Sorry, Apple, and Apple fans, but that's how it goes.

[xenie]

21. Made in U.S.A. not more expensive--Apple not so good any more

I have an unlocked Nokia smart phone. It has better specs than iPhone, better reception, better camera, can use multiple SIMs, and has unlimited memory with its card slot. Retail price at ~$650 is $250 less than Apple's 32GB iPhone. I bought the Nokia phone without contract.

My phone is made in Finland, as are many, but not all, of their phones. iPhone is made in China. Factory workers in Finland make a lot more than workers in the US, yet this popular phone is cheaper than iPhone where it's widely available outside the US.

I not only use Apple products, I used to work for Apple. Their pricing is not based on cost of production plus R&D, marketing, shipping, etc. with a somewhat set percentage profit margin. It's based on what they think customers are willing to pay, no matter how much.

I may pay more for a MacBook Pro, but seriously consider getting a PC and hacking it into a Hackintosh, or simply using--ugh--Windows. Why? I'm an artist. I do commercial video, advertising, magazine layouts. Apple broke OS X and both the software and hardware that creative professionals depend on most to favor consumers rather than creators. I will NEVER buy another sealed, disposable iMac--biggest purchase mistake.

Apple's made-in-China hardware is sealed with either adhesives or proprietary screws, while my Nokia [and peecees] can be easily opened and repaired. Apple's arrogance is at an all time high, while the utility of its products is declining rapidly for its most loyal--soon to be former--customers.

Yes, Apple could make its products in the United States, but our workers are protected by some health and safety laws, also a 40 hour work week with paid overtime. Unfortunately, Steve Jobs was vehemently anti-union, due to his complete ignorance of unions. Fortunately he's not around to keep production out of the U.S. Will his hand picked successors follow his U.S.-hostile attitude? I hope not, but let's wait and see.

It may be too late. Creative professionals I know or have read comments from will not be "downgrading" to OS X Lion [10.7] or Mountain Lion [10.8].