There's a lot of comments in here about the business case. Beats is undeniably moving a lot of product. Speaking purely for my personal feelings though this purchase makes me value Apple less.
While people say Apple is merely overpriced hardware bought because marketing makes it cool, I think this is wrong, it's also really good hardware. But Beats is that criticism of Apple come true -- overpriced crap made popular with marketing. Ironically I don't even mind the sound profile of Beats -- high fidelity cans are too flat for me personally. But even for someone like me I can get that same sonic effect for a fraction of the price with other brands.
While people say Apple is merely overpriced hardware bought because marketing makes it cool, I think this is wrong, it's also really good hardware. But Beats is that criticism of Apple come true -- overpriced crap made popular with marketing. Ironically I don't even mind the sound profile of Beats -- high fidelity cans are too flat for me personally. But even for someone like me I can get that same sonic effect for a fraction of the price with other brands.