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Apple hardware Q4 and 2014
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So being the most profitable computer company in the world is a business they’re just going to walk away from?
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Wait. So we’re talking about reasons for the delay of a product that we haven’t been given any time frame on other than “later in 2013”?
Oliver, a ven diagram will reveal a large overlap between the sphere’s of “later in 2013” and “in the fall and all across 2014”. In fact, I think you’ll find the first circle exists ENTIRELY in side the second.
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[Marcus Moore] “the most profitable computer company”
Yes and we can say COMPUTER specifically. Apple’s Computers are selling much better then most of the rest of the PC market even though the entire market is in decline. The results though, is that Apple’s share of the market is actually growing… and unlike the “low margin” PCs, Macs are actually very profitable to Apple.
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[Marcus Moore] ” So being the most profitable computer company in the world is a business they’re just going to walk away from?”
No, that’s why they have those MacBookPros and MacBookAirs, plus the new one? How is that “walking away from computer business”? They are offering what actually is selling. And this new machine would be placed where those iMacs, Macminis and MacPross were. Add a 4K display and there you have it! Far fetched? Also, one could argue if the iOS ecosystem couldn’t be characterized as “computer business” as well?
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Although I’d note that Apple has been expanding, not consolidating.
iPad expanded to include iPad Mini.
iPhone now includes 4, 4S, 5 and rumor of a bifurcation into a less expensive design.
MacBookPro expands to include MBP and Retina MBP.I know Apple has preached simplicity of choice but it really looks like they’re heading the other way.
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[Craig Seeman] ” Although I’d note that Apple has been expanding, not consolidating.”
Well, that depends on how you look at it. Pro Apps anyone? And do you REALLY see MacMinis, MacPros and iMacs as close to Apple’s heart as those products you just cited? Because that desktop line is not! That’s why they’ll be combined into one. Simplicity along with small footprint is the key here. Time will tell.
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[Christian Schumacher] “And do you REALLY see MacMinis, MacPros and iMacs as close to Apple’s heart as those products you just cited?”
Yes because the smartphone and tablet market is volatile. Apple diversifies and they will likely diversify further.
In fact I was a bit surprised that Apple now has 13″ MacBook Air, 13″ MacBookPro, 13″ MacBookPro Retina. This is certainly not consolidation.
On desktop MacMini (headless and weak GPU), iMac (Monitor and GPU range), MacPro (we’ll find out) all serve different markets. There’s no one computer fits all in that market. And if they go to an even higher end monitor, as you imply, that would add to the stratification. The price of a MacMini vs an iMac with 4K or Retina monitor will be huge. That stratification is part of the reason for the diversity in the MacBook line and THREE 13″ models.
Right now Apple has the following forms (just talking about case design and monitor if attached)
1 model MacMini
1 11″ model Air
3 13″ models Air, MBP, MBPr
2 15″ models, MBP, MBPr
1 21″ model iMac
1 27″ model iMac
1 model MacPro
Keep in mind that some have variations (often 2 of each) and there’s BTO as well. -
Well, we’ve already seen the response when Apple neglects even the narrowest percentage of it’s Mac lineup [the MacPro].
Apple doesn’t break down sales of Macs in their earnings reports, but in the quarter ending in January- Apple reported sales of 4.1 million Macs, which was down from 5.2 million the year before. Apple made a point of justifying this discrepancy by stating that because the iMac wasn’t available in any real quantities until January, they figure they lost out on 700,000 sales.
That means that we know that aprox 20% or 1 out of every 5 Macs sold is an iMac. When you count in MacMinis and Mac pro’s, that number is probably at least 25%. 25% of Mac buyers are consciously choosing a desktop option. And those people aren’t all doing it for the same reason.
This new machine has been said to be for the MacPro crowd, that irreconcilable with the needs of most desktop users who aren’t looking for the extra power or expandability that a MacPro provides as it’s key selling features.
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I agree with you, Craig.
Though I would say the expanded mobile offerings are temporary in the near term. As soon as Apple can bring the cost of the rMBPs in line with the legacy offerings- count on the non Retina machines to go away.
Then we’ll be back to MacBook Air and MacBookPros.
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[Craig Seeman] ” Yes because the smartphone and tablet market is volatile. Apple diversifies and they will likely diversify further.”
Sorry, that’s just plain wrong! Their diversification wars will be fought in the consumer space, not content provider space. (despite the “macpro”future update) They will be striving for consumer orientated products (and services!) and there you’ll find your expansion. That is where most “diversification” has been gained until now and that is where it will come from in the future as well. iCloud, iTunes, iWatch, iTV, home and personal appliances and so on…
[Craig Seeman] “In fact I was a bit surprised that Apple now has 13″ MacBook Air, 13″ MacBookPro, 13″ MacBookPro Retina. This is certainly not consolidation.”
Now you’re pushing it. Do you really think they won’t kill the non-retina one? The only reason they keep them is that retina is still a novelty.
[Craig Seeman] “On desktop MacMini (headless and weak GPU), iMac (Monitor and GPU range), MacPro (we’ll find out) all serve different markets.”
Right. One thing apple desktops have in common though is that they don’t sell as well as theirs laptoppies counterparts, and I’m willing to bet many people are very aware of that, including you. Oh, c’mon, MacPro and Macmini should be a freaking disaster, compared to their mobiles of course. And then there’s the iMac, sure it still has some of its original mojo, and it should perform well if they manage to keep it. But that’s where the 4K panel comes in, should Apple eventually release one, that thing would kill the need for the iMac altogether, bringing this new technology to the entire line. In this scenario several options could still be ordered as BTOs and different sizes, etc.
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