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MacBook prices around the world

by Dave Caolo Jan 11th 2010 at 2:00PM

While researching MacBook Pros, the folks at cmyplay produced an infographic charting the relative prices of MacBook Pros around the world. The variation is amazing.

The lowest cost was found in the US ... mostly. Certain models cost less in Hong Kong, but as the author notes, that could be due to exchange rate fluctuations. Prices were significantly higher in South Africa. For example, an entry-level 13" MacBook Pro 2.26GHz in South Africa retails for about the same prices as a mid-level 15" MacBook Pro (2.53GHz) in the US. Note that Apple does not have official representation in South Africa.

However, the highest prices were found in Brazil (where Apple does have official representation). As cmyplay notes, "For the amount to purchase a top-of-the-line MacBook Pro 2.8GHz in Brazil, a person could buy two of the same machine in the US." One Brazilian commenter noted that Brazil's import duties and sales tax, especially on electronics, is very high.

Good work, cmyplay! Your graphic is beautiful and offers a perspective we might not otherwise have considered. Make sure you visit the post to see the full image.

[Via Gizmodo]

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While researching MacBook Pros, the folks at cmyplay produced an infographic charting the relative prices of MacBook Pros around the world....
 

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31 Comments

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Ahmet

All that about taxes and import duties and etc is nonsense. there are exceptions to this but the fact is that when an Apple computer is sold outside the borders of the U.S. (or North America for that matter) Apple literally screws the costumers in terms of price. that's why it's illegal for the export of macs bought from the U.S. you can factor in anything you want but that is the fact. this has been the case for decades now and it has not changed since Jobs took over. it's as if apple doesn't want to sell computers outside north america. I personally don't see that changing in the short term because Apple really doesn't look like it needs to sell more computers overseas.

January 12 2010 at 6:52 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Ahmet's comment
Andrew

Illegal to export Macs from the US? What are you on about? You probably should declare them if you want to do it by the book.

Of course, Apple of America doesn't want to ship and sell products outside their own market. Apple in the UK doesn't ship to Germany or China either.

That does NOT mean it's illegal or impossible to export them. It just means you have to work with Apple to sell them in another country, that's usually how things work in real life. There's a fair amount of law involved, IAAL.

I got my two last MacBook Pros from the US, courtesy of a paid "friend".

January 12 2010 at 3:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
umijin

Well, this graphic would be more interesting if it had more than just a few nations.

Macs are also relatively expensive here in Japan - made worse by the poor exchange rate.

January 12 2010 at 6:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
.nate

The Hong Kong $ is pegged to the US$

January 12 2010 at 5:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
McKnife

I am from Brazil and I just bought my new MacBook Pro 2.8GHz from an american "friend". Truly, here the taxes for this model are to be laughed at, not paid...
But it is worth saying that the cheaper MacBooks here are a bit more affordable than high-end ones and the difference in their prices is not as high. As a result, in the last one or two years the (visible) increase in Mac usage is remarkable.

January 11 2010 at 8:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sauri

In Russia the prices are $1800 for a mbp 13" 2.26ghz, $2520 for a mbp 13" 2.53ghz, $4100 for a mbp 17" 2.8ghz.

January 11 2010 at 7:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cooper

So is there an opportunity in buying MacBooks here, traveling to Brazil, selling said MacBooks, and thus getting a free trip?

January 11 2010 at 7:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Cooper's comment
Digaos

Definitely yes...

January 11 2010 at 7:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mac

Yes Digaos, I do know a lot about Brasil (like the spelling) - and I've sold a lot of Macbooks there.

January 11 2010 at 7:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
CL

I am actually surprised it's actually cheaper in Hong Kong than it is in the US and there's no sales tax there!

January 11 2010 at 5:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
HenriqueG

And the people here (Yes, I'm brazilian) still voting for Lula and paying one of the highest taxes in the world.

January 11 2010 at 4:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tivoboy@gmail.com

yeah, fail. Failure to factor out VAT does not provide and APPLE to APPLE comparisson!

January 11 2010 at 4:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mac

I guess Brazil is trying to save its amazing-world-class computer manufacturing industry from cheap foreign imports. And with such an affluent and educated population - sure - they can afford to pay double to get their hands on technology. And anyway - its not like technology enables a population to improve and develop its economy through raising unimportant things like literacy and creativity. Is it ?

January 11 2010 at 3:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to mac's comment
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