Apple Computer
Question: Why is it wise for Apple to offer an incentive to college students, such as an iPod at a reduced cost with the purchase of a computer, when they are trying to maintain domination over the digital music industry?
Assumed Response: It is wise for Apple to offer incentives, such as giving an iPod away at a reduced cost with the purchase of a computer to college students, because it is a way to hook customers at a young age. It seems that the iPod, at least when it was first introduced, was marketed mainly to a young audience. So it makes sense that when an eighteen year-old is getting ready to head of to college, that Apple would like to target them. I was a victim of Apple’s this past summer. When I bought my laptop G4 from Apple this past August, I was offered to receive a free mini-iPod and naturally I accepted; now I am completely dedicated to Apple. If Apple is able to capture the attention of other computer buying students, they will likely be able to maintain them as customers, because once you’re used to Apple’s products, you may never want to switch again. The iPod works best with iTunes, which can be found on all Apple computers. Hopefully as people witness the growth of iPods (which has already taken place) and new incentives are put in place, more people will desire to buy an iPod themselves.