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Combined Hardware-Software Subscription Bundles a Logical Step for Apple, Analysts Argue
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I can see people not wanting to deal with re-selling on their own, but the Trade-in Values from Apple are consistently lower than what I can get selling my old tech craigslist, facebook, etc.. Usually by a decent amount too. It's worth the hassle for me for an extra $100-$250.
This would be great. The problem with buying things right now is there's no real guarantee of how long they last. Now, you know exactly what you're signing up for, the ball is in the manufacturer's court to ensure their hardware lasts. If you really want to own it, you can buy your device at the end of the lease or buy someone else's off-lease device to begin with.
Look at leasing a car vs buying one, for example. TCO is factored into the lease price, including depreciation! The only downside is that people won't maintain leased vehicles as well, everything from driving on salt to putting Valero fuel in. You're better off buying if you're an expert. Same with all other rentals. That's less of an issue with electronics.
Look at leasing a car vs buying one, for example. TCO is factored into the lease price, including depreciation! The only downside is that people won't maintain leased vehicles as well, everything from driving on salt to putting Valero fuel in. You're better off buying if you're an expert. Same with all other rentals. That's less of an issue with electronics.
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Welcome? Really. We’ve been living in this world for decades. We lease automobiles, we rent apartments, we make mortgage payments on houses that we will never pay off. Many businesses lease their IT equipment. What’s the problem with leasing computer hardware that includes a software package designed for specific professional needs? We already make interest free payments on Apple products. I would definitely be interested in paying a monthly fee for an iMac that I could replace every three years, say.
Fine as an option. But like in the car industry, the consumer should have a choice of buy or lease.
Cause they know nobody is looking at those values when they buy originally, then they're desperate in the end to get rid of the old device.
This would get rid of the “I own it and I can do whatever I want with it” rant we hear all the time.
IMO we should look into having more people owning their housing rather than renting. Otherwise there's no incentive to maintain the neighborhood, and it shows. In expensive parts of CA, renting is the only real choice because property taxes are so high to compensate for longtime owners who pay a lot less (due to the infamous Prop 13) and rent out.
Electronics are different. Renting is an obviously good choice for them.
It would encourage them to put their money where their mouth is, so it'd be a good thing.
Cars are not an investment. They barely last long enough to be paid off. You're confused.
It's certainly disconcerting when you see how these companies engage in other practices. What happens on the day they decide to "cancel" you because you don't align with their opinions anymore?
like everyone, def would need to wait and see what the program details are (if this comes to reality). but if apple is expected to make more money off it - by default doesn't that mean this option is more expensive for the consumer?! might make sense for those professional users who need the latest and greatest and at least takes the re-sale of an "old" machine out of their workflow so saves some time in the time = money scenario, but don't see why this would be a viable option for most people who can expect to hold onto an iMac for 5-6 years for example.
Who said anything about an investment?? I think you’re the one who’s confused. My car’s been paid off for over two years now. Stop buying junk and it might last longer than the loan term.
..."changing consumer buying preferences."
The reason that the subscription model is becoming so common is not a "consumer preference"; it's something that's being forced on consumers with no alternative.
The reason that the subscription model is becoming so common is not a "consumer preference"; it's something that's being forced on consumers with no alternative.
I’m with you. I have a maxed 2015 rMBP 15 that is vintage, but not obsolete. I’ll be using it until a repair is needed that is too expensive to justify.
An interesting option. Apple hardware has presented different logical price points. I got an early 2008 mac pro and only retired it this year (lasted over a dozen years) primarily because it wouldn't run current software. The modular design allowed upgrades to storage, memory, external interfaces and GPU. With the current move to Apple silicon, there isn't really any high end option like this. The parallel to autos is clear - buy a solid model and keep it for many years. Common tasks such as desktop publishing, photos, audio and movies are all adequately done (at the consumer level) by mid level hardware. These trade offs will need to be recalculated.
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Yep, people are being "monthly payment-ed" to death. Big reason debt is such a big problem.
To be fair, there aren't values to look at when buying the phone originally. Apple usually doesn't post trade-in prices until the next release (I think). Also, getting rid of an old iPhone isn't a lengthy process in my experience. Within minutes of posting, I typically have 5-10 potential buyers.