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Falcon80

macrumors 6502a
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Oct 27, 2012
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Anyone noticed that if you upgrade the storage for the the top tier 27" iMac (2GB Fusion to 512 SSD), it is much more than the price difference between a 2GB Fusion and 512 SSD on a base and mid-tier? Or did I calculate wrongly?
 
YES, I also noticed this yesterday as I was reviewing my options. I have no idea why this is the case. Or, it could just be an error in Apple's pricing structure?
 
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don't get a 512, i have one my current mac and regret it. it is especially limiting if you need to bootcamp
 
I noticed that too. But I think it's because for entry and mid tier, the cost of upgrading from 1TB Fusion to 2TB is $200, which is ridiculous. It should be $100 like for Mac mini top tier.
So actually the top tier is cheaper to upgrade storage options.

Because of that, if you configure to i7 and match the hard drive storage. The mid tier becomes the same price as the top tier. But top tier has better graphics. So in that case the top tier is a no brainer choise.
 
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unless I'm misunderstanding...it would actually be $100 less on the high-end model? (technically not as its even across the board depending on configuration.

1TB Fusion > 512GB $300 on the two entry level models, 2TB Fusion > 512GB $200; and on the two entry model 1TB Fusion > 2TB Fusion $200 so theres $100 difference in the upgrade depending on storage config
 
unless I'm misunderstanding...it would actually be $100 less on the high-end model? (technically not as its even across the board depending on configuration.

1TB Fusion > 512GB $300 on the two entry level models, 2TB Fusion > 512GB $200; and on the two entry model 1TB Fusion > 2TB Fusion $200 so theres $100 difference in the upgrade depending on storage config
Yeah that's correct. I would say the cost to upgrade to any SSD is even. But the cost to upgrade to 2TB fusion drive on the lower two tiers are $100 too high.
 
that extra $100 appears to be for the 8GB upgrade from 24GB to 32GB SSD portion :p
 
there is definitely an error.

If you take the mid level and top level and then even out their storage option at 2TB, you get more expensive SSD upgrades for the high end model.

Both mid and top level set to 2TB, upgrade costs are as follows (eliminating options not available in both):

upload_2017-6-8_11-47-3.png
 
there is definitely an error.

If you take the mid level and top level and then even out their storage option at 2TB, you get more expensive SSD upgrades for the high end model.

Both mid and top level set to 2TB, upgrade costs are as follows (eliminating options not available in both):

View attachment 702996
I tend to think it's on purpose. For mid tier, they put that extra $100 when upgrading 1TB fusion to 2TB fusion.
 
It's also same for my country (Turkey) Apple Store.Do you think it's a mistake or apple did it on purpose?
 
I really don't think its an error, keep in mind the first two spec machines have 1TB Fusion, so when you're looking at specs+pricing you're further back with a 1TB fusion than 2TB, to say get to a 1TB SDD. But also got to factor in the CPU configuration on top of that.

so you could take the mid level and top level and configure the same specs and then you would get a variable, but match the high end cpus and you're evened out.
 
I really don't think its an error, keep in mind the first two spec machines have 1TB Fusion, so when you're looking at specs+pricing you're further back with a 1TB fusion than 2TB, to say get to a 1TB SDD. But also got to factor in the CPU configuration on top of that.

so you could take the mid level and top level and configure the same specs and then you would get a variable, but match the high end cpus and you're evened out.

i dont follow your logic. i dont think you need to complicate the issue with cpu and gpu options. the point is, if you start all 3 imac tiers with the same 2TB fusion, the next bump up to SSD is more expensive on the top tier.

Of course the top tier has better cpu and gpu, and that's reflected in the more expensive starting price.
 
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I really don't think its an error, keep in mind the first two spec machines have 1TB Fusion, so when you're looking at specs+pricing you're further back with a 1TB fusion than 2TB, to say get to a 1TB SDD. But also got to factor in the CPU configuration on top of that.

so you could take the mid level and top level and configure the same specs and then you would get a variable, but match the high end cpus and you're evened out.
And the top tier has a better GPU. That's the way to push BTO customers to choose the more expensive top tier model I believe.

i dont follow your logic. i dont think you need to complicate the issue with cpu and gpu options. the point is, if you start all 3 imac tiers with the same 2TB fusion, the next bump up to SSD is more expensive on the top tier.

Of course the top tier has better cpu and gpu, and that's reflected in the more expensive starting price.
By starting all 3 imac tiers with the same 2TB fusion, you already added $200 to the low and mid tier. Isn't that part of this whole price inconsistency as well? Given that Mac mini only costs $100 to go from 1TB to 2TB.
 
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here's another way to look at it.

mid tier: i7, 575 GPU and 2TB fusion = $2499
top tier: i7, 580 GPU and 2TB fusion = $2499

yep you saw that right, same price, why would one take the lower spec card? it's the only difference between the two.

now, upgrade both to 512 SSD:

mid tier: i7, 575 GPU and 512SSD = $2599
top tier: i7, 580 GPU and 512SSD = $2699

suddenly there is a 100$ difference?

------

in canada, the prices structure is inexplicably different

mid tier: i7, 575 GPU and 2TB fusion = $3249
top tier: i7, 580 GPU and 2TB fusion = $3319

$70 difference, you can say that's for the 580 upgrade.

mid tier: i7, 575 GPU and 512SSD = $3369
top tier: i7, 580 GPU and 512SSD = $3559

$190 difference for the same 580 upgrade. what gives?


for things to make sense, apple has to either increase the base price of the top tier model 100$ and reduce the SSD upgrade prices by 100$. OR decrease the 2TB upgrade price by 100$ on the mid tier model.
Looking over everything, option 2 seems to be the correct one, they overpriced the 2TB upgrade.

Conclusion: unless you are getting the 2TB upgrade on the low or mid tier, you have nothing to complain about.
 
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Has anyone contacted apple regarding this?

Not yet. Is there a direct way to reach out to Apple? I am thinking of talking to one of the Apple Genius at the retail store this weekend.
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i dont follow your logic. i dont think you need to complicate the issue with cpu and gpu options. the point is, if you start all 3 imac tiers with the same 2TB fusion, the next bump up to SSD is more expensive on the top tier.

Of course the top tier has better cpu and gpu, and that's reflected in the more expensive starting price.

Totally agree. They should not penalise those buyers of the top tier who wish to upgrade to 512 SSD. I am one of those considering getting the top tier + 512 SSD if they are willing to correct this "error".
 
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Totally agree. They should not penalise those buyers of the top tier who wish to upgrade to 512 SSD. I am one of those considering getting the top tier + 512 SSD if they are willing to correct this "error".

look at my post edit above. i think the error is in the 2TB upgrade for low and mid tier models. the price is correct for the config you want.
 
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look at my post edit above. i think the error is in the 2TB upgrade for low and mid tier models. the price is correct for the config you want.

I find your explanation the most convincing: the 580 GPU configs have correctly priced storage options, but the 2TB Fusion is $100 overpriced on the 570 and 575 GPU configs, and the 3TB Fusion is $100 overpriced on the 575 GPU configs.
 
It could also, which I think is far more likely than the "accidental pricing" theory floating around here, be a simple case of people opting for the top tier generally having higher WTP, or are more prone to upgrade, i.e. they are less price sensitive and Apple is using this to increase their revenue. Another possible, but less likely possibility in my opinion, is that they underprice the top tier iMac from the beginning compared to the other ones, only to cover that loss by using higher prices for the upgrade.

One thing that would not make sense to me is if Apple priced all upgrades equally across the board. I.e. that they would have the same margin on the internals without any consideration of other aspects.

It's not weirder than how big/family packs of rice, pasta etc not too rarely cost more per unit than the smaller packages. It's simply beautiful data analysis and careful profit maximisation in play ;)
 
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