New white MacBook specs trigger UK price hike
updated 09:40 am EDT, Thu May 28, 2009
UK MacBook price hike
Apple's modest increase of specifications for the white MacBook -- including 800MHz RAM, a 160GB hard drive and a 2.13GHz CPU -- has led to a price increase in the UK, local Mac users note. Having formerly been priced at £719, the notebook now costs £749 in the region. In spite of having the same hardware, the US version has remained at $999.
The new hike echoes a previous one, which bumped prices from £704 to £719 when GeForce 9400M chipsets were added to MacBooks. The growing discrepancy is thought to be attributable to exchange rates, which have become less favorable for the UK over the course of several months. Whereas the pound was once worth twice the US dollar, exchange is now valued at $1.59 per pound, with a low of $1.48 having been hit on May 3rd.
Converting a $999 price using current rates translates to £627.47, or £721.28 after applying 15 percent in VAT taxes. UK buyers are thus being charged over £27 pounds extra on top of basic concerns, though other expenses may factor in. These may include items like shipping costs, or simply decreased revenue in general for Apple's American headquarters.
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Seems to be a regular pattern for Apple of late; maintain or reduce prices in the US whilst hiking prices for the rest of world. The worrying part is prices are never adjusted back down should currencies shift direction again.