The Apple MacBook Pro is known for its suite of software which makes it ideal for creatives (e.g. writers, journalists, and web designers) and busy professionals who need a laptop that will keep up with them. They are also known for their sleek design as they are strong and sturdy but still stylish.
However, for all of these selling points, MacBook Pros are also known for being incredibly expensive. They are the priciest laptop that Apple offers (compared to the standard MacBook and the lightweight MacBook Air) and the one you’ll need to save the most money for. While the laptops are worth the hefty price tag, have you ever wondered: why are MacBook Pros so expensive?
How Do the MacBook Pro Specs and Prices Line Up?
The price of the Apple MacBook Pro directly correlates with its specs. Because the laptop has such high-powered specs, it comes at a high price. Just look at the new MacBook Pro 2018 as an example.
The latest Apple laptop offers up to 32GB of RAM, a beautiful Retina display with True Tone technology, Intel’s eighth-generation Coffee Lake processors, and up to 4TB of storage. Even the most affordable version of the laptop (13-inch screen with lower specs than these) will cost $1,799.
Apple knows that its laptop is one of the most powerful systems on the market. Compared to other laptops that offer even close to these specs, the MacBook Pro is stylishly designed and it is relatively lightweight. The company understands that many people will be willing to pay this high price for the full package, even if they have to scrimp and save to afford it.
Will the Price Ever Come Down?
With this in mind, it’s worth asking whether Apple will ever slash the price of its MacBook Pro, giving those who need its high-end specs a chance to get it at a price that they can (better) afford. Unfortunately, it seems that outside of specific sales events (which are themselves a rarity from Apple itself) it is highly unlike this will happen soon.
This is largely due to the target demographic for this technology. Speaking during an earnings call in 2008, in reference to budget laptop buyers, the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs said that there “are customers we (Apple) choose not to serve.”
Apple’s audience is the creative professional that, in Apple’s eyes at least, can afford to spend upwards of $1,500 on a brand new laptop and can do so with relative ease. Many of these professionals also use tablets, with artists and designers using tablets in particular, such as the iPad Pro.
As such, they need a laptop that will work well with their existing devices, including useful software that runs well. All of this is bundled in with MacOS, which helps to make the MacBook Pro the leading choice, with many unwilling to consider any other laptop brand.
Apple won’t cut its prices because it just doesn’t need to.
How to Buy a MacBook Pro at a Cheaper Price
But although Apple just won’t budge when it comes to prices, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t alternatives if you’re looking to buy a MacBook Pro at a cheaper price. There are a couple of options if you’re looking to save money but still need the laptop’s specs.
The first of these is to buy refurbished. Refurbished laptops are laptops that have been extensively tested, cleaned, and repaired (if necessary) and are certified to be in working order. Because they can’t be sold as brand new (even if they have only been lightly used), retailers discount them. RefurbMe lists the refurbished MacBook Pro 15-inch with retina display for just $719, which is a discount of $1,680. You’ll be paying 70% less for the ultra-high definition retina display, fast SSD storage, and the latest Intel processors. It even offers ports for HDMI, USB 3, and Thunderbolt connections.
Another way to bag yourself a discount is to take advantage of product refreshes. If you already have an older Apple MacBook or Windows laptop, then you could sell your old technology on Craigslist when newer versions are released. This is when most people will want it, especially if like you, they’re buying new tech on a budget. Some top tips for selling on Craigslist include planning, research, and taking high-quality photos of the device you’re selling, so keep that in mind as you put your stuff up for sale.
