iBook, iPod Lead $10 Billion Back-To-School Spending
iBook, iPod Lead $10 Billion Back-To-School Spending
by , 10:25 AM EDT, September 7th, 2004
Electronics are playing a bigger role than ever when it comes to Back To School purchases, the Associated Press reports, with such sales expected to top $10 billion this year. Among the driving forces are Apple's iBook and iPod. Laptop sales are up 30 percent over last year, analysts say, and the iBook is one of the most popular models for college students. Whereas computers have been a necessity for most college students in recent years, many nowadays are also clamoring for the latest gadgets, not all of which can be tied to better grades. "The iPod phenomenon makes up the huge majority in that category," said Stephen Baker, an analyst at NPD, which tracks retail store sales. "People used to bring 6-foot-high speakers to their dorm rooms, but now all their music just fits in their back pocket." Fancier cell phones and PDAs are also more popular than ever. A recent USA Today story noted that Apple's "Cram and Jam." promotion, which offers students a $200 rebate when they purchase an iPod and iBook or PowerBook, has been extremely successful. The University of Oregon and the University of Arizona, for example have both seen Macs account for almost two-thirds of computers sold this year.
The Mac Observer Spin:
What a difference a year makes. Last Fall, iPod-toting students were an exclusive minority. This year, it's difficult to tour a college campus in between classes without spotting at least a handful of students with the tell-tale white headphones. With the new 4G iPod, iPod mini, back to school season this quarter, and the holiday season around the corner, it's hard to imagine when the push for iPods will start to slow.Observer Comments
Tue Sep 07, 2004 12:28 pm Subject: Cram & Jam helped boost sales,
but the current situation with Windows with virus-worm-spyware hell has also been a big help. Now that SP2 is causing so many people problems parents and students are feeling a lot safer with ANY Mac. Throw in student discounts and a cheap Office version for education and you have a strong argument to go with a computer you can trust.
Tue Sep 07, 2004 2:55 pm Subject:
I was in an Apple Store twice this weekend, and both times, it seemed that the only thing people were buying were iPods and accessories. During the first trip, one person bought a pink and a green mini iPod, cases for both, plus a 40 GB 4th gen + car accessories, the guy on line behind him bought a 40 gb, and one of the clerks brought out 3 minis and 2 more 40 gbs.
The next day, while I was waiting to complete a return, the clerk at the second register rang through 4 separate mini sales.
I want a pink 60 gb - you hear that, Steve and Jonathan?
Wed Sep 08, 2004 1:33 pm Subject: Re: iPods flying off the shelves
QuoteAnonymous wrote:
I was in an Apple Store twice this weekend, and both times, it seemed that the only thing people were buying were iPods and accessories. During the first trip, one person bought a pink and a green mini iPod, cases for both, plus a 40 GB 4th gen + car accessories, the guy on line behind him bought a 40 gb, and one of the clerks brought out 3 minis and 2 more 40 gbs.
The next day, while I was waiting to complete a return, the clerk at the second register rang through 4 separate mini sales.
The iPod is indeed brining new traffic to the Apple stores. People who otherwise wouldn't be visiting the retail stores are coming in to buy iPods. The long-term benefit of this phenomenon is that it brings exposure to the Mac to people initially interested in buying Apple's digital music player.
The iPod's halo effect is now a known fact and Apple's entire product line is seeing an uptick in sales due to the popularity of the iPod.
Wed Sep 08, 2004 4:27 pm Subject: iStuff all over Cal
Wed Sep 08, 2004 5:04 pm Subject: Re: iStuff all over Cal
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