Apple hardware - too many SKUs?

[Deleted member 651465]

Hey all,

I don't know if it's just me but there seems to be weekly rumors that Apple will release another piece of hardware, another SKU or a refresh for their existing lines. Add to that, there are rumors of larger iPads (iPad Pro), a smaller MacBook Pro (MacBook Pro 12"), blah blah.. I believe they're offering too many SKUs.

When you break it down, The iPad and the iMac line is a joke, in terms of different SKUs. It just gives Joe Public a bewildering array of choice and could be simplified a lot more than it is.

Here's the current hardware lineup as of today (16/09)..


Laptop
MacBook Air 11" 128GB
MacBook Air 11" 256GB
MacBook Air 13" 128GB
MacBook Air 13" 256GB

MacBook Pro 13" 2.5GHz
MacBook Pro 13" 2.6GHz w/ Retina + 128GB
MacBook Pro 13" 2.6GHz w/Retina + 256GB
MacBook Pro 13" 2.6GHz w/Retina + 512GB
MacBook Pro 15" 2.2GHz w/Retina + 256GB
MacBook Pro 15" 2.5GHz w/Retina + 512GB + GT750M

http://store.apple.com/uk/tab?node=home/shop_mac/compare&tcid=tg_tabcontroller&tab=0


Desktop
iMac 21.5" 1.4GHz + 500GB + Intel HD5000
iMac 21.5" 2.7GHz + 1TB + Iris Pro
iMac 21.5" 2.9GHz + 1TB + GT750M
iMac 27" 3.2GHz + 1TB + GT755M
iMac 27" 3.4GHz + 1TB + GT775M

Mac Pro 3.7GHz Quad Core + 12GB + Dual AMD FirePro D300 2GB
Mac Pro 3.5GHz 6 Core + 16GB + Dual AMD FirePro D500 3GB

Mac Mini 2.5GHz + 4GB + 500GB
Mac Mini 2.3GHz + 4GB + 1TB
Mac Mini 2.3GHz + 4GB + 2x1TB + Mac OS X Server

http://store.apple.com/uk/tab?node=home/shop_mac/compare&tcid=tg_tabcontroller&tab=1


iPod
iPod Shuffle 2GB (8 colours available)

iPod Nano 16GB (8 colours available)

iPod Touch 16GB (6 colours available)
iPod Touch 32GB (6 colours available)
iPod Touch 64GB (6 colours available)

http://www.apple.com/uk/ipod/compare-ipod-models/


iPhone
iPhone 5c 8GB (5 colours available)

iPhone 5s 16GB (3 colours available)
iPhone 5s 32GB (3 colours available)

iPhone 6 16GB (3 colours available)
iPhone 6 64GB (3 colours available)
iPhone 6 128GB (3 colours available)

iPhone 6 Plus 16GB (3 colours available)
iPhone 6 Plus 64GB (3 colours available)
iPhone 6 Plus 128GB (3 colours available)

http://www.apple.com/uk/iphone/compare/


iPad
iPad Mini 16GB (2 colours available)
iPad Mini 16GB + Celluar (2 colours available)

iPad Mini w/Retina 16GB (2 colours available)
iPad Mini w/Retina 32GB (2 colours available)
iPad Mini w/Retina 64GB (2 colours available)
iPad Mini w/Retina 128GB (2 colours available)
iPad Mini w/Retina 16GB + Cellular (2 colours available)
iPad Mini w/Retina 32GB + Cellular (2 colours available)
iPad Mini w/Retina 64GB + Cellular (2 colours available)
iPad Mini w/Retina 128GB + Cellular (2 colours available)

iPad w/Retina 16GB (2 colours available)
iPad w/Retina 16GB + Cellular (2 colours available)

iPad Air 16GB
iPad Air 32GB
iPad Air 64GB
iPad Air 128GB
iPad Air 16GB + Cellular (2 colours available)
iPad Air 32GB + Cellular (2 colours available)
iPad Air 64GB + Cellular (2 colours available)
iPad Air 128GB + Cellular (2 colours available)

http://www.apple.com/uk/ipad/compare/


So, what do we think? Are Apple at risk of reverting back to the old days of too many SKUs and models as they were before Steve Jobs returned?

I'd like to see the iPad range reduced to iPad Mini w/Retina and iPad w/Retina (renaming the iPad Air and dumping the "regular iPad"). I'd also like to see a more consistent approach for the iMac range.. not 3 different CPUs which the general public would have no clue about, and finally dumping the non-retina MacBook Pro.

 

[thecremeegg]

Surely different storage options and colours don't count? I get you with the different types of iPad etc however I don't think offering different storage sizes are an issue (other than the price hike which is scandalous!).

 

[Deleted member 651465]

I put the storage sizes down because it illustrates how certain models are hamstrung to very poor sizing. Example; iPad w/Retina only available in 16GB.

Colours.. I put that in to show how they offer 3 colours for some lines, 2 for others, 8 for the iPods.. You'd think that the iPhone 5c would come in the same colours as the iPod Shuffle (forget the finish difference), but no

 

[lamboman]

I don't know if it's just me but there seems to be weekly rumors that Apple will release another piece of hardware, another SKU or a refresh for their existing lines. Add to that, there are rumors of larger iPads (iPad Pro), a smaller MacBook Pro (MacBook Pro 12"), blah blah..

How often are these lines being actually released? So far we've had a budget-spec iMac. That's it. It's likely that the rumoured 12" MBP, if it comes about, will come in to replace another machine. To be honest I still don't see where this will fit in. If it's thin, it's a MacBook Air. If it's MBP sized, it's an MBP. There's little wiggle room.

When you break it down, The iPad and the iMac line is a joke, in terms of different SKUs. It just gives Joe Public a bewildering array of choice and could be simplified a lot more than it is.

If Joe Public doesn't understand colours and mobile data, they've got far more problems than deciding which iPad to buy. Storage really is the only one where advice may be needed (the number of people who buy an 8 or 16GB phone to only then find out it isn't enough...they eventually learn for their next purchase). I don't think that many will even consider the older iPads; most will jump straight at the latest and greatest. As for the iMac, they're offering two sizes with low- and high-end options, along with a budget option. Mac mini, low- and high-end configuration, along with a special Server option. Notebooks, again, low- and high-end across four models (ignoring the old MBP, that should really be gone). Those who know they need more can get a custom build. I wouldn't call that too complicated.

So, what do we think? Are Apple at risk of reverting back to the old days of too many SKUs and models as they were before Steve Jobs returned?

Mid '90s Apple had a bunch of machines that seemingly crossed over with similar form factors, with little consistency. The current line-up is comprised of entirely different machines within distinctive product lines.

I'd like to see the iPad range reduced to iPad Mini w/Retina and iPad w/Retina (renaming the iPad Air and dumping the "regular iPad").

I kind of agree with you on this one for the current generation, however in the long run a budget option with a £70 saving is little different to what is offered with the iPhone range. The upgrade from the mini to the retina mini was a leap, which unfortunately makes the old mini a terrible buy. It'll make sense in the next generation onwards, but it doesn't right now.

I'd also like to see a more consistent approach for the iMac range.. not 3 different CPUs which the general public would have no clue about, and finally dumping the non-retina MacBook Pro.[/COLOR]

But for the pre-built models there aren't three CPU options. There are two. A ULV mobile i5 model, then desktop i5s for the rest. There isn't anything to simplify here. Those who specify an i7 will likely know what an i7 is, or will want to upgrade purely for the sake of having the best.

I believe they're offering too many SKUs.

Most of which are colour and storage options for iOS devices.

 

[uchuff]

It's a pretty well thought out range imho.

They like to satisfy certain price points, explaining otherwise seemingly odd devices like the 13" non retina macbook. The bulk of the low end is made up of previous years products (sometimes in a new shell) where R&D have been recouped and component yields are high.

Compare that to a site I can't link due to them being an OCUK competitor that I hit recently when looking to investigate windows gaming. On landing on their site makes me choose between the fairly abstract Dream PC, Home Entertainment, Pro Gaming or Pro Graphics.

 

[Caged]

I think the issue with limiting the SKUs is that every time someone has to buy the next model up to get one specific feature they feel a bit done over. The number of SKUs is not as important as how they are presented.

 

[dasyad]

Personally I find them a lot more flexible in their configuration options compared to say Dell who every time I check their laptops seem to have a configurators with basically no options, which makes the whole set up rather pointless IMO

 

[sbi5ar]

I think apple are moving to a "three" product range...

Each device will have 3 different sizes and 3 different configurations, for instance...

I think they will have an iPhone mini (currently 5S), an iPhone (currently 6) and the iPhone plus (currently 6+). The iPad will have the mini (currently mini), an iPad (currently the iPad air), and an iPad plus (larger size that is yet to be announced but is rumoured). To add to this, there are three different apple watches to chose from (and two sizes, but there is no need for a third size).

If we then look at the MacBooks... the Air is rumoured to be moving to a 12" design (combining the 11 and 13" models). The retina Mac is now in 13 and 15" sizes. As the design of the Mac becomes a lot thinner, they will have three almost similar products I think that just differ on size. For desktop, you have the mini, the iMac and then the Pro.

Colour options and that are negligible.

Hopefully that will make sense to everyone.