Apple did it. It finally updated the MacBook Pro for the first time since 2001s titanium PowerBook. While the notebook doesn’t look tremendously different, it is new from the ground up and it’s the shell that is the revolutionary part of the change that many will be talking about for some time to come. The new faster, state-of-the-art graphics chip, ground breaking touch-sensitive glass mousepad, stunning new LED screen, and eco-friendly MacBook and MacBook Pro will be sure to bring many into the Apple Stores around the country, but what about that sub-$1,000 notebook we kept hearing about? Last I checked, pricing a buck under $1,000 isn’t really sub.

Apple made a lot right moves with the revamp of its notebook line today, yet it missed a tremendous opportunity to steal Christmas away from Dell, HP, and Toshiba. While $100 off the previous MacBook is nice, it’s not good enough. In a slow economy, cutting-edge and quality take a backseat to affordable and usability. Windows machines will win that race come this gift-buying season. Unfortunately, Apple has made a miscalculation with its price point and it won’t be enough to have just three figures on the price tag to lure in new customers. No, buyers will see the sea of laptops at Costco, Wal-mart, and Best Buy selling PCs loaded with Windows Vista at reduced prices. Consumers in general usually won’t pay a premium for a superior product and with the slow down in the economy, $100 off an Apple laptop isn’t going to change anyones mind from a PC to a Mac.

I hear the same argument daily from my clients that “Macs are too expensive” and how they can buy 2 laptops at Costco for the price of one Mac. Even when I educate them that the cost of ownership will be much greater with the PC, they don’t care and don’t listen. This mentality will continue in this lackluster economy even more so than ever.

While the MacBook is a great piece of hardware with some incredible features, it missed the prime feature of all: a great price point. It’s not to say that the MacBook won’t do good, its sales will be good if not strong; however, it won’t be spreading like a Southern California wild fire like it could have.

5 Responses to “Apple’s New Notebook Can’t Gloss Over the Fact That It’s Still Not Cheap”

1. Sean Says:
   October 15th, 2008 at 5:08

   Apple doesn’t make “cheap”. Neither does Mercedes, BMW, and lexus. Understand?

   If the PC community actually put any thought into their products they would be more expensive as well. If it’s cheap you are looking for try Dell and HP.

   Jesus, when will you people finally get it. Apple is not going to commoditize their products just so tech bloggers can afford them. Stop expecting Mercedes to make a $10,000 car, it’s not going to happen, ever. It’s not Apple’s job to make products “you” can afford. It’s “your” job to get a better job.

2. Sven Rafferty Says:
   October 15th, 2008 at 7:26

   Sean, if you took the time to read a few more articles here, you’d know that SvenOnTech is a full Mac shop. We understand the economics of good computing. Further, the second to last paragraph is also a tip off to our love for Macs. Guessed you missed the, we try to “educate them that the cost of ownership will be much great with the PC,” part.

   I’m glad you brought up Mercedes and BMW. You may wish to check out both of its European because you’ll be surprised to find an A class for Mercedes and a 1 class for BMW. Both classes are priced to compete with VW, Ford (Germany), Opel, and other lesser priced brands. Even Mercedes and BMW get the fact that it too needs lower priced product!

3. The New Apple Macbooks Are Great But… | Profy | Internet news and commentary Says:
   October 15th, 2008 at 11:55

   [...] Apple has not offered any significant price reductions for their up-market machines. As a result we now hear questions about Macbooks’ affordability during a recession [...]

4. Sean Says:
   October 15th, 2008 at 13:03

   My bad Sven. I was actually trying to make a more generalized statement, but after reading it again I can see I failed miserably. Feel free to pull it if you like. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Great site by the way, and thanks for all your hard work.

   Oh, as for the Mercedes, I’ve never seen an A class in the states. Nor have I seen a 1 class for BMW. I don’t think people are running to those companies looking for “value”. Their brands are fully intact, thankfully. I’ll stick with my new SL500 thank you very much.

   Take care.

5. Sven Rafferty Says:
   October 15th, 2008 at 13:28

   No worries, Sean. Hope I wasn’t too hard on you.

   Yea, the 1 and A class wouldn’t make here in the States, hence the reason you don’t find them here. Mercedes and BMW have made a different statement here than it has in Germany.

   I fully agree with you, though, on the overall comparison. Apple is a Benz, not a Hyundai. I try to explain this daily to people.

   Thanks for the kind words on the work. I’m trying and your input is helpful!

   PS: I envy your car. An excellent ride. My dream car is the CLS 55 AMG.

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