$800 for a new MacBook?
Inquisitr.com is reporting that an Apple retailer sent them a copy of a new price sheet that includes a MacBook at the $800 price point.
The sheet, which is apparently sent to retailers about 10 days in advance of launch, lists 12 price points (including options for MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air) between $800 and $3,100. Older price lists only have eight trim levels. Specifications were not included on the sheet.
Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said yesterday that if Apple chose to exclude a sub-$1,000 notebook, their stock would suffer more than from any margin impact such a device would have.
If true, this would be Apple's first foray into the sub-$1,000 laptop market since the $999 iBook.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ryan Trevisol said 2:36PM on 10-09-2008
lower prices on apple's laptops would certainly be welcome. I have a MacBook Pro from work and up until recently was on a Macbook. The difference is night and day. The macbook in my opinion isn't worth what it's currently fetching, and would be a much better value at $799.
A drop in prices for MBPs would also be welcome incase I ever change jobs. ;)
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thesimplicity said 3:36PM on 10-09-2008
This better be a drop in Macbook pricing, because a new netbook would be incredibly overpriced at $800... even if it was running OSX.
Jash Sayani said 7:42AM on 10-10-2008
Well, Mb is not that good. Very heavy!! And Mbp are seriously cool but very expensive!! And the Air is also not worth the price....
I hope the new MacBook is a new series of "netbook" computers that cost like EeePC and AspireOne.!!
fd said 2:52PM on 10-09-2008
It will of course remain to be seen what will be included in the $800 model.
Many people agree that Apple systems are a bit pricey for some of the features they have or lack. Note: I've seen the comparisons where with select machines the Mac Pro is cheaper than upgraded Dells, HPs, ... I'm just talking about the $1100 MacBook with only SuperDrive & 1GB RAM and the basic mini. Wanting a DVD burner forces you to upgrade to the next model, which in this day and age shouldn't be required. It costs Apple probably more to keep combo drives on hand than to go all-out with SuperDrives.
Anyway. I welcome the thought of cheaper Macs.
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fd said 2:53PM on 10-09-2008
Obviously meant: $1100 MacBook with ComboDrive / or / without SuperDrive.
George said 2:55PM on 10-09-2008
My guess? The $800 models will be older/less-powerful specs. The new stuff will be at the same price point ($1100), but they will start selling less powerful (i.e. last year's model specs) MacBooks alongside.
Perfectly fine, if you ask me. I know about 5 people that would buy an $800 MacBook and wouldn't need any more power than what's in the current lineup (or last year's for that matter). Most of these folks just look at price, not geeky enough to compare specs to realize the $500 laptop PC they just got is a crappy machine.
An $800 MacBook means Mom has no excuses left to switching!
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Gandalf said 4:14PM on 10-09-2008
Indeed. $999 iBook, which I bought for $899 thanks to student discount.
Regarding the new MacBooks, I think $800 could be for the new MacBooks, which is why Apple warned investors that due to a "new" line of products, they could be expecting less profit in this quarter. Since the new ipods really didn't affect that bottom line, I think this could be it, and that apple will indeed make less money per MacBook than before.
Rich said 6:23PM on 10-09-2008
Add two.
eric f. said 10:59AM on 10-10-2008
No Kidding. Most ordinary users would be happy with the power of the original 2.0 GHz Core Duo. It just needs to be cheaper.
Just announce them already!!!!
Jon said 2:20PM on 10-11-2008
MacBook Classic???
I'd be interesting to seem them keep the current plastic MacBooks (and their specs) and introduce a new range in aluminium.
dasilvetz said 3:06PM on 10-09-2008
Technically it would not be their first foray "into the sub-$1,000 laptop market"-
a few years back they had a $999 12" iBook.
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Zach said 3:09PM on 10-09-2008
Thank you for pointing this out. I was going to say something but you definitely beat me to it. Silly people and their lack of knowledge.
Chris Brightwell said 3:07PM on 10-09-2008
Apple sold the iBook at $999 for a while.
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Rhonmark said 3:19PM on 10-09-2008
Perfect timing indeed. Good for the Wall Streeters who want to remain looking suave surfing craigslist at a Starbucks for their next job. I'm sure they have enough cash stashed under the mattress for this purchase.
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Ben said 3:23PM on 10-09-2008
See, this is what I keep thinking of when they talk about "The Brick". I know it's come out that they're referring to the new manufacturing process, but I thought they were going to lower prices. That seems to be the major argument against switching from Windows to Mac anymore, so lowering the price sure would be a brick through microsoft's window.
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BlueZurich said 3:25PM on 10-09-2008
Where have you guys been? I have 2 new under 900.00 Macbooks! It's called refurb and they undergo more stringent QC than new models.
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Julian said 3:31PM on 10-09-2008
EVERYONE:
I'm not sure if you've heard about this, but there is a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT GOING ON AGAINST APPLE.
If you haven't heard about the settlement, there is a cash payment if you purchased certain model Apple PowerBook or iBook computers, the power adapter failed within the first three years following the initial retail purchase of the computer, and you purchased a replacement adapter. If you have the 65W power cord for the iBook or Powerbook, this lawsuit might concern you.
The DEADLINE to file your own suit has been EXTENDED to February 11th, 2009, and in some cases until the end of May. If you want to opt out of the class action suit, you have until December 1st, 2008.
Here’s a link to the settlement website, where you can download a claim form and get more info about the settlement.
http://www.gordonvapple.rosenthalco.com/
This is serious and is not a scam. Check it out if this might affect you.
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George said 5:27AM on 10-10-2008
Julian, there is always some form of lawsuit against Apple, but regarding this one Apple is offering FREE replacements for those power adapters, if people are experiencing problems they can just get a new one free rather than go through court.
sonicwind said 3:34PM on 10-09-2008
So how about post the rest of the list.
Does this mean that the new books will be available immediately on Tuesday?
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demonic_pascal said 3:35PM on 10-09-2008
this would be awesome. Especially if the specs still increase. Apples notebooks will be a lot more competetive
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