MBP - Core 2 Duo pricing

[LandyMan]

I just saw the pricing for the new new MBPs on ZAStore:

15"
R17,119.00
2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1440 x 900 pixels
1GB memory
120GB hard drive1
6x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics with 128MB SDRAM

15"
R21,521.00
2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1440 x 900 pixels
2GB memory
120GB hard drive1
6x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics with 256MB SDRAM

17"
R24,455.00
2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1680 x 1050 pixels
2GB memory
160GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics with 256MB SDRAM

Not bad at all if you ask me. Pity my MBP Core Duo cost me about R32k

 

[BobJones]

Not nearly good enough

Lets consider:

USD1,999=ZAR14,393->ZAStore17,119
USD2,499=ZAR17,993->ZAStore21,521
USD2,799=ZAR20,153->ZAStore24,455

Thats a 19 to 21% difference right there. And thats the best premium you'll get from ZA store... iPods are even worse; there's a whopping 64% premium on the 80Gig.

Imagine what sales of the 24" iMac would be like if they retailed for R14,500 or a 20" for R11,900.

 

[LandyMan]

Bob, My thumbs up is to the fact that it is in line with the "old" Core Duo MBPs. Was expecting around R30k per new MBP.

Keep in mind that the stuff gets imported, tax levied and what not.

 

[BobJones]

Yep, from the same factory in China that supplies the entire world.
Also they only have to worry about VAT which we pay for them anyway - there are no levies.

I suppose ur right - we should be grateful we aren't being reamed anymore than we already are.

 

[bwana]

Yep, from the same factory in China that supplies the entire world.
Also they only have to worry about VAT which we pay for them anyway - there are no levies.

I suppose ur right - we should be grateful we aren't being reamed anymore than we already are.

And of course they're getting them well below the cost we could get even in the states.

 

[PeterCH]

Prepare for 6 monthly upgrade cycles boys. The words OBSOLETE and OUT-DATED never rang so true before for Apple products.

 

[LandyMan]

Yep, from the same factory in China that supplies the entire world.

Are you sure of that fact? Certainly they supply their Apple companies world wide, but seeing as ZAStore is independent of Apple:

The ZA Store is operated by ZA Online (PTY) Ltd.
and is independant of Apple Computers Inc.

Is it not possible then that they are importing the goods from, lets say for argument's sake the US, and not actually forming part of China's distribution chain?

Dunno, that's just what it looks like to me

 

[BobJones]

I don't think its going to be quite that bad. U gotta remember that the macs, esp the laptops are bleeding edge, so even with incremental upgrades like we've seen this year ur early 2006 MBP is stillgoing to take 1.5-2yrs before its gonna be a mid range machine.
The R6000 to R9000 laptops selling at incredible and makro are still celerons and centrinos, its gonna be a while before a CD or C2D is considered a shabby obsolete machine.
What will change is making sure that you get the latest model when buying and not the recently supplanted model.

 

[BobJones]

Are you sure of that fact? Certainly they supply their Apple companies world wide, but seeing as ZAStore is independent of Apple:

I think all the laptops are made by Foxconn or somesuch... AFAIK its only in the last couple of weeks that they've appointed a second manufacturer.
I know for a fact that orders from the online store in Oz drop ship from China... you get to track the delivery online.

Is it not possible then that they are importing the goods from, lets say for argument's sake the US, and not actually forming part of China's distribution chain?

Dunno, that's just what it looks like to me

They are definitely in the apple channel, same as any other independant apple shop. They all sell at the same price as the Apple Online Store where they exist side by side.
Apple isn't shy of screwing there channel partners, but ur not about to starve once u get a franchise.
Point is I doubt they are buying stock at retail.

 

[LandyMan]

Always a bleddie import issue. The R3000 odd difference in pricing is really not that bad IMHO ... My Canon Digital SLR would have cost me double if I bought it in SA And we actually have a Canon SA

 

[BobJones]

I wish i was on your budget....
R3,000 would get me...
another pair of AudioEngine A5's, or
all 20 007 special edition DVD's and another 10! or
two 2Gb ipod nanos or
2x1Gb RAM for MacMini or
2x100Gb Lacie 2.5" HDD

/Feels like I'm in Fiddler on the Roof...

 

[Jonny Two Shoes]

Those prices are pretty good I think. At work we get a 10% discount as per contract with Dell. The D420's cost us about R10500ea and the specs are not nearly as good so in comparison I think those prices are good.

 

[bwana]

I'm still not buying until Adobe's pro apps go universal. Hopefully this will coincide with a trip state-side.

 

[BobJones]

Adobe's shooting themselves in the foot ala Novell in the late 90's.

Watch this space for massive market share drop when Apple releases new line of Pro apps to complement Leopard

 

[bwana]

Adobe's shooting themselves in the foot ala Novell in the late 90's.

Watch this space for massive market share drop when Apple releases new line of Pro apps to complement Leopard

I'm sure. I just wish they'd hurry up and release.

 

[LandyMan]

I wish i was on your budget....
R3,000 would get me...
another pair of AudioEngine A5's, or
all 20 007 special edition DVD's and another 10! or
two 2Gb ipod nanos or
2x1Gb RAM for MacMini or
2x100Gb Lacie 2.5" HDD

/Feels like I'm in Fiddler on the Roof...

hehehe, well, seeing that I paid R32k for my MBP Core duo, R25k is **** all

 

[neio]

hehehe, well, seeing that I paid R32k for my MBP Core duo, R25k is **** all

You were reamed!

 

[BobJones]

hehehe, well, seeing that I paid R32k for my MBP Core duo, R25k is **** all

Yep, but that was 32k massaged thru ur package - pretty much a sign-on bonus. The $ isn't coming from ur pocket right? ba$t@rd

 

[LandyMan]

Bob & neio, you both have it wrong. It was through my package (±R300 per month out of my pocket), BUT I left the company after having my MBP for 3 months, nobody wanted to take it over, so I had to fork out the settlement amount, which was ±R32k

 

[Skeptik]

I don't think its going to be quite that bad. U gotta remember that the macs, esp the laptops are bleeding edge, so even with incremental upgrades like we've seen this year ur early 2006 MBP is stillgoing to take 1.5-2yrs before its gonna be a mid range machine.
The R6000 to R9000 laptops selling at incredible and makro are still celerons and centrinos, its gonna be a while before a CD or C2D is considered a shabby obsolete machine.
What will change is making sure that you get the latest model when buying and not the recently supplanted model.

I think Apple is getting closer to cutting edge than before. They have long taken advantage of the unique design to sell outdated components, especially graphics. I was really disappointed that Apple didn't grab the opportunity and upgrade the iMac20". That DVD drive is a pain and the graphics are just adequate. They put a new card in the 24" model - which also happens to be replaceable.

Not everyone needs a laptop and the problems inherent in them.

It isn't fair to compare Makro, Incredible Con or the others to an Apple shop. These outlets are reknowned for selling old models. Perhaps if you went into an Acer dealer in Europe you would see the direct equivalents for all Core Duo/Solo products.