Apple adds new MacBook retail configurations
Apple Computer recently added two new retail configurations to its MacBook line of consumer notebooks, both of which are now available at most of the company's stores, AppleInsider has learned.
A new 2.0GHz white MacBook configuration packs an additional 512MB of RAM and 20GB of extra hard disk space, for a total of 1GB of RAM (via two 512MB SODIMMs) and 80GB of storage.
The new model retails for $1449, or $150 more than the 2.0GHz white MacBook with 512MB of RAM and a 60GB hard disk. Both configurations included Apple's SuperDrive optical disc drive.
Meanwhile, Apple has also introduced a new configuration of its black 2.0GHz MacBook, dubbed the "MacBook Ultimate."
The $1599 model includes 1GB of RAM (also via two 512MB SODIMMs), but otherwise is identical to the company's $1499 MacBook, which includes 512MB of RAM, an 80GB hard disk and SuperDrive.
The two new configurations expand Apple's MacBook offerings to five retail configurations.
A new 2.0GHz white MacBook configuration packs an additional 512MB of RAM and 20GB of extra hard disk space, for a total of 1GB of RAM (via two 512MB SODIMMs) and 80GB of storage.
The new model retails for $1449, or $150 more than the 2.0GHz white MacBook with 512MB of RAM and a 60GB hard disk. Both configurations included Apple's SuperDrive optical disc drive.
Meanwhile, Apple has also introduced a new configuration of its black 2.0GHz MacBook, dubbed the "MacBook Ultimate."
The $1599 model includes 1GB of RAM (also via two 512MB SODIMMs), but otherwise is identical to the company's $1499 MacBook, which includes 512MB of RAM, an 80GB hard disk and SuperDrive.
The two new configurations expand Apple's MacBook offerings to five retail configurations.
Comments
The Ultimate MacBook pricing is just fine though. If I were in the market for that, I would indeed strongly consider going through retail.
Originally posted by afish
The Ultimate MacBook pricing is just fine though. If I were in the market for that, I would indeed strongly consider going through retail.
Umm... You do realize that's the same specs as the white for 100 more than what you just called "a ripoff"??
I know this has been beaten to death on other threads already, but your posting just struck me as weirdly incongruous.
The Ultimate MacBook pricing is just fine though.
Doesn't the Ultimate have the same specs as the $50-cheaper model you said was too expensive?
In any case, I think we can safely say that Apple has discovered they CAN charge more for a color choice!
Their pricing on the top models is odd. The bottom MacBook is the best buy in my book. And the MacBook Pro.
But if the price was listed incorrectly, then all this news report really means is that they carry some pre-upgraded models of MacBook at the brick-and-mortar stores so they're more likely to sell you the computer you want, instead of forcing you to go online to get it to your proper specifications. No special deals, and no ripoff either.
And for the record, I am perfectly fine with them charging more for the black models. I prefer the matte black paint to the clear white for practical reasons in addition to aesthetic appeal. As a consumer in a capitalist market, you have the option to not buy them.
Originally posted by afish
Is it just me, or is the new 2.0GHz white model a ripoff? Looking at the online Apple store custom configuration page, upgrading to 1GB RAM (+$100) and an 80GB hard drive (+$50) comes to less than the $200 price hike. I guess it's cool that more of the custom configurations will be available in-store, but I don't think $50 is worth the convenience of retail purchase. I'll just wait the 1-2 business days for shipping, thank you very much.
The Ultimate MacBook pricing is just fine though. If I were in the market for that, I would indeed strongly consider going through retail.
Price corrected. We were given the wrong price by an Apple rep. After reading the posts, I doubled checked. The white MacBook with more RAM and HD space is indeed $1449. It's also called an Ultimate.
Best,
K
Originally posted by Kasper
Price corrected. We were given the wrong price by an Apple rep. After reading the posts, I doubled checked. The white MacBook with more RAM and HD space is indeed $1449. It's also called an Ultimate.
Best,
K
So is this "Blind Date" or is that something else?
Originally posted by Kasper
Price corrected. We were given the wrong price by an Apple rep. After reading the posts, I doubled checked. The white MacBook with more RAM and HD space is indeed $1449. It's also called an Ultimate.
Best,
K
I don't see them. I still see only 3 options? When or will these be available in its online stores?
Apple probably decided to do this based on customer buying trends. This will allow Apple to sell more MacBooks as more people will be leaving the stores with MacBooks in hand.
Originally posted by Ireland
I don't see them. I still see only 3 options? When or will these be available in its online stores?
They are retail configurations. There is no need for them on the online store because orders through the Apple online store can be configured in the same fashion, for the same prices as the new retail configs. Simply use the drop down menus at the Apple online store to add more RAM and Hard Disk space.
Best,
Kasper
Originally posted by Telomar
The one upgrade that would have been nice is a superdrive in the lower end model. Really there's very little excuse not to have a dvd burner in this day and age.
They should do that. It's not as though the low end model is some cheap loss leader they want to discourage.
Originally posted by melgross
The more configurations in the stores the better. They must have been getting calls for them, or perhaps those have been selling well from their site.
It is all about RAM...the geniuses have probably been upping every MB going out the door to 1GB of ram, saves them time...
Originally posted by a_greer
It is all about RAM...the geniuses have probably been upping every MB going out the door to 1GB of ram, saves them time...
That take time. Hopefully these will come packaged that way.