Who Else Changed Their Mind?

[LadyX]

About getting the new MacBook? First off let me mention that I like Apple products and have been buying them ever since I was a teenager. I had an iPod Classic, 2 iPod Touch, iPad 3, iMac, 11" MacBook Air, iPhones, iPod Touch 5G, not to mention the many Apple peripheral products and accessories. Now I currently use an iPhone 6, iPad Mini Retina, 15" MBP Retina, I still have all the Apple products I mentioned earlier although I don't use them anymore. When Apple announced the new MacBook, I was very excited and was seriously planning on getting one April 10th even after I've seen the price tags and specs.

However, two days ago it all of a sudden hit me that I should not get the new MacBook. Even though I can afford one. I've started contemplating. I think it's not worth it at all for the price Apple is asking for it. The 512GB version costs $1,715 at my local Apple Store as opposed to the price in the US, which is $1,599. And the base model costs $1,415 ($1,299 in the US Apple Store). Seriously, don't you think it's wrong of Apple to sell the new MacBook at these prices? Don't you think Apple has gotten too greedy?

 

[Theophil1971]

The first MacBook Air retailed for $1799, US. In 2008. The new Macbook is reasonably priced for gen.1. The market will bear it, an it'll sell well as always. Apple knows what they're doing. But ya, if it's too rich for your blood, you should pass.

 

[LadyX]

Who Else Changed Their Mind?

The first MacBook Air retailed for $1799, US. In 2008. The new Macbook is reasonably priced for gen.1. The market will bear it, an it'll sell well as always. Apple knows what they're doing. But ya, if it's too rich for your blood, you should pass.

I'm being logical here. "Too rich for my blood"? It has nothing to do with this. I can afford one but I'm thinking rationally. Ignore the MBA, imagine for a second that it never existed. Now, for a laptop with that specs, don't you think the price is a bit unreasonable? Come on. You're lying to yourself if you think otherwise. Really, Apple is being unbelievably selfish.

 

[AliMacs]

I'm being logical here. "Too rich for my blood"? It has nothing to do with this. I can afford one but I'm thinking rationally. Ignore the MBA, imagine for a second that it never existed. Now, for a laptop with that specs, don't you think the price is a bit unreasonable? Come on. You're lying to yourself if you think otherwise. Really, Apple is being unbelievably selfish.

He's right you know:

You're basically asking for the price to fit your budget. Apple sells what they can at the price they think the market will bear. Time will tell if this rMB will sell well. If it doesn't, they will lower the price just like they did when the iPhone 1 was introduced.

You're just not pleased with the high pricing; sorta like asking why can't I buy a BMW 3 series for the same price as a Honda Accord coupe since both cars use gas, both cars have 4 wheels, and both cars can get me from point A to point B. You can't just make up scenarios like if such and such didn't exist, etc.

Either you pony up the cash and buy one or you move along and window shop. That's the way the world works, my friend

 

[LadyX]

He's right you know:



You're basically asking for the price to fit your budget. Apple sells what they can at the price they think the market will bear. Time will tell if this rMB will sell well. If it doesn't, they will lower the price just like they did when the iPhone 1 was introduced.

The retina MacBook will sell well because people will do anything to get their hands on any Apple product. And those who can't afford an Apple product will sell a kidney.

 

[AliMacs]

The retina MacBook will sell well because people will do anything to get their hands on any Apple product. And those who can't afford an Apple product will sell a kidney.

well there you go: economics 101! If the demand is there, apple doesn't need to worry about a thing. People need to start realizing that apple makes products that are alluring and superfluous. Serious think about it this way:

my rMBP 13 is small enough but yet not powerful enough to do what a quad core 15 can do but then that's too big so if I'm going to go big, might as well get an iMac. Then you have and iPad mini and or the iPad Air 2 - both are great devices but then it's crap when it comes to actually doing real work on them so you turn back to the laptop or the desktop. Now you got a huge iPhone 6+ which makes that iPad mini really suck because the screen size is large enough and it's a phone vs a redundant phone-less iPad mini.

My biggest gripe is that apple can and should release a dual OS X/iOS device like how the surface pro is. But then you know apple can't milk it enough if they did. Everything at apple is profit driven. Look at the 480p camera. It's like trying to justify the TN panel of the MBA in 2015.

Bottom line is you are right about people buying whatever apple product. That's not the fault of apple, that's the fault of people who are willing to pay these outrageously high prices. There are a ton of sub $500 laptops that probably would be better than this rMB - but of course nowadays, the apple brand is so strong, people would look the other way.

 

[dexterbell]

About getting the new MacBook? First off let me mention that I like Apple products and have been buying them ever since I was a teenager. I had an iPod Classic, 2 iPod Touch, iPad 3, iMac, 11" MacBook Air, iPhones, iPod Touch 5G, not to mention the many Apple peripheral products and accessories. Now I currently use an iPhone 6, iPad Mini Retina, 15" MBP Retina, I still have all the Apple products I mentioned earlier although I don't use them anymore. When Apple announced the new MacBook, I was very excited and was seriously planning on getting one April 10th even after I've seen the price tags and specs.

However, two days ago it all of a sudden hit me that I don't need a MacBook, especially one like the rMB. Even though I can afford one. I've started contemplating. I think it's not worth it at all for the price Apple is asking for it. The 512GB version costs $1,715 in my local Apple Store as opposed to the price in the US, which is $1,599. And the base model costs $1,415 ($1,299 in the US Apple Store). Seriously, don't you think it's wrong of Apple to sell the new MacBook at these prices? Don't you think Apple has gotten too greedy?

Apple computers have never been priced competitively, like ever. I am a bit surprised to see it the same price as the rMBP 13 though. It has a smaller display and inferior CPU/GPU so you are basically paying for a couple color options and a whopping 1.5 pounds lighter laptop. Plain silly to me. I think it should be priced at $999, maybe $1100 at most but $1300? Lol. Both the Asus Zenbook and Dell XPS 13 are very nice alternatives to consider.

 

[aziatiklover]

The first MacBook Air retailed for $1799, US. In 2008. The new Macbook is reasonably priced for gen.1. The market will bear it, an it'll sell well as always. Apple knows what they're doing. But ya, if it's too rich for your blood, you should pass.

This! I paid over $2k back in 08 since I added the ssd option .

 

[LadyX]

well there you go: economics 101! If the demand is there, apple doesn't need to worry about a thing. People need to start realizing that apple makes products that are alluring and superfluous. Serious think about it this way:

[...]

My biggest gripe is that apple can and should release a dual OS X/iOS device like how the surface pro is. But then you know apple can't milk it enough if they did. Everything at apple is profit driven. Look at the 480p camera. It's like trying to justify the TN panel of the MBA in 2015.

Bottom line is you are right about people buying whatever apple product. That's not the fault of apple, that's the fault of people who are willing to pay these outrageously high prices. There are a ton of sub $500 laptops that probably would be better than this rMB - but of course nowadays, the apple brand is so strong, people would look the other way.

That's exactly what I'm arguing about here. I am aware that people will buy whatever Apple product without considering the prices. But still, they shouldn't use this fact to sell their products at over-exaggerated prices. It's unethical and just plain wrong of Apple.

 

[iRun26.2]

About getting the new MacBook? First off let me mention that I like Apple products and have been buying them ever since I was a teenager. I had an iPod Classic, 2 iPod Touch, iPad 3, iMac, 11" MacBook Air, iPhones, iPod Touch 5G, not to mention the many Apple peripheral products and accessories. Now I currently use an iPhone 6, iPad Mini Retina, 15" MBP Retina, I still have all the Apple products I mentioned earlier although I don't use them anymore. When Apple announced the new MacBook, I was very excited and was seriously planning on getting one April 10th even after I've seen the price tags and specs.

However, two days ago it all of a sudden hit me that I should not get the new MacBook. Even though I can afford one. I've started contemplating. I think it's not worth it at all for the price Apple is asking for it. The 512GB version costs $1,715 at my local Apple Store as opposed to the price in the US, which is $1,599. And the base model costs $1,415 ($1,299 in the US Apple Store). Seriously, don't you think it's wrong of Apple to sell the new MacBook at these prices? Don't you think Apple has gotten too greedy?

No, I don't feel they have gotten too greedy. There is a lot of new innovation in the new rMB. They redesigned the keyboard and trackpad. The battery packs are also new and so is the fan less design. One also can't forget about the new retina display in such a thin form factor. I think it is quite amazing. It makes sense for them to try and recoup some of their engineering costs.

I don't mind footing the bill for some of their R&D. I'm impressed with they came up with. Even Intel is bringing new things to the table in the form of low power Core M chips.

 

[zaffle]

I don't imagine that the profit margins on the new MacBook are vastly dissimilar to any of their other product lines.

First generation of a new line is always going to cost more to manufacture than simply the sum of its parts (a lot of which are also engineered from the ground up in this case) due to manufacturing processes that may be new to the manufacturing plant.

New battery fabrication, new keyboard, new body, etc etc. It all costs more money to engineer and fabricate a brand new component than one that's been around a few years or is shared by different products.

Apple will spend the time between gen1 and gen2 driving up manufacturing efficiency and driving down cost of materials/components, resulting in a more "reasonably priced" product (quotes because reasonably priced has not been part of Apple's business model in living memory).

In the meantime, if price is an issue, gen1 is not for you (and likely was never intended to be). It's a great product, but I'll likely be waiting for gen2 for tech reasons rather than cost.

 

[Queen6]

However, two days ago it all of a sudden hit me that I don't need a MacBook, especially one like the rMB. Even though I can afford one. I've started contemplating. I think it's not worth it at all for the price Apple is asking for it. The 512GB version costs $1,715 in my local Apple Store as opposed to the price in the US, which is $1,599. And the base model costs $1,415 ($1,299 in the US Apple Store). Seriously, don't you think it's wrong of Apple to sell the new MacBook at these prices? Don't you think Apple has gotten too greedy?

Apple`s prices are sometimes not as expensive as one would think on face value. Once you start to spec compatible Windows based systems often the price is similar or even greater in some cases. In the ultra light, ultra thin market, such Notebooks have always been on the expensive side, nor have they been powerhouses for obvious reason. When you look at the current competition to the new MacBook this still applies.

What I believe the issue is that Apple is marketing the new MacBook as an all round machine, one that directly picks up on it`s predecessors, yet the new MacBook is presently far more aligned as an ultra portable business machine. If people don't do their "homework" on this one they are likely to be highly disappointed with their new purchase, as the new MacBook is far from being an "all rounder" and for many far from versatile enough.

For me it`s a perfect solution as a backup OS X system in the field and reduces my "footprint" when traveling. I have no doubt that Apple will develop the MacBook adding features, improving performance, and USB C will become ubiquitous in time.

The one thing Apple has continuously excelled at is sales & marketing, especially the "spin" and it`s always wise to see through this and what exactly the product offers, and then make your decisions, as in this case...

Q-6

 

[maflynn]

I haven't changed my mind, but rather, it was never made to buy it in the first place.

Don't get me wrong, its a beautiful machine and ultra portable, but for my needs, its not a machine that fits in.

I think it will be popular because its new and people want new stuff from apple, though I still question the wisdom of creating a new computer (or resurrecting the old) line when for all intents and purposes the MacBook as we see it, is a MacBook Air - just redesigned.

 

[Queen6]

I think it will be popular because its new and people want new stuff from apple, though I still question the wisdom of creating a new computer (or resurrecting the old) line when for all intents and purposes the MacBook as we see it, is a MacBook Air - just redesigned.

I would say the Air`s days are numbered as long as Apple meets it`s sales target for the MacBook, combined with the greater acceptance of USB C.

Q-6

 

[newellj]

No, I don't feel they have gotten too greedy. There is a lot of new innovation in the new rMB. They redesigned the keyboard and trackpad. The battery packs are also new and so is the fan less design. It makes sense for them to try and recoup some of their engineering costs.

I don't mind footing the bill for some of their R&D. I'm impressed with they came up with. Even Intel is bringing new things to the table in the form of low power Core M chips.

Agree, not greedy at all. Consider the R&D and compare on specs. The rMB is no better or worse than most of the line. What is notable is that there is no gimped "entry" configuration.

 

[Mcdevidr]

One could always wait for a refurb which will have a decent discount.

 

[silversin]

I love the looks and the display of the MB. The lack of ports doesn't bother me, i'm a lightweight user anyway. I'm just not convinced about Core M, it's just way too underpowered.

My plan was to get a Skylake version of the XPS 13, but I'm curious how much performance the Skylake version of Core M gains. If it's decent I will go with the rMB Skylake version.

 

[newellj]

I love the looks and the display of the MB. The lack of ports doesn't bother me, i'm a lightweight user anyway. I'm just not convinced about Core M, it's just way too underpowered.

My plan was to get a Skylake version of the XPS 13, but I'm curious how much performance the Skylake version of Core M gains. If it's decent I will go with the rMB Skylake version.

If you read reviews of existing Core M machines, especially the Lenovo Yoga 3, it may give you a lot of comfort. Basically the Core M is engineered to deliver a lot of fast sprints. It isn't a machine I'd use to encode large video files or export hundreds of photos from Lightroom but for what it's intended to be used for it probably is highly satisfactory.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, of course, so we don't really know right now.

 

[Steve121178]

If I needed a 12" ultra portable machine I wouldn't hesitate. But I don't need one so I won't be buying it.

I'm hoping the 2016 13" rMBP borrows heavily from the 12" design as that would be something I would be prepared to buy.

 

[crsh1976]

I haven't changed my mind because the rMB always seemed to me like a typical v1 from Apple - conceptually great, but a bad implementation, just wait for the next revision to allow them to fix the quirks.

The screen and processor don't concern me much, Core M at least was never meant to be a powerhouse and Skylake will likely change nothing to that - it's a good processor, just as long as your expectations are in line with what it's meant to be for (ie. casual/light tasks, no gaming, no pro work, etc).

The single USB-C port is my greatest annoyance so far - in the event Apple leads the charge again and this becomes a standard, fine then 3rd party peripherals will follow, but until then I'm staying away.

 

[GrandPhrase]

Heck, the 512GB model sells for $2,000 from where I'm at. Yes, $2,000 - South Korea.

 

[Mrbobb]

Is just silly to call any company greedy. They are running a business! If their very slick Ad got to you, then you will buy it. If you are able to step out and think it rationally and you don't think you are getting enough bang for your buck then you will skip it. Simple.

 

[Mcdevidr]

The greedy argument does not stand, because then all the windows companies selling their core m products are greedy because their products are around the same price. I think I'm just gonna get it and return it if it is awful.

 

[LadyX]

Who Else Changed Their Mind?

Is just silly to call any company greedy. They are running a business! If their very slick Ad got to you, then you will buy it. If you are able to step out and think it rationally and you don't think you are getting enough bang for your buck then you will skip it. Simple.

I can't call a company greedy? Says who? It's my opinion. You don't have to agree with it. Anyway, I stated earlier, I thought of it rationally and I am going to skip the new MacBook. It's a good thing it's available next month. If it was a day after the keynote, I would have bought it without thinking.

 

[aristobrat]

Seriously, don't you think it's wrong of Apple to sell the new MacBook at these prices? Don't you think Apple has gotten too greedy?

US$2,299 = 15" retina MacBook Pro w/ 512GB SSD
US$1,799 = 13" retina MacBook Pro w/ 512GB SSD

US$1,599 = 12" retina MacBook w/ 512GB SSD

The price for the new retina MacBook w/ 512GB SSD seems to be consistent with the rest of the line's pricing, IMO.