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Apple Launches 2015 Back to School Promotion, Offers Free Beats Solo2 Headphones With Mac Purchase
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Parents and grandparents are buying these for students. The target demo does not change just because you mention students have parents. The majority of students fall within a certain age bracket, aka the one Apple is targeting. You can't target every demo at the same time.
Someone who really gets it.
Because most students have iPhones and don't need iPod Touches. That's most likely why Apple did away with that BTS promotion years ago.
Spoiler:, keep readingI was already corrected and admitted my mistake.
I saw.
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Free Beats headphones will actually prevent me from buying Apple products. I'd rather wait until the next promotion to see what the giveaway is.
I have a pair of Wireless Beats Solo2's and they are considerably better than the old Beats Solo's. I always said Beats were crap and then I tried these and were (relatively) impressed. Now, I would NEVER have paid $300 for them. They are not worth $300, but I got mine on Black Friday and only paid $150. At that price they were a good deal. In this case, you are getting a decent to very good headphones for $0. Are they great? No, but for $0? Yes Beats are more about asthetics than quality audio, but they really have upped their game and I wouldn't have any problem recommending them to someone who can get them for a deal (especially around Black Friday they are always 50% off).
Now with a free with the purchase of a Mac that already is discounted with a student discount? Awesome....
If only I needed a new Mac and needed a pair of Solo2's, I would be all over this...
Now with a free with the purchase of a Mac that already is discounted with a student discount? Awesome....
If only I needed a new Mac and needed a pair of Solo2's, I would be all over this...
Personally I would rather Apple go back to the philosophy of looking out for their customers best interest (by giving them a gift card that they can then purchase whatever they like), versus this new philosophy of trying to manipulate their customer base into purchasing a certain product or brand in the future (beats headphones to lure the young generation, Apple watch on celebrities to lure in the "kardashian" crowd, etc.,).
Whose making these decisions, anyways? I feel like we are entering the twilight zone with this company. Gold computers, gold iPads, the biggest acquisition in its history on an overpriced/mediocre headphone/fashion accessory company, less powerful computers, inability to upgrade its machines.. I mean, the list is becoming endless at this point. I am an original purchaser of the iPhone. I owned a Macintosh in the 1980's.. A Black Powerbook G3 in the 1990's. I love Apple products, but I do not like some of the decisions that are being made right now.
Whose making these decisions, anyways? I feel like we are entering the twilight zone with this company. Gold computers, gold iPads, the biggest acquisition in its history on an overpriced/mediocre headphone/fashion accessory company, less powerful computers, inability to upgrade its machines.. I mean, the list is becoming endless at this point. I am an original purchaser of the iPhone. I owned a Macintosh in the 1980's.. A Black Powerbook G3 in the 1990's. I love Apple products, but I do not like some of the decisions that are being made right now.
What do you expect...they hired a fashion guru to run retail at a tech company. All she knows is that you can wear headphones so it must be great.
its not headphones that kill your hearing. it's how you use them, and the volume you listen at.
I've used headphones my entire life. From in ear, on ear and over ear. and you know, despite getting old, my hearing is still fantastic (which is a blessing, cause I used to frequent metal shows too).
almost too fantastic >.<. sometimes I have to sit with noise cancelling headphones on just not to get a headache from the cacophony of everyday sounds
So frustrating to see Apple continue to push these tacky, cheap products. It will do nothing but tarnish the brand.
Then you're not the demographic that Apple are aiming at (Students) and also, you clearly aren't in the market for an Apple computer.
It's absolutely ridiculous to think that someone wants a MacBook Air, but decides not to because it comes with free Beats headphones.
The reason why it hasn't been announced for the UK is because the school holidays have just begun here and won't end until September.
You make no sense. Anything is great for free. Apple doesn't have to give anything at all. In my opinion though, an iPod touch - which is valued at the same price as the Beats headphones - would be better to receive. I am just stating my opinion. It is incredibly what such a benign comment has garnered as far as controversy in this thread.
* by perfect, I think you must be envisioning selling the beats on CL, then getting a BETTER pair of headphones for $35 and pocketing the extra cash you've made.
Please do not label me as either 1) a person that hates Beats or 2) does not appreciate receiving something extra. I am fine with both. No hate here.
Instead, the beef I have with Apple.
Using my "Christmas Vacation" analogy, Clark expected a monetary bonus. Hey, it came every year like clockwork. But this go around, it was different. Nothing showed up at the normal time. Strange, given that the company had a great year. In the end, Clark received a "preselected" gift late that he had really no use for.
I would have accepted this announcement better if it was timed ahead of the release of Music. Instead, I feel like I have been to the door of the dentist that hands out candy at Halloween. I question the motives.
Now, some of you may like the Jelly of the Month Beat headphones. Super. In fact, we have benefited from some of the Apple student freebies from the past (the free printer died but the iPod is still in a drawer, along with about a dozen others).
The iPod promotion was different - iPods were still relatively new and in demand. It was something someone within the family could use. And yes, my family did buy music off of iTunes to fill it up. We ate up that candy.
Given the number of headphones I have seen being worn by the "target market", I question whether this will get Beats in the hands of those that want them and don't already have a pair.
In the end, this promotion feels like an attempt to offload a product that is losing market share.
What better way to create headaches for your competition. If you discount below the "fair" price, you are accused of dumping. But if you give them away for free, you are an angel.
I have a drawer full of ear buds. And have at least three pair of over the ear headphones. Add one more ear device to the list.
Hopefully they work well with Tidal HiFi.
Instead, the beef I have with Apple.
Using my "Christmas Vacation" analogy, Clark expected a monetary bonus. Hey, it came every year like clockwork. But this go around, it was different. Nothing showed up at the normal time. Strange, given that the company had a great year. In the end, Clark received a "preselected" gift late that he had really no use for.
I would have accepted this announcement better if it was timed ahead of the release of Music. Instead, I feel like I have been to the door of the dentist that hands out candy at Halloween. I question the motives.
Now, some of you may like the Jelly of the Month Beat headphones. Super. In fact, we have benefited from some of the Apple student freebies from the past (the free printer died but the iPod is still in a drawer, along with about a dozen others).
The iPod promotion was different - iPods were still relatively new and in demand. It was something someone within the family could use. And yes, my family did buy music off of iTunes to fill it up. We ate up that candy.
Given the number of headphones I have seen being worn by the "target market", I question whether this will get Beats in the hands of those that want them and don't already have a pair.
In the end, this promotion feels like an attempt to offload a product that is losing market share.
What better way to create headaches for your competition. If you discount below the "fair" price, you are accused of dumping. But if you give them away for free, you are an angel.
I have a drawer full of ear buds. And have at least three pair of over the ear headphones. Add one more ear device to the list.
Hopefully they work well with Tidal HiFi.
Way to move dead stock of old headphones which are due for a refresh. The marketing/brand synergy is genius behind this. Grand slam for apple, not so great for customers, so overall, meh
Of course it's nice for them to offer anything because most people are buying these machines one way or another
Of course it's nice for them to offer anything because most people are buying these machines one way or another
Those defending Apple saying that if it's free, people shouldn't be allowed to comment on it consider this: Apple has had a long history of 'helping' students with these types of giveaways, and it's been more generous in past years, so when they change their policy at a time of record high profits, it's natural for humans to comment about it.
Of course it's free and Apple can do whatever they want, but if they do something that seems lame/greedy out the blue considering the history and considering record high profits, the consumer will see it negatively and they will comment. Brand image is built upon EVERYTHING, and things that hurt it, hurt it.
I think the message Apple is sending out is: we are cheapening out the giveaway in comparison to past years because we gotta give more to shareholders. Is that message good for a company like Apple that values its name brand so much?
Of course it's free and Apple can do whatever they want, but if they do something that seems lame/greedy out the blue considering the history and considering record high profits, the consumer will see it negatively and they will comment. Brand image is built upon EVERYTHING, and things that hurt it, hurt it.
I think the message Apple is sending out is: we are cheapening out the giveaway in comparison to past years because we gotta give more to shareholders. Is that message good for a company like Apple that values its name brand so much?
Oh man. I'm happy I got a new mac during last year's promotion. I wouldn't even take these headphones if they were free. Apple really needs to step up on the quality of these things since they are now technically under their brand.
The latest Beats Solo2 are decent sounding supra-aural headphones though I do feel the price should be somewhere around 149.00, 229.00 for wireless. The cost of production for these headphones is pretty cheap but so are a lot of other low-mid fi headphone products from manufactures known for making high end headphone products. Can you get a better sounding headphone from a company known for hifi? Sure you can but it won't be night and day as it was for Beats a few years back.
As an owner of Woo Audio WA7, Burson Conductor, Audeze LCD-2F (had LCD-XC), Senns HD600, Beyer T1, Grado PS500/RS1i/Alessandro MS2, all I can say is with streaming quality from
MUSIC and/or lower quality streaming music services the Beats Solo2 will do a great job at delivering good sound coming from headphone outputs of MacBook/Pro, iPhone and iPad devices. IIRC the ohm rating on the Solo2's are between 32-48 and have high sensitivity, which is why the onboard dacs and amps for iDevices can drive these kind of headphones and get good sound.
Audiophile sound? No even close but if you're streaming 128-320kbps from an iDevice they will sounded great with music produced today (poorly produced with tons of clipping for maximum loudness).
Added: I think students will prefer these over an iTunes card, same can't be said for the non students/teachers who abuse the edu discount especially during B2S promos. I also think the wireless $100 upgrade will be a big hit for students, less wires is good and a great price for 100 bucks.
As an owner of Woo Audio WA7, Burson Conductor, Audeze LCD-2F (had LCD-XC), Senns HD600, Beyer T1, Grado PS500/RS1i/Alessandro MS2, all I can say is with streaming quality from
MUSIC and/or lower quality streaming music services the Beats Solo2 will do a great job at delivering good sound coming from headphone outputs of MacBook/Pro, iPhone and iPad devices. IIRC the ohm rating on the Solo2's are between 32-48 and have high sensitivity, which is why the onboard dacs and amps for iDevices can drive these kind of headphones and get good sound.Audiophile sound? No even close but if you're streaming 128-320kbps from an iDevice they will sounded great with music produced today (poorly produced with tons of clipping for maximum loudness).
Added: I think students will prefer these over an iTunes card, same can't be said for the non students/teachers who abuse the edu discount especially during B2S promos. I also think the wireless $100 upgrade will be a big hit for students, less wires is good and a great price for 100 bucks.
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autrefois
macrumors 65816
That settles it, if this is the back-to-school promotion I guess I'm not going back to school then. Happy now, Apple?