The MacBook Configurator Slippery Slope - the evil genius of Apple

[CalMin]

Seriously - Apple's incremental pricing tactics are evil genius. I've ordered/canceled, ordered/canceled and keep losing my place in line. I'm out somewhere late November at the moment. Main issue is that I overspec my machine each time with the rationale "well, I'm spending this much, what's another $xxx?". And it gets me every single time.

I do tend to keep my machines for a while and it's usually running out of HDD/SSD space rather than CPU/GPU limitations that forces an upgrade. My uses are VERY heavy MS Office work and some occasional light video editing - i.e. nothing that even a 2016 MBP can't cope with.

Still, the evil genius of the pricing steps is something else. It usually goes....

"If I want to keep it a while, then 1TB is enough, but double storage for just $400 on a $2500 machine seems reasonable. Then - if I have 2TB I'll be wanting to keep it forever, so perhaps M1MAX CPU is the way to go - add $200. Now, since I have a MAX CPU, it would be a shame not to have the 32GB RAM option, I mean I'm already spending over $3k, why not bump up the RAM and have something that will stay 'current' for even more years - add $400."

So, my $1,999 notebook is actually going to cost $3500...

And to think, I tortured myself over spending $2k on my 16" MBP with base specs. And now here I am dropping over $3k with $1.5k in spec upgrades.

It's evil, and I'm a sucker for it. I'd love to know how much of Apple's profit margin is generated like this - I suspect that milking these extras probably adds a lot to their bottom line.

 

[boylerman]

I hemmed and hawed but ultimately pre-ordered the base level 14” at $1999. I was seriously tempted to upgrade the CPU and the RAM, but ultimately decided that the new computer as going to be a massive performance upgrade from the Intel 13 MBP I currently use. Besides, I know I’ll be tempted next year when the M2 Pro is released!

 

[matram]

It is obvious that you have never bought a BMW using their configurator

 

[leman]

Yeah, Apple team in charge of pricing are excellent at their job. They have figured the psychology of upgrades a long while ago and they use their knowledge masterfully.

 

[UltimateSyn]

It's a master craft in Gradual Upsell. Really is something to behold - they got me too, don't worry.

 

[Sterkenburg]

Yes, they're extremely good at playing the "you're now just a few hundred $ away from..." psychological game.
And yes, they get me almost every time 😄

 

[CalMin]

It is obvious that you have never bought a BMW using their configurator

Oh yes I have. Once. In 2006. And never again. 🤣. (Mind you, I loved that car and kept it for over 10-years.)

Next for me is Porsche - they are also masters at this. That you can spec. a $100k+ car that doesn't come with a radio is almost criminal. They have also gameified their configurator because it's actually fun. I have built so many dream cars on their site and they come out different every time.

 

[Ryan1524]

Before you know it, you've negotiated yourself to 'needing' the top spec model.

 

[casperes1996]

I don't see what's evil here. They offer you choices at any price bracket (above a certain baseline) so you can get the best machine for the money you're willing to spend. Would it not be worse if the upgrades cost more money at each level but offered no extra benefit over what you get now at each level?

 

[Beau10]

"If I want to keep it a while..."

Think differently. Apple computers have an awesome resale and terrible pricing of options, it's always best to just get an off the shelf config, base if possible, and resale on a rev if you need more. Purchase the machine that fits your actual needs in the here and now.

The whole "I need a machine that lasts 5 years" is just lazy and you lose out on performance over time by front-loading your purchase with super pricey options that you don't need. These are not trucks.

 

[marmiteturkey]

Think differently. Apple computers have an awesome resale and terrible pricing of options, it's always best to just get an off the shelf config, base if possible, and resale on a rev if you need more. Purchase the machine that fits your actual needs in the here and now.

The whole "I need a machine that lasts 5 years" is just lazy and you lose out on performance over time. These are not trucks.

I know this to be true and yet I’ve not seen it put this clearly before. Thanks.

 

[drygioni]

Think differently. Apple computers have an awesome resale and terrible pricing of options, it's always best to just get an off the shelf config, base if possible, and resale on a rev if you need more. Purchase the machine that fits your actual needs in the here and now.

The whole "I need a machine that lasts 5 years" is just lazy and you lose out on performance over time by front-loading your purchase with super pricey options that you don't need. These are not trucks.

5 years is the minimum I'd expect to use mine for but I'm a Logic user who doesn't make massive use of virtual instruments. A bit of photography work too. I end up giving myself enough RAM and storage to see me through.

Having said that, your reasoning is persuasive! Maybe I should be planning on the 4Pro being a quantum leap and my restraint going out of the window.

 

[CalMin]

I don't see what's evil here. They offer you choices at any price bracket (above a certain baseline) so you can get the best machine for the money you're willing to spend. Would it not be worse if the upgrades cost more money at each level but offered no extra benefit over what you get now at each level?

Agree. Nothing truly evil. It was more of an attempt at humor and really more of a comment and how much of a sucker I am being! I realize there is no gun to my head to add all these upgrades.

If I'm completely honest with myself I don't need a new machine at all. My 16" MBP is doing just fine for all my work - other than starting to feel a bit cramped with the 512GB storage. I'm just all caught up in the M1 hype and want to get on the Apple Silicon train and out of my Intel machine while it still has some cash value.

 

[casperes1996]

Agree. Nothing truly evil. It was more of an attempt at humor and really more of a comment and how much of a sucker I am being! I realize there is no gun to my head to add all these upgrades.

If I'm completely honest with myself I don't need a new machine at all. My 16" MBP is doing just fine for all my work - other than starting to feel a bit cramped with the 512GB storage. I'm just all caught up in the M1 hype and want to get on the Apple Silicon train and out of my Intel machine while it still has some cash value.

Ah right. Read it a tad too literal

Yeah, I'm getting a 24 core Max with 32GPU of RAM myself. Honestly a 16 core M1 Pro could've probably been more than enough, I only got the 24 core Max out of a sense of curiosity But I'm coming from a 2014 so I allowed myself to splurge a tad

 

[Blue Sun]

They got me too.

Just cancelled my order to upgrade it to 32GB of unified memory.

 

[MF878]

This is the first time I’ve struggled so much to pick a config. Initially ordered an M1 Pro 16” then cancelled, now I have an order in for 14”, M1 Max 24c, 32GB memory, 1TB.

I think what makes this decision tougher than past years is you aren’t forced into a 16” to get better performance anymore, and we don’t know a) how often Apple’s Mac chips will be updated and b) how much performance improvement there will be over time. Intel’s chip generations became so incremental for several years that it made sense for my use to future proof the GPU, as that was always the wall I ran into first, but that’s also because those low-wattage AMD GPUs were very unimpressive.