Kind of proves my point about the "So they could throw a bone out - keep the M1 mini and keep the price static because it's not being discontinued (which is nice for people keeping the Mac for longer)." being wrong. Plus with inflation being what it is, what qualifies as a "price increase"? Plugging in $699 to a CGI inflation calculator for Dec 2020 produces $795.17 for June 2022.
Really not seeing what you're getting at with this post and recent previous posts with the mini - try adding something to the discussion rather than knocking other people's arguments down.
Even if the price remains static, inflation over time makes a Mac mini 'cheaper' to buy now than it was in November 2020. This before we mention that PC box shifters like Dell usually discount and then bring out a successor model within 6-9 months.
Apple's pricing model is more fashion related and keeps the resale value high because of lack of discounts over the lifetime of specific products. I don't think Apple have made any price adjustments in dollar terms - they certainly have in Euro and GBP terms where FX headwinds work against them.
It also fair to say we're at an economic crossroads right now where people's disposable income might be less - which then reduces demand. Even with the well known supply constraints due to pandemic, war, and energy pricing Apple must know that increasing prices is going to hit unit sales even more.
I really hope you've read my previous arguments closely, I don't want to keep summing them up only for you to miss the point again and again but I'll give it another try. If you're going to respond, respond directly to the point instead of making whatever off topic point you wanted to make.
I will say right now that Apple don't want to increase prices, they probably won't for the home US market. But new models in Europe and the UK will force local price increases based on what we have seen with the M2 models.
Key point here so I
will repeat: If Apple keep an existing model around (M1 MBA 7 core) then they are less likely to increase the price of it in Europe and the UK. They have done exactly this with the launch of the M2 Air but that has a host of improvements which partially hide the fact that there's been a price increase.
On the other hand, the European price of M2 Macbook Pro, which just SLOTS IN THE M2 CPU, got a shock price increase although BTO options remain the same price. They didn't change ANYTHING ELSE but Europe is charged more for the same thing.
If Apple drop in the M2 in the Mini I fear they'll also have to raise the price in the UK and Europe and as the Mini is the cheapest product they sell swapping all SKUs with M2 in my opinion means a price increase in Europe and the entry level Mac goes more expensive.
Still following?
My argument is that Apple will keep the base M1 Mini in the lineup like they've done with the M1 Air so they don't have to raise the price.
They then release the M2 Mini which doesn't get a dollar price increase in the USA but DOES get a price increase in Europe. This results in a bit of uproar in this thread (mega understatement).
Otherwise, Apple resort to 2014 tactics (yes, I hear the bigger uproar now). They leave the mini lineup well alone until next year - who knows if the Intel model just quietly dies in October during the next refresh or lingers around for another MacOS version. Prices remain unchanged as they kick the can down the road. Supply chain issues might have something to do with it as having done the 2 laptops the next thing to update is the iPad Pro.
As a footnote to this, unfortunately, my forecast is that as M2 Pro/Max/Ultra comes out the Mac Studio and MacBook Pro 14/16 models will also get a price bump in Europe if the world FX direction of travel continues.
It's for this reason why I think there isn't going to be an M2 Pro Mac Mini because it won't make financial sense in Europe while the M1 Max Mac Studio is priced as it is now.
Huh? Apple's M1 8-Core CPU/8-Core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD is a MSRP of $699.00 (From Apple) So they are getting a discount from what Apple itself sales the mini for.
Also back on June 2 (internet archive is a great tool) shows this for that Micro Center Macmini:
649.99 (SAVE $50.00); Get an additional $32.50 off instantly in-store: Pay $617.49 upon approval for the Micro Center Insider® Credit Card. (regular terms apply)
So Micro Center had a higher price about two months ago as a way to convince people to apply for their credit card and both price are below Apple's MSRP. Basically a Nothing Burger.
I am not familiar with that retailer but it just stands to reason that Apple are allowing retailers a chance to discount - and discount tactics usually involve a higher price for a period of time before the discount is declared. Prices can go up and down at third party retailers so I wouldn't really blink at the different offers being brought up from time to time.
I wouldn't normally have commented on the post by
@PennHunter of a report of a cheaper way to buy a Mac but I don't really see what insight you're bringing to the table by issuing your cheap dismissal of that point.
What I will reiterate is that third party retailers are in my opinion Apple's way of having a 'sale' without reducing the prestige of the brand - the price remains the same in a brick and mortar Apple Store.
Apple don't behave like PC World or Best Buy - like it or not they act like Armani or Rolex.
By the way, I have been waiting for your reply to the following:
1. My iMac reply above to your challenge about Apple selling 2 CPU lines in one product.
2. Intel's last order date for the Coffee Lake CPUs in the Mac mini was ages ago Apple might have their own back channel for special orders, I don't have any insight into that - Apple are still selling Intel Minis for a reason and not just because they accidentally over-ordered as you intimate (you really think Tim Cook - the supply chain genius - is going to stand for stuff like that?).
@Boil made the point eloquently in post 17751. I've made it before too.
What exactly is the remaining Intel mini there for? It's not 'while stocks last' like the iPod touch (which coincidentally didn't last long at all after Apple discontinued it) and I also think it's a placeholder and it's deliberate that Apple have kept it on the books.
