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Apple should sell individual components

Author	Topic
aftermac New Member USA 80 Posts	Posted - 01 Aug 2002 : 17:35:22 I've been doing a little wishful thinking... Apple should sell individual, MacOS/Apple certified components on Apple Store. They could sell motherboards, processors, cases, hard drives, power supplies, etc... This would be an option for pro/expert users who wanted to build their own systems, or upgrade a specific component in their existing Mac (Tower systems only... wouldn't work too well for the e/iMac lines). I have a Blue & White G3, and I would love to just upgrade the motherboard and processor. There are G4 upgrade options, but you don't get AGP, increased bus speed, faster Firewire (when it's released), and so on. This could also re/open the door for companies to offer Mac clones. If Apple sells the hardware to clone manufacturers, even with a bulk discount, Apple isn't losing hardware sales. The clone makers could still undersell Apple, but they would be underselling Apple with hardware purchased from Apple. Apple has been embracing open standards more and more the last several year, I believe this would be a natural extension of that openness, while still allowing Apple to have control over the user experience. Any thoughts? Aftermac A bandoned, F orgotten, T ortured, E ndangered, R etro, M acintosh, A cquisition, C ommando 5 Apples, 23 liberated 68k's, 9 contraband PPC's, and a Duo Dock
oldmacman Full Member USA 713 Posts	Posted - 01 Aug 2002 : 18:13:18 Since most Mac components are pretty much standard, aside from cases and motherboards, companies could make Mac clones with standard parts without having to pay Apple extra. There is no way to keep companies from using standard parts instead of buying the same parts from other sources. Do you think companies would actually buy a stick of RAM, a hard drive, or a video card from Apple when they could get the same thing cheaper elsewhere? Plus, Apple would lose the hardware/software integration that makes their machines truly top-notch. I'd expect that OS X would kernel-panic much more often if it were forced to support a wider range of hardware. One thing I wish Apple would do is offer motherboards with socketed CPUs and jumpers to change clock speed. Official 68kMLA Music and NeXT Expert OpenStep Page at http://openstep.topcities.com/ Macs Liberated: SE (2), IIsi, Quadra 700, 6100, PB 5300, PowerMac 5400/200, Performa 6400/180 PCs liberated from Windoze: 3
Trash80toG-4 NIGHT STALKER USA 2899 Posts	Posted - 01 Aug 2002 : 18:31:37 apple has the cable tv package bundle pricing mentality. to get what you really want, you have to buy the high end, highest cost bundle from a skewed set of intentionally constructed choices the sole purpose of which is to force you into spending extra money. they get an outrageous premium for things like HDD's and RAM along with the better video card or the DVD option that is what you really want, but is unavailable on the low end system. they'll never stop gouging the customer, they won't even allow the custom built systems go out the door without including the overpriced bundle items, buying parts is NEVER gonna happen. jt ™. Trash Hauler: call sign: eight-ball C.O. AC-130H SpecOps 68kMLAAF Edited by - Trash80toG-4 on 01 Aug 2002 18:33:59
aftermac New Member USA 80 Posts	Posted - 01 Aug 2002 : 19:49:12 quote: Since most Mac components are pretty much standard, aside from cases and motherboards, companies could make Mac clones with standard parts without having to pay Apple extra. Not if Apple doesn't let them. If companies could just do it, they would be doing it now. Apple killed cloning because they were being undersold, but if you buy motherboards in bulk from Apple, Apple is still getting revenue, while potentially expanding market share. quote: There is no way to keep companies from using standard parts ins tead of buying the same parts from other sources. Do you think companies would actually buy a stick of RAM, a hard drive, or a video card from Apple when they could get the same thing cheaper elsewhere? I was MAINLY referring to processors, motherboards, cases, etc... not industry standard components (although I did mention HD's). Where are you going to buy an Apple motherboard cheaper than Apple? I can't just upgrade the motherboard in my B&W G3 without scrounging eBay for a used G4 board. Companies could buy motherboards and Mac OS from Apple. Apple could still have restrictions on what RAM and HD's go into the clones, even if they come from another company. quote: Plus, Apple would lose the hardware/software integration that makes their machines truly top-notch. I'd expect that OS X would kernel-panic much more often if it were forced to support a wider range of hardware. That's not true. If these are all Apple hardware components, designed by Apple to be interchangable, how would you lose quality? quote: they'll never stop gouging the customer, they won't even allow the custom built systems go out the door without including the overpriced bundle items, buying parts is NEVER gonna happen. Never said it would ever happen. Just inspiring conversation. We all know Apple wants to make money. I want Apple to make money. I think that they could be just as profitable, if not more, by offering individual components. Recently, there was a report that Mac's last longer... something like 4 years, as compared to PC's which last 2 (can't remember the exact numbers). What if after 2 years you convince this person to upgrade their mobo and processor? If users upgrade their computers gradually over the course of 4 years, how is that different from buying a new computer after 4 years? The consumer spends more upgrading. Components will be cheaper in 4 years. That combined the markup on the individual components, gives Apple more revenue than selling a new computer 4 years later. Not to mention interest gained on that revenue when 4 years arrives. Granted Apple doesn't make as much on each individual sale, but how long will it take to get that big sale? The best way for Apple to make money is to expand its user base. That's the whole basis of its "Switch" campaign. I think the best way to get people to switch is to offer more flexibility in the hardware. Many people put up with Windows because "Mac's are not upgradable". Windows users like that they can upgrade their motherboard to take advantage of new features. If Apple could show people that you can do the same on a Mac, while still controlling the quailty of the system, a lot more people will switch. Aftermac A bandoned, F orgotten, T ortured, E ndangered, R etro, M acintosh, A cquisition, C ommando 5 Apples, 23 liberated 68k's, 9 contraband PPC's, and a Duo Dock Edited by - aftermac on 01 Aug 2002 19:51:38
thelip Full Member USA 729 Posts	Posted - 01 Aug 2002 : 20:07:19 apple as a company will only make money if you buy a machine or software from them or an affiliate. The largest margin of profit will be on a whole machine. To keep the tight integration with the Mac OS and the hardware, they have to keep the spread of hardware combinations to a minimum. The more hardware options the more compatible and less functional hardware will be. That sounds stupid, but on a large scale look at the pc world. True their hardware seems to be be smokin fast, but how well does it work together? I would like to see apple components as much as the next guy, but i'd rather see more reasonably priced machines. I keep reading all over the net about how you're not just paying for the hardware, but the software integration, but i say that's crap. If a pc company can offer a machine and display for $700 then so can apple. It all comes from the same place. I'll pay for the newer system when "I" need it. It can't be all that expensive or difficult for apple to write software for such a low number of supported machines per update. I know, i must sound like a pc user. And i grew up one, so sue me. _______________________ Sgt. Thelip Heavy Weapons Specialist - 950 division Liberated Macs: 12 SEE IF MY NEWTON IS ONLINE AT nsa68k.kicks-ass.net *
aftermac New Member USA 80 Posts	Posted - 02 Aug 2002 : 05:33:35 quote: apple as a company will only make money if you buy a machine or software from them or an affiliate. The largest margin of profit will be on a whole machine. To keep the tight integration with the Mac OS and the hardware, they have to keep the spread of hardware combinations to a minimum. The more hardware options the more compatible and less functional hardware will be. That sounds stupid, but on a large scale look at the pc world. True their hardware seems to be be smokin fast, but how well does it work together? You would still have the integration between hardware and MacOS without device/OS conflicts. Apple would offer all of the components that make up a Quicksilver G4 (or whatever their tower system is at the time), just sell them independantly of each other. You go to the Apple Store, select G4 motherboard, there are say options for 4 different speed G4 processors, 4 nVidia and ATI video cards... all the same things Apple is offering now. There wouldn't be any comprimising of quality. I acknowledge that there are higher profit margins selling an entire machine, but if you shorten upgrade cycles, while bringing more people to the platform, isn't that just as good? quote: I would like to see apple components as much as the next guy, but i'd rather see more reasonably priced machines. I keep reading all over the net about how you're not just paying for the hardware, but the software integration, but i say that's crap. If a pc company can offer a machine and display for $700 then so can apple. It all comes from the same place. I'll pay for the newer system when "I" need it. It can't be all that expensive or difficult for apple to write software for such a low number of supported machines per update. I know, i must sound like a pc user. And i grew up one, so sue me. Despite being a Windows network admin, I don't, and never will consider myself to be a PC user. I don't mind paying a little more to get a Mac. I think Apple's e/iMac and iBook lines are reasonably priced. They haven't hit the $700 price point yet, but the original iMac at $799 and the eMac at $1099 are close enough to be tempting. What you are paying for is Apple's R&D, and a little bit of the attitude that people will pay a little more for something that works. Aftermac A bandoned, F orgotten, T ortured, E ndangered, R etro, M acintosh, A cquisition, C ommando 5 Apples, 23 liberated 68k's, 9 contraband PPC's, and a Duo Dock
aftermac New Member USA 80 Posts	Posted - 02 Aug 2002 : 08:24:52 Wow! I'm just causing all kinds of trouble http://www.macobserver.com Look to the right under "Breaking News". Aftermac A bandoned, F orgotten, T ortured, E ndangered, R etro, M acintosh, A cquisition, C ommando 5 Apples, 23 liberated 68k's, 9 contraband PPC's, and a Duo Dock
scchicago Full Member USA 936 Posts	Posted - 02 Aug 2002 : 10:30:21 quote: Wow! I'm just causing all kinds of trouble http://www.macobserver.com Look to the right under "Breaking News". Aftermac A bandoned, F orgotten, T ortured, E ndangered, R etro, M acintosh, A cquisition, C ommando 5 Apples, 23 liberated 68k's, 9 contraband PPC's, and a Duo Dock I agree. _________________ Leutennant SCCHICAGO HotLineServer(closed): scchicago.dynodns.net Website(closed): http://scchicago.dynodns.net MyForumOnDelphi: http://forums.delphiforums.com/scchicago NOTE:HL AND HTTP SERVER ARE ONLY AVAILIBLE WHEN I'M ONLINE
aftermac New Member USA 80 Posts	Posted - 02 Aug 2002 : 11:02:45 quote: quote: Wow! I'm just causing all kinds of trouble http://www.macobserver.com Look to the right under "Breaking News". Aftermac A bandoned, F orgotten, T ortured, E ndangered, R etro, M acintosh, A cquisition, C ommando 5 Apples, 23 liberated 68k's, 9 contraband PPC's, and a Duo Dock I agree. There's nothing wrong with a little friendly debate, as long as everyone keeps what's being debated in perspective. Aftermac A bandoned, F orgotten, T ortured, E ndangered, R etro, M acintosh, A cquisition, C ommando 5 Apples, 23 liberated 68k's, 9 contraband PPC's, and a Duo Dock
catsdorule Senior Member Canada 1627 Posts	Posted - 02 Aug 2002 : 12:08:20 I to would like this, but it's not going to happen. -Danny Canadian Sniper Squadron 2 stars. Tones of mac junk in the corner of my closet. ----- All servers currently off 'till I get a dedicated server.

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