The new $999 stand? Apple releases $19 polishing cloth

[tikker]

This probably doesn't count as "tech" news, but it was too crazy not to share.

 

Summary

Apply has released it's own polishing cloth compatible with anything from your iPod Shuffle to the latest macbook. Get yours now for only $19.00 or €25.

 

Quotes

Quote

Previously, Apple didn't sell those polishing cloths separately. Users had to specifically order them from Apple Support.

 

Nano-texture displays feature a special nanometer-level glass etching that provides a high-quality matte display option that reduces glare and maintains image quality. According to Apple, it can be damaged by other polishing cloths.

 

It isn't entirely clear what separates the $19 Apple polishing cloth from similar cleaning clothes on the market, however.

 

My thoughts

It seems to be aimed at the special treatment of the glass on the Pro Display XDR, but $19 for what seems to be just a microfiber cloth seems excessive. I can buy an <insert number here> pack for less. As the article says, I wonder what makes this particular piece of cloth so special*.

 

* No not really, it's a microfiber cloth with an Apple logo

 

Sources

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MM6F3AM/A/polishing-cloth

https://appleinsider.com/articles/21/10/18/apple-polishing-cloth-for-nano-texture-glass-added-to-online-store

 

[TVwazhere]

Reasons to consider: Not all microfiber cloths are the same, some use large loops that are still lint prone especially cheap ones.

 

But also, where else are you going to find an Apple embossed logo on your print cloth? All the ladies and lads will love it when you whip this out!

 

So what really separates apples microfiber cloth from any other microfiber cloth? Apple. 

[da na]

It can only be used on Macs. It grows bristles that stab into any non-Apple screen, damaging it and encouraging you to buy an Apple monitor.

[LAwLz]

3 minutes ago, tikker said:

As the article says, I wonder what makes this particular piece of cloth so special.

The Apple logo. That's it really.

No different than why a scarf with the LTT logo and some gray squares is 40 dollars, or a lanyard with the LTT logo on it is 10 dollars.

[Sauron]

11 minutes ago, tikker said:

Quote

It isn't entirely clear what separates the $19 Apple polishing cloth from similar cleaning clothes on the market, however.

 

Duh, the difference is that it's $19 rather than $0.19

[Commodus]

Utter overkill, but at the same time I'm not too worried when I already have a couple of the freebie microfibre cloths Apple was handing out with new Macs for a while.

[XGoodGuyFitz]

this seems like another one of apples overpriced things..

[pythonmegapixel]

2 minutes ago, XGoodGuyFitz said:

this seems like another one of apples overpriced things..

Stating the obvious much?

[XGoodGuyFitz]

4 minutes ago, pythonmegapixel said:

Stating the obvious much?

yeah i am. because thats the only opinions i have 

[Dedayog]

Nothing to do with Apple.

 

Everything to do with gullible idiots.

[Fasterthannothing]

Anyone getting a matte steam deck should look into getting one if these or another made specifically for matte displays. But honestly a $19 cleaning cloth isn't as absurd as a $999 stand. It should be included with everything but I don't think it's insanely expensive considering you can keep using it for a long time accross devices.

[Freakwise]

so uhhh... did anyone know the size of this cloth?

[TOMPPIX]

why are Europeans paying almost 30 usd for a microfiber cloth?

[dizmo]

I don't really have a problem with this. If their displays do get damaged by using some random cloth (I don't mean some random microfiber cloth, either) then it makes sense to sell something that people can buy, and know they're using the correct item. I don't think they expect to sell loads of them, so they likely didn't order tons, and thus their cost will be high, which gets passed on to the consumer.

 

Sure, you can buy a pack of random cloths cheaper. If you don't need the entire pack, you're just creating unnecessary waste.

It also has a nicer look than just some random cloth, and some people appreciate that.

[Dracarris]

39 minutes ago, tikker said:

This probably doesn't count as "tech" news, but it was too crazy not to share.

So it doesn't belong here. It is inherently clear what course this thread will take.

[Dedayog]

16 minutes ago, dizmo said:

I don't really have a problem with this. If their displays do get damaged by using some random cloth (I don't mean some random microfiber cloth, either) then it makes sense to sell something that people can buy, and know they're using the correct item. I don't think they expect to sell loads of them, so they likely didn't order tons, and thus their cost will be high, which gets passed on to the consumer.

 

Sure, you can buy a pack of random cloths cheaper. If you don't need the entire pack, you're just creating unnecessary waste.

It also has a nicer look than just some random cloth, and some people appreciate that.

Actually very good counterpoints.  If it wasn't for the fact Apple has a history of this, I would back your points.  

 

For your last point, I am sure people will humble brag with there justifiably expensive cloth by having it out on their desk.  

 

I am sure Apple Cleaning Solution spray is next.  Left on the desk as well.

 

When is Apple Toilet paper coming?

Edit:  It's more the concept of what Apple does rather than this one instance, as a good cleaning cloth isn't cheap, and @dizmo has the right of it.  It's that Apple does shit like this all the time.

[XGoodGuyFitz]

Just now, Dracarris said:

So it doesn't belong here. It is inherently clear what course this thread will take.

Clearly it does belong here if a moderator commented on it. 

[dizmo]

1 minute ago, Dedayog said:

Actually very good counterpoints.  If it wasn't for the fact Apple has a history of this, I would back your points.  

 

For your last point, I am sure people will humble brag with there justifiably expensive cloth by having it out on their desk.  

 

I am sure Apple Cleaning Solution spray is next.  Left on the desk as well.

 

When is Apple Toilet paper coming?

Apple has always touted itself as a premium brand, so I'm not sure what people really expected.

 

Haha, I'm sure some will use it for that. I saw it more as, in a professional setting it'll look nicer than some random cloth if it's on your desk and a client sees it. It's also far more likely to be a business expense, so cost becomes much less of a thought, and Apple likely knows that and priced it accordingly.

 

Stop giving them ideas I'm actually legitimately surprised they haven't. If I'd bought a $4,000 monitor (or whatever the stand/monitor combo cost), I'd probably drop the money on that too; it'd be minuscule in the grand scheme of things.

 

It wouldn't be toilet paper; doesn't fit into their eco friendly path. They'll make a bidet, and the hole on the spray nozzle will be the shape of the Apple logo, so they can finally literally force themselves up your..

[SignatureSigner]

*dies inside*

whats next an apple air conditioner 

coolant sold separately

you can also buy our 30$ window cleaner for 10% more performance (Must activate code on box for extra performance)

[Rauten]

How will it react if, god forbid, you tried to use it with a non-apple product?

Will it refuse to boot?

Does it require a security handshake with an apple device via lightning or thunderbolt?

Is there a hardware security chip woven inside the apple logo?

5 minutes ago, IAmNotASmartMan said:

If they're looking to offer every accessory you'll need to use with your products, can we expect Apple hand lotion soon?

If they're not fools, they will offer a pack with special Apple brand rolls of "sanitation paper" 

[tikker]

37 minutes ago, dizmo said:

I don't really have a problem with this. If their displays do get damaged by using some random cloth (I don't mean some random microfiber cloth, either) then it makes sense to sell something that people can buy, and know they're using the correct item. I don't think they expect to sell loads of them, so they likely didn't order tons, and thus their cost will be high, which gets passed on to the consumer.

 

Sure, you can buy a pack of random cloths cheaper. If you don't need the entire pack, you're just creating unnecessary waste.

It also has a nicer look than just some random cloth, and some people appreciate that.

That's a fair point even. At the price point of these displays (and products in general) it is for the benefit of the consumer to have an official product they can bet on.

39 minutes ago, Freakwise said:

so uhhh... did anyone know the size of this cloth?

Nope. The size one big mystery so far.

[BuckGup]

I'm still confused why people are complaining. It's a $19 microfiber cloth. You can find others for ~$12 but assuming the Apple one is premium it's not really anything to get upset about. No one is forcing you to buy it

[tikker]

2 minutes ago, BuckGup said:

I'm still confused why people are complaining. It's a $19 microfiber cloth. You can find others for ~$12 but assuming the Apple one is premium it's not really anything to get upset about. No one is forcing you to buy it

I can't remember the last time I bought a single microfiber cloth that was close to $20 and neither can I remember the last time I damaged something with a $2 one. It will vary with brand of course, potentially significantly, but I have had cheapo cloths that were very nice.

[BuckGup]

20 minutes ago, tikker said:

I can't remember the last time I bought a single microfiber cloth that was close to $20 and neither can I remember the last time I damaged something with a $2 one. It will vary with brand of course, potentially significantly, but I have had cheapo cloths that were very nice.

I agree I just don't get why people are so upset. It's expensive for a microfiber cloth but not unruly like $99 or $49

[suicidalfranco]

1 hour ago, TOMPPIX said:

why are Europeans paying almost 30 usd for a microfiber cloth?

cause in reality we are europeasants and have to pay hefty taxes to our over rulling lords.