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Here's why Apple doesn't really care about the Mac or iPad

Users are rejoicing that Apple has finally refreshed the iPad Pro, along with the painfully old MacBook Air, and almost fossilized Mac mini. But be under no illusion, this is not where Apple's priorities are focused on.
Written by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Contributing Writer

If you're an Apple user that lives and works outside of the iPhone ecosystem, you might have noticed that Apple doesn't prioritize Mac and iPad upgrades like it does iPhone upgrades. Earlier this month the company refreshed the iPad Pro line, which was last updated over a year ago.

Also updated was the MacBook Air, which was last updated back in June 2017, but was based on a March 2015 product, and the Mac mini, which last saw an update back in October 2014.

Must read: Peak iPad Pro: The end of major advances?

So why is it that Apple doesn't seem to care about the Mac or the iPad?

Just follow the money.

Dissecting yesterday's financial data for Q4 18, we can get a breakdown of where Apple's revenue comes from. And it's a real eye-opener.

Here's the revenue breakdown:

  • iPhone: 59.1 percent
  • iPad: 6.5 percent
  • Mac: 11.8 percent
  • Services: 15.9 percent
  • Other products: 6.7 percent

Take a moment to absorb the fact that Apple's services business -- which comprises of digital content and services, AppleCare, Apple Pay, licensing and other services -- is a bigger business than the Mac, and that "other products" -- which covers AirPods, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Beats products, HomePod, iPod touch and other Apple-branded and third-party accessories -- is bigger than the iPad.

Also: MacBook Air 2018: 5 things the pros need TechRepublic

Now it could be argued that some of the revenue for services and "other products" comes as a result of iPad and Mac, but given the size of the iPhone install base compared to that of the iPad or Mac, it will only be a modest amount.

Apple's priority is keeping the iPhone business afloat. Everything else is secondary.

This is why Apple doesn't really care about the Macs and iPads, and is happy to let them languish and fossilize through neglect. Apple is a company that primarily sells iPhones.

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