Um, no. Dell charges us MORE if we purchase through our computer store than if we pay retail. The best deals from Dell are almost always in the 'small business store'.Originally posted by ethernet76
Dell and the PC lot also offer great price cuts.
Now, Adobe knows how to do Edu discounts!! 50% off is normal.
I've never worked in an Edu computer store, but I've done mac support at Universities for years (and I've got friends who work in/run campus computer stores). I've never heard about any tax break from retailers for edu pricing. That's pure speculation. What exactly would they get a tax break on? The only thing taxible would be the income (profit) from the sale.. and reducing price reduces profit, which means less to get a tax break on.
Why offer price cuts? A) A mac user now is usually a future mac user b)I'm sure they get some type of goverment tax break for educational sales.
Now I can't comment on exclusive contracts.. BUT our campus computer store only sells Dell PCs (and Macs) yet we do pay more for Dells than the average purchaser. Our Dell pricing is very firm yet Dell runs specials like crazy.
c) Universities are more and more going to PCs because they are cheap. Dell already gives large discounts to universities that sign exclusive agreements with them.
Your other points are true and relevant, but Apple does need to make a profit. I've long suggested [to Apple] that they should subsidize Game development on the Machintosh to gain marketshare, but I was told that 'Apple isn't in the business of losing money anymore'. Apple's margins on machines can run from roughtly 10% to over 20%. Their Edu discounts are fairly consistently 10%.
D) today's students are tomorrows businessmen. People who've used a mac would more likely base their business around a mac platform.
Personally, as someone who has been in the Edu system for a long time, I feel that Apple's hardware discounts are great. They tend to offer us great deals on software too. I seem to recall that we were recently offered 3 years of software maintenance for $75. That's 3 more versions of the MacOS X for $25 per copy. Not bad.
jmho
ffakr
OH, by the way...
Apple doesn't offer bulk G5 pricing at the Education Store for Institutions. I've not received any bulk pricing from our area Apple rep either.. which I usually get. It could be happening, but I haven't seen any indication that Apple is actually offering discounted bulk G5 pricing even though there is a good chance that I'd be in a position to know about it.