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This a big step up from the Four Star Appliance that they used to be in!

Apr 13, 09 - 06:51 pm Comment from: Virus Free

The Chinese love Buicks (not for long for your death GM, ha ha!), perhaps they will love Mac's and Apple gear.

If so, it's a big thing for Apple and the stock will approach Google levels.

Buy AAPL!

Apr 13, 09 - 07:39 pm Comment from: sget88

The Chinese aren't big on Macs... the last one I saw in a Gome store had Windows running on it, and they put it in a glass showcase as if it were a piece of jewelry.

I love the "convenient experiences" the internet provides.

Apr 13, 09 - 08:02 pm Comment from: Virus Free

The Chinese aren't big on Macs...

Yea perhaps, because most of them got to be skilled enough to get around the "Great Firewall of China" to access the outside world. So at least they are techically savvy and most likely use pirated Windows OS on cheap PC boxes instead of higher end Mac's.

By the way those Buick's in China are made by Chinese, a heck of a lot cheaper than in the US.

So I would assume the Mac's sold there would be cheaper as well, since most Mac's are made there.

Could be a profit moving those cheap chinese Mac's to the US.

Apr 13, 09 - 10:14 pm Comment from: sget88

@Virus Free:
Great Firewall of China - most put up with it regardless of whether they use Windows or otherwise.

Macs in China are extraordinarily overpriced. This is because Macs are considered imports and are subject to import tax, in spite of the fact that it may be manufactured there.

Apr 13, 09 - 11:22 pm Comment from: Anonymous©

I lugged my Mac SE to China in 1987! And, I lugged it back home in 1989. It survived the fluctuating power and dust storms! Anyhow, I was back there last year, and I stopped in an Apple reseller's store in the Gubei Carrefour mall in Shanghai, and the prices were higher than in the US, but not by a great deal. The big problem I saw was that the inventory was old.

which network will iPhone be carried on in China?
dd

Apr 14, 09 - 05:40 am Comment from: CourtJester

@sget88
What about PC boxes that are made in China? Do they escape the import taxes despite carrying western brand names?

Take a taxi from Beijing airport into Beijing and you will see Buick, Pizza Hut, and, believe it or not, TGI Fridays.

Apr 14, 09 - 11:24 am Comment from: Chip

> This a big step up from the Four Star Appliance that they used to be in!

Yeah, but it's actually out of 11 stars so they have a ways to go.

Apr 14, 09 - 12:51 pm Comment from: sget88

@CourtJester
No idea, I don't really pay attention to the PC boxes. Try visiting Zhongguancun in Beijing.

Apr 15, 09 - 02:14 am Comment from: YoYo

"I stopped in an Apple reseller's store in the Gubei Carrefour mall in Shanghai"

There are dozens of those Apple stores in Shanghai, so that's good. The problem is that the prices are a bit higher than they should (includes 17% VAT) and you often get older model.

It's quite common for people that need to go to Hong Kong for Visa, or whatever reason, to bring a new Mac in their suitcase.

The Best Buy is good, they have already 5 locations in Shanghai, and with Five Star there will be Apple stores with better service in every major city.