I brought a new 13' MBP last week, I don't really buy computers according to when new ones are coming out. Plus I got a $300 education discount
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Is Apple ripping us off with the Macbook Pro?
- Thread starter wikoogle
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I brought a new 13' MBP last week, I don't really buy computers according to when new ones are coming out. Plus I got a $300 education discount
Fair enough. I usually go for the model with the best value for money (in terms of CPU power, mainly), so I'd probably go for a current-gen MBP after the update if the price becomes attractive enough.
Thank you....
Yes the design may be great, but what's a Ferrari with the same old engine compared with the newer lambos with more options, good looks and more horsepower?
With the current mbp specs and price, they are way too much.
I would expect the current mbp to cost no more than $900
The good news is that my 2 years old Penryn 2,4 GHz MBP is still as powerfull as current entry-level MBP, and even better in 3D
But to be honest, if you want to be premium, that's the same as in cars, you have to provide big and up-to-date engine in your catalogue, even if this is overkill for many customers. This is what makes a premium brand, alongside with the build quality.
But to be honest, if you want to be premium, that's the same as in cars, you have to provide big and up-to-date engine in your catalogue, even if this is overkill for many customers. This is what makes a premium brand, alongside with the build quality.
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After doing a little Internet research, I found out that the Intel Core 2 Duo T9900 (3.06ghz) costs the same ($530) as the T9800 (2.93ghz). They're both 35W TDP, same cache, and everything! Except processor speed of course. Apple charges $302 for something they bought at the same price.
But oh well. That won't stop me from getting their top of the line MacBook Pro that is supposedly coming out soon...
After doing a little Internet research, I found out that the Intel Core 2 Duo T9900 (3.06ghz) costs the same ($530) as the T9800 (2.93ghz). They're both 35W TDP, same cache, and everything! Except processor speed of course. Apple charges $302 for something they bought at the same price.
But oh well. That won't stop me from getting their top of the line MacBook Pro that is supposedly coming out soon...
That may be the price today for a bare CPU, but it doesn't quite work that way.
Apple like all PC makers buys in bulk with a contract to the chip maker on a specific date.
So on that specific date they set a 'deal' and set purchase price per chip with intel for their chips.
At that date, prices were different among the different chips.
So those prices are a fixed cost for Apple until the contract is up and they can negotiate / order a new supply contract with Intel.
Apple tries to keep that higher price for the faster CPU as long as possible otherwise they are losing money from what they paid for them.
Apple like all PC makers buys in bulk with a contract to the chip maker on a specific date.
So on that specific date they set a 'deal' and set purchase price per chip with intel for their chips.
At that date, prices were different among the different chips.
So those prices are a fixed cost for Apple until the contract is up and they can negotiate / order a new supply contract with Intel.
Apple tries to keep that higher price for the faster CPU as long as possible otherwise they are losing money from what they paid for them.
You are only ripped off if you pay for something you don't get
Technology is worth what you are willing to pay for it
If you don't see the value, don't buy... that keeps you from getting ripped off
Technology is worth what you are willing to pay for it
If you don't see the value, don't buy... that keeps you from getting ripped off
Those aren't retail prices if you haven't noticed. Also those are the prices AT release. Intel doesn't update its [lot of 1000] prices as they drop. So that may be what an OEM may have payed when they first came out. In 2010, they could be paying much less.
And you think HP/Dell/Sony/Lenovo etc don't do things like this?
Also, I don't even see the 2.93 as an option for a MBP? 2.8 or 3.06.
Also, I don't even see the 2.93 as an option for a MBP? 2.8 or 3.06.
That may be the price today for a bare CPU, but it doesn't quite work that way.
Apple like all PC makers buys in bulk with a contract to the chip maker on a specific date.
So on that specific date they set a 'deal' and set purchase price per chip with intel for their chips.
Do you think Apple is manufacturing computers today from their original bulk lot purchase?
Doubtful.
+1
Feeling like apple is ripping you off, the answer is simple. Don't buy a Mac, get a dell. Simple. Why create a thread about this when the solution is fairly simple. Don't buy the mac.
Why do people keep buying Macs if they're constantly belly-aching about getting ripped off?
There are Hyundais that have similar specs to BMWs and Mercedes that sell at twice the price. Are BMW and Mercedes rip-offs too? Not to the people who buy them and care about more than trunk space or horsepower.
If you care about specs and nothing else, then Apple is NOT the brand for you. It's not brain surgery. Go buy a Win7 computer and be happy, never to whine on the internet ever again.
I for one prefer OS X, and I love the style of Apple's machines. I don't care quite as much that they don't have the bleeding-edge specs as much as I do that they're more-than-good-enough specs in a case that gives a very satisfying user experience.
If you're just looking objectively, Apple probably isn't worth it. If you're considering the entire user experience, i.e. the synergy of hardware, OS, software, and peripherals, then for many Apple is worth it.
But if it's not, stop whining and vote with your wallet.
There are Hyundais that have similar specs to BMWs and Mercedes that sell at twice the price. Are BMW and Mercedes rip-offs too? Not to the people who buy them and care about more than trunk space or horsepower.
If you care about specs and nothing else, then Apple is NOT the brand for you. It's not brain surgery. Go buy a Win7 computer and be happy, never to whine on the internet ever again.
I for one prefer OS X, and I love the style of Apple's machines. I don't care quite as much that they don't have the bleeding-edge specs as much as I do that they're more-than-good-enough specs in a case that gives a very satisfying user experience.
If you're just looking objectively, Apple probably isn't worth it. If you're considering the entire user experience, i.e. the synergy of hardware, OS, software, and peripherals, then for many Apple is worth it.
But if it's not, stop whining and vote with your wallet.
I'm in touch with my geekness. I need to be if I'm going to hang out on a Mac forum and commisserate with fellow geeks who are all waiting for a new MBP to be released.