seanismorris

Costco’s everyday price

Apple MacBook Pro 13.3"
Intel Core i5 - 8GB Memory - 256GB SSD - Space Gray
Item   1305596
Model  MPXT2LL/A
Price $1,349.99
Shipping & Handling Included*  

Features: Dual-core Intel® Core™ i5 Processor 2.3GHz 13.3" LED-Backlit WQXGA Retina Display with IPS Technology
Model # MPXT2LL/A

You’re going to have a tough time arguing the new Air (256BG) even though it’s $50 less is better than this Pro 2017 model.  It comes with Costco’s 2 year warranty.

Best Buy has the same for $1299 (obviously not with Costco’s warranty).  Costco’s price doesn’t seem to change, but you can get deals from Best Buy and AI’s price list.

Point is 128GB isn’t enough (agreed) and with 256GB you might as well get the Pro.  Minuscule weight difference vs better performance.  The exception is if you care about Apple throwing in the Beats headphones for students... 

Recently on AI there was an article/speed test showing the Air has a slower SSD, that makes the decision obvious.  Maybe there is a Black Friday deal that makes the Air compelling, but it’s just as likely the Pro 2017 model gets just as big a discount.  Also, the 12” MacBook is still available at Best Buy ($850) for LIGHT workloads.

My sister and her husband have 4 kids, all have iPhones, and they were always misplacing the power bricks.  So, I bought them USB-A wall jacks for Christmas (technically a present for the adults, the kids got cash). 

Fast forward several years, they’re still in use... I don’t think anyone has an iPhone 8 (or newer) so no USB C.

Previously, they’d get new iPhones every year... not any more.  The iPhone 7 was good enough, now they’ve been getting cars, computers, AirPods.  The iPad mini sees little use, and the iPad Air a bit more, both are still USB A.

Eventually, all the devices will be USB C (as they fail) but it’s a low priority.  No need for new wall jacks this year, possibly next year... but 2 will be away at college by then, so why bother...

As for USB C chargers, it will be whatever that comes with the device.  USB A was the “golden age” USB C is the necessary evil replacement...

Price to increase 13” MacBook Air
128GB -> 256GB = $200

Cost to Buy
Samsung 1TB NVMe PCIe M.2 = $170

I’m not sure how Apple’s math works, charging people 8x more.  MacOS has value, but there’s a reason I’ve never owned a MacBook...

I’m hoping someday a MacBook is sold through a wireless provider, but currently no MacBook has LTE...

That 12” MacBook 8GB/256GB for $850 (Best Buy) would have been perfect (or $1000 w/LTE).  I paid that for my last iPad...

I’m willing to give MacOS a try, but can’t stomach getting ripped off.

SpamSandwich said:

Bailouts are generally a really bad idea. They should’ve taken control of the company for that kind of cash infusion.

That’s not Apple’s business model.  They don’t “make” anything, they design it, and outsource everything else.  Why tie up cash in low margin businesses...  

Instead Apple will “invest” in a company to keep a diversified supply chain, which creates competition and lower prices.  Apple’s greatest fear (most likely) is to be completely reliant on Samsung...

freerange said:

I’m currently traveling in China and Apple News is not available even using VPN connected to a US server. I’ve been traveling to China for 20 years and lived here for 6 and internet access just keeps getting worse and worse! In this case however it is actually Apple that is restricting access as I can still access the NYT and WP, which are blocked by the Chinese. Speaking with my Chinese friends here, many are not even aware of the Hong Kong demonstrations, or the issues they are demonstrating against. Nothing like keeping 1.3 Billion people in the dark. Trump has so many good friends like himself! You know the ones, the ones in leadership positions that suppress those “enemies of the people”!

For the most part I agree with you, but America style democracy doesn’t necessarily work everywhere.  Removing Saddam Hussein gave us ISIS.  What would happen if the current current government in China fell?  Could China turn violet expansionist?  

That said, it’s disappointing China is moving in the wrong direction.  If they keep getting more restrictive, revolution gets more likely not less...  At the end of the day, a knowledgeable/educated population is ideal.