Apple has blowout quarter -- profits increase 400%

[Asher]

Let's compare the screens of the iPod Nano and the Zen Micro Photo, for instance.

iPod Nano: 1.5" 64K color LCD, ~140degrees viewing angle, requires backlight (bad for battery life)
Zen Micro Photo: 1.5" 256K color OLED, full viewing angle, no backlight required (good for battery life)

As I said, when you cheap out on components, you can make a pretty penny when every ****** with $200 wants your product to be cool.

The same story (with the display quality difference) is true for virtually every component comparing Zens to iPods.

[DaShi]

I think both look terrible.

[Drake Tungsten]

iPod Nano: 1.5" 64K color LCD, ~140degrees viewing angle, requires backlight (bad for battery life)
Zen Micro Photo: 1.5" 256K color OLED, full viewing angle, no backlight required (good for battery life)

Man, Creative really is stupid. The only thing the average customer will notice on that list is screen size (which is equal) and possibly the need for a backlight. I approve of their use of quality components, but it seems like bad business sense cutting into your own profits for little to no gain. They'd be better off spending the money on better industrial design.

As I said, when you cheap out on components, you can make a pretty penny when every ****** with $200 wants your product to be cool.

Yep. Capitalism.

[Asher]

Man, Creative really is stupid. The only thing the average customer will notice on that list is screen size and possibly the need for a backlight

Creative makes products for people who know what they're buying.

As for the lack of a backlight means it probably boosted battery life by ~40% compared to an equivalent color backlit LCD display.

Not to mention the fact that you don't need to touch a button to read the display in the dark and activate the backlight (though you will have to touch one to turn it off if you want )

[Drake Tungsten]

Creative makes products for people who know what they're buying.

Fair enough. If they're content to stay in a niche market, more power to them.

[Asher]

w00tw00t. Can't wait til stores 'round here carry them, I'm due for an upgrade.

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by Asher
w00tw00t. Can't wait til stores 'round here carry them, I'm due for an upgrade.

No need to rush. Those things will be collecting dust on store shelves for ages.

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by Asher
Creative's main problem isn't with sales, it's with their high costs leading to lower profit margins.

That's what happens when you use quality components.

Quality? You must be thinking of another company.

The problem with Creative is that it is run by a geek. Creative had to borrow money to run its marketing department. That's screwed up.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Asher
Not everybody wants to have an MP3 player that looks like a Louie Vuitton purse.

LV purses are ugly. iPod looks good.

[Dinner]

Apples computer business isn't doing very well and nearly all of their profits come from MP3 players. There are more and more companies introducing MP3 players of more and more types so it will very hard to stay on top of this market given how fast things are changing.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Tingkai
Meanwhile, Creative Technology share price has plummeted from about $16 to about $7.50. No suprise given its crappy products that hardly anyone wants.

I love my Zen Touch. It plays more more file formats, has more storage space, costs less, and and has better sound quality then the Ipod. A great product and the kicker is Apple tries to tell me what I can and can't do with my music while the creative doesn't. I can't buy an Apple because I won't support their anti-consumer practices where they attempt to block me from using my music how I like.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Tingkai
Quality? You must be thinking of another company.

The problem with Creative is that it is run by a geek. Creative had to borrow money to run its marketing department. That's screwed up.

Creatives quality is great but their design could use a bit of spicing up. You're right that engineers run Creative for themselves instead of consumers and that is a problem. I'm not wedded to the brand and only will buy it if it is the best; right now it is the best even if most consumers are to stupid to comparision shop and only buy the "in" thing. In technology the lemming's choice is rarely the best choice.

[Drake Tungsten]

I can't buy an Apple because I won't support their anti-consumer practices where they attempt to block me from using my music how I like.

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by Oerdin
it is the best even if most consumers are to stupid to comparision shop and only buy the "in" thing. In technology the lemming's choice is rarely the best choice.

The people I know who have bought the nano have not done it because it is the "in" thing. They bought it because they like the design, particularly the small size.

[Gibsie]

This makes me wonder- how many posters here are gittieth enough to own more than one iPod?