HP To Offer iPod mini and iPod shuffle

[0098386]

is it just me who doesnt get the point in hp ipods?

nope, it isn't just you. iPod is synonymous with Apple, and as far as i know most are sold via the web from the apple.com website. I live near manchester, but all the iPod owners on my course do not get their iPods from Selfridges or any other designer or computer shop, but online.

do HP even do a student discount? or a simple non-VAT option? are they even sold in the UK? i've yet to see one. i don't think any of the shops i frequent sell them.

 

[tex210]

3% of what...

Wider audience? How?

The estimates I've read say that HP has about a 3% contribution to the iPod market. That's not very big, really.

3% of 100 isn't much... 3% of iPods sold is a much larger number.
Just think about all those people who point and laugh at Apple's supposed market share, then think about how many computers that actually adds up to. It's kinda like that.

 

[rockthecasbah]

The store I work at sells both apple iPods and HP iPods. Well....we carry both... NO ONE buys the HP iPods. They can't get AppleCare on it.

I wouldn't buy an HP iPod, why? They have an ugly and Huge HP sign on the back, but are identical with the Apple iPod the other way. I'm sure the resell value is worse, too since the 5 people that bought the HPs are still using theirs..

I don't really care about the Apple care. In this situation, extended warranties are just ways to squeeze extra $$$$$$$ out of the consumer. For a laptop or something you'll beat around that is quite expensive sure, but on an iPod, nah.

 

[nagromme]

HP is just one more way to sell iPods--a unique one in that it will sell to some people who shy away from Apple but trust big-name PC brands. No, it doesn't double iPod sales, but it's another outlet to move iPods through and that's a good thing.

I think an HP Mac Mini would be an interesting experiment Since the Mini can be viewed as a PC peripheral for some people.

I somehow thought HP's new CEO wouldn't continue the iPod thing since it seems to help Apple more than HP. Guess it's worth it to HP too!

 

[Tulse]

Just imagine buying a mac only its not a Mac.....

...but instead a Motorola Starmax, or a DayStar, or a Radius, or a Umax SuperMac, or a Power Computing machine (I actually owned one from these folks).

Yep, some folks forget the dark days of the clones...

As for HP selling iPods, this is anything but new. And frankly, if HP is willing to promote a competitor, more power to them. Apple loses nothing with this arrangement, and gains penetration in areas where Apple might not be considered for purchase.

 

[JesterJJZ]

I think the idea is pretty much to let people know that you can use ipods on PCs. I come across people all the time that think you need a mac to use one.

"Hey you should get an ipod."

"I can't, I don't have a mac."

 

[Frisco]

...but instead a Motorola Starmax, or a DayStar, or a Radius, or a Umax SuperMac, or a Power Computing machine (I actually owned one from these folks).

Yep, some folks forget the dark days of the clones...

We need Mac clones back. That is the only way Mac OS will survive. Apple can still survive as a computer company without the Mac, but what's the point.

It's all about Marketshare. If we don't get a lot more marketshare the Mac will be oblivious to developers. Surf the web--everything is Windows!

 

[FlyNolJ]

Yes.

I think the idea is pretty much to let people know that you can use ipods on PCs. I come across people all the time that think you need a mac to use one.

"Hey you should get an ipod."

"I can't, I don't have a mac."

All of my friends that are in the market for a MP3 player say "I don't have a Mac." I just laugh and say that they don't have a brain.

 

[ScubaDuc]

I think an HP Mac Mini would be an interesting experiment Since the Mini can be viewed as a PC peripheral for some people.

I somehow thought HP's new CEO wouldn't continue the iPod thing since it seems to help Apple more than HP. Guess it's worth it to HP too!

Thats exactly why I want to buy a Mac Mini: to add an Apple to my home network but then, why buy it from HP? In truth we all got so many computers laying around (including a Slowsilver) that I am not sure the "switch" argument holds anymore since a wi-fi network is so easy and cheap to set up.

I have waited to get the mini for Tiger but now that it is just out a post on macOSrumors points to new minis with updated videocard and extra RAM....
Back in parking ???? I would not really care for the minor speed upgrade but the videocard is another story, although I somehow doubt Apple would re-design the MB so soon after release, but hey, I would not be complaining if they do...

 

[Object-X]

Going to happen

if it sells more iPods cool

haha i wonder what would happen if apple let HP sell re-branded Macs....

I believe that this is going to happen. Though, according to
Paul Thurrott, a Windows guy, rumors were flying at last week's WinHEC that OS X is about to be ported to Intel. Not too start that discussion, but it is a rumor floating around the PC crowd. Personally, I think a rebranded Mac is more likely, but you just never know. After reading the news (or lack thereof) about Longhorn, perhaps Microsoft's demise is becoming more apparent.

Microsoft is in full blown damage control. They say Longhorn will be out in December 2006, but that is a misleading statement; what they are really saying is that OEMs will have but the general public won't get it until 2007! Mark my words, they will not release in 2006 and their claims now are only to begiule people into thinking they are closer than they are. Tiger has already delivered what Longhorn is promising.

I think Apple may take a more cautious approach and let HP, Sony, and others (?) sell a rebranded Mac. But, now is the time to strike and go for blood. Apple should release Tiger to x86 and let the superiority of their OS sell itself. These discussion have to be going on in Apple's board meetings. This OS could take them all the way. If they did this (it's a long shot to be sure), but if they did this, it would change the computer industry over night. Apple could be over 50% market share before Longhorn ever saw the light of day.

 

[swissmann]

I wonder how much Apple makes off of each HP iPod sale as compared to the Apple iPod? How much does HP make?

 

[Tulse]

according to
Paul Thurrott, a Windows guy, rumors were flying at last week's WinHEC that OS X is about to be ported to Intel. Not too start that discussion, but it is a rumor floating around the PC crowd.

I think that's more an indication of how desperate the PC side is for decent hardware and innovative software. There is still no good economic argument for Apple to move to x86 chips. Apple makes its money on hardware -- why should it let generic whitebox makers get a slice of that?

Besides, Paul Thurrott has a lousy reputation for rumours (and is generally considered an unreflective shill for Microsoft).

We need Mac clones back. That is the only way Mac OS will survive.

The same argument regarding moving to Intel applies to PowerPC-based clones as well. When the experiment was tried previously, the explicit purpose was to let clone makers produce low-end machines to expand the user base while Apple produced its higher-end, more expensive models. In reality, the clones didn't expand the Mac marketshare, but instead ate into Apple's existing userbase. Apple's response was to kill cloning, and take on the low end themselves, first with the iMac, and now with the Mac mini.

Given that Merril Lynch and others are predicting sizable increases in Apple's computer marketshare over the next year, it sure looks to me like Apple made the right call regarding the clones.

 

[iJWC]

QUOTE=Object-X "After reading the news (or lack thereof) about Longhorn, perhaps Microsoft's demise is becoming more apparent. "



LOL...I've heard it all now. MS just posted something like 2.9 Billion with a B NET profit in one quarter.

 

[sw1tcher]

I've heard that the HP iPod has a better warranty and better tech support than Apple has. Is that true?

Nope. The warranty is still 1 year regardless if it's Apple or HP branded. As for tech support, I doubt it. Apple's tech support is/has been top notch IMO.

 

[cgundlach]

HP should be ashamed

They killed HP-UX, PA-RISC, and Alpha, so they could sell Windoze, Red Hat and Intel processors. HP needs to change its motto from Invent to Resell.

 

[sw1tcher]

We need Mac clones back. That is the only way Mac OS will survive.

When Mac clones were allowed, they actually were hurting Apple's sales. Apple would have to charge an arm and a leg (and a kidney) for the OS if they are to thrive on it alone. Clones now would be a bad idea.

Besides, the Mac mini is already helping Apple's marketshare. I wouldn't worry too much about marketshare.

 

[Object-X]

LOL...I've heard it all now. MS just posted something like 2.9 Billion with a B NET profit in one quarter.

A little enthusiastic hyperbole. However, my underlying point is I don't think Longhorn is ever going to see the light of day; so, it might take over two years for OS X to reach that percentage, but they could before Microsoft could ever produce a "new" OS. I honestly don't think Microsoft can deliver it; it's going to wind up being an addition to XP/2003. So, selling a rebranded Mac won't put a dent in that number, but porting OS X to other proccessors would.

 

[iJWC]

I honestly don't think Microsoft can deliver it; it's going to wind up being an addition to XP/2003. So, selling a rebranded Mac won't put a dent in that number, but porting OS X to other proccessors would.

Were off topic here but never underestimate your opponent. I don't see MS as evil as most Mac users. There are a lot of smart people employed by Redmond as well and I think they will deliver Longhorn. In what form, that is too be seen. MS isn't showing all of their cards so what you read on the net may not be the true facts. They will deliver because they know they have too. The computer industry needs some shaking up and Apple is finally applying some pressure.

 

[evilbert420]

This isn't about the iPod (although getting the iPod into stores that aren't "good" enough to carry Apple products is a good thing).

This is all about iTunes: Making it the default music player (and therefore music store) on millions of mass-market PCs.

Halo-effect people. Halo-effect.

 

[Object-X]

Where have you been?

We need Mac clones back. That is the only way Mac OS will survive. Apple can still survive as a computer company without the Mac, but what's the point.

First of all, Apple is not the same company it was 5 years ago. Apple is quickly getting to the point where it will no longer needs computer sales to be profitable. That is not the case yet, but it will be soon. They are sitting on a potential gold mine with iTunes; they claim it doesn't make them a lot of profit, but don't believe that BS. The potential there is unbelievable. Job's is also eyeing the movie and video industry; expect very big things to come from this new H.264 codec. Apple is in the midst of a major transition, but Jobs is trying very hard to keep this reality from being fully known; by playing his cards tight, I believe Apple is going to make a massive move that is going to stun this industry. All of the pieces need for this are being put in place.

Apple has been slowly but surely transforming itself into a software company. Think of the profits they could make by selling OS X to the rest of the world for half the price of Windows, and iLife software, iWork, all the pro software, ect.

Why is HP rebranding Apple hardware? Are they making a profit on it? It has everyone scratching their heads, but we accept it because, hey, it's sells more iPods...it must be good. I'm telling you, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Expect much more of this and other companies too.

Does Apple want to remain at less than 5% market share? Can IBM chips alone take them higher? Industry moves are not just about products, they are also driven by timing. Apple needed to finish OS X and establish it before they could ever dream of selling it outside thier installed base. They have done that. So now what? A rebranded Mac sold by HP and others? Perhaps, but think bigger.

Everyone sees Microsoft as this huge Goliath. But little ol' Apple with it's puny David 3% market share, what can they do? OS X is the stone my friend, and Apple is about to let it fly.

 

[GilGrissom]

Hopefully HP bundles the iPods with their computer with an iPod Dock.

I wish Apple would do the same with the Mac Mini and put out a dock model (that still looks good).

Hmmm yes, interesting. I do not think that will happen as standard, but could be proven wrong! Maybe as an optional extra when ordering online, such like on the Apple site. Rumors about HPs built in dock to its PCs eventually materialised into some very kewl new silver PCs with docks!!! Who knows!!

(PS: Thanks to the moderator who deleted one of my blank threads, it got posted twice for some reason so i made it blank!)

 

[Object-X]

Where is this headed?

Were off topic here but never underestimate your opponent. I don't see MS as evil as most Mac users. There are a lot of smart people employed by Redmond as well and I think they will deliver Longhorn. In what form, that is too be seen. MS isn't showing all of their cards so what you read on the net may not be the true facts. They will deliver because they know they have too. The computer industry needs some shaking up and Apple is finally applying some pressure.

Actually, we're not off topic. We're talking about HP rebranding Apple hardware. I'm suggesting that HP's rebranding of Shuffles and iPod minis as evidance of more to come. They rebrand iPods why not a Mac Mini or more? As Apple becomes less dependent on hardware sales this kind of thing makes more sense to them and is better than clones. So, with respect to this particular rumor, I believe it is indicitive of more to come and evidance of Apple's changing position in the market place. You can't have a discussion about Apple allowing the rebranding of their hardware without speculating as to why and where it is leading them.

So, I am thinking much bigger than this. But this rumor is evidence to me that Apple is about to change, and the real issue isn't HP selling iPods or iMacs, but Microsoft being extrememly vulnerable and OS X having what it takes to destroy Microsoft's dominance. The fact that Apple is allowing their hardware to be sold under the name of anther company shows that they are not as dependent on their identity as a computer maker; their increased activity in software development, the type of software they are developing, and the utter superiority of their software suggest they are not just trying to sell macs with it, but have far grander plans; Apple's move into transforming music distribution portends financial reasons for not needing hardware sales to be profitable (thus freeing them to allow rebranding of their hardware); and all of these things together suggest to me they are going to go for the whole enchilada.

 

[MacsRgr8]

At the end of last (calendar) year, HP was believed to be responsible for about 7% of iPod sales, not too shabby really. I haven't seen newer numbers, only some predictions that by now if would be lower since HP haven't picked up any of the newer models.

Cheers.

That figure is much higher than I had anticipated.

I wonder though, if that 7% would otherwise have been Apple iPod sales.
And if it were, I wonder if Apple would mind.

 

[dotdotdot]

The HP iPod and regular iPod are the same except for HP has a better warranty and has crappy looking packaging. HP iPods and regular iPods cost the same but regular iPods sell better as everyone knows Apple makes iPods, not HP.

Also, the original idea was Blue iPods, no?

 

[makey]

I don't get how HP can sell the iPod. Does Apple allow this? Does Apple want this?

I think it is a way to introduce iPods into the mainstream market. I guess Apple thinks that more people can relate to HP.