MacBook released!

[JStrike]

I see that apple has released the long awaited MacBook, successor to the popular iBook range.

The release seems to have taken even the rumour sites by suprise as they have not even noticed the release (Although their was much speculation that it could be released today)

http://www.apple.com/macbook/macbook.html
and
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/0.RSLID?mco=69469017&nclm=MacBook

 

[bwana]

Sweet -

MacBook At a Glance
1.83GHz or 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo
13.3-inch (diagonal) TFT glossy widescreen display
Apple Remote with Front Row
Up to 2GB memory(3)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Slot-loading optical drive
Up to 120GB hard drive(3)
Built-in 54-Mbps 802.11g AirPort Extreme wireless
Analog and digital audio in and out
FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 ports
iLife ’06, Mac OS X Tiger

Price:
1.83GHz Intel Core Duo - White - $1,099.00 (R6,645)
2.0GHz Intel Core Duo - White - $1,299.00 (R7,855)
2.0GHz Intel Core Duo - Black with larger hdd - $1,499.00 (R9,064)

Lets see how much the profiteers mark them up locally.

 

[Scott]

OMS OMS OMS OMS

just what i have been waiting for






....mommy!!!

 

[kilps]

Pity about the screen size being only 13" ... although I could live with that ...

 

[bwana]

Pity about the screen size being only 13" ... although I could live with that ...

To me its a happy medium between the old 12" and 14" ibooks and the 12" Powerbook - which have since been discontinued.

 

[Ap0c]

SA prices of apple products are quite good.

 

[native]

My boss plese read these

 

[bwana]

SA prices of apple products are quite good.

I couldn't disagree more.

Take for example the 15" MacBook Pro
USA R12,087.97 vs SA's R17,075.00

or the a 1.5GHz Intel Core Solo Mini
USA R3,622.15 vs SA's R5,281.00

how about a 17" iMac?
USA R7,855.06 vs SA's R11,739.00

 

[native]

any idea when will we have it down here?

 

[bwana]

any idea when will we have it down here?

Know anybody going to the states? You can order online now and have them bring it back

EDIT - Looks pretty sweet - http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1748

 

[native]

Know anybody going to the states? You can order online now and have them bring it back

EDIT - Looks pretty sweet - http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1748

oops, he is there already

why will the black one be more expensive than the conventinal white one?

 

[bwana]

oops, he is there already

why will the black one be more expensive than the conventinal white one?

How long is he there for and where? They're saying 1-5 days delivery and probably have it in the the Mac Stores.

20gb bigger hdd as far as I can tell - and the cool factor I guess. Not really worth the extra $200 IMO.

EDIT - had a look on apples site and if you take the 2.0GHz white one and increase the hdd to 80gb (same as the black one) and double the ram to 1gb you'd still pay $50 less than the black model.

 

[dghough91]

I see that apple has released the long awaited MacBook, successor to the popular iBook range.

The release seems to have taken even the rumour sites by suprise as they have not even noticed the release (Although their was much speculation that it could be released today)

http://www.apple.com/macbook/macbook.html
and
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/0.RSLID?mco=69469017&nclm=MacBook

Yay! finally.

 

[kilps]

It seems from http://www.macworld.com/2006/05/firstlooks/macbookfirst/index.php that the black one ahs a completly different finish ... so it would be more expensive

 

[WatchDog]

SA prices of apple products are quite good.

Are you an Apple dealer by any chance??

OK here's a quick comparison using an Apple iMac (Intel) 20" 512MB 250GB - standard stock.

Apple online store US = $1699 add tax ---> $?
Apple online store UK = £1045.96 add VAT ---> £1299
ZAStore = R? add VAT ---> R14967

Just looking at UK vs cheapest SA price (ZAStore) using an exchange rate of £1=R12

R15588
R14967
---------
R621
---------
That's quite a markup considering overheads are less in this country. And if you buy from that dodgy shop PROJECT 3 they will add even more. According to Alan Greenbergh "to pay for customer support"!!

 

[bwana]

Are you an Apple dealer by any chance??

OK here's a quick comparison using an Apple iMac (Intel) 20" 512MB 250GB - standard stock.

Apple online store US = $1699 add tax ---> $?
Apple online store UK = £1045.96 add VAT ---> £1299
ZAStore = R? add VAT ---> R14967

Just looking at UK vs cheapest SA price (ZAStore) using an exchange rate of £1=R12

R15588
R14967
---------
R621
---------
That's quite a markup considering overheads are less in this country. And if you buy from that dodgy shop PROJECT 3 they will add even more. According to Alan Greenbergh "to pay for customer support"!!

If you order from the right state there are no taxes for internet purchases - I worked out the lowest end MacBook would be around r4000 cheaper in the states than from Digicape who is selling it for R10 889 (according to a posting on Macinista). Now if that's correct it's one helluva markup - 60%

 

[noosh]

ecmac.com has the cheapest Macbook for R8999.

The problem isn't the reseller it's the sole distributor (The Core Group). They are ripping them off, infact most of the resellers are putting on very little margins...

 

[WatchDog]

If you order from the right state there are no taxes for internet purchases - I worked out the lowest end MacBook would be around r4000 cheaper in the states than from Digicape who is selling it for R10 889 (according to a posting on Macinista). Now if that's correct it's one helluva markup - 60%

Maybe so - but you are surely going to get hit for duties when it arrives? I've been stung before by courier companies docking a hefty amount off my credit card a week after it arrives - and how do you check if they had to pay it or not?

Besides, if you buy a US Mac there is no international guarantee and no option to buy Apple care (or whatever it's called). Project 3 told me they would chase anyone who turned up there with a "grey import" asking for ANY help!

Maybe a quick shopping trip to the big Apple would be economically viable?!

 

[bb_matt]

http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/macbook.ars/1

 

[bwana]

Maybe so - but you are surely going to get hit for duties when it arrives? I've been stung before by courier companies docking a hefty amount off my credit card a week after it arrives - and how do you check if they had to pay it or not?

A lot depends on how you bring it in. I generally hand carry it or have a friend/family member/associate do so. On stuff that I have couriered over they're supposed to provide you with an invoice - kick up a fuss if they wont. I've also had mates send stuff over via normal airmail - a PSP most recently. Those were nervous times

Besides, if you buy a US Mac there is no international guarantee and no option to buy Apple care (or whatever it's called). Project 3 told me they would chase anyone who turned up there with a "grey import" asking for ANY help!

Thats not correct - first off all Mac hardware carries an international warranty. I would know as I've taken advantage of it on occasion.

If you purchase a device overseas and bring it back its not a grey import. A grey import would be an unauthorised reseller in SA importing the device and flogging it to you. Project 3 should honour the warranty on any mac purchased from an authorised reseller be it one from SA or overseas - if they dont then Core definitely will. They'll probably just request a copy of the original invoice.

Maybe a quick shopping trip to the big Apple would be economically viable?!

I let amazon do the shopping for me. Apple wont process overseas creditcards online. Besides - I dont need an excuse to visit the Big Apple

ecmac.com has the cheapest Macbook for R8999.

On their site they quote r10,899.00 (vat incl.)