New iPod nano Has the Cheapest Build Cost, Highest Profit Margin
YetS  The prolific pull-apart analysts at iSuppli have finished
their strip down/sourcing assessment of the latest iPod nano,
estimating that the 4GB model packs $58.85 worth of hardware,
while the 8GB one costs Apple $82.85 in partage. The rub is that
they've shaved off 13 bucks in hardware costs from the previous
generation despite adding video goodness, and over $31 from the
first gen of nanos. One probable way they've shoved down costs
is by inciting some old fashioned price wars between their
suppliers.  Apparently Apple's been flipping back and forth
between suppliers for various parts as they move from one line
to another, which iSuppli's Chris Crotty says they wouldn't do
"unless there was a compelling cost-related reason to do it."
Well, hopefully quality would make for another compelling reason
to switch suppliers. You know, if they were getting crappy
shipments of certain parts. [BW]