Apple to Introduce Cheaper Macs?

[DMann]

Not hard to do when you sell 6 computers compared to the 8 billion sold by your competitor. Statistics are scary in the hands of the uninformed.

Competitor? Do you not mean competitors? Pitting a single company against nearly a dozen is quite unreasonable.

 

[appleguy123]

macbook pros?

i dont know if this has been asked but, do you think apple will lower macbook pros too? because it would be like a $600 difference for 2" of screen and that makes no since

 

[Shiner]

You MS tools always have some illogical retort to documented facts...

Funny LagunaSol I probably own more macs than you. Go take your macbook and figure out why your argument makes mine even stronger. Come back to the forums and I will hold your hand as I guide you through my statement.

I will go really slow to not lose you. All documented facts need to be examined before you believe in them blindly. While you are correct with the facts it should be noted that Mac has an easier time dealing with its consumer because they only make up 6% of all computer sales. Thus, it is a better thing for you the "educated" apple consumer to only make up a small portion of total sales but your facts do not tell the whole story.

PS get a life

 

[dukebound85]

iphone cracks - the use of plastic is a tradeoff for better GPS and 3G reception - an aluminum back would likely not have cracked. Plastic, no matter what grade, is prone to cracking. Until carbon fiber becomes cost effective, we'll have to live with it - hardly a quality issue.

emac screen doesnt turn on - likely a loose connection.

mb had a bulging batt - to my knowledge, Apple neither designs nor manufactures batteries for laptops. Applecare will cover the cost, nonetheless.

mb suffered from random shutdown syndrom - most likely due to an overheating issue - this problem has since been resolved. These are not necessarily quality issues.

of course those issues are quality related....

iphone cracks not a quality issue? gimme a break

emac screen not turning on? of course thats quality related

bulging batt? same...its apples design

mb from rsd not a quality issue? yea its been fixed but to say its not a quality issue because it overheated per apples designs is an oxymoron

in fact all these are because of apple's design

what exactly is a quality issue to you? im curious

lol that was the funniest stuff ive read all afternoon

 

[Anuba]

Wrong. I am a dual-platform user who actually spends more time in Windows and detests the amount of sheer agony that steaming pile of code adds to my life.

Your weak stereotyping fails to stick.

You do realize that you only confirmed, not refuted, what I said... right?

Where you spend your time has nothing to do with your faith. If a pastor hangs out at seedy strip clubs all day he's only going to get more p*ssed off at Satan and his minions.

 

[DMann]

A hypothetical that is relevant how? Yes, it's hard for companies that market an integrated solution, because they get targeted at all points of the spectrum (different market, but just look at what happened to Sun). But that's the situation Apple is in. Apple got a gigantic boost because Vista was such a huge PR disaster. But a lot of folks who panned Vista are rolling over to praise Windows 7. Microsoft built its empire on the willingness of consumers to buy cheap crap rather than higher-quality, higher-cost products. Once Windows 7 comes out as the "fix" for Vista, Apple's computer product line will be under a lot more pressure than it has been for the last couple years.

We'll until then...............................................................................................

Greatly looking forward to Snow Leopard.

 

[Anuba]

While you are correct with the facts it should be noted that Mac has an easier time dealing with its consumer because they only make up 6% of all computer sales.

An update on that number... 7.45% of all computer sales in the US, 3.32% worldwide. Your point still stands, though.

 

[LagunaSol]

Funny LagunaSol I probably own more macs than you.

I doubt it (I currently have 4 actively-used Macs in my house), but if you do, bully for you!

Come back to the forums and I will hold your hand as I guide you through my statement.

Thanks, but I'm not really that into you.

I will go really slow to not lose you.

Can you go a little more slowly than your "Apple only sells 6 computers" argument, because you really lost me on that one.

While you are correct with the facts it should be noted that Mac has an easier time dealing with its consumer because they only make up 6% of all computer sales.

Yes, I'm sure the integrated software/hardware model and avoidance of the bottom-feeder market that Dell/etc. pursue (and the customer nightmares that come with that market) have nothing to do with it.

You do realize that you only confirmed, not refuted, what I said... right?

Um, no??? Your lame "blind faith" accusation implies that I have no idea what I'm talking about. My 17 years (40+ hours a week) using Windows say that I do. So indeed, I have refuted what you said.

Your debate style is...strange. Any more strawmen or stereotypes you'd like to lob my way? I haven't heard "hipster" or "Starbucks" yet - you might want to try one of those?

 

[Shiner]

I doubt it (I currently have 4 actively-used Macs in my house), but if you do, bully for you!



Thanks, but I'm not really that into you.



Can you go a little more slowly than your "Apple only sells 6 computers" argument, because you really lost me on that one.



Yes, I'm sure the integrated software/hardware model and avoidance of the bottom-feeder market that Dell/etc. pursue (and the customer nightmares that come with that market) have nothing to do with it.

Ease down on the junk juice. If you read my statements I am ultimately on apple's side. Meaning I am on your blind faith, love affair side with apple. Calm down. I have never met a supposed dual OS man that hated windows so much. It might be time to change jobs if you truly are on Windows more than you are on a mac.

 

[DMann]

of course those issues are quality related....

iphone cracks not a quality issue? gimme a break

emac screen not turning on? of course thats quality related

bulging batt? same...its apples design

mb from rsd not a quality issue? yea its been fixed but to say its not a quality issue because it overheated per apples designs is an oxymoron

in fact all these are because of apple's design

what exactly is a quality issue to you? im curious

lol that was the funniest stuff ive read all afternoon

Plastic does crack - thicker, heavier, higher grade plastic would be equally prone to cracking. The point is, only a small percentage of iPhones sold do crack, and they are immediately replaced under warrantee. The quality of the plastic and components of the iPhone are pretty high, by most standards.

I once leased a Rolls Royce for a summer. The car didn't turn on - due to a loose starter cable. I suppose the overall quality of the RR ought to be reduced because of this.

So your overheating issue has been fixed, yet it remains a quality issue? I suppose some esteem quality to mean free of all glitches. Had your examples stated that the button on your iPhone popped out, the glass screen cracked, the eMac's housing fell apart, the disc tray snapped off, the keyboard of the MBP collapsed, and the unit creaked and rattled each time you lifted it, and all of your units came to a grinding halt, I would tend to agree that you had issues with quality.

 

[*LTD*]

I don't think I like this idea.

Just offer a bit more for the money.

Lowering prices would make e think: what's wrong with the unit?

Price drops can be a very slippery thing.

 

[Shiner]

A hypothetical that is relevant how? Yes, it's hard for companies that market an integrated solution, because they get targeted at all points of the spectrum (different market, but just look at what happened to Sun). But that's the situation Apple is in. Apple got a gigantic boost because Vista was such a huge PR disaster. But a lot of folks who panned Vista are rolling over to praise Windows 7. Microsoft built its empire on the willingness of consumers to buy cheap crap rather than higher-quality, higher-cost products. Once Windows 7 comes out as the "fix" for Vista, Apple's computer product line will be under a lot more pressure than it has been for the last couple years.

I agree with everything you said except the higher-quality, higher-cost products. You make a valid point about windows 7 but it is lost when you make these statements. The parts are all the same!!! Other than the enclosure the rest is identical. Please quit saying this over and over!

 

[dukebound85]

Plastic does crack - thicker, heavier, higher grade plastic would be equally as prone to cracking. The point is, only a small percentage of iPhones sold do crack, and they are immediately replaced under warrantee. The quality of the plastic and components of the iPhone are pretty high, by most standards.

I once leased a Rolls Royce for a summer. The car didn't turn on - due to a loose starter cable. I suppose the overall quality of the RR ought to be reduced because of this.

So your overheating issue has been fixed, yet it remains a quality issue? I suppose some esteem quality to mean free of all glitches. Had your examples stated that the button on your iPhone popped out, the glass screen cracked, the eMac's housing fell apart, the disc tray snapped off, the keyboard of the MBP collapsed, and the unit creaked and rattled each time you lifted it, and all of your units came to a grinding halt, I would tend to agree that you had issues with quality.

lol to say my issues arent quality related is to be ignorant of what quality means in the first place

they are defects due to the design. hence they are quality issues

quality:
General: Measure of excellence or state of being free from defects, deficiencies, and significant variations.

i will say apples customr service was great. however, that doesnt mean i havent had quality issues with their hardware.

just because somethings fixed doesnt mean there wasnt a quality issue

heck, ive had to replace many 360's free of charge due to rrod. but those arent quality related right because they were "replace" by your logic? lol

 

[LagunaSol]

Ease down on the junk juice. If you read my statements I am ultimately on apple's side.

And I'm not "not" on your side. I'm just not on the side of silly comments.

Meaning I am on your blind faith, love affair side with apple.

Apple, like all companies, is deeply (slightly deeply?) flawed. I could talk for days on the things about Apple that annoy me.

But I could talk for months on the things about Microsoft that annoy me.

So it's easy to overlook the Apple sliver in my finger when I have a red hot Microsoft dagger jammed into my spine. To some people, such a perspective makes you an Apple cultist. Whatever.

It's annoying to come to a Mac users forum and be called a blind Apple zealot for criticizing Microsoft junk (read: Anuba - the guy who "isn't biased," but has lots of nothing good to say about Apple - on an Apple users forum).

Aren't there Windows forums out there for harassing Apple users? Or Engadget?

It might be time to change jobs if you truly are on Windows more than you are on a mac.

That's the plan.

 

[Anuba]

Um, no??? Your lame "blind faith" accusation implies that I have no idea what I'm talking about. My 17 years (40+ hours a week) using Windows say that I do. So indeed, I have refuted what you said.

Well, I spend about the same amount of time in Windows every week and I'm not really seeing the "steaming pile of garbage" here. I don't know if it relates to what you do with your computers, or your computer skills in general. As for myself, I alternate between making Flash trailers, application graphics and icons, music, sound effects and other multimedia production related stuff. If I feel like working on the Mac, I work on the Mac. If I feel like working on the PC, I work on the PC. Neither is preventing me from getting my work done. Both come from creepy, evil companies I love to hate. It's all good, or bad, or whatever.

Your debate style is...strange. Any more strawmen or stereotypes you'd like to lob my way? I haven't heard "hipster" or "Starbucks" yet - you might want to try one of those?

Those aren't Mac evangelists, those are fashion-statement Mackies. That's a whole 'nother can of stereotapeworms.

 

[VoR]

I don't think I like this idea.

Just offer a bit more for the money.

Lowering prices would make e think: what's wrong with the unit?

Price drops can be a very slippery thing.

Only if you start trying to figure out what you've been paying extra for in the past?
I think any sensible purchase is made by someone looking carefully at a product and it's cost, rather than assuming that a premium price is a premium product.

 

[Shiner]

lol to say my issues arent quality related is ignorant

they are defects due to the design. hence they are quality issues

quality:
General: Measure of excellence or state of being free from defects, deficiencies, and significant variations.

i will say apples customr service was great. however, that doesnt mean i havent had quality issues with their hardware.

just because somethings fixed doesnt mean there wasnt a quality issue

heck, ive had to replace many 360's free of charge. but those are quality related right? lol

On these forums ignorance runs wild. I use both platforms and they both have their pluses and minuses.

MacBook Pro- Overheating issues-replaced lost mac for one week (fixed)
Next it was the screen flickering issue (fixed 2 weeks).
Next it was the battery replacement program. (no biggie fixed but had to use my pc laptop for two trips)

MacPro-Came DOD. Apple store replaced it immediately but I had to drive 2 hours to get the new one.
Memory failed after 1 month.
30 inch screen failed after 3 months.
Everything replaced by apple in a somewhat timely fashion.

Reliable not in my book.

 

[Eidorian]

You're telling me Apple can't put lower powered processors into their computers and not retain good quality machines? Some of you people really get on my nerves. You're willing to pay X amount, and wouldn't consider a lower price?

People cry over 3 vs. 6 MB of L2 cache.

Apple started offering lower cache processors back when Penryn came out.

 

[Eric S.]

I agree with everything you said except the higher-quality, higher-cost products. You make a valid point about windows 7 but it is lost when you make these statements. The parts are all the same!!! Other than the enclosure the rest is identical. Please quit saying this over and over!

I think I only said it once, not over and over, but in any case when I said "Microsoft built its empire on the willingness of consumers to buy cheap crap rather than higher-quality, higher-cost products," I meant it historically. In other words, back in the '80s, "PCs" and their clones were not of the same quality as other systems in the same market, including Apple. This started with the CPU - the 8086 and its descendants couldn't hold a candle to the 68000 family, z8000 family, etc. Nevertheless PC clones running crappy MS-DOS captured most of the market.

 

[DMann]

they are defects due to the design. hence they are quality issues

That's strange, you later state it's due to their hardware, not design.

i will say apples customr service was great. however, that doesnt mean i havent had quality issues with their hardware.just because somethings fixed doesnt mean there wasnt a quality issue.

How many times have you had the issue since?

heck, ive had to replace many 360's free of charge due to rrod. but those arent quality related right because they were "replace" by your logic? lol

So then, Apple replaced your MBP? Glad to hear it

 

[Anuba]

Plastic does crack - thicker, heavier, higher grade plastic would be equally prone to cracking. The point is, only a small percentage of iPhones sold do crack, and they are immediately replaced under warrantee. The quality of the plastic and components of the iPhone are pretty high, by most standards.

Plastic or not, there are two main reasons for Apple's quality issues:

1) China. 'Nuff said.

2) They often go for unusual design choices that haven't undergone any real world testing (50 people at Apple carrying around prototypes isn't the real world). Take the Titanium PowerBooks that were notorious for hinge breakage. Well, that's what you get if you use a material that no other manufacturer uses. The chrome back on iPods -- guaranteed to look like garbage after two days of use. The wafer-thin MBA -- guaranteed to have heat issues.

Exactly like Citroën. Bold, innovative and jam packed with unique solutions, yes... and also every car mechanic's dream cash cow.

 

[LagunaSol]

I don't know if it relates to what you do with your computers, or your computer skills in general.

Blame the user - it's the Microsoft Way. Since I'm the go-to guy for Windows issues in my (large) office, I guess it's probably not my computer skills in general (or perhaps my computer skills are just less pathetic than my coworkers?).

I'm sure the cryptic error messages I get in SharePoint (and PowerPoint, etc.) all day ("The exception unknown software exception (0xc06d007f) occurred in the application at location 0x7c812a6b.") make perfect sense to a Windows genius like yourself. Yes, I'm reading that error message from the screen of my HP Compaq nc6220 this very moment. And WTF is an "exception unknown software exception???"

Oh, and registering a DLL file in the registry so PowerPoint will display thumbnails of clip art, why, any brain dead user should be able to figure that out!

If Windows is such a great OS and such a great user experience, I'm sure Microsoft has nothing to worry about. They will remain the 90% provider of computing rapture for many centuries to come.

Or...people might finally tire of the abuse and start looking for an alternative.

 

[okrelayer]

It might be a good idea in the short run, but in the long run might not be so good. we'll see!

 

[DMann]

Plastic or not, there are two main reasons for Apple's quality issues:

1) China. 'Nuff said.

2) They often go for unusual design choices that haven't undergone any real world testing (50 people at Apple carrying around prototypes isn't the real world). Take the Titanium PowerBooks that were notorious for hinge breakage. Well, that's what you get if you use a material that no other manufacturer uses. The chrome back on iPods -- guaranteed to look like garbage after two days of use. The wafer-thin MBA -- guaranteed to have heat issues.

Exactly like Citroën. Bold, innovative and jam packed with unique solutions, yes... and also every car mechanic's dream cash cow.

Yes, these are valid points - Innovation does come with a price, in this regard.

 

[NT1440]

Exactly like Citroën. Bold, innovative and jam packed with unique solutions, yes... and also every car mechanic's dream cash cow.

That makes it sound like you believe apple products fail more often than other brands products.