ItGlo.ws

As the first post to this new blog, I’m disappointed that I choose to start on a negative note. Unfortunately, this is an issue which affects not only Australians, but many others in the developed world.

I’m talking about the pricing of Apple computers for sale in Australia. There are currently only a few ways to purchase a brand new Mac, including the iMac, G5 Power Mac, MacBook and MacBook pro. The first way is the online Apple Store. Almost identical to the online stores in every other country (including the US), most computers are available for free delivery, usually within a week or so. The next way is to visit an Apple reseller, such as Next Byte or Domayne. Unfortunately, due to Apple’s reseller restrictions, you are not going to get a discount there, even if you’re paying cash. Finally, you can risk it on eBay, and hope that the “brand new” MacBook is really as described.

Now if you take the time to look, at the time of writing this, the current price for a 17″ MacBook Pro on the Apple Store in Australia is AU$4,399. This is exactly the same price as at Next Byte, and at Domain (pricing only available in store). That’s not exactly a cheap notebook, but you are supposedly paying for quality (and the Apple name). According to XE.com (at 7th July, 2006), that AU$4,399 equates to US$3,276. However, if you check the US Apple Store, the 17″ MacBook Pro starts at only US$2,799.  It’s exactly the same machine, but well over US$400 cheaper! I can hardly imagine that the small quantity of machines that Apple ships to Australia justifies a $400 price increase.

Australians aren’t the only victims, here. The Singapore Apple Store sells the same machine for S$4,788, or roughly US$3,027. Cheaper than the Australian machine by more than $200, but still needlessly dearer.

Apple have made what could have turned into a disaster (using an Intel chip) into one hell of a great machine. I say this as I’m about to go out and buy one to replace my poor excuse for a notebook, a Dell, and to complement my G4 Power Mac tower. So come on, Apple. Give the rest of the world a fair go, and stop gouging those happy to support you.