Best Buy CEO Claims iPad Cannibalizing Notebook Sales By 'As Much As 50%'

[RalfTheDog]

I think the real story is that Apple is getting lots more money they can pump into R&D. The Windows world is getting choked out. If this trend continues, I see Apple dominating the market.

It will be fun to see what is happening 10 years from now.

 

[RalfTheDog]

Agree, but 'as much as 50%' is just too much for me to believe it. Sorry BB, it's BS.

I can see 90% in a few years.

 

[Will do good]

iPad wouldn't make it

And for all the Apple haters... iPad wouldn't make it Is that why all the other companies are rushing to copy the iPad?

 

[Pilgrim1099]

Once again, Steve Jobs has pulled yet another masterstroke. This man is a business genius and visionary of the first order.

Don't make me laugh. This level of a$$ kissery is digusting and nauseating that it should be discouraged in this forum. He is only a man. Not a GOD. He's a good businessman, sure, with some interesting ideas, but he did miss some golden opportunities. Have you seen the latest laptop with two screens from Toshiba:

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/tos.../4505-3121_7-34167329.html?tag=topPanelArea.0

Why did they not go that route? This is something the MacBook Air (sounds really gay. MacBook f-Airy. My opinion) could have been.

And lastly, if he was such a business genius and visionary, why then did he let 'Antenna-gate' happen?

Lack of foresight and arrogance. Not vision. It's high time that Apple fanboys and girls need to stop talking out of their a$$es.

Sorry Moderator, but this needs to be said.

 

[Digitalclips]

If iPad was eating into Macbook sales it would be cannibalizing.

iPad eating Netbook sales is simply one companies product feeding on other companies product sales. Not cannibalism, just regular old eating!

Exactly right.

 

[RalfTheDog]

Exactly right.

Lets cover this one more time.

From Apples perspective, it is not cannibalization. From the perspective of Best Buy it is. Best buy would have sold a note book. Instead, they sold an iPad.

 

[ctdonath]

he did miss some golden opportunities. Have you seen the latest laptop with two screens from Toshiba:
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/tos.../4505-3121_7-34167329.html?tag=topPanelArea.0
Why did they not go that route?

Did you read your own link? "...is a fun, quirky experiment, but it's still more of an expensive executive toy than a practical PC." Nope.

 

[axual]

Yes ... and

If iPad was eating into Macbook sales it would be cannibalizing.

iPad eating Netbook sales is simply one companies product feeding on other companies product sales. Not cannibalism, just regular old eating!

I think "gorging" might be a better word (at 50%) ...

 

[Nomadski]

But, a notebook is a gravy train of upsells: virus protection software, initial setup and crapware removal, extended warranties, printers, $30 USB cables, etc. Then after they take it home you can sell them virus removal services and all kinds of repairs like cracked screen replacements, etc. Don't forget Microsoft Office at $149 and up, and other packaged software at $39.95 minimum.

Im not sure im getting your point? You buy an ipad theres even MORE upsell potential - Applecare, USB Connection Kit, Case, Screen Protector, iTunes Vouchers, VGA Connection Kit, VGA Cable, Keyboard Dock, Standard Dock, Companies own warranty (should they provide accidental cover not provided by Applecare) etc etc etc

Apple are the kings of "extra stuff" you need to buy for your Apple product. hell you need to buy a laptop if you haven't got one just to activate their products.

I dont like Windoze but at least they work out of the box.

 

[2992]

I can see 90% in a few years.

if so, then my next MacBook(Pro) will for sure be an iPad, so I can join the crowd.

PS: I'm personally just 'patiently' waiting for the MBA to become powerful enough to replace my MBP, and then I'll be juuuust fine checking&writing emails, chatting on messenger, posting on fb, doing all those "consumer oriented activities" using a real qwerty keyboard.

 

[ctdonath]

Do you think the average "dad" will pay an average of $600 for each of its kids to have an iPad only to play around with it?

Well, when you add up notebook, music player, TV/video player[s (bedroom, car)], game console, telephone*, furniture & cases to mount/store them, premiums for physical media (books, DVDs), etc. it all adds up to well more than $600.

(* - yes, I'm starting to use my iPad as a phone more and may very well give up the cell phone not long from now.)

 

[ctdonath]

doing all those "consumer oriented activities" using a real qwerty keyboard.

So get a wireless keyboard to accompany the iPad.

And instead of limiting your total capabilities to a MB*, split the devices and get a full-blown big-screen big-storage high-speed desktop as home base while "doing all those consumer oriented activities" the anywhere anytime 1.5lb iPad.

 

[csimmons]

Don't make me laugh. This level of a$$ kissery is digusting and nauseating that it should be discouraged in this forum. He is only a man. Not a GOD. He's a good businessman, sure, with some interesting ideas, but he did miss some golden opportunities. Have you seen the latest laptop with two screens from Toshiba:

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/tos.../4505-3121_7-34167329.html?tag=topPanelArea.0

Why did they not go that route? This is something the MacBook Air (sounds really gay. MacBook f-Airy. My opinion) could have been.

And lastly, if he was such a business genius and visionary, why then did he let 'Antenna-gate' happen?

Lack of foresight and arrogance. Not vision. It's high time that Apple fanboys and girls need to stop talking out of their a$$es.

Sorry Moderator, but this needs to be said.

You must be a Fox News-er. You write like one.

 

[2992]

Well, when you add up notebook, music player, TV/video player[s (bedroom, car)], game console, telephone*, furniture & cases to mount/store them, premiums for physical media (books, DVDs), etc. it all adds up to well more than $600.

(* - yes, I'm starting to use my iPad as a phone more and may very well give up the cell phone not long from now.)

hmmm*... sounds like one of those 50% mentioned by the BB's CEO...

(* - you gotta be kidding me and yourself when saying iPad can take over the functions of all those listed above .)

 

[aristotle]

Strange, people really shouldn't be making a choice between a netbook and an iPad.

Why? Do you really consider a netbook to be "real" computer? You might be able to "run" some MS office apps but you certainly will not be able to run more demanding apps like games whereas an iPad can run iOS games very well.

Most people who considered netbooks were not looking for full fledged computers with portability because if they were, they would have bought an actual laptop instead of a low powered netbook.

 

[macnerd93]

all i have to say is

I love a happy ending , this was inevitable. I laugh at the people who say the iPad its a failure, when clearly its not. Admittedly it wont in its current form ever replace a full featured laptop, but for web browsing, youtube, note-taking its going to be useful. Cant wait to get mine . Plus if the article means netbook sales rather than general notebook sales, its pretty obvious since all the latest netbooks i''ve used struggle to play youtube videos in HD LOL, some even lagged in Word 2007

 

[rstorm]

Be interesting to see what happens when the Android tablets come out. Will this mean the total demise of the netbook?

This will be good news for all consumers as it will push Apple to make the iPad even better! Also I am sure you will be able to get a fantastic deal on a netbook on Black Friday as they will be forced to move the inventory.

 

[NetScheduler]

Don't make me laugh. This level of a$$ kissery is digusting and nauseating that it should be discouraged in this forum. He is only a man. Not a GOD. He's a good businessman, sure, with some interesting ideas, but he did miss some golden opportunities. Have you seen the latest laptop with two screens from Toshiba:

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/tos.../4505-3121_7-34167329.html?tag=topPanelArea.0

Why did they not go that route? This is something the MacBook Air (sounds really gay. MacBook f-Airy. My opinion) could have been.

And lastly, if he was such a business genius and visionary, why then did he let 'Antenna-gate' happen?

Lack of foresight and arrogance. Not vision. It's high time that Apple fanboys and girls need to stop talking out of their a$$es.

Sorry Moderator, but this needs to be said.

That will never happen. The idea on these forums are to see which fanboy can do the most ass kissing everyday. Opinions other than Steve is a God are not welcome. If your Mac is not operating properly, you are either Stupid, a Liar, or a Troll.

This forum used to be pretty middle of the road but over the last year or two it's quickly turning into another "Mac Daily News" (The biggest ass kissers anywhere on the net)..

You'll notice more and more posts using the humorous Fanboy Language "It's Delicious, Crappy PC's, Clunky Windows, Elegant - Oh So Elegant, and Skating to where the puck is going to be"...

I wonder if they all wear Mr. Spock's ears??

 

[ctdonath]

you gotta be kidding me and yourself when saying iPad can take over the functions of all those listed above

Um...mine has.

I don't use my notebook anymore, save for iTunes home base (which will soon be replaced by a more family-sized decked-out iMac). Remember, the scenario is an individual in a family, who has access to a family-shared computer as needed.
It's my music player. Podcast talk shows & audiobooks in the car, noise-blocking trance podcasts at work, background music at home (looking forward to "pushing" music from iPad to AirPort-tethered stereo).
For individual viewing, I watch streamed Netflix and YouTube videos on it. No bedroom or den TV needed. For $99, will hook an Apple TV to the house screen and push videos there from the iPad.
What few computer games I play are on it. Epic Citadel shows how robust those will be soon.
With Skype and Whistle, it's my phone half the time now. People are startled at how clear calls are when I use it over regular cell phone (no, I don't have an iPhone).
Physical media is giving way to digital on my iPad. Have about 200 books (all quality free classics, thanks B&N) on it, looking forward to reducing my 26 stuffed bookcases to 1 (leatherbound/old classics only). The whole CD collection is on it. Soon I'll rip all the DVDs to a pocket hard drive, and copy in-queue movies to the iPad (see above).
No furniture needed to support bulky gizmos to do all that, just one slim iPad in a nice leather case. It goes everywhere with me.

Yes, I'm doing all that now.

 

[Xian Zhu Xuande]

Do you think the average "dad" will pay an average of $600 for each of its kids to have an iPad only to play around with it? I don't think so. I think that "dad" will eventually buy a $300 netbook, eventually, to each of its kids, or even better, an iPod touch for the purpose of just playing around device for its kids..

PS: I agree, the nerd in me is buying the stuff online, because the nerd in me knows exactly what I want

Dad is either going to buy the kids a full-fledged laptop, or an iPad. Dad is probably not going to buy the kid a netbook. And kids looking at $600 as a large number need to consider that 'dad', shopping at Best Buy, probably has an adult income. If the kid is older (e.g. a college student) and dad is buying them something, it will probably be based on what they need. Under other circumstances, dad is going to buy them something bigger/more durable than a netbook or something simple, consistent, safer, and less intimidating. Dad happens to be fairly receptive to products like the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.

And the statement that dad is the big shopper at Best Buy (Barry or Ray; and mom too, or Jill) over the tech guy (Buzz) is generally accurate. There are some stores where Buzz (the most likely tech guy) comes around, but he's not where the money's at. (If they're still using those terms—probably are).

For a handful of years I worked for Best Buy overseeing/supervising GeekSquad departments through one region in the Bay Area of California. There are many negative things I could say about that company, but knowing their customers and their statistics is not one of them. Netbooks have never been popular family computers. They're too fragile and clumsy and the iPad is the perfect device to take that demographic from them. It is also becoming extremely popular among traveling businessmen and businesswomen, another demographic the netbook used to enjoy some favor with.

 

[drjsway]

When I bought my iPad, I had a MacBook Air (which I paid $1,799 for). I started out using my iPad 80% of the time. As I began to get more proficient typing on the iPad keyboard (70WPM), that number went up to 90%, then 95%. I would break out the MBA maybe once a week. Rarely did I need the extra power a MacBook provides.

Then, about a month ago, I got a quad core i7 iMac. Haven't touched my MBA since. I now have a very powerful desktop for heavy duty work and an iPad for light work. I doubt I will ever buy another traditional notebook.

The problem is, for light work, the iPad is better, more enjoyable to use. It has more than double the battery life of the MBA and less than half the price and half the weight. For heavy work, even a high end notebook is too underpowered.

I am a screenwriter and film director. I read and write on the iPad (yes, I have written full screenplays using just the on screen keyboard). I edit in Final Cut Pro (which is sluggish even on the most powerful MBP).

So a laptop isn't really great at anything... unless if you're the type who likes to pirate movies and music...

EDIT: by the way, I've been using iOS 4.2 for the last day and it really takes the iPad to another level. With multitasking, the iPad feels closer than ever to a real PC.

 

[2992]

Um...mine has.

I don't use my notebook anymore, save for iTunes home base (which will soon be replaced by a more family-sized decked-out iMac). Remember, the scenario is an individual in a family, who has access to a family-shared computer as needed.
It's my music player. Podcast talk shows & audiobooks in the car, noise-blocking trance podcasts at work, background music at home (looking forward to "pushing" music from iPad to AirPort-tethered stereo).
For individual viewing, I watch streamed Netflix and YouTube videos on it. No bedroom or den TV needed. For $99, will hook an Apple TV to the house screen and push videos there from the iPad.
What few computer games I play are on it. Epic Citadel shows how robust those will be soon.
With Skype and Whistle, it's my phone half the time now. People are startled at how clear calls are when I use it over regular cell phone (no, I don't have an iPhone).
Physical media is giving way to digital on my iPad. Have about 200 books (all quality free classics, thanks B&N) on it, looking forward to reducing my 26 stuffed bookcases to 1 (leatherbound/old classics only). The whole CD collection is on it. Soon I'll rip all the DVDs to a pocket hard drive, and copy in-queue movies to the iPad (see above).
No furniture needed to support bulky gizmos to do all that, just one slim iPad in a nice leather case. It goes everywhere with me.

Yes, I'm doing all that now.

wow, now that's something. I'm happy for you, really!

But for this/your scenario you are definitely not shopping for notebooks at BB so you can leave the place with an iPad instead, aren't you?!

... unless if you're the type who likes to pirate movies and music...

I guess I am then...

[...]EDIT: by the way, I've been using iOS 4.2 for the last day and it really takes the iPad to another level. With multitasking, the iPad feels closer than ever to a real PC.

It was about time to have some sort of multitasking on that "computer".

 

[AAPLaday]

<Snip>
So a laptop isn't really great at anything... unless if you're the type who likes to pirate movies and music...

Whoa! You can pirate on a desktop too

 

[Xian Zhu Xuande]

But for this/your scenario you are definitely not shopping for notebooks at BB so you can leave the place with an iPad instead, aren't you?!

You are misunderstanding how this works. The customer is fairly likely to know what they want by the time they've gone into to Best Buy (though you might be surprised how often that isn't the case). They've decided between netbooks and the iPad, generally, before they go into the store. They're buying the iPad more, now, and that's why statistics are changing. If anything else is eating away at netbooks it would be smartphones, but the iPad is the only worthwhile explanation. There aren't other tablet competitors [worth mentioning].

And back to an earlier point, Best Buy actually does have a lot of customers who come in not knowing what they want. The sales person advises them based on what they want to accomplish, and that advice, for a small portable device, will be to get either the netbook or the iPad (as opposed to just the netbook). In family scenarios, the iPad is going to win out in many cases.

 

[2992]

You are misunderstanding how this works. The customer is fairly likely to know what they want by the time they've gone into to Best Buy (though you might be surprised how often that isn't the case). They've decided between netbooks and the iPad, generally, before they go into the store. They're buying the iPad more, now, and that's why statistics are changing. If anything else is eating away at netbooks it would be smartphones, but the iPad is the only worthwhile explanation. There aren't other tablet competitors [worth mentioning].

And back to an earlier point, Best Buy actually does have a lot of customers who come in not knowing what they want. The sales person advises them based on what they want to accomplish, and that advice, for a small portable device, will be to get either the netbook or the iPad (as opposed to just the netbook). In family scenarios, the iPad is going to win out in many cases.

Ok, I guess you've got me convinced.
Well, byebye notebooks soon then.