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Letting The “Air” Out Of Ultralight Notebook Prices
Computers | Jul 22, 08
Just thought I’d note some recent notebook computer price drops, including that of the vaunted MacBook Air.
Apple’s ultrathin laptop was going for $1,800 when I first commented on its sleek if feature-limited design back in February (see “The Air Not There”). The MacBook Air may now be purchased from vendors on PriceSCAN for just over $1,600, a drop of over 10% in six months (note also that the Apple Store is selling a refurbished model for $1,499).
Time Period: 4/14/2008 through 7/14/2008
Each tick mark represents one week
Red = High Price, Blue = Average Price, Green = Low Price
The downward price pressure on this popular model could be simply due to the usual slow march toward obsolescence, but another factor could be the introduction of even lighter travel-oriented machines, including so-called “netbooks”. One example is the Asus Eee, priced a bit shy of $400. It’s a 2 lb Linux machine with a 900MHz Celeron M processor, 512MB RAM, 4.0GB HD, webcam, modem, 100 BT & 802.11g and a compact 7.0 inch WXGA Display. Of course, at one pound heavier the Air is a considerably more serious machine, with a 1.60GHz Core 2 Duo Mobile, 2048MB RAM, 80.0GB HD, , and a far larger 13.3 inch WXGA Display (it also has a webcam, modem, and 1000 BT & 802.11agn). However, without a DVD drive and the ability to swap batteries (except by Apple) it’s not clear the Air is hefty enough to serve as a principal computer. And if what’s desired is a mobile device to keep you in touch and able to access key documents away from the mothership, then, for many, a lighter, cheaper netbook like the Asus may make sense, in turn driving down the price of more feature-full lightweights.
As a wider spectrum of mobile computing devices emerges (including of course the iPhone and iPod touch) we may see a more finely gradated cost and feature choice set, unless and until the market determines the ultimate mobile computing machine.
Posted by jeffrey.trester (Permalink)
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