Apple's Annual Shareholder Meeting Notes

[touring]

Shareholders meetings every April

Me too.... Obviously my paltry sum of apple stock doesnt warrant an invitation of this magnititude!

You needed to have owned your Apple shares prior to February 28, 2006. I bought my shares on March 7, 2006, so I did not get an invite either. I will be going next year for sure!😎

Checkout the 2006 Proxy on http://www.apple.com/investor

 

[imacdaddy]

Meh. That article's not very good in pointing that out. For example, there's a problem in using the weight of recycled products--if HP's average product is substantially heavier than Apple's, then it's naturally going to have more tonnage of recyling (particularly since their sales are higher). Too, a company with a higher percentage of corporate sales are going to find it easier and cheaper to recycle its products.

THe people pressing Apple on recycling are not doing a very good job in presenting their case.

Life cycle of Apple computers are much longer than PCs. People are still using their 5+ years Macs. So not much to recycle ya think?

 

[swingerofbirch]

will the audio of this meeting be released?

 

[boncellis]

You gotta remember when Apple is airing these ads ... during prime time TV when the masses are watching. 15"/17" MBP's are NOT for the masses. They are for professionals. iBooks/MacBooks ARE for the masses...

Hmm...you might be on to something...😉

I remember Apple advertising the PowerMac (the one that blew its user through the wall of his house) and that is supposedly for "professional" users. I understand your point, though.

 

[boncellis]

...That's right, because software that's already native doesn't matter, only software that isn't yet 😉 And nobody could ever be productive in the meantime with Photoshop at G4 speeds via Rosetta on Conroe 😉 That's why every print shop always has only brand-new top-speed computers 😉

I believe that's check...and mate. Where have you been lately, Nagromme?

 

[JAT]

Steve is happy that Apple is in the top 10 of companies that recycle? Sounds a bit like complacency to me.

I'd like to see Apple push much further ahead on environmental responsibility, become the market leader, demonstrate it is thinking beyond just end-of-life 'recycling' to the whole product life including manufacture, shipping and the rest, changing and raising the game so that other companies have to follow suit because consumers begin to expect it as normal.

Just like Apple does in other areas.

Sounds like people are confusing Apple recycling their own stuff and collecting stuff from customers. I think SJ was talking about their own stuff. They haven't had much of a collection program running before, so doubtful he'd gush over that.

 

[dongmin]

Ripping CDs doesn't kill off iTunes. iTunes profits aren't Apple's main goal--the service mainly sells hardware. I don't think Apple PVR is out of the question. (In fact, it would likely be integrated WITH iTunes.)

Umm, the TV/video market is nothing like the music market.

1. TV, as it's consumed, is essentially a subscription model. You shell out $40-60 to your cable provider to have access to content. Music, on the other hand, has traditionally been owned.

2. The video quality on iTMS sucks, and it's not gonna cut it in the world of HDTV. The quality of the music, on the other hand, is 'good enough' for the vast majority of people.

The DVR essentially allows people who're renting the content to actually own it. The quality and convenience of TiVo is vastly superior to any previous method of recording TV. That's why it's a big deal. Imagine if music was broadcast in 128kbps AAC quality and people had the means to record any broadcast/stream out there and do it smartly by having a piece of software locate all songs by bands and genres you like. Don't you think that would change how you consumed music? That's essentially what TiVo does for video.

The only way iTMS will be able to compete against DVRs is if they upped the quality drastically, which is not likely to happen anytime soon, and if they sold content not available on normal cable.

 

[aswitcher]

Interesting that you rhapsodize over a piece of kit that few people wanted (the cube), while saying that the problem with the upcoming Conroe mini-tower is that people would like it better than what's currently in Apple's lineup.

Apple would sell more systems if the big gap between the MiniMacIntel and the maxi-tower were filled. (marketshare goodness)

Probably a fair number of the Conroe mini-tower sales would include an Apple display - meaning more money for Apple than an iMacIntel purchase.

Since Apple doesn't even break out sales figures by product line - what's the real problem if some of the Conroe mini-tower sales are upsells from the MiniMacIntel and the iMacIntel?

They could do an iMac without a screen (lies flat and in black) and an extra port or two but in my mind it would want to be a digital receiver like device but without speaker out port and have:

Up to Dual 250gig HDD
DVI out
HDMI out and preferably a couple HDMI ins
Digital Audio out and anything up to four optical audio ins
802.11n for broadcasting video to new 802.11n airports
and they also may want a few analogue video and audio inputs as well

I think my dream MM centre is to ambitious for Apple.

Oh, and upscaling DVD player and bluray... 😉

 

[AidenShaw]

Are you saying the problems with Netburst and the Pentium 4 weren't real?

They're 'bitchin' chips that work really well and fast - but the "problem" is that they are power hungry.

Needs to be fixed (and is in the upcoming "Core" microarchitecture - although the current "Core" chips don't use the "Core" microarchitecture).

How many of the Apple adverts touted power consumption - any? They seemed to focus on performance.

Apple is actually using new Intel chips (known as "Core") that did not even exist before this year.

The Yonah is a stop-gap, based on the Banias/Dothan architecture - it's not the new "Core" architecture.

However, all of the Intel chips (Netburst, Pentium M/Yonah, and Core) have SSE, not Altivec. (Ooops, the Lord God Jobs says "Velocity Engine", not "Altivec".)

So, all of the Apple criticism of SSE in the Pentium no longer applies to SSE in the Yonah/Core? LOL 🙄

Intel's integrated GMA graphics were the spawn of the Devil - but now that Apple's using it in the MiniMacIntel and upcoming iBookIntel it's a wonderful low cost high performance solution. 😱 🙄

 

[Arcady]

You needed to have owned your Apple shares prior to February 28, 2006. I bought my shares on March 7, 2006, so I did not get an invite either. I will be going next year for sure!😎 [/url]

I've been a shareholder since 1997, and I have never received an invite to anything.

And what's all this junk about recycling old Macs? I thought that was what eBay was for.

 

[Macnoviz]

OOOOOhh

Anyone else experiencing cold shivers on his back?

because I do

I hope Winblows lusers will finally realise Mac superiority with a cool 13,3 inch Macbook

Oh! Suit you, Sir !

 

[7on]

I can't believe all this bitchin! 😀



Are you saying the problems with Netburst and the Pentium 4 weren't real? Because Intel would disagree. And Apple has shown no sign of using any of the chips they have touted the G5 over. Apple is actually using new Intel chips (known as "Core") that did not even exist before this year.

I don't think ads for Conroe make sense in May, in any case.



That's right, because software that's already native doesn't matter, only software that isn't yet 😉 And nobody could ever be productive in the meantime with Photoshop at G4 speeds via Rosetta on Conroe 😉 That's why every print shop always has only brand-new top-speed computers 😉

haha, word. My design prof still uses an old G3 running os9. 😱

 

[AidenShaw]

Life cycle of Apple computers are much longer than PCs. People are still using their 5+ years Macs. So not much to recycle ya think?

Used to be - but now that Apple is selling Intel PCs that run Windows, with the same chips and chipsets that Dell/HP/Lenovo/... use, why would you assume that the anecdotal historical data will still apply?

Or apply anymore than it does now? I still run into the occasional Pentium running Windows 95 - there are 10 year old Intel computers still in use out there....

I don't think ads for Conroe make sense in May, in any case.

You're right - ads for the new Conroe mini-tower will be in late June and July.

 

[TopGear]

i dont care about PVR to be honest. i just want a 13 or 12 in macbook.

Me too. Lightweight and widescreen.

 

[50548]

Interesting that you rhapsodize over a piece of kit that few people wanted (the cube), while saying that the problem with the upcoming Conroe mini-tower is that people would like it better than what's currently in Apple's lineup.

Apple would sell more systems if the big gap between the MiniMacIntel and the maxi-tower were filled. (marketshare goodness)

Probably a fair number of the Conroe mini-tower sales would include an Apple display - meaning more money for Apple than an iMacIntel purchase.

Since Apple doesn't even break out sales figures by product line - what's the real problem if some of the Conroe mini-tower sales are upsells from the MiniMacIntel and the iMacIntel?

Sorry, but you misunderstood me...notwithstanding my romantic comment on the Cube (a really nice design), the fact is that a headless mini-tower is totally unnecessary for Apple's interests.

Besides, I don't know where I said that the tower would be the preferred machine for people; I just implied it would hurt offerings such as the iMac and the PM/MacPro.

Apart from the MacMini (which is meant to be an entry-level/switcher's machine), Apple is historically linked to higher margin products and the paradigm of AIO consumer machines.

Apple doesn't break sales figures for obvious reasons, competitive advantage being the first of them. If Apple discloses that the MacMini is selling zero, you give shareholders a horrible PR message, and a great tip to competitors about Apple's weak or strong areas.

I don't believe most would prefer expensive Apple displays...the market for that is huge, and Apple cannot risk separating CPU and display in prosumer machines. For MacPros, fine; not for the iMac.

And to replace the MacMini would be also unwise, as the tower would certainly carry a higher price tag, scaring off switchers and people on a budget.

The Cube is great, though...why not offer it again as a revamped boutique product?

 

[50548]

How many of the Apple adverts touted power consumption - any? They seemed to focus on performance.

However, all of the Intel chips (Netburst, Pentium M/Yonah, and Core) have SSE, not Altivec. (Ooops, the Lord God Jobs says "Velocity Engine", not "Altivec".)

Intel's integrated GMA graphics were the spawn of the Devil - but now that Apple's using it in the MiniMacIntel and upcoming iBookIntel it's a wonderful low cost high performance solution. 😱 🙄

You keep on rockin' as a fanboy, AidenShaw:

1) Apple has always stressed the good power consumption specs of the CoreDuo, as well as its performance, which is more than proven nowadays...unless you live in another planet you would've realized that.

2) Altivec, VMX and VE are the same things (jointly developed by Apple, IBM and Motorola), but Jobs HAS to use VE because this's the trademarked name by Apple...Altivec is Motorola's (which then require a license for its use)...you should've known that also...that's basic legal knowledge.

For your own knowledge again:

http://www.apple.com/legal/trademark/appletmlist.html
Velocity Engine® vector processing unit

3) Previous GMAs were really the devil's spawn...but the GMA950 is way better than previous crap offered in PCs, so Jobs has a good way out of that as well...

 

[AidenShaw]

You keep on rockin' as a fanboy, AidenShaw:

Back in ad hominem style, Mr. Lawyer - I was surprised that your previous post didn't start with a personal crack.

1) Apple has always stressed the good power consumption specs of the CoreDuo, as well as its performance, which is more than proven nowadays...unless you live in another planet you would've realized that.

The context of the thread was Apple's comments about PPC vs. Intel chips before the big switch - not what Apple is saying now about its Intel line. ("another planet" - crack #2)

but Jobs HAS to use VE because this's the trademarked name by Apple...

But Apple didn't need to invent its own name for the technology, so your point is not relevant. (And a name that not even many of the ardent fanbois even use - AltiVec is by far the most commonly used name.)

Did Apple trademark "Velocity Engine Extreme" for SSE3? No, that would be silly.

3) Previous GMAs were really the devil's spawn...but the GMA950 is way better than previous crap offered in PCs, so Jobs has a good way out of that as well...

That's a nice rationalization.

Most people here would only agree that the GMA950 doesn't suck as badly as the earlier ones. It's still poor at 3D, but like the earlier ones, fine for 2D work like surfing, email and Photoshop.

The big advantage of the GMA950 for Apple is the hardware accelerated MPEG decoding - so that the mini can keep up with a quad at HD video playback. That's huge.

 

[AidenShaw]

Besides, I don't know where I said that the tower would be the preferred machine for people; I just implied it would hurt offerings such as the iMac and the PM/MacPro.

The only way the new Conroe mini-tower would hurt the sales of the other lines would be if some people preferred the new Conroe mini-tower instead of the MiniMacIntel, iMacIntel, or PowerMacIntel -- c'est vrai, n'est pas?

 

[50548]

The only way the new Conroe mini-tower would hurt the sales of the other lines would be if some people preferred the new Conroe mini-tower instead of the MiniMacIntel, iMacIntel, or PowerMacIntel -- c'est vrai, n'est pas?

Bien sûr, but you said "people" before, not "some people"...this is huge difference; and your argument as moot, as "some people" will always prefer the mini tower...

 

[zap2]

Used to be - but now that Apple is selling Intel PCs that run Windows, with the same chips and chipsets that Dell/HP/Lenovo/... use, why would you assume that the anecdotal historical data will still apply?

Perhaps the same Chip but Dell and HP(not to sure abot Lenovo) uses low quality stuff because the have to, they sell PC for 299, the what you get for 299 is not going to last you, and Apple Hardware is not 299 peices of crap

 

[AidenShaw]

Perhaps the same Chip but Dell and HP(not to sure abot Lenovo) uses low quality stuff because the have to, they sell PC for 299, the what you get for 299 is not going to last you, and Apple Hardware is not 299 peices of crap

Same disks, same graphics, same....

Can you honestly show that any component of the $800 Dell or HP is really inferior to a component used by Apple in a system at close to twice the price? (Don't compare the bottom of the barrel loss leader - look at the more typical system. I see people go to Dell when they see the $500 tag, and end up with an $800 system when they think about what they really want and need. Or, compare the $299 Apple to the $299 Dell - if you can 😉
)

Considering that Dell and HP warranties are often much longer than Apple's - I don't think that you'll be successful in finding those "low quality" items. I think you'll more often find exactly the same components in both.

 

[dpaanlka]

Maybe this has something to do with the new advertising campaign?

These suddenly have been showing up allllllll over my campus:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/197497/

 

[Macnoviz]

Maybe this has something to do with the new advertising campaign?

These suddenly have been showing up allllllll over my campus:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/197497/

Mixed feelings about this, because the rumored Macbook would be ideal for students, yet here they are talking about the MBP and iMac
I hope this doesn't mean that they are unsure about releasing the MB in time for the next school year.
Still, it's pretty nive material for the ad campaign

 

[kresh]

Just saw the new iMac commercial. Way cool.

Attacking pc's on the virus front. This is just awesome!

 

[Multimedia]

New iMac Commercial On What Show?

Attacking pc's on the virus front. This is just awesome!

On What Show Please? We're still 90 minutes 'til primetime here on the west coast. 😱 24? Prison Break? CSI Miami?