Apple's new laptops are expensive

After much rumour and speculation Apple has at last launched its new range of laptops - 13in MacBooks and 15in MacBook Pros. They look fantastic and the new styling is superb. The Nvidia graphics chipset is most welcome too. However, I can't help feeling depressed and the problem is the prices.

There was talk of cheap laptops, but instead of the prices coming down, they have actually gone up! Doesn't Apple realise that we are in the middle of a credit crisis and that people are severely cutting down on the amount they spend, especially on luxuries. I fear that Apple's market share will fall instead of increasing - at least here in the the UK and Europe.

To see what I mean, go to the Apple UK store and check out the prices. The new 2.0GHz 13in MacBook, which has a slower processor than the old model, costs £949. Now that is $1,654 (depending on the exchange rate). Wasn't there talk of an $800 laptop only a week or two ago? What happened? We're paying double that here in the UK. Looking at the other end of the range, the new 2.53GHz 15in MacBook costs £1,749, which is over $3,000!

MacBook
13in/2.0GHz = £949
13in/2.4GHz = £1,149
15in/2.4GHz = £1,399
15in/2.53GHz = £1,749

The US prices are much lower, which is why I'm so disappointed with these new laptops. For example, you'll pay just £829 for the 13in/2.0GHz in the US, which is £120 cheaper than we're paying here in the UK.

If you have any FireWire devices like a camcorder or external hard disk drive, you'll find that you won't be able to use them with the new MacBook because the FireWire port has been dropped. Some people have commented that that is enough to put them off upgrading to the new MacBooks. And you'll need to buy an adapter to use a monitor because there's a new type of display port on the new MacBook.

Of course, there is still the old-style white plastic MacBook and there's a single 2.1GHz model with DVD-writer and 1Gb of RAM for £719 ($1,260). However, this means that the cheapest Mac laptop has risen in price and it's now £20 ($35) more expensive than it was previously.
It is interesting to speculate which MacBook is the best to buy right now. Go to the store at the Apple website and you can buy a new MacBook with 2.0GHz processor, 2Gb RAM, SuperDrive, 160Gb hard disk, no FireWire for £949 ($1,654), or you can pop into your local high street store where they are still selling the old MacBooks and the new stock hasn't arrived and get a 2.4GHz processor 2Gb RAM, SuperDrive, 160Gb hard disk, with FireWire for £829 ($1,453). This old MacBook looks good value for money and I'd snap one up immediately before the old stock is replaced with the new kit.

A 13in/2.4GHz MacBook has risen from £829 ($1,453) to £1,149 ($2,001), which is a 39% price increase.