Is Apple becoming very greedy with their pricing on new Macs ?

[newellj]

What I mean is, in other areas of technology, you can chop and change.

If you like Android, you can buy a large number of different makes of handset. And the chargers are generally interchangeable.

Windows works on a large number of machines.

Any make of TV will work with any make of DVR and they will all display the programmes that are broadcast.

All cars can fill with fuel at all stations.

Visa and Mastercard are both accepted wherever you can pay by card.

But with Apple, once you're in it, it's possible to become quite stuck. Mac OS only works on Apple Macs. iPhones can only be charged with iPhone chargers. If Apple suddenly decide to double their prices, there's not a lot you can do other than completely change the way you work.

I didn't say they have a monopoly, but they have created a pseudo-monopoly of sorts. If my phone charger broke, I can buy one from all sorts of places for a wide range of prices. Apple ensure you can't do that. They also ensure you can't buy any of their products and any different prices. I'm not sure how they manage it, but they clearly fix their prices.

Quite the contrary. If you decide you want to exit the Apple ecosphere, the resale values are absurdly high, compared to any other tech product. Where you get stuck is if you want to sell Windows or Android hardware and exit into the Apple system.

Your argument is a little like complaining that you can't put Ford parts in your Volvo. If the Volvo is giving you grief, sell it and move on. You'll get far more for your Apple hardware than any other similar hardware.

 

[dxmac99]

I suggest you check the price of that surface pro. You will find they charge almost the same price as the 13" mba, both fully loaded. Also if you want to purchase the very same configuration pc laptops like what rMBPs have, you will find they are more or less on the same ranges (trading retina to touch screen). you need to also pay attention to the cpu models, not just family or speed. They make big differences on performance and prices.

I think apple has been more fair on the price in terms of the laptops imho. It is the other PC retails try to fool the consumers most of the time.

You will NEVER find a budget laptop in Apple product line. They think of you can live with a laptop ~500, you should buy a tablet.

Also, their products have longer life span, besides many known advantages over others. So it usually IS a good investment.

 

[venom600]

The Macbook 12inch is a rip off....

The 12" Macbook is priced in line with other ~2lb Core M powered notebooks. You're paying a premium for the weight and size, no matter who you go with. Is it a better buy than a Macbook Air or Dell XPS 13? I don't think so, but the price isn't out of line with the rest of the market.

 

[scaredpoet]

You really need to get out more.

Don't worry about that, I get out plenty. In fact, if you followed your own advice, you might actually know what monopolies and price-fixing are.

 

[RUGGLES99]

I can't believe such comments, seriously , so only rich people are allowed to buy apple products? I'm sorry but that's really elitist, not everyone buys apple products because they're a status symbol ...

Just read the forum, many elitists here. Apple know they are willing to spend big bucks.

 

[matreya]

Just read the forum, many elitists here. Apple know they are willing to spend big bucks.

The point is, for some of us, Apple's products aren't expensive. It's not elitism, it's a simple statement of fact.

The true elites don't waste their time helping others with their Mac problems...

 

[yjchua95]

The true elites don't waste their time helping others with their Mac problems...

+1 on this one.

 

[skyhawkmatthew]

Yep, the base model of the new MacBook is $1800 in Australia. They have lost the plot completely.

To be fair to Apple, we have got used to the Australian dollar being near parity and prices reflecting that. Now that our dollar has tanked of course things are going to be priced higher here.

US$1299 right now is AU$1711.06. Add GST and you're at $1882.17.

So our before tax price is only $89 higher than in the US, and if you add our mandatory tax it is actually cheaper in real terms here than in the US.

 

[isephmusic]

everyone so ******** and sassy today....


I like it

 

[mtneer]

Yep, the base model of the new MacBook is $1800 in Australia. They have lost the plot completely.

I believe it's more that the Australian Dollar that has lost its plot against the USD. Blame it on the commodity dependent nature of Australia's economy.

 

[yangchewren]

All this talk about affordability and people being rich. Wealth is a relative thing, while human dignity is not. Wealth can be inherited but dignity can't.

I'm not agreeing with the other users here who claim Apple is becoming more greedy (though they originally misread TS's post). Apple isn't becoming any more greedy. Being greedy is the accepted norm and basic assumption that a capitalist society is built on. Apple isn't any different from any other corporation, they aren't more greedy nor are they getting greedier. But on the other hand, some comments from Apple's users (on this thread) leave much to be desired.

 

[mrex]

apple will take all that much that people are willing to pay. thats all! nothing to do with a status symbol, being rich, smart or famous. sure their marketing is something like that and they make people to feel that they have bought something amazing. it has been a great strategy when it started... but it is only a business, psychology and smart advertising built during years.

is apple greedy? they have built their imago for years, a decade. they have used alot of money hyping their products and pricetagging them high to look and feel that they are some kind of luxury items you need. in some countries they also have apple stores for you to get a better customer support - to feel being a unique. check how easy it is to buy, return or replace iDevice in usa. that is also covered with the money you give them, meaning high prices again...

greedy? not at all, pretty smart and they can do it and have afford to do that. if they fail, they have money to cover looses. i think they are just pushing the limits and testing how much money people will use until people lost their interest... they surely have optimized the price tag to maximize profits. it was apples luck that they are a company in usa, having a large market area around and the press behind them. someone wrote once that the us press just loves apple like being their baby. the company is important for americans but americans are also important for apple. without them apple would be nothing. a smart marketing, building being a status symbol was important and quite easy job for apple. americans just loves being classified in a class - the higher the better... dont you? in a reality, having a iDevice has nothing to do with your being...

nowadays, does someone really think that having iDevice is something to do with a status - being rich, or smart or whatever? however apple still uses this same stragedy, because it seems to still work. but do you think while watching a guy on a street "wow, he sure is famous, smart and rich because...?" and in the same time most of you buy a device with a contract anyway, nothing to do being a rich but buying on credit. but that was playing a crucial role for apple getting to the point they are now. was it greedy? no, it was and is a smart marketing playing with people... greedy? no, your life is not depending on owning iDevices...

 

[pmau]

Apple sells products worldwide (duh).
I
'm pretty sure that the current Apple pricing includes the anticipation of future currency fluctuations.

This forum might be US centric, but if you look at the Euro/USD exchange rate, you have to understand that Apple made more profit in the past.

For every 1000 Euro MacBook they made 1330 USD in the past.
And Europe has always been a strong market to sell high end products to.
Look at the first wave countries for the watch.

Now you just have to consider that Apple does not change prices that often.
They assume that the dollar will stay strong for quite a while and the pricing reflects exactly that.

 

[maflynn]

Apple has always positioned its products at a premium price point. Is that greed or a marketing choice? I say the latter, because the saw how Dell, and HP raced to the bottom by cutting margins. Both companies are a shell of they used to be.

Apple computers are expensive, no if ands or buts about it, but I think its a shrewd marketing move that makes the apple more of a premium product.

 

[Wahlstrm]

"becoming" -really?

 

[Ulenspiegel]

While I agree with you that the posters you quote could have chosen a better way to communicate it, Apple computers are expensive premium goods. And this has nothing to do with elitism, its just a fact. They are meant for people who don't mind paying good money for a good product. But of course you don't have to be rich rich to afford one. A $3000 laptop is $84/month. This is a fairly small price to pay for a decent computer, especially if you use it extensively.

And as someone said above: if you have a bank account, a car and live in an apartment (whether you rent or own it), you are rich. Hell, I am a 'poor' university lecturer, I can't even afford a car and yet I could buy a 12" MacBook every month without it doing a big dent in my budget. Of course, I also live on a freakishly expensive country with fairly high wages.

I second leman's view, nevertheless, don't forget, the country you live in is worth that price (like Apple)

 

[Android300zx]

iPhones can only be charged with iPhone chargers. If Apple suddenly decide to double their prices, there's not a lot you can do other than completely change the way you work.

I've had third party chargers work for a bit and then stop working. You get that message on the iPhone/iPad stating you can't charge the phone with this accessory. Oh really? It was working about a week ago and then it just stops. They probably have something in the software to detect this. I believe one of those said chargers were Apple certified (I could be wrong though).

On topic though. I think the Macbook is overpriced for what you are getting.

 

[tresmith]

The 13 inch retina is price fairly.
But the 15 inch did not get a price drop today or a update.
The Macbook 12inch is a rip off....I thought it was going to be a budget 13 inch macbook pro costing $1000 with less ports and speed but nope....The same price for less features. Very unfair of Apple and same with the Mac Mini and the Apple Watch

The iMac Retina is the only thing that is priced fantastically from Apple..
For being an amazing machine it cost very little for being new and 5K display.

I tend to agree that it's a ripoff because it's more expensive and less functional in almost every way.

Also in regards to this particular laptop, is having a retina display and a thin body worth the hit you take on battery life and features?

As much as I like the retina display, for a laptop like the new macbook, it's a bit much cause you take a serious battery life hit for having that feature. I think a people who would buy this laptop would probably get by with a 1080p screen and 12-15 hours of battery.

I consider retina a pro level feature. So when you have a laptop that is so under powered and less functional, why even bother pairing it with a retina display. That move doesn't make sense. and let's not even mention that b.s. 480p camera. smh

 

[yjchua95]

I tend to agree that it's a ripoff because it's more expensive and less functional in almost every way.

Also in regards to this particular laptop, is having a retina display and a thin body worth the hit you take on battery life and features?

As much as I like the retina display, for a laptop like the new macbook, it's a bit much cause you take a serious battery life hit for having that feature. I think a people who would buy this laptop would probably get by with a 1080p screen and 12-15 hours of battery.

I consider retina a pro level feature. So when you have a laptop that is so under powered and less functional, why even bother pairing it with a retina display. That move doesn't make sense. and let's not even mention that b.s. 480p camera. smh

The 12" MB is basically for people who want OS X on an iPad.

 

[RedOctober]

Just wait for the AUD to drop to 50 - 60 cents US and we'll have ourselves a bargain

 

[cjmillsnun]

LOL! Yay IM RICH B!TCH!!!!!

You're nuts...

When you consider most of the world's population can barely afford to eat...

 

[Melrose]

OP: No, I don't think they are. Inflation goes up, not down.

-

The new MacBooks: I personally don't see the point. Seriously; it's a blinded-out case. I really hope this isn't the direction Apple's going with all their products. I like the silver laptops with the white logo that lights up. Call me old fashioned. Really super hope they keep the existing MacBook Pro lineup and continue to bump specs rather than just intro new products with fewer ports.

The new MacBook makes me realize too that it's no longer Steve's company. I'm not pining - times change - but if I think Apple is muddying the waters, which adds to confusion and hesitancy for new or uneducated customers. It used to be they had desktops, iMacs, and laptops. Now you have pro laptops, non-pro laptops, ultra books, and New MacBooks, along with iMacs and Mac Pros.

 

[The Doctor11]

I don't know but when Apple announced the price of the new MacBook I damn near **** myself. 1.1 GHz priced at $1299. I don't care how special it is, $1299 for 1.1 GHz is completely insane.

 

[AndroidNmac]

Lol at this thread. Telling people that they have to be rich to buy apple....or thinking they're "rich" because they have apple products.

 

[noisycats]

Dude, why is every one of your posts about Apple pricing? They sell very very well. Do you not understand basic marketplace dynamics?