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The economic pressure continues to increase and there is a reasonably good chance that we'll be down to one large car company in the U.S. by this time next year -- Ford, which appears to be the only one that isn't saying it won't survive without a massive cash infusion from the U.S. government. In the PC space, there are three companies being watched closely: Apple and Dell in the U.S. and Lenovo in China. Apple was growing at an incredible rate and has large reserves, but now -- thanks to the economic collapse -- it may have PC products priced out of the market.
FUD, FUD and more FUD. Investors, don't fall for it!
Posted by: BurkPhoto 2008-12-08 17:24:45 In reply to: Rob Enderle
Rob, get a grip. Apple does not make PCs. It makes Macintoshes. There is a huge freakin' difference! Yes, the Mac will run Windows. It will even run multiple instances of Windows or Linux or whatever, inside of OS X, using virtualization software. But to say it is a PC is confusing at best, and obfuscating by design.
The Macintosh experience is all about design, build quality, practical longevity, and the all-important OS X "It just works!" experience. The Mac is decidedly NOT a commodity, and no self-respecting Mac user sees it that way.
To a certain extent, we don't care what it costs. We'll buy it anyway, because of its desirability and distinguishing features. We are not entirely focused on costs. We are focused on our overall computing experiences and computing results.
As for Greenpeace? Shame on them for shameless opportunism! It's nice that Apple has made some strides toward environmental responsibility. But what OTHER electronics company can't make more and similar strides? In my mind, an insult from the wackos at Greenpeace is a compliment.
September 27, Apple ended its fourth quarter! So why are you mumbling that Apple "may not have enough time this year to boost its 2008 numbers in the fourth quarter"? It's over! The last three months of the calendar are always Apple's Q1.
Look, you're spewing FUD about a winner, and you know it. Apple is never about price, never about following the crowd. How come they got roughly a third of the laptop revenue in the market if they're priced "too" high? The silly models that posit $800 as some sort of glass price ceiling may apply to Windows machines, but they do not apply to Macs.
I, for one, hope Apple keeps its prices high and proves all the price crunchers wrong. There has always, always been room for the high end of any market to thrive, because there are always people with money who want the best, and don't care what it costs. There are others who will finance a purchase in order to get the best, because they know they will spend less overall in the long run.
Just getting the best customer service in the industry is worth a couple hundred bucks to me. Actually talking to someone who doesn't speak English as a second language, and NOT being on hold for 90 minutes, are worth another hundred.
Give it up, Rob, Apple will survive and thrive, anyway.
The Macintosh experience is all about design, build quality, practical longevity, and the all-important OS X "It just works!" experience. The Mac is decidedly NOT a commodity, and no self-respecting Mac user sees it that way.
To a certain extent, we don't care what it costs. We'll buy it anyway, because of its desirability and distinguishing features. We are not entirely focused on costs. We are focused on our overall computing experiences and computing results.
As for Greenpeace? Shame on them for shameless opportunism! It's nice that Apple has made some strides toward environmental responsibility. But what OTHER electronics company can't make more and similar strides? In my mind, an insult from the wackos at Greenpeace is a compliment.
September 27, Apple ended its fourth quarter! So why are you mumbling that Apple "may not have enough time this year to boost its 2008 numbers in the fourth quarter"? It's over! The last three months of the calendar are always Apple's Q1.
Look, you're spewing FUD about a winner, and you know it. Apple is never about price, never about following the crowd. How come they got roughly a third of the laptop revenue in the market if they're priced "too" high? The silly models that posit $800 as some sort of glass price ceiling may apply to Windows machines, but they do not apply to Macs.
I, for one, hope Apple keeps its prices high and proves all the price crunchers wrong. There has always, always been room for the high end of any market to thrive, because there are always people with money who want the best, and don't care what it costs. There are others who will finance a purchase in order to get the best, because they know they will spend less overall in the long run.
Just getting the best customer service in the industry is worth a couple hundred bucks to me. Actually talking to someone who doesn't speak English as a second language, and NOT being on hold for 90 minutes, are worth another hundred.
Give it up, Rob, Apple will survive and thrive, anyway.
It's generally safe to say that as long as you take the exact opposite of what Rob says then you're on the right track, can anyone say laughing stock of most of the IT industry. I think the above companies financial status' speak for themselves.
Dells are really only bought by corporations these days as they want the dirt cheap and nasty machines that Dell are so good at providing.
Dells are really only bought by corporations these days as they want the dirt cheap and nasty machines that Dell are so good at providing.
OK Rob. Thanks for spreading more FUD for the folks at home.
What happens during a Chapter 11 bankruptcy Rob? Does the company go under?
NO.....Absolutely not.
Since you seem to lack any knowledge of Bankruptcy laws I will explain them to you. When a company declares Chapter 11 "the creditors" take control of the company. In most cases the upper management is then replaced by those same creditors. The company is then restructured in order to make a viable business entity that will begin to produce a profit in the future. These creditors are not simply going to liquidate the company when they know it can turn a profit with the right management and restructuring. Remember, they are out to recoup their loses and make a profit if possible.
In a nut shell the company continues to function during Chapter 11, but the directors, dead weight employees and divisions will be axed.
I sincerely hope the readers of this article take the time to read my posts so that they can see for themselves that Rob seems to struggle with the basic principles of Finance and Economics. Which should in turn make them take pause in anything else he prints.
Sorry Rob, but I think you are out of your league here. Ignorance is simply no excuse if you want to play Financial Journalist.
What happens during a Chapter 11 bankruptcy Rob? Does the company go under?
NO.....Absolutely not.
Since you seem to lack any knowledge of Bankruptcy laws I will explain them to you. When a company declares Chapter 11 "the creditors" take control of the company. In most cases the upper management is then replaced by those same creditors. The company is then restructured in order to make a viable business entity that will begin to produce a profit in the future. These creditors are not simply going to liquidate the company when they know it can turn a profit with the right management and restructuring. Remember, they are out to recoup their loses and make a profit if possible.
In a nut shell the company continues to function during Chapter 11, but the directors, dead weight employees and divisions will be axed.
I sincerely hope the readers of this article take the time to read my posts so that they can see for themselves that Rob seems to struggle with the basic principles of Finance and Economics. Which should in turn make them take pause in anything else he prints.
Sorry Rob, but I think you are out of your league here. Ignorance is simply no excuse if you want to play Financial Journalist.
One simply problem with this article
Posted by: Sean1964 2008-12-08 10:15:32 In reply to: Rob Enderle
There is a very basic problem with Rob's "assumptions". Apple does not directly compete with Dell. Dell makes low cost, low quality, low profit margin PC's for the masses. While Apple produces high end, high profit margin products for the discriminating user that has the intelligence to know a superior product when they see it.
Does Mercedes compete with GM? How about BMW and Toyota? Are they targeting the same segment of the public?...... No. And has Mercedes and BMW been lowering their prices simply because of the economy?.... No again.
So, should Apple marginalize their brand equity simple because some people can't afford their products?.... Once more, no. That would be bastardizing a brand they have worked so hard to maintain. I don't see people crying about the price of a Mercedes in this economic environment. If people didn't want Apple's products then they wouldn't be asking them to lower their prices. So there is certainly demand for them. Maybe those same individuals should get a better job instead of acting like they are "entitled" to such luxury items.
When Rob finally breaks down and takes a finance course he will learn this. Thankfully I have an MBA and therefore understand such things. Rob obviously does not.
Does Mercedes compete with GM? How about BMW and Toyota? Are they targeting the same segment of the public?...... No. And has Mercedes and BMW been lowering their prices simply because of the economy?.... No again.
So, should Apple marginalize their brand equity simple because some people can't afford their products?.... Once more, no. That would be bastardizing a brand they have worked so hard to maintain. I don't see people crying about the price of a Mercedes in this economic environment. If people didn't want Apple's products then they wouldn't be asking them to lower their prices. So there is certainly demand for them. Maybe those same individuals should get a better job instead of acting like they are "entitled" to such luxury items.
When Rob finally breaks down and takes a finance course he will learn this. Thankfully I have an MBA and therefore understand such things. Rob obviously does not.
But all your arguments are for naught as Enderle does not care about facts, fact checking, truth, etc. He's a paid shill - paid to make apple look bad and dell (and others) look good.
I have not a clue why his screeds are picked up by this site, unless THEY are paid shills as well.
I have not a clue why his screeds are picked up by this site, unless THEY are paid shills as well.
As soon as I saw your source of information I came to the comments to let your readers know what you undoubtedly already know. For one, the "Enderle Group" consists of himself, his wife, and his dog. And based upon what typically flies off his keyboard it must be the dog that generates most of the commentary. Of all the Mac "analysts" out there, his information, his analysis, and his predictions are consistently so far off base that I'm surprised that he is still given web space. (Actually, I'm not surprised either, considering the quality of journalism these days.)
A bloated windbag of a piece of writing
Posted by: ElectroTech 2008-12-08 07:10:01 In reply to: Rob Enderle
Rob Enderle is well known for his highly opinionated pieces and does not reveal his previous and current employers (read M$, HP, Lenovo etc.) The piece is biased beyond a noobi's level and cannot be taken seriously.
But is that what's actually happening?
Posted by: disposable 2008-12-08 06:21:48 In reply to: Rob Enderle
This all sounds good in theory -- the economy is tanking so more expensive products would be expected to sell poorly. But from the numbers we've actually seen so far that's not true. Apple's sales look like they're still strong -- and by strong I mean they're not just holding, but are continuing to grow at a good pace. Even in hard times people are looking for VALUE, not just low prices.
As someone who's switched to a Mac, I can't see getting the same kind value from a computer running Windows -- at any price.
As someone who's switched to a Mac, I can't see getting the same kind value from a computer running Windows -- at any price.
Why does a Mac site continue to use a paid shill for Dell? He seems to be on this site all the time, yet we know he is usually wrong - about tech specs, etc. Also does not like Apple. And as far as I know he is still a paid shill for Dell.
C'mon guys find another "opinion" writer somewhere.
Sheesh
C'mon guys find another "opinion" writer somewhere.
Sheesh
