Apple's New iPad May Not Be as Profitable As You Think

Much has been made about Apple's new 128-gigabyte Retina iPad. Priced expensively at $799 for the Wi-Fi only edition -- most PCs can be had for a similar price -- the new tablet promises a needed boost to the Mac maker's margins.

Or at least that's the prevailing wisdom. The math says otherwise.

According to researcher IHS, which revealed its findings to CNET, Apple pays about $0.55 per GB of iPad storage. Thus, the jump from 16 to 32 GB costs the company just $8.80 while producing $100 in additional revenue -- an astounding 91.2% margin. By contrast, the jump from 64 to 128 gigs costs $35.20 while offering the same $100 revenue boost, but at a much lower margin.

Source: The Motley Fool.

Ironic, right? The high-end iPad could actually crimp margins if it cannibalizes sales of entry-level iPads.

Fortunately, that's unlikely to happen. Initial demand for Apple's 128-GB iPad appears confined to business users who pay for expensive carrier data plans -- specifically, Sprint Nextel and Verizon customers. Those who order now won't see their iPads ship for three to five days vs. one to three days for the Wi-Fi version.

Perhaps these shoppers see the new iPad as a laptop replacement? A recent Forrester Research survey found surprising demand for Microsoft's new Windows 8 tablet, which, with its snap-on keyboard, pitches itself as a laptop alternative.

Whatever the draw, the newest iPad seems destined to serve a niche buyer base. Apple isn't used to that. Or at least not this Apple, whose premium products have gone mainstream in the same way that Starbucks has made the $3 cup of coffee an everyday must.

The iEmpire is changing. What that means is a question we don't yet have the answer to. But we do have some clues as to whether Apple remains a buy at current prices, says Eric Bleeker, The Motley Fool's senior technology analyst and managing bureau chief. He's prepared to fill you in on both reasons to buy and reasons to sell Apple and what opportunities are left for the company (and more importantly, your portfolio) going forward. To get instant access to his latest thinking on Apple, simply click here now.

The article Apple's New iPad May Not Be as Profitable As You Think originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Tim Beyers is a member of the Motley Fool Rule Breakers stock-picking team and the Motley Fool Supernova Odyssey I mission. He owned shares of Apple at the time of publication. Check out Tim's web home and portfolio holdings or connect with him on Google+, Tumblr, or Twitter, where he goes by @milehighfool. You can also get his insights delivered directly to your RSS reader.The Motley Fool owns shares of Starbucks and Apple. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of Starbucks and Apple, writing covered calls on Starbucks, creating a bull call spread position in Apple, and creating a synthetic covered call position in Microsoft. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days.

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