4 ms·

To be honest, each time Apple has a record quarter (which has been quite often lately) folks doubt that they will sustain that growth, but they’re almost always

To be honest, each time Apple has a record quarter (which has been quite often lately) folks doubt that they will sustain that growth, but they’re almost always proven wrong. Where is Apple slowing? In Macs, which see only modest increases year over year, and iPods, which are in decline. But both of those categories are not losing to competitors — they are being cannibalized by Apple itself, who is busy selling incredible numbers of iPhones and iPads. If you’re wondering whether Apple’s customers are happy, Apple just earned the highest-ever score in the American Customer Satisfaction Index, in large part due to the iPad: http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20100921/ipad-boosts-apple%E2%80%99s-customer-satisfaction-rating/ http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20100921/ipad-boosts-appl...

macrael 16y ago
I'm not sure I would characterize the Mac growth as "modest" for the past several years they gave been growing several times faster than the industry average.
- joezydeco 16y ago
  Several times faster during a major recession. Go chew on that for a minute.
- mattparcher 16y ago
  Indeed, “modest” is very much an understatement to describe Mac sales :) Everything is relative, and in the greater market context, Macs are strong. But among Apple’s products, the iPhone brings revenue equal to Macs, and arguably greater potential greater, with the iPad not far behind — likely catching up to Macs by 2012. [1] [1] http://aaplmodel.blogspot.com/2010/09/ipad-to-exceed-mac-revenue-in-2012.html http://aaplmodel.blogspot.com/2010/09/ipad-to-exceed-mac-rev...
dasht 16y ago
I don't think it is so much Apple, per se, that is nearing the bubble burst as the broad category of mobile gadgets. The "was it worth it" question applies to the category more than the particular company. Right now I see a lot of these mobile gizmos being sold as status markers and fun toys. Sure, for some they are valued tools but mostly: status marker and/or toy. A status marker branding for a mass produced, mass market item is inherently self-limiting (status markers have to be unusually expensive and scarce to last). A fun toy branding for a product that is fundamentally expensive to obtain and operate month to month is on a collision course with economic reality -- especially when it's a product that breaks easily, is easily stolen, and, anyway, needs to be replaced every few years. I'm not claiming I can "time markets". Apple may very well have several more great quarter or, if the stars align, might tank after two. I am saying a sharp downturn seems to me to be inevitable and not too far out.

macrael 16y ago

I'm not sure I would characterize the Mac growth as "modest" for the past several years they gave been growing several times faster than the industry average.

joezydeco 16y ago
Several times faster during a major recession. Go chew on that for a minute.
mattparcher 16y ago
Indeed, “modest” is very much an understatement to describe Mac sales :) Everything is relative, and in the greater market context, Macs are strong. But among Apple’s products, the iPhone brings revenue equal to Macs, and arguably greater potential greater, with the iPad not far behind — likely catching up to Macs by 2012. [1] [1] http://aaplmodel.blogspot.com/2010/09/ipad-to-exceed-mac-revenue-in-2012.html http://aaplmodel.blogspot.com/2010/09/ipad-to-exceed-mac-rev...

dasht 16y ago

I don't think it is so much Apple, per se, that is nearing the bubble burst as the broad category of mobile gadgets. The "was it worth it" question applies to the category more than the particular company. Right now I see a lot of these mobile gizmos being sold as status markers and fun toys. Sure, for some they are valued tools but mostly: status marker and/or toy. A status marker branding for a mass produced, mass market item is inherently self-limiting (status markers have to be unusually expensive and scarce to last). A fun toy branding for a product that is fundamentally expensive to obtain and operate month to month is on a collision course with economic reality -- especially when it's a product that breaks easily, is easily stolen, and, anyway, needs to be replaced every few years. I'm not claiming I can "time markets". Apple may very well have several more great quarter or, if the stars align, might tank after two. I am saying a sharp downturn seems to me to be inevitable and not too far out.