Apple products aren’t the cheapest around – that’s something established since the beginning of time.
However, while the unveiling of the latest MacBook Pro sent hearts a-thumping with its sleek and sexy form and new features, the very same hearts stopped when the prices were revealed.
For those of us on this side of the world, a 13-inch, 2.9GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar and Touch ID would set us back S$2,588, while the 15-inch, 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 MacBook Pro would inspire us to eat maggi mee for a year at S$3,948, according to a report on Channel NewsAsia.
A quick check on Apple Singapore’s website confirms our fears.
Twitter users from all over the world, too, went crazy, inspiring a slew of tweets:
when you find out that they raised the #MacBookPro prices #appleevent pic.twitter.com/1dmFVc2vaS
— Daniel Mezquita (@danielmezquita) October 27, 2016
So the new #MacBookPro has a headphone jack.
iPhone 7 has no headphone jack.
MacBookPro has USB-C.
iPhone 7 has Lighting to old USB. pic.twitter.com/08w3dV8o4x— Scott Hanselman (@shanselman) October 28, 2016
@Apple The price of the new MBP is right too. It’s right where I’ll keep my money, in my pocket. #MacBookPro
— Jerry Tang (@macbum) October 27, 2016
Just pricing up my new @Apple #MacBookPro… pic.twitter.com/GAwpDdITnK
— Jono Hayes (@jonohayes) October 28, 2016
#appleevent
After looking at the price for the new #MacBookPro pic.twitter.com/akn5wCKBLr— Saeed Khan (@KhanSa33d) October 27, 2016
If I bought the new #MacBookPro I would have to go homeless for a few years #AppleEvent
— Mehvish Patel (@MehvishPatel) October 28, 2016
$5,300 for a new laptop. That’s a freaking joke #Apple #MacBookPro #MacProischeaper pic.twitter.com/Sqz3aslVwI
— Allan Schroeder (@IcemanYVR) October 28, 2016
Their frustration is valid, though, because previous iterations of brand new MacBook Pros were cheaper at launch as compared to the 2016 one.
While one can argue that because it has upgraded features, the price is somewhat justified, but a significantly increased price tag is something that might put even the most loyal of Apple fans off.
Technology is supposed to evolve along, and for its consumers, but if it keeps getting more and more exclusive via price barriers that many can’t get over, what’s the point?
Yet another feature of contention was the removal of rather important ports from the previous iterations of MacBooks, and the ironic inclusion of the headphone jack, which Apple kinda pulled a prodigal son on.
Undeniably neater, users have to contend with using adapters for devices they want to plug into the new MacBook – and even its family member, the iPhone, isn’t spared.
Oh wait! There it is! You just have to drop another $25 dollars if you want to plug your iPhone into a new #MacBookPro. #Courage :-p pic.twitter.com/dvRJdg4bDp
— Philip DeFranco (@PhillyD) October 27, 2016
This is your future #appleevent #MacBookPro pic.twitter.com/fN4vQFMZmf
— Zer💀 (@AlimonyMindset) October 27, 2016
What do you think about the prices, and would you consider buying one of these? Let us know!
