Pricing questions

[yongren]

Hi, I know there have been a couple of threads on similar topics recently, but my question is a little different.

If the new 11" models come with 4GB RAM and/or 128GB standard, will that become the new default "low end" MBA--in terms of starting at $999? Or would they increase the price to accommodate for the upgraded hardware?

I've already decided that an 11" with 128GB and 4GB RAM is enough for me, regardless of what the other options are. It would be really great if that configuration was only $1000 instead of closer to $1400, since I'm a college student on a budget.

I know it's all speculation at this point, but what's Apple done with cases like this in the past?

 

[Apple Expert]

Really?? No one knows since it's not out.

 

[MTD's Mac]

Really?? No one knows since it's not out.

Wow, less than helpful. Yes, it seems like next week's 11" MBA will have 4 GB RAM and a 128 GM SSD for $999. No promises, but that's the expectation.

Can't wait!

 

[Kavrocks]

I would be hoping the price for the refreshed air to stay at $999 but wouldn't be surprised if it was $100 more as I have absolutely no idea what Apple's current margin is or whether they are willing to lower it to keep the price the same..

The expected upgrades to 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD should not alter the price by the current $250 though.

Depending on the RAM bought 4GB RAM can only be 10$ or less more than 2GB RAM but 4GB RAM could be cheaper now then 2GB RAM was back in Oct 2010, I don't know exactly but wouldn't be surprised if it is cheaper. So that upgrade could very well be price neutral.
Since the release of the Oct 2010 MBA SSD prices have fallen. I don't know exactly how much by, I heard around 15%, but upgrading to 128GB SSD's will not be as expensive as it was in Oct 2010. You also have to factor in the reduced overheads that come with them being standard parts instead of build to order parts which should further reduce the costs in the upgrade.

Apple also does not have to pay for a discrete GPU but then again you have to factor in the cost of the Sandy Bridge processors over Core 2 Duo, Backlight Keyboard and Thunderbolt port.

As a student I can get the current MBA 11" with 128GB SSD and 4GB RAM for $1,124.09 which is closer to $1,000 than $1,400.

 

[glen e]

999 is a huge marketing hot button/price point as it's not a thou.....some MBA will be 999.......guaranteed

 

[Kendo]

Hard to say. Take a look at the current base model for $999. Upgrading it to a 128GB SSD and adding 2GB RAM costs $1299. With the addition of a backlit keyboard, 128GB SSD, and 4GB RAM on the base model, Apple would be "losing" $300 at $999. And yes I know you can't go by custom configurations for future pricing, but it doesn't change the fact that not only is the base refresh going to add a faster processor, but they are doubling the storage and RAM.

The iMac and MacBook Pro refresh stayed at the same price levels but those refreshes only offered faster processors and video cards (which is a given due to technology advancing). They didn't double the storage and memory.

 

[Young Spade]

Hard to say. Take a look at the current base model for $999. Upgrading it to a 128GB SSD and adding 2GB RAM costs $1299. With the addition of a backlit keyboard, 128GB SSD, and 4GB RAM on the base model, Apple would be "losing" $300 at $999. And yes I know you can't go by custom configurations for future pricing, but it doesn't change the fact that not only is the base refresh going to add a faster processor, but they are doubling the storage and RAM.

You can't deduce their profit margins by comparing the prices they "charge" verses the actual cost of including the parts. The SSD upgrade doesn't cost 300; the 128 + 2 extra gigs doesn't cost 300 more than a 64 gig and 2.

Ram is dirt cheap now and you're going to be paying more on tax than the actual cost of the RAM.

I don't know what SSD is going to be in the new Air but it is going to cost around the same as the current. WIth that said, they can take a "small" hit and upgrade the RAM and HDD space at no extra cost, however they might keep the RAM at 2 gigs and give the option for the 128 and 4 gigs at 1100.

Everyone knows they're going to use something along the lines of a ULV HD3000, so graphics is going to be the same or less than what you can get from the 320 n the current model. Processor costs more... and maybe the backlit keyboard.

They'll probably keep the same price or raise it `100 at the most.