Why Dont Apple Let You Customise Your Computer?

[R.Youden]

I have been thinking about this for a while now. Why dont Apple give you more freedom when selecting specification for your machine. I am contemplating a Mac mini for a media centre but if I get the top end mac mini there are lots of things I dont need, i.e. superdrive, large HD. I just wish Apple gave you the optin of down grading, which I believe they have done in the past.

 

[c-Row]

...but if I get the top end mac mini there are lots of things I dont need, i.e. superdrive, large HD.

I guess that's why it is the top end mac mini.

 

[mad jew]

I think it's economies of scale. Each level of customisation along the production line costs more for Apple as they need a corresponding mechanism in place to deal with it.

 

[kretzy]

I think it's economies of scale. Each level of customisation along the production line costs more for Apple as they need a corresponding mechanism in place to deal with it.

Nicely explained, Mr Economist.

I agree 100%. There is very little incentive for Apple to provide such a service, the administration and logistics of such a service would most likely would eat up any additional potential profit. Unless Apple charged a much higher premium for the product, which eliminate much of the demand for such a product.

 

[R.Youden]

But they do allow you to upgrade. I suppose what I would like to see most is them giving you the abalilty to upgrade the processor whilst keeping everything else the same.

 

[khisayruou]

...contemplating a Mac mini for a media centre but if I get the top end mac mini there are lots of things I dont need, i.e. superdrive, large HD....

Hmmm, I am the exact opposite.
I want a mac mini too, but a smaller HD and no superdrive would make one horrible media center. I want a 500gb HD in there! I just want Apple to upgrade the cpu speed, the core solo is just shameful and the duo, is well behind the macbook. They were nice introductions for intel chips, but I have a feeling this is not what they truly had in mind for the mini.