Bloomberg:HP to spin off PC Business

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by elcreative

If you don't like their prices then you know what to do, don't buy 'em and the same for their other products but because you don't like the prices doesn't mean they're too expensive... just too expensive for you...

Of course they're too expensive for me.

The topic of price is very subjective, so it's rather obvious that anyone who weighs in on it is voicing a personal opinion. There is no right or wrong answer.

[jocampo]

I don't usually agree with tubemonkey but even though price is a subjective topic, based on average salary for an American worker (which is not a subjective number by no means) 1k for a computer it is expensive, especially for a netbook or small laptop.

The success of Apple cannot be measured by quality or prices only, there are a lot of factors, including a great marketing strategy, but even with all that success there are way more computers running Microsoft Windows out there that those running Mac Os. We do not live in an Apple world. In fact, PCs are way more popular in Latin countries and I have coworkers from some European countries where Linux is even more popular than even Microsoft or Apple together.

And by the way, high prices are not a synonym of quality. That's just another marketing thing that has being carry over during all these years. Take a look on one of Cialdinis book and you'll see.

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by jocampo

a great marketing strategy

doesn't convince people to buy something that they really don't want to buy. Lets put that to rest.

It only makes them aware, and other factors then come into play to seal the deal.

We do not live in an Apple world.

By sales and marketshare no. But by mindshare and influence, yes.

When you look at the Apple tablets and laptops of today, you're seeing the Windows tablets and laptops of tomorrow morning.

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by jocampo

And by the way, high prices are not a synonym of quality.

Yes or no?: Apple sells high quality PC systems.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

Why is that? Looking at your device list, disposable income isn't too great of a problem.

So why throw it away on a more expensive device when a less expensive one offers the feature set and quality I'm looking for?

• Sansa Clip+ $25 vs iPod nano $150
• Nook Color $250 vs iPad $500
• Kindle SO WF $115 vs Kindle WF $140

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

So why throw it away on a more expensive device when a less expensive one offers the feature set and quality I'm looking for?

I was actually asking about PC hardware...

But if you get the performance you want and the ideological scratch you need at a lower price point...I say save the cash to go fishing!

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

I was actually asking about PC hardware...

But if you get the performance you want and the ideological scratch you need at a lower price point...I say save the cash to go fishing!

Same thing there. If I was in the market for a laptop, my upper limit would be around $350~$400.

[jocampo]

RockdaMan,

This thread is not about Apple and I am not going to start a debate about it. I do have Apple products and I do like them because some of them provide services that I need, regardless of the brand, but my server runs Linux and my main laptop as well, which is an HP laptop by the way.

There are plenty of options and manufacturers with lower prices than Apple and with better quality, even better hardware and more choices, like I/O ports, where Macs are very limited.

No! I am not going to start mention those, you do the research. Just a few weeks ago saw a PC system for sale in Staples for about 400 dollars with DVD combo, nice CPU and more RAM than the new Mini, but that's to give you an idea.

The world is not black and white. There are plenty of choices when we talk about laptops and PCs, at least at this moment. Some of them are really bad, true, others you'll be surprised of how good they are, especially when you take Windows out of the equation.

[RockdaMan]

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

So why throw it away on a more expensive device when a less expensive one offers the feature set and quality I'm looking for?

[...][*]Nook Color $250 vs iPad $500
[...]

Those are in no way equivalent products. (As someone who owns both)

[Sil_liS]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

Really? Why are their PC sales climbing?

I would say that Armani is also doing well, but their products would still be called expensive.

[RockdaMan]

Nice dodge.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

Those are in no way equivalent products. (As someone who owns both)

They're equivalent to me; and that's what counts.

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

They're equivalent to me

Ok...

[afa]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

There is no right or wrong answer.

Of course there is. Any opinion you have that contradicts my own, is inherently wrong. Welcome to MR, by the way...

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

doesn't convince people to buy something that they really don't want to buy. Lets put that to rest.

It only makes them aware, and other factors then come into play to seal the deal.

I don't know if that's true, Rock. Well, okay it is true. But perhaps not exclusively so. I think convincing people they want to buy Product X is why companies spend so much on adverts. For relatively new products, yes, it's to make them aware. And for established products/companies, it's to convince the consumer that this products is the one they want.

Why else, then, would Coke and Pepsi still spend millions and millions of dollars every year on marketing? Is there anyone in the world who isn't 'aware' of these brands? I agree that plenty of people (like you and me) would not really be swayed by a smooth ad or three, or by a nifty promotional campaign, even; but I'm sure there are plenty of people who would be.

By sales and marketshare no. But by mindshare and influence, yes.

I agree.

When you look at the Apple tablets and laptops of today, you're seeing the Windows tablets and laptops of tomorrow morning.

Judging by how far behind MS is on smartphones/tablets, I'd say it's more like "next week".

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

Yes or no?: Apple sells high quality PC systems.

Depends on what one means by quality. If we're talking build quality, I would certainly have to say yes. I've had an iMac for going on three years now, and still looks and feels new. Of course, I also tend to be pretty anal about these things...