Apple’s recently released lineup of laptops, including the top-of-the-range MacBook Pro 16-inch with M3 chips, comes with a surprisingly hefty price tag. The fully loaded 16-inch model, equipped with 128GB of RAM and an 8TB SSD, will cost an eye-watering $7,200 in the US. This price includes the M3 Max chip, which is necessary to access the 128GB RAM option.
The base price for the MacBook Pro 16-inch is $4,000, meaning that the upgrades nearly double the cost of the M3 Pro version. The most significant upgrade cost is the SSD, which adds $2,200 to the overall price, while the additional memory costs an extra $1,000.
In the UK, the maxed-out version of the MacBook Pro 16-inch costs £7,300, compared to the base model’s price of £4,100, mirroring the US pricing. In Australia, the top-end model comes at a hefty cost of AU$11,700, significantly more than the base price of AU$6,900. However, the percentage markup in Australia is slightly less than in the US and UK.
According to MacRumors, the previous top-end MacBook Pro 16-inch used to cost up to $6,500 in the US. As a result, the new version is considerably more expensive, with a price increase of over 10%.
Analyzing the rationale behind the high price, it’s evident that packing the MacBook Pro 16-inch with the fastest M3 chip and 128GB of RAM wouldn’t come cheap. Apple is known for charging a premium for memory and storage upgrades, and the new M3 models are no exception.
The high cost is primarily driven by the storage upgrade. Opting for a 4TB SSD instead of the 8TB model can save a significant amount. However, those purchasing MacBook Pros with this level of performance are likely to have deep pockets.
The top-spec MacBook Pro 14-inch with the M3 Max option, featuring 128GB of RAM and 8TB of storage, is priced at $6,900 in the US, slightly lower than the 16-inch model. In the UK, it costs £7,000, while in Australia, it’s priced at AU$11,150.
Apple’s new MacBook Pros will be available for purchase on November 7, just a week away.
In additional news, you might also be interested in the latest updates on Apple’s M3 chips and the advancements they bring.
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