Will current economic situation affect UK prices?

[Axegrinder]

I'm thinking of purchasing a new 2.4 MacBook but wondering whether I should hold off until the next update for the speed bump and the little issues that people have reported being ironed out.

However, I have a feeling that due to the recent fall of the pound against the dollar, we might see prices increase substantially over here in the UK when the new machines ship which will probably put them out of my range.

Anyone think this is likely to happen?

 

[nick9191]

The prices have already increased substantially.

The $1299 white Macbook was £829, the $1299 Aluminium Macbook is £949.

Unless the exchange rate gets even lower then I think you're fine.

If you're planning on buying an iMac however, then expect at least £100 increase.

 

[kastenbrust]

I'm thinking of purchasing a new 2.4 MacBook but wondering whether I should hold off until the next update for the speed bump and the little issues that people have reported being ironed out.

However, I have a feeling that due to the recent fall of the pound against the dollar, we might see prices increase substantially over here in the UK when the new machines ship which will probably put them out of my range.

Anyone think this is likely to happen?

Yeah he's right they have already increased, but actually they were lower than US prices before and now theyre inline. The pounds going to start getting stronger in about 2 months and within 6-7 months it will be back to normal so if you want to wait you can but i wouldnt wait 6 months for a computer.

 

[Skeletal-dæmon]

There was an item on this online somewhere and I can't for the life of me remember where. Even when you take into account the highest Sales Tax on top of American prices (Apparently the Apple Store posts everything online minus Sales Tax), the fluctuations in the stock market and the recent drop in the UK VAT from 17.5 to 15%, Apple customers in Britain still pay between 5 and 12% more than American customers.

I just feel sorry for people in Australia... their gap is 7 to 13% more than America.

I think next time I buy a Mac I may do it whilst on holiday in Alaska where the Sales Tax is the lowest in America. A 12% saving is worth it, and I have always wanted to go to Alaska!

 

[reclusivemonkey]

I got my white MacBook refurb for £519 a few days after the new aluminium models came out. The same refurb models are now £599. Whether or not all refurbs are made equal I am not sure, but it seems things tend to go up not down...

 

[samwise]

There was an item on this online somewhere and I can't for the life of me remember where. Even when you take into account the highest Sales Tax on top of American prices (Apparently the Apple Store posts everything online minus Sales Tax), the fluctuations in the stock market and the recent drop in the UK VAT from 17.5 to 15%, Apple customers in Britain still pay between 5 and 12% more than American customers.

I just feel sorry for people in Australia... their gap is 7 to 13% more than America.

I think next time I buy a Mac I may do it whilst on holiday in Alaska where the Sales Tax is the lowest in America. A 12% saving is worth it, and I have always wanted to go to Alaska!

MacBook 2.0 = £929 including VAT = £807.82 before VAT

£807.82 at current exchange rate = $1230.63 (@1.52339 from XE.com)
£807.82 at current tourist sell rate = $1185 (@1.4669 for cash from the Post Office website)

If you include the VAT, then the two conversions are $1415 and $1362 respectively, but obviously not properly comparable as the UK price includes sales tax.

If you want to buy in the US, you don't have to go to Alaska for zero sales tax, you can also go to Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire or Oregon - all four states don't have a sales tax.

 

[finnschi]

There was an item on this online somewhere and I can't for the life of me remember where. Even when you take into account the highest Sales Tax on top of American prices (Apparently the Apple Store posts everything online minus Sales Tax), the fluctuations in the stock market and the recent drop in the UK VAT from 17.5 to 15%, Apple customers in Britain still pay between 5 and 12% more than American customers.

I just feel sorry for people in Australia... their gap is 7 to 13% more than America.

I think next time I buy a Mac I may do it whilst on holiday in Alaska where the Sales Tax is the lowest in America. A 12% saving is worth it, and I have always wanted to go to Alaska!

Or just get it without ANY sales tax... get a eurpoean Tax nr, and order it from eg. spain, you Pay 0 taxes, for USA, there are states with NO sales tax and also if you order the amcbook from Newegg.com you DON't have to pay sales tax!