Apple Releases Minor Update to White MacBook

[jb1280]

Funny how apple didn't drop the price when they were making more because of the exchange rate

They did with the release of the 2008 iMacs, or at least on the continent.

If I recall correctly with they cut prices on displays in 2007, the price cuts were a bit more substantive in Europe than in the US.

 

[matteman50]

MacRumors should really make a separate category for the white MacBook in the Buyer's Guide. Seeing as it is getting updates far more often and how this type of MacBook is becoming a category on its own.

Couldn't agree more. If anything it might be worth lumping all the uMB's together while they're at it.

 

[9822737]

Another kick in the face for us UK buyers.

I am planning on buying the white MacBook (if it's still around) when Snow Leopard is realeased, and am not too impressed with the price hike.

AnDy

 

[nick9191]

Funny how apple didn't drop the price when they were making more because of the exchange rate

Err, they did.

The 2006 Mac Pro was $2499 in the US, and £1699 here. When they released the 2008 Mac Pro, it was $2799 but only £1749 here. A £50 price increase vs. a $300 price increase. That is exactly the same as a price drop.

The Macbook a couple of years ago used to cost £749, they dropped it down to £699. Another price drop.

 

[iMacmatician]

I think you missed the point of my argument, in nearly 2 years one would expect (with Apples, and most PC makers history) to have better specs for the same/similar price, or same specs for a lesser price. Yet the macbook has stuck to nearly identical specs and the price has increased, the same happened with the recent iMac refresh, same specs (OK rebranded GPU) for a higher asking price.

The MacBook and MacBook Pro have been steadily using lower and lower end CPUs since they were released.

 

[Henri Gaudier]

/thread closed. this guy just killed it (or at least that discussion)!! awesome!!

I'd happily buy a Mac in a pro-active market place knowing that sometimes the price is great and chancing that against times when it stinks. Instead, when the dollar is getting it's knackers squeezed we pay a high price and when the dollar is strong we pay a higher price. What do you think Apple's sales are doing at the moment in the UK and Europe? I'd proffer that they're down. Why? The Mac Pro went up £500 overnight for starters! In fact, the whole line went up and now the Book has gone up twice in approx 4 months! You used to even get a 2.1 then it went down to 2.0 and now it's back to 2.1! Do these people know what they're doing because through their behaviour I'd say not. There are over 2 million unemployed in France and it's rocketing daily. Last month 3 million people went on marches to protest the situation. It's not a good time to put up prices. Lower your margins Apple and you may get some sales outside of the US. Cant see myself getting a new Mac for a long time at this rate. I'll be looking for a second hand nehalem at the end of the year I suppose and of course Apple INC wont see a sous from that.

 

[Cabbit]

Why complain about £30? So you miss out on a few fish suppers(£16 each), or 30 cans of cokes(each £0.70-£0.85) for a week. There's the £30 you need for that must have laptop whom i will add most of its buyers pay £620 for.

 

[OllyW]

Why complain about £30? So you miss out on a few fish suppers(£16 each), or 30 cans of cokes(each £0.70-£0.85) for a week. There's the £30 you need for that must have laptop whom i will add most of its buyers pay £620 for.

Perhaps the people who are upset about the price increase are not as lucky as you are and don't come from a wealthy family?

And why £620? Not everyone who buys a MacBook is a bloody student.

Oh and by the way, it only costs £4.60 for fish and chips from our local chippie and a can of pop is just 50p.

 

[BlizzardBomb]

It was £729 yesterday and it's £749 today. As the exchange rate only dropped by 1 cent yesterday, did I miss some overnight VAT rate increase?

You've got to look at exchange rate and margins at launch vs. current. Apple didn't just look at what happened yesterday and judge the price on that. The hike is justified, even if it is unfair for us in the UK. Just be glad it's nowhere near the ridiculous price rise the iMac suffered (£200 on the high-end models).

 

[Fizzoid]

Thing is, when the £ was at $2.01 or when it dropped to >$1.40, did they adjust the prices then?
I don't think people are angry just because of the price hike, but it seems in the UK we're actually paying for the speed bump, which happened at the exact same time, where as the US aren't

 

[BlizzardBomb]

Thing is, when the £ was at $2.01 or when it dropped to >$1.40, did they adjust the prices then?
I don't think people are angry just because of the price hike, but it seems in the UK we're actually paying for the speed bump, which happened at the exact same time, where as the US aren't

Not quite sure what you mean, but when £1 was $2, we were getting a pretty good deal (not perfect, but very reasonable), however Apple only changes prices during update so because they hadn't updated so long and the sterling crashed in between the time of the update, the cost boomed upwards.

 

[spronkey]

hrm...

I'm not buying this exchange rate crap. White MacBook '09 released in January 09 for $999 US.

New Zealand price in Jan 09: $1849
New Zealand price now: $1999

NZ-USD exchange rate in Jan 09: $NZD 0.59 to $USD 1
NZ-USD exchange rate now: $NZD 0.64 to $USD 1

If anything it should have got cheaper here! It's just like how the entry-level MacBook Pro costs $3,699 NZD now, when about a year and half ago it was $3,099. Sure, the exchange rate is worse, but not THAT much worse!

Also consider that the average wage here is less than $30,000 NZD...

 

[eXan]

I'm not buying this exchange rate crap. White MacBook '09 released in January 09 for $999 US.

New Zealand price in Jan 09: $1849
New Zealand price now: $1999

NZ-USD exchange rate in Jan 09: $NZD 0.59 to $USD 1
NZ-USD exchange rate now: $NZD 0.64 to $USD 1

If anything it should have got cheaper here! It's just like how the entry-level MacBook Pro costs $3,699 NZD now, when about a year and half ago it was $3,099. Sure, the exchange rate is worse, but not THAT much worse!

Also consider that the average wage here is less than $30,000 NZD...

I feel your pain. In Russia Apple prices are very weird (and high) as well. Example:

15" uMBP 2.53 GHz ~ 3800 USD
Now, we know that this model is replaced with the same model, but with 2.66 GHz CPU and is sold in the US for the same 2499$. But...
15" uMBP 2.66 GHZ ~ 4000 USD.

W . T . F >_<

edit: exchange rate is also better, so double W . T . F

 

[Baya87]

oh darn it, I just helped my friend buy the white macbook 2 weeks ago But she was graduating from college, so educational discount would have not worked for this anyway. Oh apple.

 

[alphatectz]

oh darn it, I just helped my friend buy the white macbook 2 weeks ago But she was graduating from college, so educational discount would have not worked for this anyway. Oh apple.

That sucks, has it be exacty 2 weeks? If so go back tomorow and return it an get the new white MacBook. By the way your friend still can get the educational discount. Just tell your friend to bring there School Id. (I think that's all they will need)

 

[firegun9]

Doubtful, you can't have the more expensive product with lesser features. I would hedge my bets on a slight bump within the next 3-4 weeks on the Unibody Macbooks. 2.0GHz -> 2.13GHz (or 2.26GHz), and 2.4 GHz -> 2.53GHz. Hard drive options must include a 500GB hard drive.

If that's true, what about Macbook pro?
Current macbook pro are 2.4Ghz and 2.66Ghz.
Do you think Apple will upgrade all macbook series all the way up?
Probably, but I don't think all the upgrades are gonna happen together in couple months.

 

[mossbreaker]

As someone who just bought the white Macbook (and paid extra for the 160 Gigs) on May 11th, and who therefore not only missed out on the new Whitebook (not knowing it was coming out) as WELL as the free iPod (not knowing the back to school special would start so soon), I am beyond upset.

Someone....comfort me. Tell me that it's not a noticeable difference from the old specs.

 

[Baya87]

That sucks, has it be exacty 2 weeks? If so go back tomorow and return it an get the new white MacBook. By the way your friend still can get the educational discount. Just tell your friend to bring there School Id. (I think that's all they will need)

how does that work? Her graduation ceremony was May 17th, so she is officially no longer in school. Is there a grace period? I believe she bought her computer May 7th, so I guess more like 3 weeks. hmmmm

 

[Eidorian]

My student ID doesn't have an expiration date...

 

[macgizmoguy]

No SSD Build-To-Order For White MacBook?

I'm rather suprised the Apple Store Online isn't offering a SSD drive upgrade option as they now do for the Unibody MacBook and Pro laptops. (or on the Mac mini for that matter). You'd think Apple would be more than happy to charge their price premium for a solid-state drive across the board.

 

[relativist]

So, not sure if this is important, but has anyone else noticed that the Macbook was the last Mac that used 667MHz DDR2. I'm sure they cleared the inventory they had of that speed RAM, and can do the same for 800MHz DDR2. There's a lot of it out there, and it's not that expensive.

My prediction/hope is that the other Macbooks will get a speed bump to 2.13 and 2.53, and also will use the battery tech that the 17" has.

 

[eXan]

I'm rather suprised the Apple Store Online isn't offering a SSD drive upgrade option as they now do for the Unibody MacBook and Pro laptops. (or on the Mac mini for that matter). You'd think Apple would be more than happy to charge their price premium for a solid-state drive across the board.

Its obvious

Since most customers don't know a thing about these kind of details, they might think that SDD is only compatible with higher-end models.

Basically, another example of upselling.

 

[ChefJayPeek]

As someone who just bought the white Macbook (and paid extra for the 160 Gigs) on May 11th, and who therefore not only missed out on the new Whitebook (not knowing it was coming out) as WELL as the free iPod (not knowing the back to school special would start so soon), I am beyond upset.

Someone....comfort me. Tell me that it's not a noticeable difference from the old specs.

I just bought one on the 9th. With a $200 rebate from MicroCenter. Not really disappointed, as I do not think I would see the difference in the .13ghz or the 800 mhz ram, especially since I am about to get 4 gigs of 800mhz ram anyways.

I figure the back to school iPod thing is a wash as I would just have to sell it to get the money back, I would rather have the rebate. I *KNEW* there was a reason that MicroCenter had a $200 rebate on the 2ghz MacBook, now I know why...

 

[gregorsamsa]

You've got to look at exchange rate and margins at launch vs. current. Apple didn't just look at what happened yesterday and judge the price on that. The hike is justified, even if it is unfair for us in the UK. Just be glad it's nowhere near the ridiculous price rise the iMac suffered (£200 on the high-end models).

Never mind US/UK exchange rates, Macs aren't made in or imported from the US. The hardware is made in the Far East, same places as most PC hardware, but you don't see other computer companies imposing such price hikes.

 

[DoFoT9]

My student ID doesn't have an expiration date...

HA it will when your 30 trying to use it at the movies for a discount when your card clearly says "high school student" or something haha!