> Seems predatory towards people who are buying stuff they can't afford, otherwise I don't see how they make money (minus the overpriced laptop I just bought, I guess).
That's exactly why they're doing this, to get people who can't afford Apple's products to buy them anyway. Compare with what Tim Cook said in February:
> The price of the most expensive iPhone model has increased by more than half — from $962 to $1,600 since 2009 when adjusted for inflation — but Apple CEO Tim Cook doesn't appear worried about increasing prices.
> During an earnings call with investors on Thursday, Cook said he believes people are willing to pay more because the phone has become "so integral into people's lives."
> "I think people are willing to really stretch to get the best they can afford in that category," Cook said, responding to a question on whether the increasing average sales price over the last few years is "sustainable."
"Willing to really stretch" is just another way of saying "spending more than they should".
That's exactly why they're doing this, to get people who can't afford Apple's products to buy them anyway. Compare with what Tim Cook said in February:
> The price of the most expensive iPhone model has increased by more than half — from $962 to $1,600 since 2009 when adjusted for inflation — but Apple CEO Tim Cook doesn't appear worried about increasing prices.
> During an earnings call with investors on Thursday, Cook said he believes people are willing to pay more because the phone has become "so integral into people's lives."
> "I think people are willing to really stretch to get the best they can afford in that category," Cook said, responding to a question on whether the increasing average sales price over the last few years is "sustainable."
"Willing to really stretch" is just another way of saying "spending more than they should".