Yet another Apple competition only open to USA participants. I'm getting sick and tired of Apple promos that are only for North Americans. With the prices Apple Australia charge and lack of comparable service (iPhoto books anyone?), I can't help but feel the rest of the world subsidizes Apple USA. I understand that Apple needs a strong base in the North American market, but as trade becomes more globalized, all customers should be treated the same.

http://www.apple.com/education/hed/students/win/

"This sweepstakes is open to full-time and part-time college and university students at accredited college and university in the United States only, over 18 years of age."

Edit - grammar

I fully agree. Maybe AppleTalk could use some power and get Apple Australia to start doing stuff like this

well australia is a small market.
i dont expect big things from apple in oz because any promo's or advertising they do is going to have little result.
apple would be happy with sales figures in oz already and probably dont feel the need to go on a multi million dollar advertising blitz or start giving awaya free products

I think Islayer is spot-on, the USA is a much more competitive and much more lucrative market for Apple, so obviously their marketing efforts are going to be focused there.
I mean almost half of their sales are made in the USA, so its obvious all the good features and promotions are going to be started there first.

I really wish people would quit bitching about not having this and not having that from Apple in Australia, and how the US gets all the good stuff, its the biggest market, what else do you expect?

US Population: 293,027,571 (July 2004 est.)

AU Population: 19,913,144 (July 2004 est.)

We're about 6% of their total population.

edit: grammar

last i heard apple had around 4% of the market in Aus so they are already ahead of where they stand in most countries

As I said, I understand the importance of the USA market to Apple, not least because of its size compared to ours. However this doesn't explain the better prices in Singapore or Hong Kong, whose populations are about the same as Victoria's or New Zealand's.

http://store.apple.com/1800-MY-APPLE/WebOb.../singaporestore AU$ = SG$1.27
http://store.apple.com/800-908-988/W.../hongkongstore AU$ = HK$6.02

Don't you think it's getting a bit ridiculous when you can get a better price than Apple Australia's by buying in USA and shipping it here even after paying the appropriate shipping and duties?

BTW does anyone know if the FTA changes anything re Apple products?

Edit - added AppleStore links, $ conversions

no it doesnt.

and another thing...
apple resellers in america have a clause in thiere contracts that say they are not allowed to sell products outside the US.
so its techinally illegal to but any apple product from america if its new.

that why places like amazon dont ship computers outsie america

I disagree. Why can't Apple give away like 100 suffles (if they had the stock here) it's hardly gonna hurt them, they rip us off at the moment as it is!

I thought the export ban only applied to countries where it would be unwise to let locals get their hands on advance computers and high-encryption software. Last time I checked, I thought Australia and USA were allies?

Anyway, my argument still holds for Apple products sold in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Damn America!

no its an apple thing not a computer thing.
i asssume other manufacturers have similar stances.

the US policy doesnt stop someone like apple from selling to australia or even iraq

its just an apple policy that you can only sell macs in the country you based

Besides, would you really buy a computer from overseas and then when it has a problem ... who are you going to go to ? I'm not sure Apple Australia would honour warranty on a machine that wasn't even bought in the country ?

plus you'll have to get convertors for the power ...

For obvious reasons, the warranty and AppleCare on Apple laptops apply worldwide.

It wouldn't be practical to import eMacs because apparently you need to set CRT displays for local conditions, as well as a freight weight of over 24kg!

The price of travelling power plugs is generally under AU$50

Yeh Applecare states "Global repairs for PowerBooks and iBooks." only

Anyone had to test this out ?