Gasp-free actual price comparison

[Jack Sun]

After reading all the breathless threads about the insane pricing and imminent collapse of Apple, I went to the source to check the data. Comparing price/specs between my Late-2013 15" MBP (3 short years ago) and the equivalent new model. Conclusion? .......new model is pretty good deal. :-O


Late-2013 15" MBP--Base model with upgrade to 16gb ram EDU Price: $2079
Late-2016 15" MBP--Base model which includes 16gb ram EDU Price: $2249

Upgrades included for the $170 increase:

Quad core i7 cpu 2.0ghz now 2.6
Turbo boost 3.2 now 3.5
16gb ram 1600 mhz now 2133
Intel Iris Pro 5200 with 128MB now AMD Radeon 450 with 2GB AND Intel HD 530
now brighter screen, more contrast, wider color spectrum
Capability for Thunderbolt 20gps now 40gps
Capability for USB 5gps now 10gps
added Touch Bar
added Touch ID
now larger trackpad
added Force touch
2 mics now 3
now redesigned louder speakers, stronger bass
8 hrs battery now 10 hrs
now thinner and 1 cm smaller in width and depth
now 1/2 lb lighter
added Space Gray option


Seems perfectly reasonable!

 

[meme1255]

Iris 5200 doesn't have 128 MB ONLY, but on-chip eDRAM - it takes the rest from the RAM, the new iris does the same.

The prices in the US aren't that bad as those in Europe... 15" is approximately the same (but still more expensive), but the 13" prices aren't nothing but ridiculous.

 

[Floris]

Sorry that we're not as comfy in our wallet as others are. And have been waiting for modern hardware for quite some time. And are having to consider investing in the macbook pro rather than the iMac because they've decided to not do a release this year...

And that in Europe the price got increased by 300 on the hardware in January/February, and that we see another 300 on base and 700 on top models.

Yeah, that's a gasp. Apologies that you have no issue with that, and please don't fool us by sneaking in that you are comparing EDU prices, without VAT and import tax.

But I will leave this thread, leave it to the elitist that think adding 700 on top of a base model is perfectly fine.

real talk:
this morning 3259 for the rMBP 15" with the configuration i wanted,
now it's over 4000 euro for that model, with that same configuration upgrade.

My maxed out powerbook was 2499, my dads 15" mbp was 2350, my friends 15" rMBP was 2600..

Mmmmm under 3000, or over 4000. What would I rather pay?

 

[Bobby Corwen]

The MBP has been the same price point for 3 years (almost 3K)

Nothing has changed.

I guess people were secretly hoping for a price drop or a loaded mid range value but I guess they dont really know Apple all that well and their expectations were misguided.

 

[Jack Sun]

and please don't fool us by sneaking in that you are comparing EDU prices, without VAT and import tax.

But I will leave this thread, leave it to the elitist that think adding 700 on top of a base model is perfectly fine.

Not "sneaking" anything. Comparing apples to apples: edu to edu, pretax to pretax. Don't forget the point: only 8% increase for quite a list of added and/or improved features.

Elitist?! Because I shrug at $700?! Where did I say that? Did you read my post? The base model is only $170 more than my 3 year old equivalent, for a lot more--period.

 

[Floris]

Not "sneaking" anything. Comparing apples to apples: edu to edu, pretax to pretax. Don't forget the point: only 8% increase for quite a list of added and/or improved features.

Elitist?! Because I shrug at $700?! Where did I say that? Did you read my post? The base model is only $170 more than my 3 year old equivalent, for a lot more--period.

Sorry if the disappointed emotion made me read things a tad too fast. I apologize for using phrasing like elitist.
But clicking on new posts shows me I am not the only one that sighs and doesn't want to spend extra money on "air"

 

[Spink10]

Sorry that we're not as comfy in our wallet as others are. And have been waiting for modern hardware for quite some time. And are having to consider investing in the macbook pro rather than the iMac because they've decided to not do a release this year...

And that in Europe the price got increased by 300 on the hardware in January/February, and that we see another 300 on base and 700 on top models.

Yeah, that's a gasp. Apologies that you have no issue with that, and please don't fool us by sneaking in that you are comparing EDU prices, without VAT and import tax.

But I will leave this thread, leave it to the elitist that think adding 700 on top of a base model is perfectly fine.

real talk:
this morning 3259 for the rMBP 15" with the configuration i wanted,
now it's over 4000 euro for that model, with that same configuration upgrade.

My maxed out powerbook was 2499, my dads 15" mbp was 2350, my friends 15" rMBP was 2600..

Mmmmm under 3000, or over 4000. What would I rather pay?

I can bring you a MBP in summer of 2017 from the states!

 

[Floris]

I can bring you a MBP in summer of 2017 from the states!

If there's not a new iMac and my projects diddn't require me to invest yet.. i might just take you up on that.

 

[mannyo1221]

The UK has seen a massive price hike right across the board, in some cases the same level of macbook has increased by 50% especially now the entry level 13" macbook is gone.

In 2013 I purchased and still use a top of the range 15" rMBP with 16GB ram and 512SSD with the quad core i7 CPU, this macbook at just over £2000 was the most expensive computer I ever purchased. Today the entry level 15" machine with tiny SSD costs in excess of £2300 rising up from there.

 

[altair7]

This post is a bit delusional. This is a substantial price hike from the previous models. Also most people are not students so we can't get student pricing. Lastly comparing to previous Apple computers is only somewhat useful for knowing if it is overpriced.

Here is a real comparison between the new MBP and the XPS 15:

016 15" MBP (ENTRY MODEL)
3K Display
2.6 Ghz core i7 quad core skylake (actual model is not shown, probably 6700hq with the upgraded integrated graphics)
256 GB SSD
16GB RAM (not upgradeable/soldered)
Radeon Pro 450 (ugh)
4 TB3
awful keyboard
10 Hours Battery
$2400 US

2016 Dell XPS 15"
Starts at $999 with i3, low ram/ssd, and 1080p screen

Core i7 6700HQ (same speed)
512 GB SSD
16 GB RAM (upgradeable to 32)
1080p screen (similar quality otherwise)
NVidia 960M (which is better)
more versatile ports
$1649 US normally (under $1500 on sale right now)

Exactly comparable model:
4K screen (higher res, slightly less wide gamut) with touchscreen
Core i7 6700HQ (same speed)
16 GB RAM
256 GB SSD
NVidia 960M
$1850 US normally (under $1700 right now)

---
Now how can Apple justify costing $550 more than their direct competitor on a good day ($700 right now)? And that is assuming you want the closest spec-wise model.

 

[oebalus]

you cant justify the price hike like this. if you do, every year technology prices will increase. tech is suppose to either maintain or go lower.

After reading all the breathless threads about the insane pricing and imminent collapse of Apple, I went to the source to check the data. Comparing price/specs between my Late-2013 15" MBP (3 short years ago) and the equivalent new model. Conclusion? .......new model is pretty good deal. :-O


Late-2013 15" MBP--Base model with upgrade to 16gb ram EDU Price: $2079
Late-2016 15" MBP--Base model which includes 16gb ram EDU Price: $2249

Upgrades included for the $170 increase:

Quad core i7 cpu 2.0ghz now 2.6
Turbo boost 3.2 now 3.5
16gb ram 1600 mhz now 2133
Intel Iris Pro 5200 with 128MB now AMD Radeon 450 with 2GB AND Intel HD 530
now brighter screen, more contrast, wider color spectrum
Capability for Thunderbolt 20gps now 40gps
Capability for USB 5gps now 10gps
added Touch Bar
added Touch ID
now larger trackpad
added Force touch
2 mics now 3
now redesigned louder speakers, stronger bass
8 hrs battery now 10 hrs
now thinner and 1 cm smaller in width and depth
now 1/2 lb lighter
added Space Gray option


Seems perfectly reasonable!

 

[macfacts]

Not "sneaking" anything. Comparing apples to apples: edu to edu, pretax to pretax. Don't forget the point: only 8% increase for quite a list of added and/or improved features.

Elitist?! Because I shrug at $700?! Where did I say that? Did you read my post? The base model is only $170 more than my 3 year old equivalent, for a lot more--period.

Perhaps Apple should continue selling the iphone6s for $650 and the iphone7 for $750 ... Base model is only $100 more. It is worth it for 32gb base storage instead of 16gb

 

[netdog]

They're going to have trouble moving these. Many who were waiting for this upgrade are going to stick with their existing rMBPs.

 

[Gregintosh]

The point to make here is that technology has gotten much better and cheaper in 3 years. In other words, we shouldn't be "paying" extra to get faster RAM and a better chip, etc.

The 2013 model isnt worth $2079 today, its components and even the unit itself is probably worth only around $1,000 (give or take a couple hundred bucks). So you're not "paying $170" to upgrade to all these new things you listed, it's more like a $1,500 difference over what your old computer is worth TODAY.