Strong pound implications?

[jacg]

The pound is strong. Does this mean Mac prices will drop in the UK, or do I have to go shopping in America?

[iGav]

Originally posted by jacg
The pound is strong. Does this mean Mac prices will drop in the UK, or do I have to go shopping in America?

In theory they should drop... whether they will or not is another question, but even if they do, they won't get close to approaching U.S. prices.

Remember if you shop in America you have a £145 limit before you start paying import duty and VAT... now on a iPod/Laptop you really won't have any probs, as you'll be able to smuggle that back.. if you intend to buy a G5 then it all get's a little more risky, you fly out and buy, and then say the customs hit you with import duty and VAT that'll bring it up quite nicely with the UK price or there abouts...

If you fly out, buy it and then post it back, then something that big, will likely attract the attention of customs and then they'll bill you...

I still think the $ has alot of falling to do against our pound... $2 - £1 in the next month??

[johnnyjibbs]

Originally posted by iGAV
I still think the $ has alot of falling to do against our pound... $2 - £1 in the next month??

It's nearly there - currently a US$ is worth 52.3p... (last week it was 52.8 and a week or two before it was 54p).

I'm planning to get an Apple wireless bluetooth mouse if nothing else when I go out to America in May - I'll be able to visit the Grove LA store too (first Apple store!). I always thought £55 was ridiculous to pay for a mouse, particulalry when I already have one and it only has one button! For £40 ($69/2 + a bit of US tax), it might sway me, even though that is still hefty!

I'm just worrying I might come back with an iPod mini!

[m4rc]

The 'experts' in the news today have been saying $2 to the pound soon, and that they won't be surprised if it stayed like that for a couple of years.

I have no evidence to base this on, but I doubt that Apple will reduce and of the UK prices - it sells currently, they would be giving money away. I realise they would probably sell more - I for one would love to see reductions - but I don't think it will happen.

If the currency stays as is, when Apple launch a G5 PB I will fly out with my wife, have a long weekend in a nice 4 star hotel (£650 ish including insurance, flights, hotel etc), buy a PowerBook, have a great weekend, and only have spent a small amount more than I would have done buying the Apple in the UK.

As long as the PB isnt boxed and giftwrapped, it shouldn't draw too much attention - I will let you know!

Marc

[m4rc]

Originally posted by johnnyjibbs
I'm just worrying I might come back with an iPod mini!

I might ask you to get me an iPod mini!

[iGav]

Originally posted by johnnyjibbs
It's nearly there - currently a US$ is worth 52.3p... (last week it was 52.8 and a week or two before it was 54p).

I'm planning to get an Apple wireless bluetooth mouse if nothing else when I go out to America in May - I'll be able to visit the Grove LA store too (first Apple store!). I always thought £55 was ridiculous to pay for a mouse, particulalry when I already have one and it only has one button! For £40 ($69/2 + a bit of US tax), it might sway me, even though that is still hefty!

I'm just worrying I might come back with an iPod mini!

Drop $$ and get a Wacom, they come with a 3 button mouse, and a tablet is XXXXXXXXXXXXX times better than any mouse on the market....

It's quite bizarre actually, for as long as I can remember it's always been around 1.4-1.5 $ to the £, but the dollar is in free fall.... and I expect it to go crashing through the floor, it won't stop at $2 that's for sure, it's just a case of how quick we'll nail it...

I'm still waiting for something nasty to occur in our economy though... something has to give, people are in too much debt, house prices are continuing to rise at a seriously silly rate, and salaries aren't increasing enough... consuming spending will experience retardation similar to that of hitting a wall when interests keep going up...

That said, I'm praying for a housing crash... I have no sympathy for those who lied on their mortgage applications about what they earned and borrowed at 4x,5x+ their salaries... sad suckers. I look forward to picking up a nice loft appartment real cheap...

[iGav]

Originally posted by marccarter
As long as the PB isnt boxed and giftwrapped, it shouldn't draw too much attention - I will let you know!

Marc

pack clothes in the PowerBook box, pack the PowerBook box in the suitcase, carry the laptop on the plane (in a laptop bag of course) watch some movies on the flight back, and walk through customs... easy...

[m4rc]

I agree we need a house price down turn. I don't earn badly, but as I dont own a house, to get what I need for the family - 4 beds really - I need to pay nearly 250k for something nice in the south east! Crazy

[iGav]

Originally posted by marccarter
I agree we need a house price down turn. I don't earn badly, but as I dont own a house, to get what I need for the family - 4 beds really - I need to pay nearly 250k for something nice in the south east! Crazy

something has to give, otherwise we'll be seeing 6x,7x,8x+ salary mortgages and ultimately people will never end up actually owning their house within their lifetime.

I was only speaking the other night with my mum about it, and she recalls paying just over £3k for a 3 bedroom house in '72... yet my parents combined salary at that time was about 8k a year... it's so very different now isn't it.

Not long before the first London MR posse' meet up last September, I was looking at renting in Covent Garden, and I was looking at paying £450 a week to rent... yet no one would give me a mortgage at half that figure, but I can rent with no worries... crazy...

[johnnyjibbs]

Originally posted by iGAV
Drop $$ and get a Wacom, they come with a 3 button mouse, and a tablet is XXXXXXXXXXXXX times better than any mouse on the market....

Already have one. Only a graphire2, mind, but the mouse is great and the pen is good enough for all I'll ever do. Got a good deal on it and it came with Photoshop Elements 2. But it's not that portable... I like the idea of shoving a Bluetooth mouse in my bag and just taking it out to use while my PowerBook is out and about.

As for the dollar downfall, well, looks like there are some benefits to Bush being in power after all

[johnnyjibbs]

Here's a nice little article on this very thing from the Beeb. Reference to iPods too.

The 40GB iPod costs you £262 instead of £399!

Link

[mmmbop]

Originally posted by iGAV
pack clothes in the PowerBook box, pack the PowerBook box in the suitcase, carry the laptop on the plane (in a laptop bag of course) watch some movies on the flight back, and walk through customs... easy...

Just when are those G5 PowerBooks out?????

[mmmbop]

I've got my eye on a sweet digital camera as well - would save £200 buying in the US.

[johnnyjibbs]

Actually, I wouldn't mind an iSight. They're only $150 there (which is still £75-80) but that's still a large saving.

Do you reckon they'll accept my UK student ID in US Apple Stores?

[iGav]

Originally posted by johnnyjibbs
Do you reckon they'll accept my UK student ID in US Apple Stores?

nope... but why not just order from the U.S. online AppleStore Edu when you're there... pay by bank transfer and get it delivered to your Motel... wicked!

get you on the BT mouse as well... didn't think of that!

[blackfox]

as an English expatriate I feel your pain...seems rather obvious, but what are the rules on 'gifts' sent from a 3rd party...I have sent gifts to my family in London, never thought much about it (granted it was never a G5 desktop)...do you know anyone on this side of the pond?...I am personally very unhappy about the state of the dollar, as it is making my planned trip back to the UK (and the continent) a very expensive endeavor...although i do enjoy the rare instance I get money in the mail from home...