Price of BTO options revealed

[PDFierro]

Yep...my 256/1TB split is probably very unusual. And if you're buying for the longer term, as you are, your plan makes perfect sense.

Even without that point, you're going to use it as your only laptop - I'm not, and that changes how you slice and dice the data.

It's all good...

Nah, I don't think it's unusual. It makes sense. 256GB wouldn't be big enough to store everything you have, but neither would 512. So it's all or nothing.

And yup, my only laptop. Plus I travel a lot, so my laptop is always on the road with me.

 

[Queen6]

I do agree with both of your reasonings, but mine is that I use my Mac as my workhorse...so I always want the maxed-out version. Believe it or not, I'm away from a WiFi connection quite a bit. So while I could get by with 256GB, it's just safer for me to go with 512. Plus, I'd like to maximize the performance of the Core M as much as I can. I'm not going to miss a couple hundred bucks, but I would miss those upgrades.

Makes sense, my problem is I am on a timeline as 24th Apr I am wheels up and want a smaller backup system to one of my Retina`s so the performance is not such an issue. As I say if the 1.2 wont cut it, neither will the 1.3 and the Macbook will be dropped until Skylake.

I could go for a second 13" Retina, however then there would be little to no differentiation so the weaker system would never 'see the light of day" apart from regular maintenance or failure of the Primary. The new MacBook maximises portability and I can see it being to "goto" Notebook for meetings and generally on the go in the day, while the 15" or 13" Retina can deal with the heavy lifting.

I haven't discounted a maxed out 11" Air as this is now a phenomenally strong Notebook given it`s physical size and I can envisage usage outside of the typical ultraportable.My only criticism is the TN display, equally I am basing this on an old 2011 base model we have lying about that I use occasionally for testing software. In all fairness I should look at the display on the Early 2015 model and see if it`s improved any, as barring the display the 11" Air is perfect for my needs.

Q-6

 

[mxidis88]

Now I'm torn. I was prepared to pay 100-150 for the jump to 1.1 to 1.3. $250 is beyond what I'm able to pay. Oh well, hopefully the 1299 model handles my workload fine.

 

[iRun26.2]

Are BTO orders capable of being returned? I thought they are not. This would then be a factor in determining if I get a BTO version or not.

 

[newellj]

Now I'm torn. I was prepared to pay 100-150 for the jump to 1.1 to 1.3. $250 is beyond what I'm able to pay. Oh well, hopefully the 1299 model handles my workload fine.

If any of them would, I think the odds are very high that the 1.1gHz will be just fine. If not, you have 14 days to get a refund.

 

[PDFierro]

Are BTO orders capable of being returned? I thought they are not. This would then be a factor in determining if I get a BTO version or not.

Yup, they are.

 

[MH01]

UK 1.1 £200 to 1.3
http://store.apple.com/uk/buy-mac/macbook-air?product=MJY32B/A&step=config

UK 1.2 £120 to 1.3
http://store.apple.com/uk/buy-mac/macbook-air?product=MJY42B/A&step=config

Bit pricy I think.

Yeah that is quite a lot. At these prices, unless portability is essential, there are a lot of great apple laptops that you can pickup for some extra weight.

 

[mxidis88]

If any of them would, I think the odds are very high that the 1.1gHz will be just fine. If not, you have 14 days to get a refund.

Unfortunately, I'm buying from an education store that has a 15% restocking fee return policy.

 

[Queen6]

Now I'm torn. I was prepared to pay 100-150 for the jump to 1.1 to 1.3. $250 is beyond what I'm able to pay. Oh well, hopefully the 1299 model handles my workload fine.

Frankly it makes far more sense to wait and stretch the Extra $300 for the 1.2 512 SSD as this will hold value far better and you have additional payoff of faster performance and twice the storage. Also bear in mind Skylake is approaching rapidly so expect a new revision to the MacBook Q4 2015 or Q1 2016, the base model then will likely outperform the current 1.3 and the GPU will be far superior.

You can always return it inside 14 days if bought from Apple directly if the base model is not up to your needs. The $250 split in price for the 1.3 over 1.1 makes no sense unless you can capitalise on the performance or cost is not an issue.

Q-6

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If any of them would, I think the odds are very high that the 1.1gHz will be just fine. If not, you have 14 days to get a refund.

Personally I am a little cautious as from what I have read all the display models at the Apple "reveal" were 1.3 with carefully orchestrated software. Generally Apple shows a full range or just the base model, so I kind of question why only the top of the line MB for review.

To the OP base your time and wait for some decent reviews by non biased sites, alternatively a 13" Air might prove to be a smarter solution as you wont incur any performance issues

Q-6

 

[AppleWarMachine]

Now I'm torn. I was prepared to pay 100-150 for the jump to 1.1 to 1.3. $250 is beyond what I'm able to pay. Oh well, hopefully the 1299 model handles my workload fine.

Yeah, for the extra $250, you might as well spend and $100 and add an Watch ($350) to your cart with the base model

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

Where is the 1.2 GHZ and the low storage option 256GB ?????!?!?!??!

 

[keviig]

Where is the 1.2 GHZ and the low storage option 256GB ?????!?!?!??!

Looks like you have to get the 512gb version to get 1.2 Ghz. Only option is to go with 1.3 Ghz.

 

[newellj]

Where is the 1.2 GHZ and the low storage option 256GB ?????!?!?!??!

It isn't and it won't be.

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

It isn't and it won't be.

THATS ***** ********. ASDF NA:IERJ Q@#O:R

 

[iRun26.2]

THATS ***** ********. ASDF NA:IERJ Q@#O:R

Take a deep breath...

 

[cookie.monster]

THATS ***** ********. ASDF NA:IERJ Q@#O:R

welcome to first gen Apple product purchase experience.

 

[pasadena]

Looks like they made it official : https://www.macrumors.com/2015/04/07/retina-macbook-bto-pricing/

 

[dexterbell]

$250 to go from the 1.1 to the 1.3? What a bunch of bulls*t! Are you kidding me? Its only $100 to go from a 2.7 to a 2.9 in the MBP and $150 to go from the 1.6 to the 2.2 in the MBA. Apple have become more and more greedy and ridiculous. A $250 jump for .2Ghz? $1550 for a Core M 1.3Ghz with a 256 SSD and no ports, what an absolute joke. Pathetic.

 

[TH3D4RKKN1GH7]

Why are people so certain a skylake upgrade is coming this year or even early next? I imagine they will sit on this until revision 2. Makes buying next year's model even more inticing.

 

[Queen6]

$250 to go from the 1.1 to the 1.3? What a bunch of bulls*t! Are you kidding me? Its only $100 to go from a 2.7 to a 2.9 in the MBP and $150 to go from the 1.6 to the 2.2 in the MBA. Apple have become more and more greedy and ridiculous. A $250 jump for .2Ghz? ****** you Apple!

Given the pricing of the CPU`s, I do agree. Potentially there is a larger cooling pad in the faster systems, equally Apple has always been notorious for their poor pricing on upgrades...

At the end of the day Apple is a company that manufacturers consumer products and the average consumer will happily pay more for bigger numbers irrespective of what Apple`s costs truly are. The margins on iToy`s are obscene to say the very least and that is simply corporate greed. I do wonder just much more money Apple needs to sit on and do nothing with...

Q-6

 

[Queen6]

Why are people so certain a skylake upgrade is coming this year or even early next? I imagine they will sit on this until revision 2. Makes buying next year's model even more inticing.

Intel, that`s their target for Skylake. Intel is very determined to keep on target for Skylake. Broadwell was delayed due to initial poor yields on the 14Nm manufacturing process. Skyline being a "Tock" will bring greater performance, specifically the iGPU with no anticipated manufacturing issues.

Personally if I was looking at the new MacBook solely for recreational non business use, I would skip current iteration unless my Mac was completely outdated as the second generation will be significantly improved.

Q-6

 

[TH3D4RKKN1GH7]

Intel, that`s their target for Skylake. Intel is very determined to keep on target for Skylake. Broadwell was delayed due to initial poor yields on the 14Nm manufacturing process. Skyline being a "Tock" will bring greater performance, specifically the iGPU with no anticipated manufacturing issues.

Personally if I was looking at the new MacBook solely for recreational non business use, I would skip current iteration unless my Mac was completely outdated as the second generation will be significantly improved.

Q-6

But it isn't customary for Apple to jump on Intel's releases immediately is it? I mean they certainly don't with the Mac Pro.

 

[newellj]

$250 to go from the 1.1 to the 1.3? What a bunch of bulls*t! Are you kidding me? Its only $100 to go from a 2.7 to a 2.9 in the MBP and $150 to go from the 1.6 to the 2.2 in the MBA. Apple have become more and more greedy and ridiculous. A $250 jump for .2Ghz? $1550 for a Core M 1.3Ghz with a 256 SSD and no ports, what an absolute joke. Pathetic.

Given the pricing of the CPU`s, I do agree. Potentially there is a larger cooling pad in the faster systems, equally Apple has always been notorious for their poor pricing on upgrades...

At the end of the day Apple is a company that manufacturers consumer products and the average consumer will happily pay more for bigger numbers irrespective of what Apple`s costs truly are. The margins on iToy`s are obscene to say the very least and that is simply corporate greed. I do wonder just much more money Apple needs to sit on and do nothing with...

Q-6

I have to agree as well. It seems a very steep hike.

 

[DENTNU]

I am really undecided on which one to get on one hand a 256 SDD is all I really need and was planing to get that one with the 1.3 BTO. Now that the prices of the BTO's are out I am undecided if I should still get that. I am now thinking I might just go with the 512/1.2 due to the fact that I would be able to pick one of these up on friday at a apple store and would not have to wait for apple to to ship the 256/1.3. What to do, what to do ??? I really want the 1.3 BTO but would every much like to start using my new macbook this Friday. I need some help with this based on the performance difference post in the first page its only like 10% difference from 1.2 to 1.3 correct are they numbers confirmed ? Can someone help me make a decision here please. thanks

 

[Queen6]

But it isn't customary for Apple to jump on Intel's releases immediately is it? I mean they certainly don't with the Mac Pro.

Hence Q1 2016 release, far as I am aware Core M for Skylake is due Q4 2015, likely combined with Apple wanting to move up the sales of Macbook in order to drop the Air so I strongly suspect Apple will move rapidly on Skylake.

Q-6

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I am really undecided on which one to get on one hand a 256 SDD is all I really need and was planing to get that one with the 1.3 BTO. Now that the prices of the BTO's are out I am undecided if I should still get that. I am now thinking I might just go with the 512/1.2 due to the fact that I would be able to pick one of these up on friday at a apple store and would not have to wait for apple to to ship the 256/1.3. What to do, what to do ??? I really want the 1.3 BTO but would every much like to start using my new macbook this Friday. I need some help with this based on the performance difference post in the first page its only like 10% difference from 1.2 to 1.3 correct are they numbers confirmed ? Can someone help me make a decision here please. thanks

I would look at it this way;

• Is the cost an issue?
• How long do you plan to keep the MacBook?
• You will recover far more resale value with the 512 SSD, than the BTO 256 with 1.3 CPU.
• If you've waited this long wait a little longer and see what the reputable reviews have to say.
• The 1.3 simply doesn't represent good value, unless the 1.1 or 1.2 run like three lagged dogs. If cost is not too much of a concern the 1.2 512 SSD is the sweet spot on spec and resale value.

Q-6