Apple is separating the new smartphones into its usual low-cost versus high-cost categories, with big differences between the two models coming down to the camera, display, and battery life.
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Apple Expands Build-to-Order Configuration Options on Retina MacBook Pro [Updated]
Apple today quietly expanded the available configuration options for the Retina MacBook Pro, now offering a full slate of individual upgrade options on the base model that starts at $2199. Previously, customers who opted for the base model were locked into a 2.3 GHz Core i7 processor and 256 GB of flash storage, with the only configurable onboard option being a $200 RAM upgrade from 8 GB to 16 GB. Customers looking to boost either the CPU or storage were required to step up to the high-end $2799 model, which offers both a 2.6 GHz i7 processor and 512 GB of storage, with additional upgrades beyond that.
Apple is now offering all available upgrades on the low-end model, giving customers full control over their configuration needs. For example, users who want to upgrade storage on the low-end model can now do so with 512 GB ($500) and 768 GB ($1000) standalone options that do not also require an upgraded CPU. Similarly, users interested in boosting the base 2.3 GHz CPU to the 2.6 GHz chip can now do so on the base model for just $100 without having to step up the full $600 to the high-end model with both CPU and storage upgrades.
Apple continues to quote 1-2 week shipping estimates for the Retina MacBook Pro as the company continues to try to keep up with demand.
Update: Some readers have noted that selection of the new CPU and storage options on the low-end model does not seem to register with the online store system. Typically, changing options results in live updating of the price and shipping estimates during the configuration process, but changes to the CPU and storage are not having that effect. Consequently, customers are unable to place orders with these new custom configurations on the low-end model.
Update 2: Within minutes, Apple has now pulled the new configuration options entirely, once again leaving RAM as the only available onboard hardware upgrade for the low-end model.
Update 3: There are now conflicting reports on whether or not the new options have been pulled. Many readers are reporting still seeing the options and are able to add the configurations to their shopping carts, while others viewing the same pages are not seeing the new options.
Update 4: The new configuration options are now appearing more consistently, and Apple has also added the ability to have individual iWork apps preinstalled. With the move to the Mac App Store, it is not difficult for users to obtain the apps on their own, but some customers will undoubtedly prefer to have their machines as ready to go as possible upon delivery.
Apple is now offering all available upgrades on the low-end model, giving customers full control over their configuration needs. For example, users who want to upgrade storage on the low-end model can now do so with 512 GB ($500) and 768 GB ($1000) standalone options that do not also require an upgraded CPU. Similarly, users interested in boosting the base 2.3 GHz CPU to the 2.6 GHz chip can now do so on the base model for just $100 without having to step up the full $600 to the high-end model with both CPU and storage upgrades.
Apple continues to quote 1-2 week shipping estimates for the Retina MacBook Pro as the company continues to try to keep up with demand.
Update: Some readers have noted that selection of the new CPU and storage options on the low-end model does not seem to register with the online store system. Typically, changing options results in live updating of the price and shipping estimates during the configuration process, but changes to the CPU and storage are not having that effect. Consequently, customers are unable to place orders with these new custom configurations on the low-end model.
Update 2: Within minutes, Apple has now pulled the new configuration options entirely, once again leaving RAM as the only available onboard hardware upgrade for the low-end model.
Update 3: There are now conflicting reports on whether or not the new options have been pulled. Many readers are reporting still seeing the options and are able to add the configurations to their shopping carts, while others viewing the same pages are not seeing the new options.
Update 4: The new configuration options are now appearing more consistently, and Apple has also added the ability to have individual iWork apps preinstalled. With the move to the Mac App Store, it is not difficult for users to obtain the apps on their own, but some customers will undoubtedly prefer to have their machines as ready to go as possible upon delivery.
[ 201 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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93 months ago
Anyone else annoyed this comes after they ordered their base level rRMBP w/upgraded RAM? Definitely would've bumped the processor at those prices, too. :(
93 months ago
Steve Jobs would never allow this to happen
lol, sorry someone had to say it :)
lol, sorry someone had to say it :)
93 months ago
Still needs a 2GB GPU/Card on this thing...
That's why you always wait on something this new...
Anyone else annoyed this comes after they ordered their base level rRMBP w/upgraded RAM? Definitely would've bumped the processor at those prices, too. :(
That's why you always wait on something this new...
93 months ago
$1000 for a 768GB SSD upgrade ???
Unbelievable price!
In the UK, SSDs seem to be hovering around the 50p/Gig mark currently.
So if you buy from Apple, you're paying $1.30 per gig and losing the stock drive in the process.
EDIT: Just looked at the UK site and it's £800 for the 768GB upgrade. So only double what I'd expect to pay at £1.04 per gig. Bargain!!
Unbelievable price!
In the UK, SSDs seem to be hovering around the 50p/Gig mark currently.
So if you buy from Apple, you're paying $1.30 per gig and losing the stock drive in the process.
EDIT: Just looked at the UK site and it's £800 for the 768GB upgrade. So only double what I'd expect to pay at £1.04 per gig. Bargain!!
93 months ago
So, let me get this straight:
768 upgrade costs $1000 if you get the 2.3 GHZ rMBP
but
768 upgrade costs $500 if you get the 2.6 GHz rMBP
----- o_O
What the hell apple! Way to give people choices.
You're upgrading from 256GB to 768GB for $1000
or from 512GB to 768GB for $500.
93 months ago
It is cheaper to upgrade base model to the same specs as the higher model.
At least it is true with the educational store.
Apple didn't do its due diligence well
I didn't check this, but if it is true then consider it an intelligent test for people in education :D
93 months ago
Once you bump the processor to 2.6 and the SSD to 512, you are within $150.00 of the model that starts out as a 2.6/512, but the graphics card has more memory 512 vs 256.
I bought a 2.6/512 in June. This change doesn't make me feel like I missed out on getting a less expensive model.
really man where do you get all this stuff? almost nothing you say is valid
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