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The Case Against Blackbook

H

honeycrisp

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 28, 2007
226
8
Ok, so I was checking out the online store and noticed something today.

I could purchase a white MacBook with the exact same specs as the BlackBook for $1,374. The BlackBook would be $1,499.00.

So I'm wondering why anyone would even consider the BlackBook. Perhaps this has been discussed before, but just wondering what people's thoughts are...
 
honeycrisp said:
Ok, so I was checking out the online store and noticed something today.

I could purchase a white MacBook with the exact same specs as the BlackBook for $1,374. The BlackBook would be $1,499.00.

So I'm wondering why anyone would even consider the BlackBook. Perhaps this has been discussed before, but just wondering what people's thoughts are...
Click to expand...

its black...
 
I use mine for work and thought the black would be visually appropriate in a work place. The specs were not the deciding factor in my case.
 
It's been discussed a few times. The one and only reason that the Blackbook is more expensive is its color. Enough people are willing to pay more for a black Macbook that it justifies Apple selling it at a higher price.

The economic term for this is (ironically) price discrimination. There's a New York Times article about it here that even mentions the MacBook as a case in point.
 
I wanted it because it looks way better than the white MacBook. I also tend to like black things more than white ones.
 
I guess what I'm saying is that it makes sense to offer it in black, but shouldn't they up the specs on the Blackbook, otherwise what's the point of it being more expensive?
 
honeycrisp said:
I guess what I'm saying is that it makes sense to offer it in black, but shouldn't they up the specs on the Blackbook, otherwise what's the point of it being more expensive?
Click to expand...

I think the black MacBook is made of a different material than the white one.
 
It's hard to explain just why I was attracted to the BlackBook. It instantly caught my eye. I deliberated for just a few seconds before deciding that the difference in price was still worth it to me.

I think what it boils down to is if someone likes the computer, they'll buy it. Some go by price, some by looks, some go with a combination of the two.
 
I dont give a stuff what colour the case is. So if Apple were to sell a grey plastic case version for $100 less than the white one, which only seems fair, I'd buy it...
 
stevegmu said:
Doesn't the BB have 40GB more memory?
Click to expand...

Yes it does.

However, when ordering the mid-range model you can chose to have Apple upgrade the hard drive to the 160GB model for $75 (for a difference of $125 over the price of the BB, which is what some like to call the "BlackBook tax").
 
the past black macbook were more bang for the buck then the current one.
the past the black ones had more ram cpu power and hd space.
but now it just has a bigger hd.
that was one of the reason i got the black one back then with
2 ghz c2d 1 gb ramn and 120 hd
 
you could also purchase a macBook with the same specs as a mac Book pro (base model) for like $550 cheaper. though you will have a lesser quality graphics card and a smaller monitor.
 
The only bad thing about the MacBook (Black) is Apple insist on giving you white accessories (power brick, remote control etc.).

I think the eccentricity of paying more for a colour appeals to some.

Oh, that and Jay Z has one.
 
jmchen3 said:
the past black macbook were more bang for the buck then the current one.
the past the black ones had more ram cpu power and hd space.
but now it just has a bigger hd.
that was one of the reason i got the black one back then with
2 ghz c2d 1 gb ramn and 120 hd
Click to expand...

As far as I know there has never been any difference between the midrange MacBook and the BlackBook except color and a larger hard drive. Maybe you were comparing yours to the low-end MacBook when you bought it.
 
When I bought mine (day after Christmas, 2006), the black model came with a larger hard drive, and I didn't have the patience to order one once I decided I had to have one. I kinda wish I got the white one honestly; looks more Mac-like I suppose. Most co-workers that see my MacBook on my desk don't realize it's a Mac until I point it out while they're asking me what kind of computer they should buy.
 
honeycrisp said:
Ok, so I was checking out the online store and noticed something today.

I could purchase a white MacBook with the exact same specs as the BlackBook for $1,374. The BlackBook would be $1,499.00.

So I'm wondering why anyone would even consider the BlackBook. Perhaps this has been discussed before, but just wondering what people's thoughts are...
Click to expand...
It's the attractive color. Lots of people have been complaining about the "Black Tax", but in some cases, the consumer cares more about the style and sleek design than the price tag.
 
Sonicjay said:
...I kinda wish I got the white one honestly; looks more Mac-like I suppose. Most co-workers that see my MacBook on my desk don't realize it's a Mac until I point it out while they're asking me what kind of computer they should buy.
Click to expand...

They don't notice the lit-up apple on the lid? I'd think it'd be kinda hard to miss :p

Edit: NM. I was assuming that you were working in an open area where people could see the lid when it was open (like the seating arrangement where I work).
 
I didn't even consider the white MacBook when I was shopping for mine. The white is just ugly in my opinion. It gets all stained and yellowish after use. The black just looks sexy. And it's Black, and Black is the new Black. So there you have it.
 
Well, my mother (who is in her 80's) initially thought the white macbook looked better, but switched to the black model.

Her reason?
She could see the white letters on the black keys much better than the grey letters on white keys!

Hey, she's right!

P.S. This is the first computer she has ever owned or used.

My father however (now passed) purchased a putty color Apple ][ + with the original VisaCalc.
Both computer and software still work just fine, thank you.
No service packs needed.
 
My white MacBook was prone to discolouration. I'd never ever buy a white notebook again and I think the black one looks miles better. For one, you don't notice the iSight and the IR and I like the idea of a black rim around the display more than white.
 
you pay a premium for the color. thats just life. I like my black, of course its dirty but i don't get any discoloration or wearing from my palms.
 
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