Apple's Stock Reaches Highest Price Since 2015

[Jsameds]

Sack Tim C... oh wait

 

[C DM]

After a visit to apple stores this weekend and seeing the crickets chirping at the watch and Macbook pro tables, I made the decision to sell during that next mystery uptick. And here we are.

My local Apple shops are a lot less busy than they used to be.

And my local ones seem to be even busier than they used to be (and they used to be fairly busy) pretty much at any station/table.

 

[Verita]

I've always liked how willing people are to say Apple is doomed… without giving any sort of timeframe. I'm doomed, you're doomed, we're all doomed if you want to be vague about it. If you keep saying Apple will fail, eventually you'll have to be right.

Here are some other prognostications:
You'll blink!
You'll sleep!
You'll feel slightly ill due to some smell!

Eww, was that you?

 

[invisiblecube]

In some ways, Apple's greatness is being killed by its own success as a public company. Shareholders demand growth above all else. But as growth in some of its traditional markets has slowed, Apple has lost focus. Less profitable parts of the business are optimized away while searching for the next big score. Aperture, displays, routers, the Mac Pro, the Mac Mini, all dead or dying. These could all still be profitable endeavors for Apple. But not profitable enough to keep the shareholder beast fed, and the stock price rising as it has over the last decade.

I'd love to see Apple try to go private and get back to being the world's greatest computer and device company. Sadly, I don't expect it to ever happen.

 

[dilbert99]

And my local ones seem to be even busier than they used to be (and they used to be fairly busy) pretty much at any station/table.

except for the mac tables

 

[MrX8503]

This kind of "success" will keep Timmy doing what he is doing.

By the time Apple realizes they've made a mistake, it'll be too late.

Both Microsoft and Google are playing the long game, and when the sh hits the fan, it'll be too late.

Apple is in chaos. This is nothing but a mask.

This article gives a good glimpse inside the madness:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-20/how-apple-alienated-mac-loyalists

The majority of people don't care that much about the Mac. I would agree that Apple has been ignoring the Mac line, but not to a point where it would devastate the company.

 

[Juicy Box]

The majority of people don't care that much about the Mac. I would agree that Apple has been ignoring the Mac line, but not to a point where it would devastate the company.

You are probably right, a lot more people use the iOS devices the Mac line.

Me on the other hand use iOS devices because I love my Macs. I use Apple's ecosystem, because I love my Macs. If Apple metaphorically or literally dumps the Mac line, then I, a long time fan of Apple, will dump their ecosystem.

While there may not be many people like myself, I think the Apple's long-time core fan base is very similar.

So, you may say, why would it matter if Apple loses its relatively small Mac fan base when they have a huge mobile business? The issue is that time has shown that the phone market is hard to hold. Phones are trendy products, and besides being in a particular ecosystem, it is relatively easy to switch from one brand to another.

Look at Nokia and BB. Ten years ago, not too many were predicting that they would be were they are today. I am not saying Apple is going to go out of business any time soon, but neglecting long time great products like the AirPort, iPods, Macs, and displays, could drive away their core customers.

Basically, I wouldn't dismiss the Mac as irrelevant to Apple.

 

[melendezest]

The majority of people don't care that much about the Mac. I would agree that Apple has been ignoring the Mac line, but not to a point where it would devastate the company.

We'll see about that. Clearly Timmy doesn't care about it; he wants us to use iPads (too crippled for power users) that are nowhere near a replacement.

In my opinion the Mac OS is the ONLY thing Apple makes that still has no equal (even if WinX is getting closer). But their hardware missteps have many Mac fans looking somewhere else (myself included).

Apple's trying to make the iPhone the center of the universe is a mistake. It's sells more than the Mac because it costs $30 a month. But it is equally-and-or-less functional (capability-wise) than many Android phones out there of equivalent value. We're pretty far away from 2007.

So again, we'll see, but I don't like where this is going.

 

[MrX8503]

We'll see about that. Clearly Timmy doesn't care about it; he wants us to use iPads (too crippled for power users) that are nowhere near a replacement.

The majority of users aren't power users, so an iPad would suffice. That's what Tim Cook is referring to.

In my opinion the Mac OS is the ONLY thing Apple makes that still has no equal (even if WinX is getting closer). But their hardware missteps have many Mac fans looking somewhere else (myself included).

I picked up a 2016 MacBook Pro and I'm satisfied with the hardware. The build quality is stellar, but the CPU and GPU is ok. Intel is mostly at fault here for the mediocre CPUs. Could Apple have gone with NVIDIA? Maybe, but the power draw is too high and no support for 5K over a single cable. Supporting 5K is what Pros would want.

Apple's trying to make the iPhone the center of the universe is a mistake. It's sells more than the Mac because it costs $30 a month. But it is equally-and-or-less functional (capability-wise) than many Android phones out there of equivalent value. We're pretty far away from 2007.

So again, we'll see, but I don't like where this is going.

The iPhone applies to the majority of people and it's the majority of Apple's revenue. It's not surprising that Apple focuses heavily on the iPhone. There are great Android iPhones out there, but the iPhone 7 is the best smartphone you can buy. Many people would agree with that too.

 

[melendezest]

The majority of users aren't power users, so an iPad would suffice. That's what Tim Cook is referring to.

Yet, the majority of people are choosing to buy PCs anyway, as always. The iPad could suffice with a little vision and real courage.

I picked up a 2016 MacBook Pro and I'm satisfied with the hardware. The build quality is stellar, but the CPU and GPU is ok. Intel is mostly at fault here for the mediocre CPUs. Could Apple have gone with NVIDIA? Maybe, but the power draw is too high and no support for 5K over a single cable. Supporting 5K is what Pros would want.

And proper connectivity, and non-soldered drives and a better keyboard. All arguable, but OK.

The iPhone applies to the majority of people and it's the majority of Apple's revenue. It's not surprising that Apple focuses heavily on the iPhone. There are great Android iPhones out there, but the iPhone 7 is the best smartphone you can buy. Many people would agree with that too.

Well, my entire family disagrees. The iPhone is now just a great phone among other great phones. Me and the wife still swear by our Note5s and my teens swear by their S7 Edges. All chosen over iPhone, coming from all iPhones, in an all Mac household.

But yeah, Apple can keep thinking that. Ignoring the Mac will have a reverse-halo effect, as in "if I don't use iOS, and the Mac is more crippled by the day, why stay?" Or "I already like my PC, and (high-end) Android does just as much if not more than iPhone, so why Apple?"

Once more, sales numbers will do the talking, but there are plenty here that are thinking that way (myself included, sadly).

 

[MrX8503]

Yet, the majority of people are choosing to buy PCs anyway, as always. The iPad could suffice with a little vision and real courage.

Windows has been outselling Macs for decades now and it hasn't hurt Apple one bit.

And proper connectivity, and non-soldered drives and a better keyboard. All arguable, but OK.

I prefer USB-C and the new keyboard. Would be nice to not have soldered drives, but it's not a must have for me. I have the nTB MacBook Pro, so the drive isn't soldered, but I don't plan on upgrading it anyway.

Well, my entire family disagrees. The iPhone is now just a great phone among other great phones. Me and the wife still swear by our Note5s and my teens swear by their S7 Edges. All chosen over iPhone, coming from all iPhones, in an all Mac household.

But yeah, Apple can keep thinking that. Ignoring the Mac will have a reverse-halo effect, as in "if I don't use iOS, and the Mac is more crippled by the day, why stay?" Or "I already like my PC, and (high-end) Android does just as much if not more than iPhone, so why Apple?"

Once more, sales numbers will do the talking, but there are plenty here that are thinking that way (myself included, sadly).

Apple is just fine if your family disagrees. The iPhone 7 outsells the galaxy line by a huge margin.

My 2016 nTB MacBook Pro is the best laptop I've ever used and it's far from being crippled. People that aren't happy with it are in the minority. It's like the headphone jack hate, loud noise from the few that doesn't reflect the majority at all.

You assume that if a device does more then it's better by default. That's not the purchasing habits of everyone and definitely not the purchasing habits of Apple fans.

 

[melendezest]

Windows has been outselling Macs for decades now and it hasn't hurt Apple one bit.

Apple is still riding the Steve Jobs wave. It isn't the 00s anymore. We'll see if they can keep the momentum.

I prefer USB-C and the new keyboard. Would be nice to not have soldered drives, but it's not a must have for me. I have the nTB MacBook Pro, so the drive isn't soldered, but I don't plan on upgrading it anyway.

I'd preferred a mix of ports, and the older kb. Oh well.

Apple is just fine if your family disagrees. The iPhone 7 outsells the galaxy line by a huge margin.

True, but the chinks in the armor are starting to show. Still, more people choose Android over Apple devices by a huge margin.

My 2016 nTB MacBook Pro is the best laptop I've ever used and it's far from being crippled. People that aren't happy with it are in the minority. It's like the headphone jack hate, loud noise from the few that doesn't reflect the majority at all.

Hey, can't argue if it works for you. But I'm sure people would've complained less if Apple had mixed it up a bit with the ports.

You assume that if a device does more then it's better by default. That's not the purchasing habits of everyone and definitely not the purchasing habits of Apple fans.

Well, Apple sales are down. 'Nuff said.

 

[MrX8503]

Apple is still riding the Steve Jobs wave. It isn't the 00s anymore. We'll see if they can keep the momentum.

True, but the chinks in the armor are starting to show. Still, more people choose Android over Apple devices by a huge margin.

People have been buying non Apple devices by a huge margin for decades. That's just fine for Apple because Apple isn't in the business of fighting for the bottom line. You don't understand that and competitors don't either.

Hey, can't argue if it works for you. But I'm sure people would've complained less if Apple had mixed it up a bit with the ports.

Apple can't please everyone and those that are unhappy with the MBPs are in the minority. Complaints in tech forums is a drop in the bucket compared to the majority of consumers.

Well, Apple sales are down. 'Nuff said.

iPhone sales are down compared to a year ago because the iPhone 6 sold abnormally well due to the screen size. The 6S sold less than the 6, but it still sold more than the 5S. The market is saturated, so I don't see mega growth like with the iPhone 6. Most likely, we'll see minimal growth with iPhone sales stabilizing over the years. It's far from a death spiral trend and the stock market seems to agree.

 

[melendezest]

People have been buying non Apple devices by a huge margin for decades. That's just fine for Apple because Apple isn't in the business of fighting for the bottom line. You don't understand that and competitors don't either.

I do understand that. But my point is this isn't 2007. Microsoft and Android have come a long way and the playing field is more level now than ever before. Apple used to provide products that were clearly superior to the competition, at a higher price. No longer. Apple is standing still, and the competition is catching and sometimes surpassing Apple in some respects.

Apple can't please everyone and those that are unhappy with the MBPs are in the minority. Complaints in tech forums is a drop in the bucket compared to the majority of consumers.

Again, sales numbers will tell the real picture. But the complaints are not limited to tech forums. Many tech sites have pointed out that the forward-thinking with going USB-C only may have been a bit too forward thinking.

iPhone sales are down compared to a year ago because the iPhone 6 sold abnormally well due to the screen size. The 6S sold less than the 6, but it still sold more than the 5S. The market is saturated, so I don't see mega growth like with the iPhone 6. Most likely, we'll see minimal growth with iPhone sales stabilizing over the years. It's far from a death spiral trend and the stock market seems to agree.

Right, because it couldn't possibly be for any other reason, like, say, the iPhone is not as compelling anymore and/or people really do want a damn headphone jack. Again, time will tell, but barring some real innovations I see an acceleration in the down-slide coming.

 

[MrX8503]

I do understand that. But my point is this isn't 2007. Microsoft and Android have come a long way and the playing field is more level now than ever before. Apple used to provide products that were clearly superior to the competition, at a higher price. No longer. Apple is standing still, and the competition is catching and sometimes surpassing Apple in some respects.

No you don't. Android and Windows will always be fighting for the bottom line because that's how their business works. The premium line has been dominated by Apple for years. Yes there are galaxies and surfaces, but those aren't selling nearly as well as Apple's. Also keep in mind that people don't easily switch platforms.

I don't think you understand Apple's business at all.

Again, sales numbers will tell the real picture. But the complaints are not limited to tech forums. Many tech sites have pointed out that the forward-thinking with going USB-C only may have been a bit too forward thinking.

Apple is projected to do very well, hence the uptick in their stock. I would argue that the impact of no headphone jack and no ports on the MacBook Pro was minimal.

Right, because it couldn't possibly be for any other reason, like, say, the iPhone is not as compelling anymore and/or people really do want a damn headphone jack. Again, time will tell, but barring some real innovations I see an acceleration in the down-slide coming.

It's not likely the reason because the smartphone industry as a whole has slowed down. iPhone sales are down a year ago, but it's still up from two years ago.

I don't see iPhone sales accelerating downwards. If you do, then maybe you should be shorting AAPL stock.