Why is apple sooo greedy?

[saltyzoo]

You know I find it hard to believe people would actually say apple doesn't need to increase specs and lower prices. I wouldn't be surprised if all the people saying this are working for the Apple machine and they have a whole department dedicated to squashing talk like this on macrumors. You got found out!

You figured it out.

It's all Apple employees buying them too.

 

[MascisMan]

What's so great about aluminum? You get them for free with your $0.50 can of soft drink!

Kind of like the free plastic forks/spoons/straws/cup I can have from every fastfood restaurant regardless if I purchase anything?

 

[Azmordean]

I think Apple's computers, like the MacBook Pro, are great systems and reflect the way they design the OS. The reason why they don't have a dock and bluray(which isnt even THAT immediately important, for me at least) is because they beleive in simplicity and elegance. Look at the MBP for example. Its made of all aluminum, on the underside there arent any fans/plastic peices/and dock connections. This is done because Mac users dont really need it. They designed the computer so that you can put in on your bed for example without worrying about it freaking out coz the fan is clogged. Plus, with the advent of USB, I dont really see the point of having a dock connector. How about I just plug in my USB hub that has everything I need at home attached to it? Isnt that like a dock connector? And if I've got an external monitor, Ive got a full-blown DVI port that I can convert to VGA, S-Video or Composite using an adapter, which BTW is much easier to lug around than a huge peice of plastic dock. I believe that Apple designs things for a reason. Docks aren't the most useful things anymore. Sure they were when computers didn't have many connections and the connections that they did have were huge ugly parallel ports and such, but with firewire and usb, I dont see it as a REQUIREMENT.

Plus, what makes you think Apple is targeting the business user anyways?
Its targetting the professional who likes to do things at home and on the go.
I'm an electrical engineering student, and Ive used this computer everywhere I go. I havent seen a single Windows notebook that has 5 hours of battery life without being extremely crippled spec-wise. Maybe things have changed, but I've been a windows fanboy up until last year and had many computers and haven't heard a single report from anyone saying that their battery lasts more than two hours. And why is that? Its not like the hardware is so drastically different. Its just that Apple's OSX is a closed platform, so they can focus on each computer THEY design and are able to squeeze out as much performance and battery life as possible, using either hardware or software schemes. I'd love to see a Dell run for more than 3 hours on a stock (not 12 Cell 50lb extended battery) battery.

Actually the lack of a dock IS significant, to a lot of people, namelyanyone who wants to regularly use their laptop as a desktop. First thing you need to realize is a dock does not REPLACE the ports on the side of the computer, its in addition. So you still have the convenience of the full blown DVI port, etc, when on the road without needing the dock. But, when you are at home or at your office, where you have the dock set up, you just set the computer in it and you're done. A USB hub helps of course, but you still have the Monitor, audio cable, and ethernet cable to plug in. Perhaps the main reason to have a dock is to avoid the "cable clutter" that occurs with having a bunch of cables coming out of both sides of a laptop - with the dock, they all come out of the back, allowing for a much nicer workspace. Its not a huge deal certainly, but it is a negative for Apple's laptops right now.

 

[Inconsequential]

So basically you bought something that looks ****, physically bigger, weighs more and runs windows?

1. Design, HOW THE **** do you change the design? Its minimalist, the smallest they can get it and looks great, what the hell more do you want? You even bought a plastic brick that looks awful!

2. Fans. Hmmmmmmmm, bad design? No, just no. I don't think so. Im betting that the fans ARE either running in that or they kick in and get to the same level as the MBP does when at 100%.

3. Upgradeable CPUs require more space, macs hold value well so in a years time I sell this for £1000 put £400 maybe more into a brand new one, job done. Not really a feature TBH! Want upgradability? Get a desktop.


Screen going all the way back? wow you know I've never needed a flat laptop


All in all you got what you wanted, where I got everything I wanted in a MBP. It turns on, does what I want and turns off again, every time. All while being easy to carry around and looking great when out and about. While I was at school I had a load of people round my laptop and no-one else was around anyone elses laptop. Now THAT is design!

 

[Etrain]

You know I find it hard to believe people would actually say apple doesn't need to increase specs and lower prices. I wouldn't be surprised if all the people saying this are working for the Apple machine and they have a whole department dedicated to squashing talk like this on macrumors. You got found out!

OMG! You figured it all out! It is soo a giant conspiracy! Not only am I Steve Jobs, but George Bush planned 9/11, JFK was killed by the mofia, and the moon landing was done in Boise, ID!

Now excuse me, I'm off to eat puppies because they are screamers and insanely great with my special bottled water.

 

[Apogee]

Kind of like the free plastic forks/spoons/straws/cup I can have from every fastfood restaurant regardless if I purchase anything?

Since when are Thinkpads clad with plastic? Ram a Thinkpad against a Macbook Pro, which laptop will be crushed? Hint: Not the "fugly" one.

I find it very amusing why people keep mentioning Apple's decision to use such a soft metal to build a laptop as a plus. Why not titanium instead?

 

[GotPro]

I don't get your point of anger.

When I go build a T61 15" Thinkpad...

It costs me $1560... and for that, I get the same specs as the base model 15" Macbook Pro.

EXCEPT...

That the USB Camera has to be mounted on top of the screen and makes the whole contraption bloody ugly.

It weighs wayyyy more.

Screen is not even close in comparison (image qualities).

Video card is REALLY REALLY LAME... the 8600M GT 256 will run circles around the 140M in the Thinkpad.

No Glossy.

No Firewire 400.

No Firewire 800.

No OS X.

No iLife Products.

So... let's see... for $430 I get (at least to my eyes) a much more appealing industrial design, great glossy screen, integrated web cam, integrated firewire 800, 4x the video card with 2x the video ram, OSX vs XP or Vista, and iLife vs... NOTHING.

You know what? That's SOOOO worth $430 to me. Not only that... in 2 years... I'll get MUCH MORE than the $430 extra I spent to begin with in RESALE VALUE... so the MacBook PRO ends up, total cost of ownership, being less.

And I have to give up 2 buttons (I'm sooo okay with key click combo or external mouse) and the inability to upgrade the cpu?

HA! If that's what makes you happy! Enjoy my friend ;-)

 

[TimeWaster101]

I don't get your point of anger.

When I go build a T61 15" Thinkpad...

It costs me $1560... and for that, I get the same specs as the base model 15" Macbook Pro.

EXCEPT...

That the USB Camera has to be mounted on top of the screen and makes the whole contraption bloody ugly.

It weighs wayyyy more.

Screen is not even close in comparison (image qualities).

Video card is REALLY REALLY LAME... the 8600M GT 256 will run circles around the 140M in the Thinkpad.

No Glossy.

No Firewire 400.

No Firewire 800.

No OS X.

No iLife Products.

So... let's see... for $430 I get (at least to my eyes) a much more appealing industrial design, great glossy screen, integrated web cam, integrated firewire 800, 4x the video card with 2x the video ram, OSX vs XP or Vista, and iLife vs... NOTHING.

You know what? That's SOOOO worth $430 to me. Not only that... in 2 years... I'll get MUCH MORE than the $430 extra I spent to begin with in RESALE VALUE... so the MacBook PRO ends up, total cost of ownership, being less.

And I have to give up 2 buttons (I'm sooo okay with key click combo or external mouse) and the inability to upgrade the cpu?

HA! If that's what makes you happy! Enjoy my friend ;-)

Amen! Plus you also get a backlit keyboard, slot loading drive instead of tray, better quality screen, and multi-touch (which I've tried and it is REALLY worth it. it would be so helpfull on the go!).

 

[andrewdale]

Since when are Thinkpads clad with plastic? Ram a Thinkpad against a Macbook Pro, which laptop will be crushed? Hint: Not the "fugly" one.

I find it very amusing why people keep mentioning Apple's decision to use such a soft metal to build a laptop as a plus. Why not titanium instead?

They did have a titanium notebook.

And as far as I know, wireless was practically a joke.

When you put that much dense metal around a wireless card, you're gonna get some SERIOUSLY bad reception.

Amen! Plus you also get a backlit keyboard, slot loading drive instead of tray, better quality screen, and multi-touch (which I've tried and it is REALLY worth it. it would be so helpfull on the go!).

+1

Multi-touch is great. That backlight, absolutely perfect. Screen is gorgeous.

 

[powerboo71]

MacBookPro Aluminium

Dear my friend, this is a mac forum, why wasting your time with writing us stories about your new thinkpad. but let me say one(two) things, i saw your thinkpad wonder on ebay, same design since the 80s , and plastic everywhere. the keyboard-letters are laminated ? i love my macbook pro, because it is design from one hand.

 

[dpaanlka]

It still amuses me when people complain about a specific product they want costing too much, even though there are hundreds of competing products, many of which are less expensive.

If you think it's too expensive, then don't buy it. The OP made the right choice for himself, but why come here and whine further?

 

[Psydrop]

listen here, all you mac fans need to realise that apple is ripping you off. Not that i don't like mac products, cause i will buy a macbook pro. But they just charge way more then other manifacturers. And don't say that mac osx and all the other stuff is worth paying 500$ more, it just isn't. And, apple also still asks the same amount of money even when the product is dated, it's just not honest. They just want a lot of profit and i can't blame them but you can't deny that they overcharge. Apple has some great products, but my guess is that they will lose a lot of consumers due to overcharging, and that is ****ed up.

i rest my case.

 

[dpaanlka]

And I have to give up 2 buttons (I'm sooo okay with key click combo or external mouse)

Actually, all MacBooks will "right-click" when two fingers are placed on the trackpad during the click. This is an optional feature, and is turned off by default, but can be turned on in System Preferences. They'll also scroll (up and down or left and right) with two fingers placed anywhere on the trackpad.

I'll take that over two physical buttons and a small dedicated area of my trackpad just to scroll up and down any day.

listen here, all you mac fans need to realise that apple is ripping you off. Not that i don't like mac products, cause i will buy a macbook pro. But they just charge way more then other manifacturers. And don't say that mac osx and all the other stuff is worth paying 500$ more, it just isn't. And, apple also still asks the same amount of money even when the product is dated, it's just not honest. They just want a lot of profit and i can't blame them but you can't deny that they overcharge. Apple has some great products, but my guess is that they will lose a lot of consumers due to overcharging, and that is ****ed up.

Compelling insight... thank you for that.

 

[Psydrop]

Compelling insight... thank you for that.

hey no problem

 

[Shabbis]

I find it very amusing why people keep mentioning Apple's decision to use such a soft metal to build a laptop as a plus. Why not titanium instead?

Since when is aircraft grade aluminum that is used in the macbook pros a "soft metal"? It's a completely different grade than your average soda can. I hope we aren't flying around in soda pop grade aluminum in our aircraft, that would be quite scary.

 

[andrewdale]

Since when is aircraft grade aluminum that is used in the macbook pros a "soft metal"? It's a completely different grade than your average soda can. I hope we aren't flying around in soda pop grade aluminum in our aircraft, that would be quite scary.

That's very true. The last time I flew on a plane that was sponsored by Coca-Cola, it was the scariest experience of my life.

 

[jplan2008]

I don't get your point of anger.

When I go build a T61 15" Thinkpad...

(SNIP)


So... let's see... for $430 I get (at least to my eyes) a much more appealing industrial design, great glossy screen, integrated web cam, integrated firewire 800, 4x the video card with 2x the video ram, OSX vs XP or Vista, and iLife vs... NOTHING.

You know what? That's SOOOO worth $430 to me. Not only that... in 2 years... I'll get MUCH MORE than the $430 extra I spent to begin with in RESALE VALUE... so the MacBook PRO ends up, total cost of ownership, being less.

And add in $79 for printer (their cheapest; apple has $99 rebate) and ? for shipping (the asterisk says doesn't include shipping, but can't get a quote without actually buying the damn thing); $30 for "easy transfer tray for windows vista" to transfer files. (most users would need that. The "useless" FW with mac serves that purpose). Add $69 to be able to talk to Lenovo rep. once on phone in first year to talk about things including "spyware issues" -- their wording on webpage, not mine. List price is actually about the SAME or even MORE for Thinkpad depending on which configuration you do; but lenovo is having a sale, so $300-$500 cheaper. And in two years when the OP realizes s/he can't upgrade the CPU, and decides to sell it, at least $200 that difference is made up with resale value. So are firewire ports, better graphics, OS X, beautiful machine, iLife, better customer service, etc., worth $100-$300? Well, you decide. And if the price really goes back up for T61 on April 7, then overall, MBP will be CHEAPER when take into account resale value.

(BTW, yes I think Apple is "greedy." Like all big corporations. They care about profit. I'm sure, although I don't know for sure, they exploit the workers in countries they outsource to like most big corporations. I'm also sure most of us here would be outraged by the prices if they didn't, so I guess WE'RE ALSO greedy. Are they SOOOO greedy? (more than Dell or Microsoft or whatever other big corporation? I haven't seen evidence of that in this thread. Are they a monopoly (let's use an everyday definition unfairly giving disadvantage to competition)? I haven't seen evidence of that either in this thread.

I don't care what computer complete strangers use, and I'm not personally affronted that someone chose another computer. Don't approximately 85% of purchasers choose another brand for whatever reasons are most important to them? I don't care about Apple's profits, but at least get the facts right if you need to discuss your choice on (mac) forum boards -- the price difference, even on paper, is NOT $1300.

 

[macenforcer]

I think this settles the debate.


Debate Settled

 

[cdavi060]

macbook is prettier....

 

[GAS]

I think this settles the debate.


Debate Settled

There's nothing to settle.

Apple charge more for their products. People know this and buy them anyway.

 

[PowerFullMac]

macbook is prettier....

Yep, and the black ones look so cool!

 

[macenforcer]

There's nothing to settle.

Apple charge more for their products. People know this and buy them anyway.

Oh but they don't buy them anyway, reference linky I posted please. People are wising up and apple is going to get into some serious sales trouble here. There is already a major decline in macbook pro sales and its falling like a rock in the water. Many stores reporting macbook pro stock building up to record stockpiles . THey just can't sell them man. That is why they ship in 24hrs.

 

[saltyzoo]

Oh but they don't buy them anyway, reference linky I posted please. People are wising up and apple is going to get into some serious sales trouble here. There is already a major decline in macbook pro sales and its falling like a rock in the water. Many stores reporting macbook pro stock building up to record stockpiles . THey just can't sell them man. That is why they ship in 24hrs.

Yep. That's why 5 of my co-workers have switched to Mac and bought MBP's in the last 6 months.

It's also why I see as many macs in airports now as I do Dell's.

Apple is in serious trouble if they keep this up.

BTW, WTH exactly is your point anyway?

 

[e12a]

lol...all the computers on apple.com ship within 24 hours except for the Air, which is understandable. how does that equate to them not selling? Isnt that a good thing for us? Correlation does not equal causation.

 

[macenforcer]

lol...all the computers on apple.com ship within 24 hours except for the Air, which is understandable. how does that equate to them not selling? Isnt that a good thing for us? Correlation does not equal causation.

Well I believe its simple supply and demand just like which has been stated thoughout this thread repeatedly. There is too much supply and not enough demand hence the overstock and 24hr shipments.