why is Airport not standard?

[Umbongo]

I don't know if it's possible to say that "no one" would not buy one, but perhaps most people wouldn't consider it.

I always try to make sure I never state my opinion as fact when it comes to Apple, on that though I think you'd have to be a bit of an odd character to decide the MP wasn't for you as you had to pay $50 for wifi

Nonetheless, the question is, why isn't it included? If the Mac Pro is targeted for business clients, Airport could just as easily be disabled via software and be a standard feature for those who want it. Charging $50 seems a bit too much like penny pinching and the leaving out of popular features for no known reason (does anyone remember how long iBooks went without Bluetooth, or how pathetic the included RAM used to be?).

Nice tautology. Not every decision needs to be a good one for a business to succeed (ie, the Zune compared to Windows or Office).

The Mac Pro isn't exactly Apple's bread and butter (I believe that distinction belongs to the macbook and iMac lines), so the Mac Pro could in fact be riddled with lots of minor bad decisions and still keep revenue coming for Apple.

You are surely correct on the bolded part, but I'm am certain that it isn't included due to it being easy to upgrade later (unlike the iMac) and for financial reasons. Apple aren't losing sales by not including it, Apple are reducing costs by not including it, Apple probably make a small profit on the upgrades they do. I don't see why there needs to be anything else to it really.

 

[CalBoy]

You are surely correct on the bolded part, but I'm am certain that it isn't included due to it being easy to upgrade later (unlike the iMac) and for financial reasons. Apple aren't losing sales by not including it, Apple are reducing costs by not including it, Apple probably make a small profit on the upgrades they do. I don't see why there needs to be anything else to it really.

I'm happy with this reasoning. I feel you've successfully addressed the key points:

1) The cost isn't prohibitive, but it's one of the many smaller adjustments that is made in order to keep overall margins healthy.

2) Sales aren't adversely affected for the most part, even if some customers complain (and they ought to).

3) The upgrades likely leads to very small profit in the end and is probably meant to attract those people (like me) who would need it just for the sake of convenience.

4) The upgrade isn't difficult like it could be with other lines.

I think this bundle of reasons best explains why Apple hasn't made it standard yet.

Now, I still think it's rotten from a consumer stand point (that's what I am after all! ), and I'll continue to bash it much like I bash the lack of Superdrive in the low macbook or the $20 Apple wants from iPod touch users; even though none of them apply to me, I feel they are ridiculous simply because they stand to force customers to hand over more money. I know why Apple takes these stands, but at times I find them just ridiculous. 30% profit margins across hardware is pretty darn good for any computer maker, and I think Apple needs to be less stingy at times.

</rant>

Now that that question is answered, why don't we try something easier like, "what's the meaning of life?"

 

[MikeL]

Someone touched on it earlier, but it hasn't come up much. Secure environments can't have WiFi.

Unless you have worked in such a place, you may not understand. No WiFi. No cameras with cell-phones. No MBPs, because of the iSight. Hell, that may be why Apple hasn't put a camera on their stand-alone displays.

It's not a flexible rule. There's no "disable it in software." The rules are firm. Make it standard, and there are all sorts of labs that won't be buying. If a potential purchase doesn't meet security requirements, it's ruled out. This can be government, corporate, or education in nature.

My guess is that Apple understands this.

At any rate, those who need it will buy it. It's cheap. Frankly, I'd rather have the option than not. I'd like the option for BT. There was a time when Apple's BTO was more flexible than it is now. It used to be you could really skimp on the RAM and delete extras that you didn't want. Now... there's a minimum threshold you can't get below.