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When the 13-inch MacBook Pro with retina display is going to be released?
- Thread starter skaertus
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I'm pointing the price difference too. I'll eventually have to swallow the pricetag here in Brazil, but I'm sure you and everybody else would be complaining by having to pay over US$ 3,500 on a laptop.
Well, very few people own a Mac, they're considered too expensive. But even those people only buy the cheaper models (11" and 13" MacBook Airs and 13" MacBook Pros); I've never seen somebody actually buying a 15" MacBook Pro here, because they're just too expensive. All 15" MacBook Pros I've ever seen here were bought in the US and brought here.
The majority of people usually buy Windows laptops from local manufacturers (which are cheaper because they do get a tax incentive), but with questionable build quality. These laptops are usually shipped with Intel Pentium or even Celeron processors, or AMD E series. Lately, some of these laptops have begun shipping with Sandy Bridge Core i3 processors.
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That would be nice, actually. However, the government blocks any laptop from coming into Brazil without paying taxes. It charges a 60% import tax plus 18% IVA (78% total) over the price of it for customs clearance. And I will still have to pay a 6% tax for the conversion of currency. So, suddenly the US$ 1,699 turns into more than US$ 3,100 due to taxes alone, and I'm not even considering the shipping costs.
I don't know if that would work in Europe, though. I guess it might be easier to get done there.
Perfect example of the problem with protectionist governments and a lack of free market ideology. Coming soon to the USA!
In short order we'll be paying excise taxes on our Macs too because they're made for rich people (who deserve neither their riches nor the Macs that their riches buy). And...
They're (gasp) MADE IN CHINA! Horror of horrors. Get yours now!
I hope the US doesn't get into this. It's awful, from my personal experience. I am trapped in this banana republic with second-tier products being sold as if they were made of gold. Look at this post at Forbes website so you can have an idea: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2012/08/11/brazils-ridiculous-80000-jeep-grand-cherokee/
The "free market" ideology is promoted, but then the government imposes such heavy taxes saying that this is to help "develop the industry" and "protect jobs". The result of this is lots of money in the hands of the government; and this money goes to the pockets of congressmen; is lent to large businesses so they can crush small competitors and create a monopoly (to strenght the national industry, of course); and is wasted in inefficient public projects. And the industry never developed and never will... That's a neverending story, and it will be the demise of the US if it follows this path.
The US can decide on Nov. 6 which direction to go- I hope people are aware and awake to what's happening....
Well, I'm not taking sides, but I hope you choose wisely. China may even threaten the US economy, but protectionism is not the solution, as it will only make things worse.
Do you want to exchange? Take the Copacabana beach with you and give me cheap laptops instead! (and I would give you all the natural beauties plus Carnival in exchange of a government which doesn't treat you like you were a fool)
Nah, I think I keep the Alpes then. But thanks I know about the natural wonders of South America. And to be honest, I think you get screwed almost everywhere by your government (some are bad, some are worse). Never been to Brazil but stayed a month in Argentina / Buenos Aires and believe it's pretty much the same. Gorgeous countries in SA!
Back to topic: couldn't you just get one in the states and take it with you privately? Actually the price for a two-way ticket to New York plus a MBP 15" is pretty much the same as a 'German' MBP alone.
Yes, I could. If I can get pass by the customs office at the airport, it would be great. The customs office inspects everyone who comes from abroad, and has the discretion to open the luggage to see if you're trying to enter Brazil bringing foreing products.
I have a quota of US$ 500 to bring free of taxes. Here's some math if I get caught by the customs office (and supposing the 13" rMBP will cost US$ 1,699):
US$ 1,199 = amount that exceeds the amount I am authorized to bring (US$ 1,699 minus US$ 500)
+ US$ 599.50 = import tax
+ US$ 599.50 = fine
= US$ 2,898
+ 6% of tax over the exchange rate conversion
= US$ 3,071
And then I have the final price of US$ 3,071 for a 13" rMBP if I get caught by the customs office. Otherwise, the final price will be just US$ 1,800 (US$ 1,699 + 6% of exchange rate conversion tax).
So worst case is you save 429US$ 
We have a winner then!
(US$ 3,071 getting caught
US$ 3,500 minimum retail price according to your previous post)
You're welcome and I won't charge you for anything. And to be clear: I don't want to propose tax-fraud to anybody.
We have a winner then!(US$ 3,071 getting caught
US$ 3,500 minimum retail price according to your previous post)
You're welcome and I won't charge you for anything. And to be clear: I don't want to propose tax-fraud to anybody.
Fun fact: German customs officers do read forums like these, scanning for people who feel too clever. Original quote: "You see this already enormous stack of files? If we wanted to, it would hit the ceiling in no time."
Well, I couldn't do with the US keyboard anyway. But Switzerland is tempting...
Why the heck is it so much cheaper in Switzerland
A whopping 12%. It's not as if they're poor or something, with the whole world's money being there...
Its pretty clear we will see a 13 rMBP tomorrow, excited to see if they will but in 256 SSD and 8 gigs of Ram on the base model. If they do, I will strongly consider it even without the dGPU.
When in the day, after the keynote, do you think we'll see the Apple Store updated with the new goodies?
They might just have to use those specs if a dGPU isn't offered to dampen the moaning some what lol
Oops... looks like I was half right.
http://9to5mac.com/2012/10/23/13-in...aled-2-5-2-9ghz-8gb-of-ram-128-512gb-storage/
It does seem like the low-end base config of the 13" rMBP would have only 128GB flash storage.
Now to see if that's the $1699 config... or something lower. If it's $1699, then... likely the 256GB config will be $1799, and the high-end Core i7 config with 512GB SSD would likely clock in at $2299 - $2399. Or in other words, just about $500 or so shy of the high-end rMBP 15" config.
Base 15" rMBP looks like a steal at those prices.
http://9to5mac.com/2012/10/23/13-in...aled-2-5-2-9ghz-8gb-of-ram-128-512gb-storage/
It does seem like the low-end base config of the 13" rMBP would have only 128GB flash storage.
Now to see if that's the $1699 config... or something lower. If it's $1699, then... likely the 256GB config will be $1799, and the high-end Core i7 config with 512GB SSD would likely clock in at $2299 - $2399. Or in other words, just about $500 or so shy of the high-end rMBP 15" config.
Base 15" rMBP looks like a steal at those prices.
Wow... looks like most of my calculations did pay off.
In fact, the rMBP 13" is over my calculations:
0.75" -> So it's actually thicker than the 0.71" rMBP 15" model.
3.57 lbs -> So it's actually over my estimation of 3.5 lbs. Which means the battery is over 80WHr
Fu... $1699 for 128GB SSD.
In fact, the rMBP 13" is over my calculations:
0.75" -> So it's actually thicker than the 0.71" rMBP 15" model.
3.57 lbs -> So it's actually over my estimation of 3.5 lbs. Which means the battery is over 80WHr
Fu... $1699 for 128GB SSD.
$1700 with HD4000 graphics?!? 128 gb SSD?!?
Sounds like they're really trying to steer folks towards the 15".
Sounds like they're really trying to steer folks towards the 15".