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MacBook Pro Pricing Doesn't Add Up

by , 3:05 PM EDT, April 25th, 2006

When Apple introduced the 17-inch MacBook Pro on Monday, some observers scratched their heads over the pricing when compared to the 15-inch model. For example, the 15-inch MacBook Pro sells for US$2,499, and upgrading its processor to the 2.16GHz Core Duo one used in the $2,799 17-inch version adds $300, making the cost equal with its sibling but without the larger hard drive, 8X Dual Layer SuperDrive, FireWire 800 port, and other amenities.

Gizmodo was one of several Web sites pointing out the disparity on Tuesday. Some believe the issue could lead to Apple slicing prices or making changes to the 15-inch MacBook Pro. "No doubt that portends an upcoming price reduction or processor enhancement for the original model, but it does seem strange right now," Gene Steinberg wrote on his Web site, The Mac Night Owl.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:macinnerd Posts: 1742 Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Subject:

Visibly some new pricing scheme is needed, as the current one just don't make no sense. Or some new features are called for on the 15".

Fully equipped 15" MBP is even more expensive then the full spec 17".

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

The 15" and 17" MacBook Pro are different products. Some people crave for the screen real estate of the 17" (I do typing this on the latest 17" PowerBook), others are decidedly buying the 12". Most people I know like the 15" form factor best. The DVD burning speed is of no interest for people who seldomly burn a DVD. FireWire 800 is almost useless in a market where hardly any 800 product exists.

Possibly the high end 15" will be priced lower soon, but differences in features might be of less importance then difference in form factor for what is a great machine anyway.

Close Name:Small White Car Posts: 1960 Joined: 02 Jul 2004
Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
The 15" and 17" MacBook Pro are different products. Some people crave for the screen real estate of the 17" (I do typing this on the latest 17" PowerBook), others are decidedly buying the 12". Most people I know like the 15" form factor best. The DVD burning speed is of no interest for people who seldomly burn a DVD. FireWire 800 is almost useless in a market where hardly any 800 product exists.

Possibly the high end 15" will be priced lower soon, but differences in features might be of less importance then difference in form factor for what is a great machine anyway.


That's great and all, but it ignores the fact that Apple has never priced this way in the past.

I suppose this could be the start of an entirely new practice for them, but I think it's more likely that the 15" will simply get cheaper at the end of the week.

Close Name:dux5 Posts: 112 Joined: 02 Jul 2002
Subject:

Quote
Small White Car wrote:
but I think it's more likely that the 15" will simply get cheaper at the end of the week.


Or, the 15" could be bumped to the 2.16 DC processor so there is no special-order upgrade ... ie, a speed bump across all machines. That would solve the issue as well.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Production

There certainly could be a speedbump for the 15" MacBook Pro. I't doesn't surprise me though that the non-standard 15" would be more expensive then the standard 17" due to Mass production.

Close Name:Biff Posts: 1479 Joined: 08 Apr 2004
Subject:

Personally I think there is a coming price cut on the 15". I think since the 17" isn't technically shipping yet, it probably has the CPU price cut already reflected in its price (as opposed to debuting it at a higher price and then cutting the price a week later). But, hey, who knows?

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Advice

Hey, I've got a MBP 15'' scheduled to be delivered on May the 1st... Is it worth cancelling my order and waiting for Apple to readjust the prices and or upgrade the machines? Is any of that likely to happen any time soon?

Close Name:Bosco Posts: 999 Joined: 03 Jun 2002
Subject: It makes complete sense

I recently ditched my 17" G4 PowerBook for a 15" (by swapping with my Mom) because although the 17" seemed like the cat's @$$ at the time, it was just too big. I suspect that thousands of other people have discovered the same thing, resulting in soft demand for 17" notebooks and stronger demand for 15" notebooks. Apple, though, bought 50 million 17" screeens last year in a little noticed deal with whomever makes the screens. So they have to unload them. Additionally, they have tons and tons of FW800 ports and circuits left over from the old PowerBook line. Basically, they are just getting rid of a bunch of crap that's lying around the factories. Word is that they brought Jon Rubenstein back to solve this particular problem. Steve Jobs asked himself, "What am I gonna do with all this extra crap we bought last year?". Then Steve said, "I know, I'll call Jon and see if he's grown roots out his butt yet from inactivity!". Then Jon said he would be a consultant if he could get $75/hour, discounted parking, and free lunch in the Apple cafeteria with a few other consultants. Jon came in and proposed they make a 17" iPod, but the lawyers thought it would have a cracking problem and nixed the idea. So Jon proposed to get rid of all the crap by making a 17" MacBook Pro. Everyone loved that idea!

Close Name:Guest
Subject: bigger is better

I am waiting for a 19 or 20 Macbook Pro that takes up to 8 gig of ram. Please.....

Close Name:macinnerd Posts: 1742 Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
I am waiting for a 19 or 20 Macbook Pro that takes up to 8 gig of ram. Please.....


That's not about to happen. As Bosco noted, many people already find the 17" model way too big, and it is harder to carry around.

As for the 8 GB RAM, do you see a MBP with 8 ram slots under the keyboard coming soon.

And thirdly, the demand for the thing would be sooo low that introducing such a model would not be worth it.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: 50 million screens LOL

Dude, umm... do some math before quoting silly figures. Apple has not sold 50 Million computers in it's entire existence.

Close Name:LaurieF -   TMO Forum Mod Posts: 3544 Joined: 15 Jun 2001
Subject: Re: 50 million screens LOL

Quote
Anonymous wrote:
Dude, umm... do some math before quoting silly figures. Apple has not sold 50 Million computers in it's entire existence.


OK, clever clogs, how many has it sold?

[And it's its, not it's; and some of us would prefer maths instead of the singular.]

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Smaller but Stronger

It all depends on your needs, money, and ego. I don't want a 17" screen. (My oppinion, Anything bigger than 14" screen is pushing to concept of portability) I value portability more than having a large screen. However, I do want to have a big hard drive and fast CPU. So, is it worth paying the 17" price to get a loaded 15". Since I have the money, yes.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Market demands drive price scheme.

obviously, the pricing is there to promote what a deal it is to buy the 17 inch. Who's going to buy the 17 at anything higher if it's not that popular anyways. "Aww! Might as well get the bigger screen, and FW800 etc, etc.. for that price, and get standard 2.16dc." It's not that hard to imagine. ;/

Close Name:Biff Posts: 1479 Joined: 08 Apr 2004
Subject:

Quote
Bosco wrote:
I recently ditched my 17" G4 PowerBook for a 15" (by swapping with my Mom) because although the 17" seemed like the cat's @$$ at the time, it was just too big. I suspect that thousands of other people have discovered the same thing, resulting in soft demand for 17" notebooks and stronger demand for 15" notebooks. Apple, though, bought 50 million 17" screeens last year in a little noticed deal with whomever makes the screens. So they have to unload them. Additionally, they have tons and tons of FW800 ports and circuits left over from the old PowerBook line. Basically, they are just getting rid of a bunch of crap that's lying around the factories. Word is that they brought Jon Rubenstein back to solve this particular problem. Steve Jobs asked himself, "What am I gonna do with all this extra crap we bought last year?". Then Steve said, "I know, I'll call Jon and see if he's grown roots out his butt yet from inactivity!". Then Jon said he would be a consultant if he could get $75/hour, discounted parking, and free lunch in the Apple cafeteria with a few other consultants. Jon came in and proposed they make a 17" iPod, but the lawyers thought it would have a cracking problem and nixed the idea. So Jon proposed to get rid of all the crap by making a 17" MacBook Pro. Everyone loved that idea!
Have you been attending the Vern Seward school of journalism?

Close Name:Bosco Posts: 999 Joined: 03 Jun 2002
Subject: Re: Schools

Quote
Have you been attending the Vern Seward school of journalism?

No, but clearly you've been attending the Conan O'Brien school of humor.

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