[sammyg2]

That's the point of many of the posts: they don't really have that cash lying around. they have invested it into all sort of avenues, so it isn't really cash anymore.

Having too much cash is bad for a business because it isn't working for you, isn't generating income. but if you have it invested it is. But it is't really cash.

For instance:
They have $5.81 billion invested in "commercial paper".
What does that mean?
It means they have loaned money to individuals, companies, or gubmints and are to be paid back with interest over time.
That will generate income, as long as the borrowers don't default on the loans.
But it isn't cash.

They don't have that money anymore. They should eventually get it back and then some, but that could take many years.
For them to claim that yes they still have that money and yes it is still in the form of cash is misleading AFAIC.

But they're apple and they can say or do pretty much anything they want.