. They do this for a basic reason: the margin on these warranties is huge, so most stores give bonuses to salespeople who sell them. Doesn't matter how many computers you sell, your bonus is based on sales of extended care.
My first question when asked is usually: "Do you have so little confidence in the quality of the product I'm buying that you think I need to buy an extended warranty?" That usually shuts them up. If not, I just keep repeating the question, phrased slightly differently. If they persist, I tell them that I'd better not buy the item if they're that certain it will break outside the regular warranty period.
Long and short of it is that unless you are extremely risk averse, extended warranties, like Apple Care, are a waste of money. Sure, things break, but usually in the first few weeks, when they're under the regular warranty. After three years, you probably don't want the thing repaired, you want an upgrade anyway.
For all the nasayers...
Yes the Q1 totals dont look good but look at why the totals are the way they are. Apple actually made money this past quarter but do to the restructuring they had fines which caused the loss. I know right off the bat this looks bad but its a one time fee and sets the stage for the next quarter. this doenst mean that "things look bad or apple" or that "This is the end of apple". Trust me Apple is stronger then ever and has all the pieces in place to grow. Read the entire article not just the headline.
Yes the Q1 totals dont look good but look at why the totals are the way they are. Apple actually made money this past quarter but do to the restructuring they had fines which caused the loss. I know right off the bat this looks bad but its a one time fee and sets the stage for the next quarter. this doenst mean that "things look bad or apple" or that "This is the end of apple". Trust me Apple is stronger then ever and has all the pieces in place to grow. Read the entire article not just the headline.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Apple 1st Quarter Results and Conference Call
You haven't done much electronics shopping lately, have you?
"Would you like an extended warranty" effectively replaces "Would you like fries with that" in the fast food employee to electronics sales rep. transition guide...
You haven't done much electronics shopping lately, have you?
"Would you like an extended warranty" effectively replaces "Would you like fries with that" in the fast food employee to electronics sales rep. transition guide...
Notably they make $150m/q interest and gains, spend $125m/q on R&D, and use the retail expansion and R&D to take HUGE tax deductions so their huge 27% margins result in only an $8m taxable event.
This company is transferring operational efforts to a huge technology and financial base. This is long term thinking.
Rocketman
Seems to me Apple should start opening stores at a faster pace. Unload some of that cash and dump it into real estate. It worked for McDonalds for a long time. I know they're hurting now. (McDonalds that is. gee the economy is bad.) Can't wait for the store to open on Michigan Ave in Chicago. Right now there's an empty lot with some scaffolding and a big Apple on it. For those who aren't familiar, this is one of the greatest retail strips in the country and this store is sure to be magnificent.
More store. More stores.
More store. More stores.
And, yeah, they're only losing a net $1million per store, per quarter, so why not build more? Eight fewer stores and Apple would not have shown a loss last quarter.
There is a down-side to putting Apple Stores in every high-rent mall in the US. I do believe their strategy of increasing brand awareness is smart and will pay off, but there is a point of diminishing returns where the next store costs more than it is worth in brand building.
IMHO, Apple's doing a good job of opening stores at a brisk but not breakneck speed.
This is a bad time to invest in real estate or bonds. If interest rates tick up the market for real estate will dry up in a big hurry and given RE is a trailing sector and the market recently crashed severely, we are expecting the other shoe to drop really soon. THEN Apple should buy RE
When interest rates rise, lower rate bonds drop in principal value. They should be trading out of longer duration bonds into shorter duration bonds for their holdings at this time and be prepared to hold them to maturity.
This is a fairly good time for stocks, and for many countercyclical products. Service businesses can be good and anything that gets paid for right now is fairly good.
Does anybody have links to portable FW800 raid devices which have been released or will be about the same time as the Al17? Thanks.
Rocketman
Given Apple's strategy of stores within 15 minutes of 85% of the population they could accomplish this with standalone stores in low rent parts of town (and even add valet parking). It would probably STILL save 60-70% of the rental cost since many mall stores take rent + % of sales!.
Heck, just locate next to the top 40 Radio Shack outlets
Rocketman
Originally posted by Rocketman
Given Apple's strategy of stores within 15 minutes of 85% of the population they could accomplish this with standalone stores in low rent parts of town (and even add valet parking). It would probably STILL save 60-70% of the rental cost since many mall stores take rent + % of sales!.
Heck, just locate next to the top 40 Radio Shack outlets
Rocketman
I am very impressed with your input, Rocketman, and believe you make some very compelling arguments. I guess we'll just have to see.
Obviously there are those with more financial know-how than myself here but I believe part of Apple's strategy of holding cash was for times like these. And it is when you start to take a hit on interest earned that you invest that cash. Not in a long term bond which does nothing to expand the nature of the business, unless Apple buys a bank. Rather you invest in expansion; stores. Homes have been selling like mad (slowing down now) the past six or more months because of interest rates. Hasn't the same worked in commercial real estate? And I agree there are other high profile store opportunities outside of blood sucking malls, but I wouldn't put anything in the strip mall, where most Radio Shacks are located for example, unless your replacing a boarded up Gateway just for the sweet picture of triumph.
Of course, since Apple sells a high-end product, they wouldn't sell any computers in low-rent parts of town.
That's the whole reason for the failure of Gateway's stores. And everybody knows that Apple is more expensive than Gateway.
Not to mention that foot traffic is key to what Apple is doing with its stores. The best place to garner that is the mall.
Let's stick to reality, OK?
"if bush's administration don't start a f****** war"
>>>>>>>>>>
Really.... Are Mac sales directly linked to Saddam?
"if bush's administration don't start a f****** war"
>>>>>>>>>>
Really.... Are Mac sales directly linked to Saddam?
Does anyone know how much of the market Apple holds at this point? If Apple is gaining through the Switch campaigns, I'd sure like to know how effective it has been. Thanks!
Re: European pricing
Hmmm....
1370 -1199 = 171 !!!
So the iMac costs already $ 171 more in Europe before tax. I don't know where you got your 75$ from?
It's not the VAT the people are complaining about, it is that the price is already about 15% higher before you include the tax.
Another comparison. The "little" G4 costs $1699 before tax in the US (Apple Store) and $2024 in Europe (Apple Store). Now is that sick or what? That's a difference of more than $300. Add a few bucks and you get a PC with Linux for that money...
A lot of people are sick of paying a "penalty" by Apple for not living in the US....
But nobody is buying at the (Online-) Apple Store in Europe anyway. If you buy at the right dealer you get the iMac for less than 1,400 including VAT... before tax that equals a price of 1286 US$, which is still almost 90$ more than the US price! And if you would know on how low margins those independent stores sell their Macs you would start to cry. They make their money with the extras the people buy...
A good reason could be, that the Apple branches in other countries have to stand on their own feet financially. So Apple is selling the Macs to Apple Europe for almost the same price as to the dealers in North America. Apple Europe HAS to go up with the prices, because the margin they add is what they are living from!
As long as that sick business model goes on, we'll see no change in pricing over here... and sales will slow even more in the future.
And that's pretty sad, because I know a lot of people who are not willing to be charged 100 (and up) more (for an already pricy item) just for being so "unfortunate" not to live in the US... Especially since we are facing really hard times economically in Europe as well ...
Originally posted by reedm007
Just a note on european pricing...
Not only does it include a higher tax than the US, it *includes* that tax in the price
So: iMac starts at 1 554 ? in France, which is 1 299 ? before tax. Using finance.yahoo.com, the current exchange rate shows:
1 299 ? = $1370
US pricing is: $1,199 + tax. US average sales tax is (again, according to finance.yahoo.com) 7.74%, which means US pricing comes out to:
$1,199 * 1.0774 = $1,294
AKA, european pricing is only $75 USD more expensive.. not a whole lot for a company that is located in the US?
Hmmm....
1370 -1199 = 171 !!!
So the iMac costs already $ 171 more in Europe before tax. I don't know where you got your 75$ from?
It's not the VAT the people are complaining about, it is that the price is already about 15% higher before you include the tax.
Another comparison. The "little" G4 costs $1699 before tax in the US (Apple Store) and $2024 in Europe (Apple Store). Now is that sick or what? That's a difference of more than $300. Add a few bucks and you get a PC with Linux for that money...
A lot of people are sick of paying a "penalty" by Apple for not living in the US....
But nobody is buying at the (Online-) Apple Store in Europe anyway. If you buy at the right dealer you get the iMac for less than 1,400 including VAT... before tax that equals a price of 1286 US$, which is still almost 90$ more than the US price! And if you would know on how low margins those independent stores sell their Macs you would start to cry. They make their money with the extras the people buy...
A good reason could be, that the Apple branches in other countries have to stand on their own feet financially. So Apple is selling the Macs to Apple Europe for almost the same price as to the dealers in North America. Apple Europe HAS to go up with the prices, because the margin they add is what they are living from!
As long as that sick business model goes on, we'll see no change in pricing over here... and sales will slow even more in the future.
And that's pretty sad, because I know a lot of people who are not willing to be charged 100 (and up) more (for an already pricy item) just for being so "unfortunate" not to live in the US... Especially since we are facing really hard times economically in Europe as well ...
Re: Let's stick to reality, OK?
I would say "indirectly" and I agree with the poster.
I know that this is a little personal for Bush since "he tried to kill my dad" and all, but it's going to get a little more personal for the families of the dead soldiers that will be coming home in a few months. (Assuming we do go to war.)
On a more "economic" note, somehow I don't think a war in Iraq will be good for oil prices and high oil prices will certainly not help our economy, which will not help Apple's sales.
Originally posted by Sonofhaig
"if bush's administration don't start a f****** war"
>>>>>>>>>>
Really.... Are Mac sales directly linked to Saddam?
I would say "indirectly" and I agree with the poster.
I know that this is a little personal for Bush since "he tried to kill my dad" and all, but it's going to get a little more personal for the families of the dead soldiers that will be coming home in a few months. (Assuming we do go to war.)
On a more "economic" note, somehow I don't think a war in Iraq will be good for oil prices and high oil prices will certainly not help our economy, which will not help Apple's sales.
RE: Apple pricing
This is what the internet blatantly points out; the differences in price across continents. In the online world everybody is (non business) equal but businesses still draw boundaries by pricing everything as normal in the different parts of the world.
I'm actually looking online right now to see if i can get a flight to the states just to take advantage of the pricing, advantage is i get a holiday as well as a mac. As opposed to just getting a mac over here.
Are there any Apple Stores in Orlando?
This is what the internet blatantly points out; the differences in price across continents. In the online world everybody is (non business) equal but businesses still draw boundaries by pricing everything as normal in the different parts of the world.
I'm actually looking online right now to see if i can get a flight to the states just to take advantage of the pricing, advantage is i get a holiday as well as a mac. As opposed to just getting a mac over here.
Are there any Apple Stores in Orlando?
Keep your politcal views to yourself...please.
"I would say "indirectly" and I agree with the poster.
I know that this is a little personal for Bush since "he tried to kill my dad" and all, but it's going to get a little more personal for the families of the dead soldiers that will be coming home in a few months. (Assuming we do go to war.)
On a more "economic" note, somehow I don't think a war in Iraq will be good for oil prices and high oil prices will certainly not help our economy, which will not help Apple's sales."
>>>>>>>>>>
What a stretch! You have some imagination. Tell it to Rush Limbaugh.....
"I would say "indirectly" and I agree with the poster.
I know that this is a little personal for Bush since "he tried to kill my dad" and all, but it's going to get a little more personal for the families of the dead soldiers that will be coming home in a few months. (Assuming we do go to war.)
On a more "economic" note, somehow I don't think a war in Iraq will be good for oil prices and high oil prices will certainly not help our economy, which will not help Apple's sales."
>>>>>>>>>>
What a stretch! You have some imagination. Tell it to Rush Limbaugh.....
I am reading with interest about the price differences in the various countires and across the continents. It is not as if I can throw 300 or 400 dollars away every time I buy a computer, but when I had to take my old compaq to a computer store twice, to rid it of all the viruses that had infested the system, I paid 150 dollars a pop.
Granted, this is Switzerland, but would i happily pay 300 dollars more for a better experience ? You bet. When we look beyond the box and the screen and the keyboard then we are buying an experience. Where would that leave Mercedes, Porsche and BMW if we were all content to run around in a Ford Focus (although it is a pretty car). We have a premium product - everything works they way it is supposed to be. It can talk to whatever gadget we can drag home and plug in. It is darn pretty and it never lets us down.
If we buy a PC and take it home then the thing depreciates already in the parking lot. The mac in my mind holds its value much much better as I can use it a lot longer without being told that oooops sorry you have no MS XP Stellar Cockup 2008 version 2.75865 installed and as such sorryyyyyyyyyyyy.
So roll in the new machines, my credit card is itching - and oops by the way, I only buy via online - great people, good bargaining possible, and terriffic follow-up.
Granted, this is Switzerland, but would i happily pay 300 dollars more for a better experience ? You bet. When we look beyond the box and the screen and the keyboard then we are buying an experience. Where would that leave Mercedes, Porsche and BMW if we were all content to run around in a Ford Focus (although it is a pretty car). We have a premium product - everything works they way it is supposed to be. It can talk to whatever gadget we can drag home and plug in. It is darn pretty and it never lets us down.
If we buy a PC and take it home then the thing depreciates already in the parking lot. The mac in my mind holds its value much much better as I can use it a lot longer without being told that oooops sorry you have no MS XP Stellar Cockup 2008 version 2.75865 installed and as such sorryyyyyyyyyyyy.
So roll in the new machines, my credit card is itching - and oops by the way, I only buy via online - great people, good bargaining possible, and terriffic follow-up.