UK peeps -- can you afford Apple any more?

[leman]

As I wrote in another thread, the prices are basically dollar equivalents + local tax. For the base 13" MBP:

USA: $1499
Germany: 1699 € - 282 € taxes = 1417 € ~ $1534
UK: £1449 - £242 taxes = £1207 ~ $1512

That is based on the current google exchange rate. You don't pay any more than what the americans do.

 

[9646829]

I can afford it but I'm not willing to pay the prices, I did have a 2015 refurb rMB and returned it because I wanted a refurb 2015 rMBP instead but by the time I was going to order one they had jacked the prices up on all the old stuff.

 

[Antairez]

1. I agree.
2. That's not really how life works for many people... it also implies that wealthy people work harder which isn't always true (I am wealthy and I do work bloomin' hard but I'm not going to suggest that, say, nurses, don't work as hard as me...)

Work harder or work smarter. They all work. Once you are wealthy enough I do agree you can make more money simply by investing what you already have. But there's no shortcut when you are poor.

 

[Sheza]

As I wrote in another thread, the prices are basically dollar equivalents + local tax. For the base 13" MBP:

USA: $1499
Germany: 1699 € - 282 € taxes = 1417 € ~ $1534
UK: £1449 - £242 taxes = £1207 ~ $1512

That is based on the current google exchange rate. You don't pay any more than what the americans do.

The problem for us in the UK is that our wages have not gone up in response. You're absolutely right to say the rices are 'fair' in the sense that they match the dollar plus tax, but we are in a sense 'poorer' as a country.

 

[elf69]

Wages are indeed low.
I work 5 days a week and at end my net is £235.95

I am only one working in our house as my fiancee is carer for her father.
It is not easy covering all the bills and running the car which I need to get to work etc.

But as said prices are pretty much same around world.
Just some countries are paid better lol

 

[The_Interloper]

Macbook pro (previous model) available at £899 still.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/apple-macbook-pro-13-13730045-pdt.html

Have seen this in my local store, Truro Cornwall.
Still too expensive for me but if had money I would be tempted.

The 2015 Retina is still available at Currys for £999 as well:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/compu...13-with-retina-display-2015-10118354-pdt.html

Better keyboard than 2016, comparable specs, more ports, MagSafe...this could be the last chance to get this model at this price (now £1249 from Apple). John Lewis had this two weeks ago at £999 with 3 year warranty but they have now completely sold out.

 

[leman]

The problem for us in the UK is that our wages have not gone up in response. You're absolutely right to say the rices are 'fair' in the sense that they match the dollar plus tax, but we are in a sense 'poorer' as a country.

Yeah, that sucks. I guess I am more lucky in that regard. In the country I live the MBP is cheaper than my monthly rent...

 

[Zari]

I ordered the new 15" MBP twice and cancelled as I just couldn't justify the price increase. I love Apple products but not this much.
I'll stick with my current rMBP and upgrade the iMac instead to a more powerful machine for office use.

 

[tann]

The 2015 Retina is still available at Currys for £999 as well:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/compu...13-with-retina-display-2015-10118354-pdt.html

Better keyboard than 2016, comparable specs, more ports, MagSafe...this could be the last chance to get this model at this price (now £1249 from Apple). John Lewis had this two weeks ago at £999 with 3 year warranty but they have now completely sold out.

That's kind of tempting and I don't need a new computer lol.

 

[parajba]

I am going to hold onto my 2010 non retina MBP upgraded to SSD (512GB) and 8 GB for a few more years. I paid £1500 plus £200 for the upgrades, and I am not prepared to spend more than £1500/£1700 for a laptop. I don't need for professional use or work, just a hobby/home stuff.

So in short I could afford it but I cannot justify that amount of money on a laptop (and I love IT and gadgets, I got my first computer when I was 12, an Amiga 2000!, I am now 40).

Oh dear. I was at John Lewis today (one of the London stores) and felt an 'urge' to go and check the new mac book pros. They only had the base 13 sans TB. What a beauty. That screen! And that unibody! It's easily the sexiest laptop I've ever seen. I tried the keyboard, doesn't look bad at all! So, if I were in the market for a laptop I would probably purchase this or the faster version that will likely come out in (7? 10?) months. I am not sold on the Touch bar, but I haven't tried it yet.

 

[WhiteWhaleHolyGrail]

I think that when a lot of people comment about how UK prices aren't that bad, they are thinking about pre-tax figures. I challenge anyone to go to the UK online store and not choke at the insane prices we now face - the 15 inch base tb model is £2.4k! I bought this model because I can afford it and actually I could afford any tricked out model of my choosing but I simply don't need it. My ability to buy these macs doesn't mean I can no longer appreciate just how expensive they are. Wealth or buying power doesn't obviate an appreciation of value.

In short, if the purchase of a mac has you sweating, do go elsewhere; it's only a laptop my friend.

 

[leman]

I think that when a lot of people comment about how UK prices aren't that bad, they are thinking about pre-tax figures. I challenge anyone to go to the UK online store and not choke at the insane prices we now face - the 15 inch base tb model is £2.4k!

Again, that is the same price as in the USA stores, taking the tax differences into account. I don't really see the issue here. Its not that Apple is artificially raising its prices for UK customers. The UK price is exactly the same as in USA or rest Europe. Its still a very expensive laptop. But this is not limited to UK. Not to mention that UK customers are getting a much better customer protection service for essentially the same price (I think its ridiculous 6 years vs 1 year warranty?)

 

[WhiteWhaleHolyGrail]

Again, that is the same price as in the USA stores, taking the tax differences into account. I don't really see the issue here. Its not that Apple is artificially raising its prices for UK customers. The UK price is exactly the same as in USA or rest Europe. Its still a very expensive laptop. But this is not limited to UK. Not to mention that UK customers are getting a much better customer protection service for essentially the same price (I think its ridiculous 6 years vs 1 year warranty?)

No that's not quite right I'm afraid. I'm not going into economics here but your equivalent mac is £1.9k for us. Pricing is relative.

 

[Marshall73]

The 15inch MacBook Pro 512gb model is $2699 which is £2266.33 plus VAT which is £2719.60. The uk price is £2699 inc VAT.

Now, that's based on the current £ vs $ rate so it would cost a little bit more to actually buy it as the banks rates are always less and the often charge for international currency exchanges. However, the U.K. Is not being charged much of a difference from the dollar price, we just get pumped by the 20% VAT rate on top.

 

[leman]

No that's not quite right I'm afraid. I'm not going into economics here but your equivalent mac is £1.9k for us. Pricing is relative.

Ok, maybe I am getting something wrong. The UK price is £1,957 before tax (£2,349.00 - £392.00 VAT). That is around $2,400 based on the current currency rate. Which is exactly the US price.

Where is my mistake?

 

[WhiteWhaleHolyGrail]

The 15inch MacBook Pro 512gb model is $2699 which is £2266.33 plus VAT which is £2719.60. The uk price is £2699 inc VAT.

Now, that's based on the current £ vs $ rate so it would cost a little bit more to actually buy it as the banks rates are always less and the often charge for international currency exchanges. However, the U.K. Is not being charged much of a difference from the dollar price, we just get pumped by the 20% VAT rate on top.

My point is this exactly. Apple know the net pricing of the MacBook given VAT. So the base price across the US and UK is irrelevant. Apple could adjust accordingly but haven't hence the hard hit in the UK. That's why I said pricing is relative. I look at US pricing and think it's reasonable accordingly.

 

[Marshall73]

My point is this exactly. Apple know the net pricing of the MacBook given VAT. So the base price across the US and UK is irrelevant. Apple could adjust accordingly but haven't hence the hard hit in the UK. That's why I said pricing is relative. I look at US pricing and think it's reasonable accordingly.

Exactly, if anyone has an axe to grind they should petition their politicians for a reduced VAT rate

 

[MecPro]

I earn quite a high salary for London and I can afford the laptop, but I don't think I'll pay that amount out of principle

I want the 15" with the 512GB SSD, with 6% off it costs 2349 or so and I just can't physically pay that.

That's a holiday, a decent 2nd hand car or more. Especially when I'm about to buy a house next year, I just can't

 

[Beards]

I got my first computer when I was 12, an Amiga 2000!, I am now 40).

Off Topic
How weird, I got my first computer when I was 40 and that was an Amiga 4000T. That computer ran AmigaOS, Windows and MacOS all at the same time in their own windows, all fully multitasking with each other. It was the machine that got me hooked on Macs.
Oh happy days...... and coming next Feb I'll be 64.
That's 24yrs ~ yikes, where the heck has it gone???

.....and we're back On Topic again.

 

[WhiteWhaleHolyGrail]

Exactly, if anyone has an axe to grind they should petition their politicians for a reduced VAT rate

Quite, or blame Apple given in real terms the pricing is unfair without adjustment to reflect VAT. Apple knows this - it would have been factored in when considering the base price to charge everyone.

Anyway, as I said - you pay your money, you make your choice.

 

[weckart]

While I can easily afford the new range, I just don't see the value in any of them and prefer to wait out for next years updates to see whether Apple abandons the soldered-on-logic-board mania for components normally upgradable.

Having little faith in that, I took advantage of the pre-Black Friday offers at Argos and plumped for this golden oldie, which alongside Curry's was still available at pre-Brexit prices.

The 2015 Retina is still available at Currys for £999 as well:
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/compu...13-with-retina-display-2015-10118354-pdt.html

with the welcome discounts available this weekend the final cost will be £810. Still pricey compared with what decent PCs are offering but a heck of a lot better than the ridiculous £1249 Apple is charging on its own online store.

Sadly, Curry's and Argos seem to have exhausted their stock at the old prices and have jacked them up, although not as much as Apple has. Amazon is probably the last bastion offering any discounts at the moment but stocks are virtually depleted. I just don't see Black Friday making much of a dent into the new prices, either.

 

[Bubble99]

The cheapest MacBook -- not the Pro, but last year's ultra-thin -- is £1,249.

That's insane. Who can afford that? How can they justify the cost to themselves?

What do you spend most of your time doing on your laptop? Couldn't you find a laptop for under a grand? Hell, couldn't you find one for £400 that does all the same stuff?

Apple is now a super-luxury product, and out of my price range.

Can you not just buy from apple.com or ebay.com? If you are scared high cost going to EU?

If you cannot buy from apple.com or ebay.com not allowed to ship to EU by government law?

 

[leman]

Quite, or blame Apple given in real terms the pricing is unfair without adjustment to reflect VAT. Apple knows this - it would have been factored in when considering the base price to charge everyone.

You do realize that prices in the US Apple Store are before tax? Abd that US customers also must also pay the VAT on top of that price? I dont understand your logic. Why should Apple lower their prices just because the UK has a very high tax rate and the pound is weak? The idiosyncrasies of local economy are not Apples responsibility. Abd again, you are getting much better consumer protection than anywhere else.

 

[weckart]

Can you not just buy from apple.com or ebay.com? If you are scared high cost going to EU?

If you cannot buy from apple.com or ebay.com not allowed to ship to EU by government law?

After import taxes and customs handling fees, it will end up more expensive.

 

[Sheza]

Again, that is the same price as in the USA stores, taking the tax differences into account. I don't really see the issue here. Its not that Apple is artificially raising its prices for UK customers. The UK price is exactly the same as in USA or rest Europe. Its still a very expensive laptop. But this is not limited to UK. Not to mention that UK customers are getting a much better customer protection service for essentially the same price (I think its ridiculous 6 years vs 1 year warranty?)

We do have better consumer protection laws, yes, but it is not the same as Apple's warranty. Apple can contest our consumer rights claim and we have to provide evidence for faults that occur beyond 6 months. Evidence that the fault was caused by a defect in manufacturing and not something else.
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Can you not just buy from apple.com or ebay.com? If you are scared high cost going to EU?

If you cannot buy from apple.com or ebay.com not allowed to ship to EU by government law?

They can ship here to us, but any packages coming from abroad are screened by customs, and import duty and fees are more than VAT.