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http://www.macnn.com/articles/05/02/25/apple.philipp/

Apple hopes to expand Philippines sales

updated 12:50 pm EST, Fri February 25, 2005

 

Apple Philippines


Apple expects a higher market share this year as a result of its entry into the local with more affordable consumer products, reports Macworld UK. With the recent unveiling of its latest Flash-based iPod Shuffle portable music player and a slimmer Mac Mini computer, Apple has opened itself to the entry-level consumer market. “The Mac Mini opens up lower price points for people who would like to try the Mac platform, and that’s long been one of my chief complaints about Apple - the high price,” said International Data Corporation (IDC) analyst Roger Kay. According to Apple Philippines’ country manager Gerard Chua, the company’s regional office is optimistic that the Mac Mini and the iPod Shuffle will be received warmly by Filipino consumers.


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  1. Monstermind

    Junior Member

    Joined: May 2000

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    02/25, 03:47pm | report spam | Reply |

    Aww yeah...

    Hot Filipino chicks with iPods. Can't wait to start seeing THOSE ads...

  1. JohnnyFive

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    Joined: Feb 2003

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    02/25, 04:28pm | report spam | Reply |

    re: Aww

    Be careful what you wish for, you may end up with a Hot Filipino She-Male!

  1. Pao|o

    Dedicated MacNNer

    Joined: Jun 2003

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    02/25, 05:29pm | report spam | Reply |

    Local Philippine prices

    Mac Mini (Apple forces Apple Protection Plan on all Mac Minis) no BTO
    1.25GHz = USD695.50/PHP37,995
    1.42GHz = USD787.03/PHP42,995

    iPod Shuffle
    512MB =USD127.9/PHP6,990
    1GB =USD182.87/PHP9,990

    Forex: USD1.00 = PHP54.63 (Friday, February 25, 2005, 5:24PM ET)

  1. stamesajake

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    02/25, 10:34pm | report spam | Reply |

    I dunno

    I just came back to the US from living in the Philippines for 4+ years. As much as I love Macs, I'm not sure that this will have a big effect.

    As Paolo noted the prices above, the prices are still a bit high for the average Filipino. Complete Windows PC's complete with monitor, mouse, and keyboard can be found for as cheap as one-third the price of a Mac mini. Also, pirated PC programs and copies of Windows are relatively easy to find as well in the Philippines which makes it easy to build up a big library of PC software at low cost. And PC gaming is a huge determinant of PC use there. Cyber cafes probably take in more income from Counterstrike and Ragnarok gaming than from any other uses (internet, productivity, etc.)

    Probably it will find a niche among A/V production professionals and rich kids looking to emulate the latest in American chic but for the vast majority of computer users over there, I bet the PC will still hold strong.

    Also, here's some food for thought. If Macs proliferate in the Philippines, would it be a security risk for the Macintosh world? Afterall, the Philippines gave the PC world the Love Bug virus. And it's been reported that the first major cellphone virus (Cabir) has its roots in the Philippines. Would it be long before we see the first truely malignant OS X specific virus?

  1. Pao|o

    Dedicated MacNNer

    Joined: Jun 2003

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    02/25, 11:45pm | report spam | Reply |

    Bunch of wankers

    The price strategy of Apple Singapore/Philippines and their Apple & iPod distributors are retarded. If they just unbundled Apple Protection Plan & just priced the units at US MSRP + taxes then Apple products would be more competitive with OEM PC makers like IBM, Dell, HP, Compaq, etc. stamsajake makes a valid point that you can get a lower spec'd PC for less & with the prolifiration of pirated software (Any PC app goes for $1-2.00. While Mac apps go for $10-15.00) it is makes PC a more tempting choice.

    Anyway Apple will always cater to the higher end of the computing market and I think it's a good strategy. Let Dell & the small PC stores scramble over crumbs. Who wants everyone owning a BMW anyway, right? ;)

  1. macsNeverSayDie

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    02/26, 02:10am | report spam | Reply |

    ipod halo effect

    Watching a Filipino show a few months ago I saw one famous actress/tv show host holding an ipod in her show. Once this show biz people start holding those ipods and shuffles it will just produce so much publicity that it is a "must have item." With this, the ipod halo effect will come in and the mac mini's cheap price will be an alternative choice for people who wants to get a mac mini that has substance and style and see what is behind this popular computer in the U.S.

  1. Pao|o

    Dedicated MacNNer

    Joined: Jun 2003

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    02/26, 03:47am | report spam | Reply |

    Oh boy

    That's just great. What the Philippines needs is the unwashed masses buying Macs. Am starting to think that maybe Apple Singapore/Philippines had it right when they overpriced their products.

  1. Mac-a-Bayan

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    02/27, 09:50pm | report spam | Reply |

    Mabuhay

    Here in the Philipines Mac still remains strong in advertising, entertainment, print and arts. Back then in the mid '90s Apple had a strong following here that FilMUG was even established (Filipino Mac Users Group). I think if Apple would not overpriced its products it would be great for education here. Not only for students who are planning to take up career on the above mentioned fields but more so among faculties. With iLife free, mac mini can be an all in one tool among the faculties for creating interesting educational tools. And with keynote faculties not only can open powerpoint files but more important can output swf format which is ideal for elearning.

  1. sdf

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    02/28, 04:47am | report spam | Reply |

    More sales not likely.

    The iPod is fairly big there. I saw it in several upper-class malls. But I don't think they'll get anywhere with the Mac mini.

    The Philippines is a very cost-sensitive place. Apple charges more than any other PC retailer there. In fact, the markup over US prices was about 40%.

    Haven't seen the mini's price there yet, though.

  1. Pao|o

    Dedicated MacNNer

    Joined: Jun 2003

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    02/28, 10:50am | report spam | Reply |

    Again with LoveBug

    stamesajake singling out Filos as the source of the first malignent virus is a bit premature dont you think? I have no doubt Filos will eventually make a Mac virus but by the sheer number of Filos w/ Macs & enough know how to s**** with OS X would be fewer than the fingers on your hand.

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