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Wow, Apple's such a cheapskake!
- Thread starter Ryuukumori
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Number one, I'm glad this update finally happened, let me just get that out of the way.
Number two, I'm becoming pretty ticked at the way Apple is doing business these days. I believe I bought my mini at the time when Apple was in a transition. They don't seem to care about the consumer anymore. All of a sudden, it's all about the profit. Sure, I understand they need to make a profit, but ever year it gets bigger. That's usually a good thing, but the way they've been doing updates for about 2 years now, it would seem most of that profit is from sticking it to the consumer. The combo drive, I completely understand. I don't need a superdrive, I just have it because I needed a high end mini. But other things, like charging for the remote (got mine free with my mini) and these software updates for the iPhone/iPod Touch seems ridiculous.
Number two, I'm becoming pretty ticked at the way Apple is doing business these days. I believe I bought my mini at the time when Apple was in a transition. They don't seem to care about the consumer anymore. All of a sudden, it's all about the profit. Sure, I understand they need to make a profit, but ever year it gets bigger. That's usually a good thing, but the way they've been doing updates for about 2 years now, it would seem most of that profit is from sticking it to the consumer. The combo drive, I completely understand. I don't need a superdrive, I just have it because I needed a high end mini. But other things, like charging for the remote (got mine free with my mini) and these software updates for the iPhone/iPod Touch seems ridiculous.
Calm down.... They realize that some people dont use the remote and they can get you more features and charge extra for the remote so only people who need it can get it. I was told today that the MBP update was a 350.00 upgrade for the same price of a Macbook Pro yesterday. That means the machine you buy today has $350 more of materials. Give apple a break...... at least they are trying!! I <3 
and understand their thinking!!
and understand their thinking!!
actually if you are traveling and using this as say a Prensentation tool, I would imagine that the remote would be very handy. And if you are getting this computer to go with you as you travel, I would imagine that the renting movies and watching them on itunes or Front Row for that matter would be better with the remote. I actually think the remote is a great feature. But I can also see how on a creative professional laptop it would be excluded. Not really needed for creative pros.
The remote works great with keynote.
Calm down.... They realize that some people dont use the remote and they can get you more features and charge extra for the remote so only people who need it can get it. I was told today that the MBP update was a 350.00 upgrade for the same price of a Macbook Pro yesterday. That means the machine you buy today has $350 more of materials. Give apple a break...... at least they are trying!! I <3
Where is everyone getting these stats that some people don't use the remote? Its more like the other way around. Lots of people use the remote, thats why apple is now charging for it. I wish people would stop spreading this stupid lie of a rumor that has no foundation.
I was told today that the Brooklyn Bridge was for sale.
I wisely chose not to believe it.
Using the same logic, where is your evidence showing that "lots of people" are using the remote? What about the theory that by charging people for remotes, the number of remote users will decrease? Lots of people use a seperate mouse with their laptops too so I guess Apple is cheap because they don't include Mighty Mouses with their laptops?
Secondly, the statement about how people can afford a $2000 laptop so they can afford to pay an additional $129 for the OS is ridiculous. The OS is a necessity for the laptop, the remote isnt. Its an optional device.
There is no evidence to support what percentage of people use the remote control (although Im sure Apple's marketing group has done surveys and collected information regarding the remotes usage). Company decisions are not made on a whim.
Your lucky £15 pounds here.
I cannot believe people are sticking up for apple on this......Its just lame!
Apple used to give back to its customers, looks like the focus has changed. The worst is the $20 upgrade of the itouch though, talk about smacking your early adopters....ouch.
They did the same thing with the iPods. Docks etc used to be included in the box.
The rationale for this, for people with multiple iPods, let them decide how many docks they want to buy. I only need one. This is the same for the remote. If you have multiple Macs in the house, you only need a single remote.
I think that $19 is kind of high, but with this change you get other costs associated with the remote (packaging, transportation, staff-hours to track inventory, etc) that you didn't have before.
Hickman
The rationale for this, for people with multiple iPods, let them decide how many docks they want to buy. I only need one. This is the same for the remote. If you have multiple Macs in the house, you only need a single remote.
I think that $19 is kind of high, but with this change you get other costs associated with the remote (packaging, transportation, staff-hours to track inventory, etc) that you didn't have before.
Hickman
how i envy steve... and apple..
they can do whatever they want... even so, there'll be people who will have an intelligent excuse for their action.. even if the only REASON was cost.
how i envy steve... and apple..
they can do whatever they want... even so, there'll be people who will have an intelligent excuse for their action.. even if the only REASON was cost.
If logical business decisions repulse people, alternative companies offering similar products exist.
After contemplating which choice is best, then people can realize that a $19 remote control isn't the end of the world or a sign of the apocalypse.
To compound both statements above. Check the other side of the fence and see if similar practices are occurring. If anyone feels that another manufacturer is practicing business of a higher ethical nature, then feel free to switch.
However, if the reason you are sticking with the fruity company is because of the superiority of their products/design/etc. then there is no reason to complain over a $19 remote.
Welll I would say based on these posts... that LESS than the quoted 25% of people use the remote. I am ordering my MBP this Friday... and I have yet to figure out why the heck you need a remote for a laptop anyways. I've had my MacPro for a year, and have never had the urge to get up from the keyboard, run across the room, and push a remote.
Besides... if $19 is too much, and the market will bear it... there will be a $15 version from a 3rd party
Besides... if $19 is too much, and the market will bear it... there will be a $15 version from a 3rd party
I don't know about anyone else, but I have never used the remote that shipped with my MBP. It jut doesn't seem like a relevant thing for a notebook. Look at how many other notebook manufacturers are including remotes with their machines....
I definitely use the remote on my iPod HiFi, but that is something you would expect to have a remote for.
MacDann
I definitely use the remote on my iPod HiFi, but that is something you would expect to have a remote for.
MacDann
how i envy steve... and apple..
they can do whatever they want... even so, there'll be people who will have an intelligent excuse for their action.. even if the only REASON was cost.
Priceless.....
first Ipod - Dock, remote and ability to charge using the mains.
1. Apple charges you extra for ipod docks - People were getting too many docks they need just 1 - Can buy as an option
2. Apple removed the ability to charge in the mains - Can buy as an option
3. remote or ipone , removed - Added option
4. Support for Firewire and USB, including cables - Gone just one usb offered
Itouch
- early adoptors have to pay extra for to get current firmware.....
MBP
- remote now seperate.
etc etc...
And the awesome thing is that people will justify this.......comeon people have some self respect as consumers! Apple is a consumer company not a social movement....
I think even scientologist are begining to envy Jobs and Apple....and the following they have...
See anyway....select powerbook pro, 2499, upgrade the HD, up the CPU to 2.6 and heck its only $19 more.....----> checkout...
Calm down.... They realize that some people dont use the remote and they can get you more features and charge extra for the remote so only people who need it can get it. I was told today that the MBP update was a 350.00 upgrade for the same price of a Macbook Pro yesterday. That means the machine you buy today has $350 more of materials. Give apple a break...... at least they are trying!! I <3
You do realise that apple were making money on the last update.
Say of the last update the MBP was worth $2500, 4 months on etc, HD and CPU prices drop....well all the components do. So apple have in fact been making more and more since the launch of the system since the component prices have been coming down, before the tuesday update they were making the most on that model.
Now you jsut received a new updated model that apple are still making money on. But in the current model, $xx.xx get you a 200 gig hd, instead of a 160, same as the cpu etc.
You are not getting $350 for free....I undertand thier current thinking...1. Maximum profit 2. Customer
Which other manufacturers provide a remote control for their laptops? Just curious. Can't say I've seen anyone else ever do this.
The ones really complaining should be the people that paid for one and got it without having the option to not pay for it.
Do you REALLY think Apple was giving them away for free before? Of course not, you were paying for it even if you didn't use it.
The ones really complaining should be the people that paid for one and got it without having the option to not pay for it.
Do you REALLY think Apple was giving them away for free before? Of course not, you were paying for it even if you didn't use it.
I just love how people act like it's only Apple that is doing this, they only act this way because Apple is a popular company. I think it's really poor that Sony decided to no longer include software restore discs with their computers, they force you to burn your own from the drive image on the HDD. No worries for Sony, people will still buy Sony even though there are plenty of choices in the PC industry. Apple still includes full restore DVD's but nobody wants to give Apple credit for that.
Apple gave us multi-touch in the new notebooks which cost them money for R&D. No other computer manufacturer offers this and Apple did not need to create this salivating feature to drum up sales as the company has been doing very well long before this. Personally I would prefer more features like this and pull things that have a lot less necessity like the remote.
Someone mentioned the remote is great for presentations, actually it's not if you are using a projector because it requires line of sight and a bluetooth remote would be better.
Someone else mentioned that Apple most likely did surveys about this and this is most likely the reason. It's a possibility that many people said, "Why am I paying extra for this useless remote with my laptop, give me more features or charge me less".
Again, I am happy that Apple offers more features than their competition and if it's at the cost of a remote the majority may not be using much I am all for it.
Incidentally I use my Apple remote but only because I have an iMac 24" that's used in my living room as my media center and TV. If it were used on an office desk I would never use the remote.
Apple gave us multi-touch in the new notebooks which cost them money for R&D. No other computer manufacturer offers this and Apple did not need to create this salivating feature to drum up sales as the company has been doing very well long before this. Personally I would prefer more features like this and pull things that have a lot less necessity like the remote.
Someone mentioned the remote is great for presentations, actually it's not if you are using a projector because it requires line of sight and a bluetooth remote would be better.
Someone else mentioned that Apple most likely did surveys about this and this is most likely the reason. It's a possibility that many people said, "Why am I paying extra for this useless remote with my laptop, give me more features or charge me less".
Again, I am happy that Apple offers more features than their competition and if it's at the cost of a remote the majority may not be using much I am all for it.
Incidentally I use my Apple remote but only because I have an iMac 24" that's used in my living room as my media center and TV. If it were used on an office desk I would never use the remote.
Perfect example. And don't go flaming saying a mouse is a necessity for a laptop, that's why you have a trackpad. Both are optional devices, be thankful if you got a remote, and if your purchasing it now that they don't offer it, well, you can't miss what you never had to begin with. If you HAVE a remote and buying a new MBP, here's an idea, USE YOUR OLD REMOTE!
Another perfect response. However, if you notice at least Apple has 1 OS and the cost is included, in other words you don't see the cost breakdown. Dell, HP, etc, you pick from what, 20 versions of windows and then you see the breakdown of price. However, bottom line, OS = Necessity, If you WANT one without an OS and rather pay extra for it, I'm sure they'll be more than happy to assist you with that
MascisMan pretty much hit the nail on the head, for those that can't understand the entire quote, let me paraphrase: Get over it!!!
I pretty much see this flamefest as another common - "Let's bitch about something" thread.