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65 Comments
Buy, Sell or Hold: Apple's Cohesive Strategy to Survive and Thrive
This statement is incorrect, and now belongs in the garbage bin of urban myths.
It has been shown by independent PC organizations, and published in PC computer magazines, that there is virtually NO Mac premium pricing.
When equal hardware and features are compared between PCs and Macs, the Mac is similar in price to the PC and, in some instances, the Mac is even LOWER in price. Any manufacturer can leave out hardware on a PC and then claim to be lower in price, but, in this case, the PC is also lower in capability and the end user gets cheated, because the lower price did NOT show the features that were left out on the PC.
And, this does not include the benefits of the Mac operating system, ease of use due to the Mac GUI, reduced Mac maintenance, upkeep, and overhead.
On a total cost basis, acquisition charges plus upkeep and maintenance, Macs, in general, are the ABSOLUTE LOWEST COST to an individual and an organization.
In addition, the look and feel of QUALITY pervades the Mac product line.
News Flash: Music Industry Still Lost
REPLY:
For Apple to give "more" back to the music industry, Apple would have to charge "more" for iTunes downloads.
If Apple charges "more" for iTunes downloads, then users will go back to ripping and stealing tracks.
The "answer" is that the world has changed. Just as we no longer live in caves, ride horses to work, require candles for nightlight, we also no longer have to buy CDs.
The music industry has to stop looking at increasing music download fees, and continue to look for additional channels to bring in revenues.
The music industry has changed for good. Get over it, and get on with it.
Glimpsing a Return to Normal
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1. "normalcy" is listed in the Merriam-Webster Third International Dictionary as a standard (American) English word.
2. "normalcy" was listed in dictionaries as far back as 1857.
"A return to normalcy" was U.S. Presidential candidate Warren Harding’s campaign promise in the election of 1920. Although many of Harding's detractors believed that the word was a neologism as well as a malapropism coined by Harding (as opposed to the more usual term "normality")... there was contemporary discussion and evidence found that normalcy was listed in dictionaries as far back as 1857.[1][2] Furthermore, the concept apparently encapsulated what Americans wanted, since he was elected president over his Democratic opponent James Cox. Many historians have found humor in the fact that Harding's presidency was, considered by many to be, one of the most scandalous presidencies ever.
Source: Wikipedia
Is Apple's New MacBook Affordable Enough?
2. The lower price points are, for the most part, LOW MARGIN and VERY LOW MARGIN. Apple is not a charity. If you want a cheap computer, and by cheap I mean LOW QUALITY, buy a Dell.
3. Send your report to Mercedes and BMW and they will laugh. They don't want to fight for the bottom, and neither does Apple.
4. NONE of the lower price points can run Mac OS X. That alone makes them true SUB-notebooks.
Crop of New Smartphones Will Compete With iPhone
Well said, and I heartily agree!
Apple Revisited: How Technical Analysis Can Help Fundamental Investors
Apple's iPhone is bringing in an all NEW revenue stream. Apple's computers are about to be updated, possibly have a new addition, and may be better priced.
Over 250,000,000 computers will be sold next year, even with down economies, and I believe Apple's computers will gain market share.
Finally, Apples margins are still expected to be +30%, an enviable number. Apple stock is extremely attractive for those who can stomach the market volatility and world-wide slowdown.
Apple is not a FINANCIAL disaster as is the banking system.
Does a Mobile Internet Devices Market Exist?
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You are right. An MID would look out of place in trying to replace a mobile phone.
I see the MID as a possible, useful device.
I use a MacBook Pro all the time now, and I carry an iPhone.
It would be helpful to have an (Apple) MID, so that I can travel with my iPhone and have an MID when I want more computer power and a larger screen while on a casual day-trip.
The MacBook Pro notebook will be my new "desktop" computer, for when I want a much bigger screen and an easier keyboard on which to type.
iPhone 3G Speeds: More Cingular Mediocrity
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Your post is full of Errors:
1. Cingular has not existed in name, nor in operation, for over 1 year.
2. The 3G tests you report were done on the previous iPhone software version. The new 2.1 iPhone software has been shown to much improve performance.
3. The 3G carrier offerings vary with each company in each nation. AT&T is just rolling out 3G in the U.S. and it will be adding many more 3G tower radios for much better service.
4. You state that Verizon and Sprint do not have any better network service, so, what difference would it have made if Apple used all three of these carriers for the iPhone? None, they all would need to be improved!
Can Apple Withstand the Financial Sector's Fall?
RE: "... You can purchase in the money puts and discount them by selling calls."
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Wrong!
Your should have done this when AAPL was in the 180 to 200 price range.
You approach is not only too late, it is the opposite of what should be done at this time.
Hedge fund investors typically must give 90 days to get their money out. Their deadline is September 30, 2008. They are requesting their money now, because the hedge funds don't publicly disclose their investment positions, and investors don't know the actual level of (toxic) investments and the true extent of the leverage in bad investments in these hedge funds.
Also, many investors need cash because their credit lines, home equity lines, credit card lines have been reduced. The funds MUST sell to raise cash to return to these investors and the funds then sell what is liquid and profitable: i.e. Apple stock.
There is very little wrong with Apple, and everything is right with Apple. Apple is a rare company that is running smoothly in all of its product lines and services. Most of the decline in Apple stock has been due to market concerns: banks, investment banks, real estate, etc.
Apple is down to 150 from 200. I believe it is time to start accumulating more of Apple. In 12 months, I believe the buyers will be well rewarded.
Can Apple Withstand the Financial Sector's Fall?
=====================
Wrong!
You should have done this when AAPL was in the 180 to 200 price range.
You approach is not only too late, it is the opposite of what should be done at this time.
Hedge fund investors typically must give 90 days to get their money out. Their deadline is September 30, 2008. They are requesting their money now, because the hedge funds don't publicly disclose their investment positions, and investors don't know the actual level of (toxic) investments and the true extent of the leverage in bad investments in these hedge funds.
Also, many investors need cash because their credit lines, home equity lines, credit card lines have been reduced. The funds MUST sell to raise cash to return to these investors and the funds then sell what is liquid and profitable: i.e. Apple stock.
There is very little wrong with Apple. Most of the decline in Apple stock has been due to market concerns: banks, investment banks, real estate, etc.
Apple is down to 150 from 200. I believe it is time to start accumulating more of Apple. In 12 months, I believe the buyers will be well rewarded.
Has Apple Hit a Wall in Music Innovation?
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The iPhone is an EXCELLENT mobile music player. The iPod is for people who DON"T have an Apple iPhone, or for iPhone users who want an extra large iPod (120 GB iPod Classic), or for those who do want a separate device (iPod Nano) for their music.
I commute into NYC almost every day, and MOST of the BlackBerry, Nokia, Samsung, LG, Palm etc mobile phone users are carrying iPods! Even these Apple haters know the best mobile music players are made by Apple. And, the new iPods with the enhanced software and enlarged display will bring in more sales.
There are over 6.5 BILLION people on Planet Earth. Yet, only a total of 160 million iPods have been sold. Everyone will want a mobile phone and/or a mobile music player.
Among common, universal human desires and pleasures are music and communication. Apple has the best and the most user friendly. Apple will sell a lot of iPods and iPhones.
Has Apple Hit a Wall in Music Innovation?
=====================
Apple does NOT have to have a revolutionary announcement at EVERY product refresh event.
NOBODY has the capability of iTunes, the simplicity and convenience of iPod software, and the consistent incremental improvements of the Apple mobile music line.
The problem here is that YOU are the one that LACKS vision, imagination, and market expertise, NOT Apple.
Nokia Is the Smart(phone) Bet - Barron's
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Market share does NOT equal high profit. Any company can sell at razor slim margins or below cost and gain market share, but I wouldn't want to own its stock.
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RE: "...Nokia has lost some smartphone market share to niche players Apple (AAPL) and Research in Motion (RIMM), as expected..."
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Apple is a MAJOR player, and may be the DOMINANT player in the smartphone market in the coming years.
It's all about the iPhone operating system, UI (user interface), and APP store.
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Seeing an End to the iPod's Hegemony
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If this is really what you believe, please do NOT invest in the stock market. You WILL lose everything.
You are dangerous to your own wellbeing.
Please seek counseling immediately!
Five Reasons Steve Ballmer Thinks Apple's a Buy
Apple, most likely, is doing VERY WELL. The analysts just don't know it.