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How Apple will make a ton of money on the rMBP

SDAVE

SDAVE

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jun 16, 2007
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Was just thinking about this...

I am sure the reason the prices are a bit high even on the base rMBP is due to the SSD and the Display (obviously).

But I think Apple is mostly banking on the SSD and the Display. The most on the prior.

If you look at the SSD market, it's dropping really really fast. They will be able to get it much cheaper from their supplier as the market is saturated with SSDs and lower prices. Apple will keep the pricing of the rMBP's the same for a year until a refresh (mostly CPU/GPU, as usual).

In that time, they will make a ton of cash.

The display pricing will fall much slower as the market demand is not so high.

Super smart move if you ask me. Smart move on "banking on technology".
 
Most of your posts I've seen have been anti-Apple, so it is of no surprise to me that this one follows the same theme.
 
That's what Apple does. Make their profit on the backend when the components become cheaper.

Since they're only 5 days from refreshing inventory they can leverage lower pricing on items that aren't volatile (which in case they negotiate great deals on bulk purchases) and take advantage of lower pricing as it comes.
 
SDAVE said:
If you look at the SSD market, it's dropping really really fast. They will be able to get it much cheaper from their supplier as the market is saturated with SSDs and lower prices. Apple will keep the pricing of the rMBP's the same for a year until a refresh (mostly CPU/GPU, as usual).
Click to expand...
While it's entirely possible that Apple may profit from disparity in SSD pricing, I doubt it's significant compared to the profit from the overall computer. Apple's profit margin is quite high, overall. They would do just fine, even if they make no money on the SSD. They are in the business of making money, as every company is.
 
No **** OP. Captain obvious has swooped in to save the day!!

Apple have ALWAYS charged significantly more for components than they are obtained for, and and flash storage has naturally been decreasing in price for years. Everyone knows this.
 
striker33 said:
Most of your posts I've seen have been anti-Apple, so it is of no surprise to me that this one follows the same theme.
Click to expand...

Are you kidding me?

How am I anti-Apple? I only use Macs and I bought my whole family iPhones and iPads.

I am just not an Apple evangelist, if that's what you meant.

Also how is this post anti-Apple? I am praising them for being able to come out with a product that is cutting edge and still affordable.


Dangerous Theory said:
No **** OP. Captain obvious has swooped in to save the day!!

Apple have ALWAYS charged significantly more for components than they are obtained for, and and flash storage has naturally been decreasing in price for years. Everyone knows this.
Click to expand...

Great reply, mate. You're making yourself look like a jerk one day at a time.
 
It is up to the consumer to decide if what they are buying is worth the cost. Right now, it seems for 256GB, you can buy the equivalent Samsung SSD for $300. If in 6 months, that same SSD is $100, then it is up for the consumer to decide on whether the rMBP is a good deal.

That is why I've been hanging on for nearly the past year for Ivy Bridge to come out. I knew once it did, I could either get a better processor or get the same processor for cheaper. If I ended up waiting 6 months to buy the rMBP, I'd probably just wait 6 more months for the next iteration.
 
GGJstudios said:
While it's entirely possible that Apple may profit from disparity in SSD pricing, I doubt it's significant compared to the profit from the overall computer. Apple's profit margin is quite high, overall. They would do just fine, even if they make no money on the SSD. They are in the business of making money, as every company is.
Click to expand...

If you add the costs of the components in this laptop, even the base model, you will see that the profit margin is not so high at the moment.
 
SDAVE said:
If you add the costs of the components in this laptop, even the base model, you will see that the profit margin is not so high at the moment.
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You have no idea what prices Apple pays. Their margins are historically very high, and I seriously doubt the RMBP is any different.
 
GGJstudios said:
You have no idea what prices Apple pays. Their margins are historically very high, and I seriously doubt the RMBP is any different.
Click to expand...

You speak as if you're a spokesperson for Apple.

They use standard business practices. Profit is gained at a later date (due to lower prices of parts), not during launch. Same happens in gaming consoles, etc.
 
SDAVE said:
Or one who lives on this forum.
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What does that have to do with anything, except the fact that it indicates I may spend more time reading and learning about these topics than some others?
SDAVE said:
The articles, which I've read long before you did,
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You have absolutely no idea when I read them.
SDAVE said:
Nowhere else in the industry is the new display being used.
Click to expand...
That is completely irrelevant. Apple has historically used some components that aren't used anywhere else in the industry when some products are initially introduced. That doesn't say anything at all about their profit margins.
 
No doubt, then again Apple`s profitability is what helps them produce what they do in an era were many tech companies are losing money. No one else comes close on quality or customer service, and Apple is growing its customer base. I completely agree that Apple is making a very significant profit on all it`s products, yet their are few who can contend, or complain, would you prefer cut cost pricing, and bargin basement systems, mediocre design, and performance I know I wouldn't.

Apple`s "economy of scale" is what makes the difference, and that is why they are frequently first to market, not the technology, the hardware rMBP exemplifies this president.
 
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Come-On, Apple have high profit margins, but who has the best customer support, who spends months even years designing products...

No other company spends more on this than Apple! As always, you get what you pay for :p

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I should have read the post above me.. :p
 
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