So you're saying it's not a "tax" per say and that the hardware premiums actually go to R&D on next gen systems?

Apple's profit margin says otherwise. :)

> Apple net profit margin as of March 31, 2023 is 24.49%.

My understanding is that the profits are accumulated in a cash/low-risk investment reserve, which serves several purposes: hedging against the ~100B of debt they apparently hold, ensuring smooth operation in a downturn, and also enabling the acquisition of valuable companies or talent, such as P.A. Semi in 2008.

Let's put it this way: it would be a lot harder for Apple to do what it wants if it didn't have a stupendous amount of cash to fund it. That money pile means that they can shoulder the risks of their own plans, and the fact that they just pile on more and more profit every year just means these plans are largely successful.

You perfectly articulated my reaction to all of the complaints. It seems like people believe companies should aim for as close to zero profit margin as possible, as if margin is immoral waste akin to greed, and not fuel for for the business.

Its not that it is immoral, just that it indicates management lacks the imagination of what to do with it which can be problematic if it is a competitive industry.

What does this even mean, with the sarcastic smiley face? Since when are margins and R&D mutually exclusive?

Well, that's actually not out of line for tech. Microsoft is 34.62%, NVIDIA is 28.41%, and Google is 20.58%.

Lowering the price 10% won’t be a game changer for the vast majority of people who would buy these to put in a linux desktop/workstation/server.

Where exactly do you think they get the money to make payroll if not by selling goods and services?

A bit unrelated, but it is "per se".

Rattling the cage, very naughty.

Intel's profit margins have historically been higher.

Is that their net profit margin on hardware?

Hardware or including software?