code777 said:
But yeah, if Apple did not have the iPod i think they'd be in trouble again.
i hear this a lot, but feel its not true. Apple has had very profitable reportings due to the iPod (and even reached a
4 year high this year). but that doesnt mean they'd be in trouble again.
lets see:
Virginia Tech: 1000 G5s, then 1000 G5 XServe's, and recently all updated to a new 2.3GHz processor. plus an apple technician or an apple certified technician (either way they make money).
G5 iMac: sales during the 4Q alone were reported as $216 million... granted that was after its release, but that was actually 23% lower than the previous year. Reportedly due to the shortage of the old G4s and the lack of G5s available after the release
and during the back to school rush, i sold at least 2 notebooks (mostly PBs) a week. and i was only 1 salesman in an Authorized Seller store with the Apple store in the mall across the street. so i imagine they sold quite a few there as well as many more online with the education discount.
so for apple: (# of products per store)x(price - marginalCost)x(#OfStores)x(about 3 weeks for back to school) = $$$$$ for Apple
so iPod+(all earnings above) = highest earnings