Why are the new MacBooks Pro's so expensive?

[Audit13]

There have been many reasons put forth all over the Internet to explain Apple's pricing for their Mac products. Some people see them as expensive while others see them as being reasonable. Do what I do: go to the used market after fully researching the model you want and get one, preferably with some remaining AppleCare. I did this for three MacBook Airs that I purchased for friends and family.

 

[andrewbee]

Ikr, it's quite funny that he perceives Apple - one of the most ubiquitous brands on the planet - as luxury. Premium sure, but evidently Apple's marketing is working on some.

I wonder who is still delusioned here. You just said it! 'Apple's marketing is working on some'.

Apple's marketing is the only way for them to communicate to you! In all their categories and not just personal computing, they are not just premium, they have gradually repositioned themselves as a luxury brand and their pricing reflects this.

Their OS is exclusive to their hardware. The build, design and engineering, materials used are widely regarded as the best or the one to beat. Their customer support is also still regarded as the best in the business despite any issues reported with the OS or hardware.

I used brands like Bentley, Burberry to only highlight how they perceive their brand. Nothing to do with leather or diamonds. They know their core base will do anything to get their products and they are widely desired.

You might think it should be for everyone but they don't and the sooner you make peace with this, the better you will feel.

 

[Apple_Robert]

A college student doesn't need a brand new latest and greatest Mac, especially if you can't afford it. Get a refurbished model or buy a used older model from this forum Marketplace or elsewhere.

You aren't a victim of Apple. You are a victim of having the wrong kind of mindset for your current position right now, in my opinion.

 

[DjanSeriyAnaplian]

I wonder who is still delusioned here. You just said it! 'Apple's marketing is working on some'.

Apple's marketing is the only way for them to communicate to you! In all their categories and not just personal computing, they are not just premium, they have gradually repositioned themselves as a luxury brand and their pricing reflects this.

Their OS is exclusive to their hardware. The build, design and engineering, materials used are widely regarded as the best or the one to beat. Their customer support is also still regarded as the best in the business despite any issues reported with the OS or hardware.

I used brands like Bentley, Burberry to only highlight how they perceive their brand. Nothing to do with leather or diamonds. They know their core base will do anything to get their products and they are widely desired.

You might think it should be for everyone but they don't and the sooner you make peace with this, the better you will feel.

I bought a 2018 today, that doesn't mean i'm ok with the pricing - it's ridiculous.

Apple is not a luxury brand, it's ubiquity is an empirical fact.

You have certainly drunk the coolaid though. I do love a lengthy, convoluted macrumours Apple whiteknight - it warms my black heart.

 

[Ma2k5]

Pricing isn’t so much down to luxury, as it is down to the fact that their is no competition if you want macOS. If MacBooks were Windows machines, I don’t think they would sell as well without a price reduction.

They could add 15% to the price and people would still buy it even if they were livid, because there is no alternative.

I went through it with iPhone X. If it was an Android device, it wouldn’t have even been considered. People are overpaying for the OS, not luxury (imo).

 

[DjanSeriyAnaplian]

Pricing isn’t so much down to luxury, as it is down to the fact that their is no competition if you want macOS. If MacBooks were Windows machines, I don’t think they would sell as well without a price reduction.

They could add 15% to the price and people would still buy it even if they were livid, because there is no alternative.

Yeh this is a large part of it. I will, however, continue to buy as i ****ing despise windows and only tolerate it as a necessity for gaming.

 

[Audit13]

The reality is MacBooks are not windows machines so comparing MacBooks to windows machines is a moot point IMHO.

Apple is not forcing people to buy their product. Some people, me included, are buying because they want it vs needing it.

How did I get an affordable Macbook? I set a price that I could afford without going into debt, went to the used market, and waited until the model I wanted became available.

I came from the windows side and, if the price gets out of hand, I'll go back.

 

[andrewbee]

I bought a 2018 today, that doesn't mean i'm ok with the pricing - it's ridiculous.

Apple is not a luxury brand, it's ubiquity is an empirical fact.

You have certainly drunk the coolaid though. I do love a lengthy, convoluted macrumours Apple whiteknight - it warms my black heart.

The exclusivity they have on their OS is part of the reason why they can demand this pricing. You simply have to vote with your wallet whether you like it or not.

Luxury doesn't necessarily mean unaffordable because that is subjective. Its in relation to its competitors, exclusivity, craftsmanship, branding, consumer experience and the company's perception.

You could have grown up with Apple all your life doesn't mean the company that you grew up with will remain the same. Their loyalty is not to you unfortunately but you will certainly be reminded they appreciate your loyalty.

 

[Yvan256]

I wonder how many people would change their opinion about Apple's prices if the next MacBook Pro started at $10K.

 

[DjanSeriyAnaplian]

The exclusivity they have on their OS is part of the reason why they can demand this pricing. You simply have to vote with your wallet whether you like it or not.

Luxury doesn't necessarily mean unaffordable because that is subjective. Its in relation to its competitors, exclusivity, craftsmanship, branding, consumer experience and the company's perception.

You could have grown up with Apple all your life doesn't mean the company that you grew up with will remain the same. Their loyalty is not to you unfortunately but you will certainly be reminded they appreciate your loyalty.

I did not state that 'luxury' was in relation to pricing: you can't state something that has the ubiquity of the Apple brand is luxury, the position is oxymoronic.

Also you sound a bit like a true believer mate, sorry: 'Their loyalty is not to you unfortunately but you will certainly be reminded they appreciate your loyalty'.
You could be preaching from a pulpit with that line.

 

[andrewbee]

I did not state that 'luxury' was in relation to pricing: you can't state something that has the ubiquity of the Apple brand is luxury, the position is oxymoronic.

Also you sound a bit like a true believer mate, sorry: 'Their loyalty is not to you unfortunately but you will certainly be reminded they appreciate your loyalty'.
You could be preaching from a pulpit with that line.

Lol! You think something that is ubiquitous can't be luxury? That lies your problem. Apple has changed the game without you even realising it. Its also why they are so successful.

In the windows market, you have all sorts of brands..from affordable to premium. Same with Android.

In the Apple market, you have Apple. Is there anywhere else you can get an apple experience? NO thanks to its OS exclusivity.
They dictate what is 'affordable' and 'premium' in their categories but the brand is Luxury because you can only get the experience from them and you can also expect them to adhere to the standards they have set themselves in terms of design and engineering

Once you figure this out, you will see why they are a popular luxury brand and their pricing is going to keep skyrocketing as long as you keep voting with your wallet.

 

[crzdcolombian]

Oh, I know Apple will likely never put a computer out in that price range... that is the gap that the iPad series is supposed to fill, but it still seems like they just are missing an opportunity.

I mean if they sold a MacBook to college students in the $500-600 range, they’d be able to “hook” more people into the Apple ecosystem, which turns into more money down the road. But what do I know, clearly Apples current business model is doing pretty darn well for their shareholders, who am I to question their tactics. Lol.

I see the air for $800 all the time at Best Buy. But anything over $1,000 to 1,200 for 90% of people is kind of ridiculous. Unless you need a 15 inch pro because you are a graphic designer, photographer or work in animation.... you are burning money.

I feel $800 is still a rip off for the MacBook air. They are selling you a computer with a 10 year old screen for $1,000 !!!!

A MacBook cost the same amount as a base model pro that is much better and I dont really see a difference in size.

Not asking Apple to make a chrome book but pretty messed up to not update your computers in a long time. Then give us a half assed upgrade but only if you buy one of the 3 most expensive models.

 

[DjanSeriyAnaplian]

Lol! You think something that is ubiquitous can't be luxury? That lies your problem. Apple has changed the game without you even realising it. Its also why they are so successful.

In the windows market, you have all sorts of brands..from affordable to premium. Same with Android.

In the Apple market, you have Apple. Is there anywhere else you can get an apple experience? NO thanks to its OS exclusivity.
They dictate what is 'affordable' and 'premium' in their categories but the brand is Luxury because you can only get the experience from them and you can also expect them to adhere to the standards they have set themselves in terms of design and engineering

Once you figure this out, you will see why they are a popular luxury brand and their pricing is going to keep skyrocketing as long as you keep voting with your wallet.

I did not state that because something is ubiquitous it is luxury, i stated that Apple's ubiquity precludes it from being luxury. Look up the definition of the word.

Actually don't, you can have this one. I can't see you ever understanding so nvm

 

[Painter2002]

The reality is MacBooks are not windows machines so comparing MacBooks to windows machines is a moot point IMHO.

Apple is not forcing people to buy their product. Some people, me included, are buying because they want it vs needing it.

How did I get an affordable Macbook? I set a price that I could afford without going into debt, went to the used market, and waited until the model I wanted became available.

I came from the windows side and, if the price gets out of hand, I'll go back.

Thank you for nicely summing it up, some people just seem to think Apple is out to rip them off, and in all reality people have the choice. Sure Apple is trying to make money off people, what company doesn’t?

I did like you said, I figured out what I wanted/needed, saved up until I could afford that and bought it. And yeah if Apple ever gets that outrageously priced and out of date, then I’ll go back to windows like I started, but they aren’t there yet, and I don’t think they will.

 

[Audit13]

Thank you for nicely summing it up, some people just seem to think Apple is out to rip them off, and in all reality people have the choice. Sure Apple is trying to make money off people, what company doesn’t?

I did like you said, I figured out what I wanted/needed, saved up until I could afford that and bought it. And yeah if Apple ever gets that outrageously priced and out of date, then I’ll go back to windows like I started, but they aren’t there yet, and I don’t think they will.

If I could afford to be an Apple shareholder, I certainly would not complain about their prices at all However, I'm not a shareholder so I'll just complain quietly and possibly curse them under my breath

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

People tend to complain about the pricing on things they want but cannot afford. Apple are far from Luxury though, they're a computer brand - an upmarket one, but go look at any first party computer store, they're all pretty much the same image.

Apple charge what they charge and attempt to make a 30% profit margin on their sold devices, this margin will increase with the length of time a product is out. This kind of philosophy is how every single business operates - to earn profit... Apple don't owe it to anyone to make a cheaper product, if they think that in making something cheaper it would have significant effect on the quality. They don't want to make something 'cheap' because it could soil impressions of the brand overall. So they try make a premium high end device and price accordingly. Sure they could swap a few components out and make the thing cheaper, but it would effect the quality. Then people would be complaining about it having lesser quality components...

Basically, you can't win. If it's a Pro product for professional use, the pricing is negligible. If it's a Pro product for Netflix, then yes the pricing is obscene - as is the use case.

 

[Mr. Dee]

I wonder how many people would change their opinion about Apple's prices if the next MacBook Pro started at $10K.

Unlikely to happen, Apple is not gonna price themselves out of the market. The 6,900 is a customized model, which most users are unlikely to buy. Its not impossible Apple will have a 10k customizable model in the future though.

For instance, if they are able to get 64 GBs RAM in, the fastest i9, 8 GBs of VRAM and 8 TB SSDs and maybe higher resolution (all optional), they will make it justifiable to charge you 10,000 dollars for it.

If they introduced a 17 inch version of the Mac, I can surely guarantee, they would with those components on a maxed out config.

 

[linkgx1]

I think for one it's eco system and the fact that they are the ONLY ones that make the OS. It's a very clean, relatively stable OS. Granted Windows X is great, I still think OS X is better.

I mean, 90% of what you can do on either system probably can be done on a $600 laptop. But, the Mac has a much more refined (well it did before the keyboard fiasco) experience that's relatively care free. One thing I hate about Windows X, for example, is forced updates.
[doublepost=1531717557][/doublepost]

Premium brand, yes, in the same league as Porches and Bentely's? No, I don't think so, those people are in a different stratosphere. If Apple was on the same level, we wouldn't have had the issues with their premium keyboard from 2016 through 2018. Premium brands don't sell products for years that have design flaws - at least that's my opinion.

Apple bills itself as a premium brand, no question, and for computers they are very expensive, but for a brand to be premium, I want a premium experience and Apple's track record with the MBP is not all that stellar when you look back. 2009 (2008?) through 2011, high volume of GPU failures, culminating to the debacle of the 2011 model where nearly every 2011 15" MBP will fail. Screengate where 2012 through 2015 displays will have its coating flaking off. 2016, 2017 (and hopefully not 2018) has the defective keyboard.

Do you think a $200,000 car is going to have 10 years of significant defects in its design and/or function?
[doublepost=1531651785][/doublepost]Let me add, that I do think Apple machines are well built and have great craftsmanship, in some ways the best in the industry, but the issues I delineated are frustrating at best, work-stopping for owners at worst. I've said so many times that my 2012 machine was the best laptop I've ever owned and its still going. But I think we need an honest look at what Apple is, and their track record. You cannot put them in the same category as a 200,000 dollar car made by hand.

I think you could still be premium and sell flawed products. I've dealt with my fair share of Mercedes (and know some people that own BWMs) and while they do have a premium experience, many of their products are flawed. That's why a BMW can be had for so cheap....maintenance is a pain (especially electronic parts of them)

So I think perhaps the framework in which we put premium products needs to be changed. I think what puts Apple in a different category, than say Dell, is the fact that there's a MVP that starts off with higher quality materials and a more refined experience.

 

[wizzard3d]

In Poland in Apple Store the new version Macbook Pro 15" with touchbar Q1 2018 costs:

- standard: 3,567$
- with 1TB and 32GB: 4,938$

Can someone tell me WTF?

 

[Audit13]

You'll have to ask Apple about their pricing of products in Poland but it does seem high.

 

[wizzard3d]

You'll have to ask Apple about their pricing of products in Poland but it does seem high.

Yeah you are right haha. Well still such price is crazy, especially if we take into account the fact that Poles earn 2-4 times less than Americans.
The average monthly salary in Poland is around $1,000.

 

[rotlex]

Another good question is why a supposedly "Pro" model laptop does not have user replaceable or up-gradeable RAM?

I get the price of the machine - I waited for the 2018's as my daughter needs a new one for the rest of high school and college; but WTH with the on board memory? I have a work provided Lenovo piece of junk that I can upgrade the RAM in if needed.

At least if your going to make me buy the amount I need built in, make the base 16GB at a reasonable price.

 

[jerryk]

Another good question is why a supposedly "Pro" model laptop does not have user replaceable or up-gradeable RAM?

I get the price of the machine - I waited for the 2018's as my daughter needs a new one for the rest of high school and college; but WTH with the on board memory? I have a work provided Lenovo piece of junk that I can upgrade the RAM in if needed.

At least if your going to make me buy the amount I need built in, make the base 16GB at a reasonable price.

Everything is soldered on to make the unit smaller. But Apple is not the only one, LG, Samsung, HP, etc are doing the same to make their models thinner and more attractive.

If you want 16 GB standard get the 15". IMHO the 15" is a much better buy for the money unless space is restricted. The 13" upgrades feel like you are being nickeled and dimed to death.