Christmas and Crapware, OEMs have to listen

That would be feasible only if Microsoft and this hypothetical OEM could charge the same sort of premium that Apple does for its systems - it's that premium, and the willingness of Apple fans to pay it, not sales from other products, that allows Apple to continue its chosen business model. However, lest that business model be seen as an always successful alternative to the business model chosen by Microsoft and its OEMs, recall that Apple eventually had to give up using the Motorola processors it used to use and moved to Intel processors because its business model couldn't justify the use of those processors any more.

 

They still offer Fresh Start except that it's free now. I don't see how they thought they could get away with charging for it when Dell offers pretty much the same thing for free and smaller pc makers don't bother at all

 

If they can offer a "bloat free" option for a $30 upcharge, then wouldn't that be the amount of the "premium"? Do you think that a OEM could create an image as the "best Windows machines" that would justify that premium?

In terms of raising capital, if you take away the ipod, Apple would still be where they were in the early 90's.

 

The premium on a Mac is much higher than just $30.

I've no doubt that Apple would be much small sans the iPod; however, the existence of the iPod does not make Apple any more immune to the rigors of per-quarter number-making than is Microsoft on account of its .Windows franchise.

 

That's exactly my point. The premium on an optimized Windows machine would only be $30 vs the $300 to $500 "apple tax."

Very true. But, the rapid growth curve of the ipod was able to smooth out Apple's overall profitability for the past several years. As that market matures, it will be more sensitive to fluctuating consumer demand.

Thanks for the discussion. I (obviously) think that this is a pretty interesting topic.

 

Well, being able to control the hardware and the software side of things makes it extremely easy for one company to make sure EVERYTHING works out of the box, and very well at that. Imagine the # of testing hours that can be spent on other things, like expanding a feature set. I mean, even look at the Zune, it's pretty polished even if it hasn't attracted the following the iPod has. I've been very impressed by the level of professionalism echoed by both the hardware on the Zune, and the software on the PC. In my eyes, definitely a decent competitor to iTunes.

 

iTunes for Windows is tragic, and slow even on a highly-specced computer.

If you look at Apple and their Apple Tax from a more economic perspective, Apple have a monopoly on their own hardware. To run the OS you need their computer. To run Windows 7, however, you can choose from a vast array of manufacturers - and since they are in very high competition with each other (oligopoly doesn't really apply) they will produce better and better computers. Apple right now offers sub-par specs for very premium prices - people will buy the computers anyway (there's an article somewhere showing that the 96% brand loyalty is meticulously engineered by causing people to follow Apple religiously).
A new array of good, non-bloated laptops with Windows 7 should, in theory, whip Apple's rear end.

 

But that will never happen because bloatware helps keep costs low. Also, OEMs can't afford to use expensive materials like Apple does. I mean, can you imagine the cost of a completely metallic HP Dv5t? It'd be a lot more than the current one. So there's a lot of variable at play here, I mean sure there are already a ton of good notebooks out there that could kill any Macs at their price ranges...but then there's also others that fall short.

 

shops should just start to sell business devices as well. if the elitebooks would be in shops, people would ditch macs for them quite a bit. (just to name one category).
they're no cheap as well, but at least give an option for high quality, low-bloatware, great-built notebooks. but shops don't sell them, people never see them, and all think "uhh, apple are the only one to build a robust nice looking notebook".

this is sad. it's not sad in discounters with tons of cheap stuff. but it's sad in computer stores who actually sell high-price stuff as well (but it's still just the same low-price notebook with the faster and thus ridiculously expensive processor in).

 

Also true...but I think OEMs are stuck in thinking that businesses operate differently than Consumers (which is true). However, they forget that some consumers also would like to buy business laptops anyway as they are often better built.

 

my hp 2710p would at least be a publicums magnet in every shop where you can touch notebooks. as it is everywhere else.

i think the elitebook line would find much love from customers. the lenovo ones would be fun in shops as well..