New Macbook Prices (UK) = OUCH

[Hustle]

£719 for the old Macbook
£949 for the new Macbook

Those prices are ridiculous.

[Zimpaz]

and £1,149.00 for the top macbook!!! OUCH

[TheAngusBurger]

Yup, definately an iMac for Christmas...

[Blakely028]

So much for the White MacBook being cheaper than before!

[Hustle]

Why has the price increased and the specs decreased for the old plastic Macbook?

[iNeko]

I was expecting £500~ for the old white macbook and £700~ for the new one, not anything near that, it works out to nearly a £300 price gap between the US and UK price! what the heck?

[MatLane]

Disgusting

[neiltc13]

It's £200 to get a backlit keyboard and 400MHz more juice. No thanks!

[mike...]

I was planning on switching to a Mac after my 12-month try-before-I-buy hackintosh experiment, but I might just buy another Windows laptop and turn it into a Hackbook now.

I'm a student, part of a market segment that Apple seems to be directly targeting, but putting prices up is just going to turn us away.

[tiiim]

dont see why Apple should get away with this, welcome to the UK always getting ripped off. Very disapointing.:rolleyes:

[logicsuggests]

Apple has raised the price of the baseline macbook by $150 in australia, they started at 1500 now they sell for 1650 with the new mac books going for A$ 2,099.00.

**** Apple.

[samwise]

I was expecting £500~ for the old white macbook and £700~ for the new one, not anything near that, it works out to nearly a £300 price gap between the US and UK price! what the heck?

Even with UK price including VAT, and US price excluding state Sales Tax, there's still a difference. Someone living in a state paying 7% sales tax would pay $1390, which is £797 at today's exchange rate!

[timestoby]

i was lookn forward to a new macbook,but im not so sure now.maybe id get a dell xps with better graphics than the new macbooks haha,just kind.im still getn a macbook,but i guess its the white one.

[deadjoe2002]

heres me hoping that they've just put the website prices up wrong, you cant possibly decrease the plasticbooks price in the US and then increase it here, its crazy

[DSG]

MacBook spec has changed - it has a SuperDrive.

It is still mighty toss, however. I thought in the US the two Airs are the same price as the two MBPs - in the UK the cheaper Air is £100 less than the MBP.

To be honest, I think Apple can stick it up their a**e - I really don't want to commit to a company that uses anti-competitive practices.

[DSG]

Just noticed - the Air has gone up £100 too - for the benefit of a new GPU chip (which is probably cheaper for Apple) and a new display port. And all to keep SJ in ill-fitting shirts and stone-washed denim...

[226896]

Yep, those prices for us here in the UK really shocked me. Can't believe the old MacBook is now £20 MORE expensive than it was a couple of hours ago.

Ah well. Apple kinda know they can get away with ridiculous prices because they sell sex in electronic form.

[samac92]

Were paying over 1656 USD in the UK for the new MacBook and in the US they are paying 1299! It's even more expensive than the 2.4ghz one at 1599 USD!

[robpow]

...the £/$ exchange rate isn't exactly in our favour at the moment:

http://ichart.finance.yahoo.com/1y?gbpusd=x

I wouldn't expect Apple to absorb the entire 20-30% cost increase of selling into the UK. Sure, they've hedged against some of the increases but I guess there's a limit to how generous they can be.

Matt

[samwise]

...the £/$ exchange rate isn't exactly in our favour at the moment

Matt

How did the prices compare when it was roughly $2 to the £1?

[fabian9]

wow i was really excited about the new macbooks and when i saw "from £719" on the uk apple store website i thought i was in heaven. just to then find out the new ones are £949!

this is unbelievable the price difference to the US is huge!

[iNeko]

In NH where some of my extended family live, there is no sales tax, meaning a new base aluminium macbook would cost me £684.18 at current exchange. How on earth have Apple worked these prices out, I could accept £749 - but £949 is a joke.

[Harmush]

i was looking forward to buying one if they we're cheaper, but a almost £1000 or a laptop. I've got my imac and my old windows laptop. I'm not bothering. wonder if the prices will come down?

[MatLane]

Absolute joke i am sorry to say

[solemac]

They told share holders the stock was going to take a hit in Q4.. Yeah they were not joking!

I would assume its due to new manufacturing costs and that there will be a price drop at MWSF09 unless someone dropped a bollock and got the exchange rate wrong!

The reality is that there is too much competition and Apple wearing this halo is going to turn people to the competition. So much for "aggressive pricing"

I'm sure they're great but i'm dumbfounded by these prices. I'll wait till Jan.

[li54am]

hmmmm ... british airways student flights to new york are £279.... so i could have a shopping spree to new york and a new macbook for the same price as just a macbook over here!!

[robpow]

How did the prices compare when it was roughly $2 to the £1?Based on a $/£ of 2.0 for a $1099 MB plus 10% sales tax compared to the £699 selling price here gives you a 16% 'british tax' or markup over the US price incl tax. Now at a $/£ of 1.7 and a $999 MB + 10% at £719 here you also have an 11% markup. So the 'net price' is actually cheaper here now before adjusting for the slump in the pound value.

Matt

[solemac]

Here, Save yourself a few quid!

http://store.apple.com/uk_edu_78186

[neiltc13]

Based on a $/£ of 2.0 for a $1099 MB plus 10% sales tax compared to the £699 selling price here gives you a 16% 'british tax' or markup over the US price incl tax. Now at a $/£ of 1.7 and a $999 MB + 10% at £749 here you also have a 16% markup. So no change in the 'net price' before adjusting for the slump in the pound value.

Matt

What the hell are you talking about? Why not simply remove the tax from the UK prices and compare that way?

New Alubook = £807.66 without tax = $1416 = 9% markup.

Old MacBook = £611.92 = $1073 = 7% markup.

[deadjoe2002]

Anyone know if the new MBs can be bought with the back to school promo, so if I order it through university thats £816 with HEd discount and then a nano to ebay for around £90-100?

[mike...]

Anyone know if the new MBs can be bought with the back to school promo, so if I order it through university thats £816 with HEd discount and then a nano to ebay for around £90-100?

Yes, they can. You also qualify for the £60 printer rebate so flog than on eBay too ;)

[li54am]

yeah i just added it all to my basket and it gives you the option to get the nano with rebate! so that works out pretty well!

[deadjoe2002]

Yes, they can. You also qualify for the £60 printer rebate so flog than on eBay too ;)

Amazing, u sure about the printer as well? This makes the new macbook prices a little easier to bear, also can I do this down at my local Apple store if I take in ID and student cards etc

[mike...]

Amazing, u sure about the printer as well? This makes the new macbook prices a little easier to bear, also can I do this down at my local Apple store if I take in ID and student cards etc

Yup, positive :)

The only problem for me is you have to pay for it up front (I don't know why they can't just do a discount), and I just don't have the money in my account to do it :( No Macbook for me.

[robpow]

What the hell are you talking about? Why not simply remove the tax from the UK prices and compare that way?

New Alubook = £807.66 without tax = $1416 = 9% markup.

Old MacBook = £611.92 = $1073 = 7% markup.Well, most people can't buy a new Macbook without tax so why skew the numbers by omitting it? If you can buy one tax free then great, but I can't. Including US sales tax and looking at the new MB the markup is 12.9% here so considerably less than the 16% seen previously. Net result is that Apple's profit margin on the new Macbooks here is less than before and that the state of the british economy is responible for the perceived price increase.

Matt

[deadjoe2002]

Yup, positive :)

The only problem for me is you have to pay for it up front (I don't know why they can't just do a discount), and I just don't have the money in my account to do it :( No Macbook for me.

Thats put me in a very good mood, now im just torn on as to weather I should order from the internet now, or go into the apple store later this week, do both ipod and printer offers work in store? also when are we in the uk expecting the macbooks in store?

[neiltc13]

Well, most people can't buy a new Macbook without tax so why skew the numbers by omitting it? If you can buy one tax free then great, but I can't. Including US sales tax and looking at the new MB the markup is 12.9% here so considerably less than the 16% seen previously. Net result is that Apple's profit margin on the new Macbooks here is less than before and that the state of the british economy is responible for the perceived price increase.

Matt

I have no idea what you are talking about - the only way to perform a fair comparison is to do it like-for-like and the only way to do that is to remove the tax. You can't say "10%" tax on the US one because that figure varies by state. What's the point of doing a comparison with tax if it is unavoidable?

[smwatson]

*Lovingly strokes nice plastic Macbook* :p

[thomasp]

I love how Jobs boasts about there being a price drop on the entry level MacBook. Log on to Apple UK store and guess what - £20 dearer. Heck, even the student discount is about half a percent less than it was.

Surely that's false advertising from Jobs - stating a price drop but in some countries actually increasing the price?

Also, if I remember rightly, the £/$ exchange rate now is about what it was when the MacBooks were first released - at £699. I reckon even that subtle price rise is going to hurt the UK student market - we are very sensitive to things like that ;)

[neiltc13]

I must have missed the time when words spoken at a private, invitation only event in a foreign country became advertising.

[JRSimmons]

While the new notebooks do look quite nice, the INCREASE in price has really pissed me off! considering it's mainly cosmetic changes.

What don't Apple understand? WE ARE HEADING FOR A RECESSION!
Their stock is already taking a beating, due to decreased spending..I'm semi-tempted to go windows now!

[robpow]

I have no idea what you are talking about - the only way to perform a fair comparison is to do it like-for-like and the only way to do that is to remove the tax. You can't say "10%" tax on the US one because that figure varies by state. What's the point of doing a comparison with tax if it is unavoidable?
Ok, I can't put this any other way, the price increases are down to the USD/GBP exchange rate changes, not Apple being greedy. Apple's margin on Macbooks sold in the UK is down compared to 6-9 months ago. Blame the UK economy, not Apple.

Matt

[killianb]

I must have missed the time when words spoken at a private, invitation only event in a foreign country became advertising.

But it's not as if people without an invitation aren't supposed to know -- they put the keynotes on iTunes to download so it doesn't matter what country you're in or whether you attended the 'invitation only' even, you will still know what Steve said.

I am really quite disappointed with the prices. I love the new designs. I have a MacBook Pro which I've only had since March and I was considering a MacBook before the event, however I think I will be waiting a while now. My MPB is still in perfect condition and does more than I want, so that's not a problem.

It will take more than this to make me go running back to Windows but I am still very much disappointed.

[highgreave]

I have been thinking of moving over to the Apple brand and I was waiting to buy an Apple Macbook this week after all the build up. Now I think I will be staying with Windows and waiting for the price drop I expect that will come when they find the expected customers have gone elsewhere.

[dino01]

Thats put me in a very good mood, now im just torn on as to weather I should order from the internet now, or go into the apple store later this week, do both ipod and printer offers work in store? also when are we in the uk expecting the macbooks in store?

im with deadjoe on this one, when are they in store and can you get both the printer and nano instore for the he discount.

one other question: is it possible to get all the stuff mentioned above twice, just me and my mate both want macbooks and aitn sure how much you can get on one student id card.

[acxz]

Hmm, what to buy, a Macbook to replace my still fully functioning HP laptop as I was planning to do, or a car.

Difficult decision.

[killianb]

I have been thinking of moving over to the Apple brand and I was waiting to buy an Apple Macbook this week after all the build up. Now I think I will be staying with Windows and waiting for the price drop I expect that will come when they find the expected customers have gone elsewhere.

I think that's a good idea. However don't let this put you off Macs completely. I made the switch from Windows about 2-3 years ago and I would never go back to Windows. Macs are just so much better. The prices may disappoint sometimes but the performance and reliability you get with a Mac is always top-notch.

[timestoby]

Here, Save yourself a few quid!

http://store.apple.com/uk_edu_78186


omg,i didnt even know it was the edu store,here i got all excited and thought they lowered the price for non edu macs haha

[killianb]

Hmm, what to buy, a Macbook to replace my still fully functioning HP laptop as I was planning to do, or a car.

Difficult decision.

Haha! Well you could always go for the MacBook and buy Need For Speed with a steering wheel? And a bus pass?

[danyoo]

is it just me or has everything remotely new gone up in price?

I was sure that with the 60£ rebate via the eduction store you could get a canon printer at £60 and effectively have a free printer; but now that appears to be £80 with an effective cost of £20??

If these prices are to stay I'd say the Uk has been well and truly shafted.

[killianb]

is it just me or has everything remotely new gone up in price?

I was sure that with the 60£ rebate via the eduction store you could get a canon printer at £60 and effectively have a free printer; but now that appears to be £80 with an effective cost of £20??

If these prices are to stay I'd say the Uk has been well and truly shafted.

You're right! A couple a weeks ago there was a printer that was £60, therefore free with the rebate. However I can't remember what sort of printer it was so maybe that's been scrapped?

I think the UK has definitely been shafted a bit. And I hate to say it, but, I think prices are here to stay. Apple would have planned these websites weeks in advance and I doubt mistakes with prices would be made.

[myuserid08]

Strange, you can buy a 20" iMac cheaper than the new macbooks.

[JG271]

is it just me or has everything remotely new gone up in price

Yeah, they have. Seems like apple hates the UK.

I think that apple's products should stick to price lines and have features that correspond to those price lines. A macbook at £1,150? There are too many features to make it a lower level laptop anymore, its verging onto the pro side of things. Maybe apple will eventually become just about luxury computers :(

[killianb]

Yeah, they have. Seems like apple hates the UK.

I think that apple's products should stick to price lines and have features that correspond to those price lines. A macbook at £1,150? There are too many features to make it a lower level laptop anymore, its verging onto the pro side of things. Maybe apple will eventually become just about luxury computers :(

Maybe but with their aim of switching people from Windows to Mac, this is the wrong way to go about it.

[oli2140]

Well that's no Apple laptop for me..

[mike...]

There are HP and Canon all-in-ones for <£60. Dunno what you guys are on about.

[mrtrilby]

I've been all poised to switch to a Mac for the past month too. Holding off to see whether the rumours amounted to anything. Very disappointed. It seems I have to pay a fair chunk more now to get a Pro, and I don't get to choose a matte screen. (I have a glossy screen on the current laptop, and it's nasty).

I'm very tempted to buy the old generation MacBook Pro whilst I still can - nicer price, nicer screen, still perfectly capable.

Or maybe just give up on the idea and buy an HP.

[killianb]

I've been all poised to switch to a Mac for the past month too. Holding off to see whether the rumours amounted to anything. Very disappointed. It seems I have to pay a fair chunk more now to get a Pro, and I don't get to choose a matte screen. (I have a glossy screen on the current laptop, and it's nasty).

I'm very tempted to buy the old generation MacBook Pro whilst I still can - nicer price, nicer screen, still perfectly capable.

Or maybe just give up on the idea and buy an HP.

Never give up on the idea!! You will not be disappointed making the switch to a Mac! Trust me. If you switch and are unhappy, you can hold me personally responsible, lol.

I think you should go for the previous model 15". I am using that now, I got it in March and it's fantastic! I was looking at getting a new one before the keynote but it really doesn't seem worth it at the moment.

[danyoo]

You're right! A couple a weeks ago there was a printer that was £60, therefore free with the rebate. However I can't remember what sort of printer it was so maybe that's been scrapped?

You could be right on that; but if it has been scrapped it just goes to proof the UK shafting as we no longer get the cheaper printers which as mike also points out are still freely available in the store.

The fact that the basic model has gone up by 20£ is absurb in my opinion and something is gonna be needed to make the basic level macbooks more competitive...

[solemac]

Probably DDR3 hiking the price up as its not cheap. Plus its a Motevina chipset

Features they got rid of

Firewire 400

Costly New Features

Glass Trackpad
Display Port
Glass Screen
DDR3 - I bet its fast though
Graphics
Slower Manufactring Process = Small Plant

I can live without most of them, Just give me a fast number crunching CPU and a half decent graphics card, nice new design. = PROFIT ££

[Harmush]

has anyone actually bought one?

[nomad01]

has anyone actually bought one?

Yeah, I have. Edu Store prices though with the nano rebate (flog the nano on eBay to make a bit of money too!).

Ever since I kissed goodbye to my 12" Powerbook I've been hoping they'd release an aluminium Macbook.

Bit p!55ed about the firewire as I have a firewire camcorder but I use that maybe once a year so I guess when it comes to it, I'll maybe replace that for something that works with USB.

Aside from Firewire (and the price!) it's better than I'd hoped so I'm pretty happy.

[SneakerFreak]

Me too am sick of rip off britain.

I'll either wait until I or a mate go to the US and get one there or see what prices Dixons tax free do them for at the airports (currently they do the £829 macbook for £705 ( www.dixonstaxfree.co.uk )

[solemac]

Me too am sick of rip off britain.

I'll either wait until I or a mate go to the US and get one there or see what prices Dixons tax free do them for at the airports (currently they do the £829 macbook for £705 ( www.dixonstaxfree.co.uk )

Nice one, that where my next purchase will be from

[phalewhale]

How the FECK can the current white MacBook cost 699 yesterday, and now £719 today??? It's the same tech, aside from the superdrive which should have been standard anyway!!! £20???!!!
And yet in the US it's been REDUCED by $100!!!

Even a £20 reduction would have been better than a £20 increase!!! Surely this is wrong?!

Wow - I'm gobsmacked - what an absolute fecking disgrace!

[mike...]

How the FECK can the current white MacBook cost 699 yesterday, and now £719 today??? It's the same tech, aside from the superdrive which should have been standard anyway!!! £20???!!!
And yet in the US it's been REDUCED by $100!!!

Even a £20 reduction would have been better than a £20 increase!!! Surely this is wrong?!

Wow - I'm gobsmacked - what an absolute fecking disgrace!

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