Comment by cactus2093 | Hacker News Reader

Comment by cactus2093 | Hacker News Reader

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I honestly don't understand their strategy with Final Cut and Logic Pro. These apps can't make very much money, they are a suspiciously good value and they never upsell you on anything. Logic Pro cost like $300 over a decade ago, it still costs $300 today, and all major updates in that time have been free for existing users. Compare that to a competitor like Ableton Live which has cost like $800 since Ableton Suite 8 and major upgrades have come out every 3-5 years and cost a few hundred dollars to upgrade. Or compare it to Pro Tools which now costs $300 for 1 year of a subscription license.

So it really doesn't seem like funneling Garage Band users to Logic is a very high priority for Apple. More likely Garage Band and maybe even Logic Pro are loss leaders to show that the mac is a platform for creatives.

On a related note I never understood why they killed off Aperture which was beloved by many photographers, why didn't they keep a similar upgrade path from the free Photos app -> Aperture like they did for Garage Band -> Logic Pro? Seems like another indication that they really don't like to be in the pro software business, they are only there reluctantly at this point.

Final cut pro supposedly has around 2.5 Million users. Many of them buy expensive Macs and other Apple products. The software uses the latest features from Apple's hardware, which gives users an incentive to keep upgrading.

I think they keep the software more affordable to attract new (starting out) users. Then eventually they will hopefully go for a Mac studio or something.

Another question you could ask: why not make these pro tools free? I am guessing that they are using the income as an internal development budget. Should be sufficient to afford the development I think.

Final Cut is also suggested as an add-on after customizing a Mac for purchase.

I suspect the pricing has something to do with making that just low enough people to check the box.

I am also suspicious of this flow, it too feels very un-optimized. I think it has existed since back in the days where you had to buy software in a box to install off of a cd-rom. I think they even frame it as this add-on software will come pre-installed on your new mac, like that is a big convenience so you don't have to go out and buy it separately. But now obviously the alternative is you can just one-click purchase it later from the mac app store. They don't even bother giving you some small 10% discount or something for buying it alongside the computer. I wonder how many people do actually check that box and add it on.

It’s sketch.

If it weren't for Final Cut Pro, I wouldn't have upgraded to a Mac Studio. Not as big a business as iOS hardware but it has a halo effect.

It probably has a small dedicated team, and the sales revenue easily covers their salaries and any overhead.

I don't get why niche programs like that within larger companies are the exception.

The pro apps are probably paying for themselves, but their purpose is to sell hardware, both directly because you want that functionality, and to serve as a benchmark for other pro apps especially when you have shiny new silicon to take advantage of.

1. FCP sells Apple hardware.

2. It’s also a “halo” product. A showcase of what Apple’s computers are capable of.

Is there a Linux company that tries to do high end graphics as their main MO ? (So slick design laptop, but all Linux)

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