store.apple.com on crack?!

[NathanA]

Hey, all. Long time listener, first time caller.

Earlier today on store.apple.com in the refurb section, they listed four different Mac Minis, and they were as follows:

MA205LL/A (Solo 1.5GHz/512MB/60GB/Combo) - $479
MA608LL/A (Duo 1.83GHz/512MB/80GB/Super) - $479
MA138LL/A (2Duo 1.83GHz/1GB/80GB/Combo) - $499
MA206LL/A (Duo 1.66GHz/512MB/80GB/Super) - $649

Number 2 is already sold out (for obvious reasons); I saved a copy of the web page, though, if anyone wants proof.

All I want to know is, what the heck is up with these prices?? Especially with the first-gen Intel Minis (the first and last models, A205 and A206)? I mean, who in their right mind would pay the same price for a Core Solo + Combo when they are selling a late '06 model with a Core Duo + Superdrive + larger HDD?

Is there something I'm missing here? The A206 also seems priced way out of its league as well. $649 for 1.66 + Super? vs. the A608? Are they for real? Or, heck, even compared to the A138 price with the C2D and twice the RAM?

What on earth?

Incidentally, I just bought my very first Mini this morning. $20 more than the refurb A608 got me a brand-new one with the same specs as A608 plus double the RAM. I already own a Leopard Family Pack, so I'm not worried about the Tiger bit.

-- Nathan

 

[nsbio]

The law of large numbers - a small percentage but high absolute number of people make impulse purchases without knowing anything. Good for Apple, if they can get away with it - why not? It might be called "stupidity tax", I suppose

Oh, and they are also selling you previous gen Shuffles for the same price as new generation ($79). It is a full and honest 0% discount - yippee!!!

 

[scienide09]

Those prices may also reflect the price-point on those specific models that Apple needs to hit to make the sale worth it for them. In other words, any lower and it might be a financial loss.

And as nsbio mentioned, if people are willing to pay...

 

[martinmartin]

Option 2 was available again today...I bought one.

It was either this or an Apple TV...

 

[ChrisN]

This moring I think I saw some 15 inch macbook pros with some ATI cards, x1600? on the refurb page but now it is gone and there are only 8600 cards there and they are pretty well priced.

ChrisN