i was always under the impression that apple was a software company. they buy other peoples hardware so that their software can run...
or am i wrong??
or am i wrong??
i was always under the impression that apple was a software company. they buy other peoples hardware so that their software can run...
or am i wrong??
hhmm ok thanks for the input
im not really sure, ive always thought that because of their heavy software production that it would make them a software company. but u kno...things change
Apple has a huge patent portfolio of both hardware and software.
Apple still develops systems, cases, and products their way -- which is why their PCs have Apple I/O integrated instead of the same port mix a Dell/HP uses (aka, not quite Centrino because some of the Intel chips are swapped for non-Intel vendors like the FW/ethernet/wireless.)
If Apple just bough other people's work and slapped their OS and case in the cardboard box, the Centrino label would likely be added for that extra unit discount from Intel.
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But due to the switch to Intel, Apple has freed up cash and time used to pay for actual CPU/chipset development for other hardware.
So there is a lot more cash and people to toss at other projects/products these days.
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If you look at the software side, Apple has been steadily buying companies and making them OS X only for a long time. Like logic/shake/final cut/etc.
Then there are the iLife/iWork/Filemaker etc. software apps that sell well and have to be developed.
So they ain't just an OS company either.
NOthings really changed. Apple has never used entirely stock components, the've tended to design their own motherboards and what not. So they've always been in the hardware design business, its not just pretty cases with stock stuff inside it. That's true today even though they use more standard stuff since the intel switch.
What apple is, in my opinion, is a hardware company that uses software to drive sales (true in computers, and also true with iTunes, which is mainly a vehicle to drive iPod sales, they make almost nothing on the music itself). If it wasn't for the software, they'd be nowhere. Without the hardware, they wouldn't make any money. But if the question is where do they make their money, its definitely all in the hardware. They have far and away the highest gross margins of any manufacturer (but also more overhead because they design the hardware and software themselves).
I think its important to understand that apple see's their computers as a whole product, software and hardware. That lockin allows them to make more money, and provide a better user experience. Its a pretty key point that drives a lot of the decisions they make, such as not licensing OS X to other vendors.
As Apple operate an end-to-end model with all their devices and Macs, i would say that they don't do 'software' and 'hardware' as much as they simply do 'Appleware'. They are an enigma in this industry that is quite difficult to pin down.
The software drives the hardware sales which drives the profit
no need to mystified the situation, apple isn't picking best hardwares out their. nothing really about "best of both worlds". most of the time, apple's hardwares are not the top of the line stuff. which is expected from apple's model.so apple is kinda in their own league??? having the best of both worlds and deciding exactly what they want and who they want it??
Apple sells both hardware and software. Ergo, they are both a hardware and software company.
ok so apple designs the cases, and designs the systems and DECIDES on the components. but they still donot make those actual components. intel does, or whoever.
this would be true for dell aswell, but dell doesnot make software. therefore dell is a hardware company.
Apple is likely still pushing hard for Intel to integrate stuff they need/want into the chipset.
If Intel doesn't make it, likely they will use someone else's chip.
welcome to the real world. use someone else's chip? I would be shocked if apple were to have that much power over intel.
the use use of other peoples hardware would save apple time, instead of having to produce them themselves. thats why i think they are a software company. they dont manufacter the products themselves, simply design them and make someone else do it...apple makes no hardwares inside your computer. or mostly.
It doesn't make mainboard, graphic card, display, sound card, memory, CPU, cables, etc, etc, it juts buy them from others, sometimes insert some design requirements. and assemble them together, put OSX on it.
no need to mystified the situation, apple isn't picking best hardwares out their. nothing really about "best of both worlds". most of the time, apple's hardwares are not the top of the line stuff. which is expected from apple's model.
Apple is neither a hardware or a software company.
Apple is an experience company. thats what you are buying, the apple experience.
Apple sells both hardware and software. Ergo, they are both a hardware and software company.
I don't understand why Apple has to be one or the other, why can't they just be both, because that's what they are.
Although I'd call Apple a 'both' company, I'm not too keen on your argument: Microsoft sells hardware and software, but I'd call them a 'Software company that happens to sell hardware'
i think all of those 5 statements above are fairly commendable and accurate. true, apple does "design" the hardware so technically that would still fall under them producing the hardware, just not the actual manufactoring part.They are a technology company. Any other distinction is pointless these days.
They call themselves a software company,but to me they are a hardware company.
Are you more excited by a new iLife than a new iPod/Mac?
Isn't software the most important part of the Mac?
Because take the Mac OS X out of the Mac and you are left with a generic computer, which could run Vista, Ubuntu, Solaris etc.