I think this is a great example of Apple's "design strategy" being completely end-to-end.
They don't just focus on the tiniest details of industrial design; the aluminum chassis, the battery layout, the screws, friction coefficients on the trackpad, etc.. they have also designed their entire supply chain with the same attention to detail.
There was a post on HN a while ago about Apple's patent on a new headphone jack design - they redesigned what is pretty much a commoditized component (and never seen by the customer), to unlock more value in the form of greater maneuverability and internal space. I imagine the supply chain is also very commoditized, and Apple is the kind of company to take that process apart and refine it in the same way, to unlock value in the form of greater margins.
EDIT: Another area where their attention to detail is apparent is their manufacturing tolerances. They've pretty much perfected the art of physically manufacturing precision components. I've not been able to find another product, luxury or otherwise, that comes close to the fit and finish of Apple's devices - and thats including things like rolexes, ferraris, etc.
To add another example of Apple's details of industrial design, Apple makes two keyboards from the space they stamp out for the iMac's screen. Apple is very efficient.
They don't just focus on the tiniest details of industrial design; the aluminum chassis, the battery layout, the screws, friction coefficients on the trackpad, etc.. they have also designed their entire supply chain with the same attention to detail.
There was a post on HN a while ago about Apple's patent on a new headphone jack design - they redesigned what is pretty much a commoditized component (and never seen by the customer), to unlock more value in the form of greater maneuverability and internal space. I imagine the supply chain is also very commoditized, and Apple is the kind of company to take that process apart and refine it in the same way, to unlock value in the form of greater margins.
EDIT: Another area where their attention to detail is apparent is their manufacturing tolerances. They've pretty much perfected the art of physically manufacturing precision components. I've not been able to find another product, luxury or otherwise, that comes close to the fit and finish of Apple's devices - and thats including things like rolexes, ferraris, etc.