Advocates of the iphone and critics have long acknowledged that the iphone's hardware is not high-end. No debate. It's strengths are its software, and in that capacity, it is a high-end phone. It feels elegant and smooth while you're using it- something no other phone I've ever used does.

I lived in Europe for 20 years, so I'm well aware of the trends. And having used or tried various other devices, Nokia etc, for me, I choose the iPhone hands down. I don't claim that it's the best phone for everyone, but for my needs, it beats everything else hands down because the software/interface is dreamy.

Also loved how the reviews you cited did place the iphone low on the scale, but the quantity of reviews was 1700+ for iphone vs. about 100 for top rated Nokia. What does that tell you? People are very interested in the iPhone, 'hype' aside.

Regardless of the tech merits of the device, you can argue all day about that, the point is that this is a relevant device that will continue to be a big player in the market, and Apple investors will benefit from this.

It has a 2 Mpx camera, no HSPA and no GPS! That´s not really technical specs for a high-end phone. iPhone is unfortunately several years behind the European and Asian, real, high-end models. Just like American gas-guzzler cars.

And regarding customer satisfaction…

http://alatest.co.uk/cellular_phones/c-8/

Hype aside, iPhone is a great device with exceptionally high customer satisfaction ratings. It may or may not ever dominate the market as the iPod has, but there's little question that people will continue to buy it, and as its features improve and owners continue to be satisfied, there is no doubt that Apple will remain a major player in the cellphone market for years. Just look at how well the device is doing in rural markets Africa, not to mention I see three or four iPhones in every subway car in NYC.

Second, strong computer sales. Much higher growth rate than PC equivalents. The 'halo' strategy is clearly working, and American consumer sentiment aside, Apple's got nothing to do but grow here – and if you look at specific market segments like college students, Apple is making huge gains that will manifest well into the future. That's good strategy.

Finally, Wall Street has almost completely ignored Apple's emergence as now the second largest retailer of music. Ahem, what? In and of itself this should demand appreciation – that when everyone else is bemoaning the death of the record industry, Apple has successfully transitioned to an admittedly low-margin but none-the-less profitable model in a business that was "dying" – except it isn't dying, it's just changing, and Apple is to date the sole beneficiary of this change. But this seemingly counts for nothing because iPod sales have tapered off, boo-who.

So these are three market segments that are promising. Apple is well positioned regardless of global growth, though that might be the icing on the cake.

And yes, Apple should bring pricing in localized markets back down to reality. They've been awful on this for years and it's no wonder that many people outside the US have never even seen a Mac in the wild.

To the few users who've griped about hardware problems: Apple buys components from the same suppliers as every PC manufacturer. There are some lemons for sure, but as someone who supports hardware professionally, I can tell you that on the whole Apple's machines (including displays) are working better than ever.

I just can't believe that Apple have gone this low in their quality control. Putting cheap components into otherwise excellent products to drive the costs down shows how Apple's regard for their customers goes down in the same proportion as their profits go up.

The excuse that it's not meant for professional work is absolutely shameful. So what? It should still be up to the standards Apple used to have, so it should be perfect regardless! They know these products are loved by creative professionals and is THE appropriate choice to have at home as a Pro is too expensive, the mini is too weak and laptops have small screens. So they know designers and photographers are going to buy this. But they still don't care. A 20" screen and such processors for email and web-browsing? That's just laughable.

Apple seem to be abusing a sort of monopoly here: the one that means that if you want to use Mac OS X, you have to buy their machines. I'm a designer, only do some freelance work at home every now and then so don't justifify a Pro at home, I expected to finally have a proper monitor, and end up with a worse one than I had (albeit larger) and will have to continue guessing colour values because I need a new computer and there really is no valid alternative, I'm not going back to Windows and I'm not going to buy 2nd hand white Imacs to risk getting other problems.

I would return it for an exchange if I had a chance of getting a good one, but by what I've read chances are none. I can see them releasing a new Imac in some months, slipping in a proper screen (as they couldn't get away without criticism as they must have hoped) and then all of us suckers will be stuck with the defective model with little 2nd hand value.

Success really does corrupt every company in the end… Windows lovers must be rolling on the floor laughing reading about how we're being made fools off with this issue… Not that they can laugh much themselves, of course…

If Apple got there product prices in emerging markets in line with what they charge in the U.S.A. more people would actually be able to afford their products.

Just check the numbers, check the prices of apple products in Brazil, Argentina and Chile, they are huge.

In Mexico have been quit success since we have the opportunity to buy Apple products. It all depends in having the chance to buy it. Itunes store will be a great strategy in this countries, possibly will no be able to equal the Uk sales, but Spain or Italy? Do the numbers.