Apple hikes UK prices on some older Mac models by 20% in response to declining British pound

Apple raised the U.K. prices of some older Mac models overnight on Thursday, compensating for the slide in the pound's value since June's "Brexit" vote.

The Mac Pro — which hasn't been updated in almost three years — now costs 2,999 pounds ($3,650), up from 2,499 pounds, Bloomberg noted on Friday. The Mac mini, which was last updated in 2014, has been hiked from 399 pounds to 479 ($582).

"Apple suggests product prices internationally on the basis of several factors, including currency exchange rates, local import laws, business practices, taxes, and the cost of doing business," a spokesperson said in a boilerplate statement. "These factors vary from region to region and over time, such that international prices are not always comparable to U.S. suggested retail prices."

The pound's value has fallen 18 percent since June, leading a number of companies — including Apple rival Microsoft — to raise some of the their prices, while others have simply had to bear the expense.

Apple launched new MacBook Pro models earlier on Thursday. In the U.K., systems equipped with a Touch Bar and Touch ID start at 1,749 pounds, or $2,126, though that includes VAT charges.

47 Comments

SpamSandwich 32917 comments · 19 Years

About 8 years ago

"...while others have simply had to bear the expense."

That's not how businesses work. What are the supporting examples for this?

1st 428 comments · 18 Years

wow, that hurt a lot... what going to happen if Trump win? Similar Briexit effect to bring the price down?

Joe Dragon 12 comments · 9 Years

SpamSandwich said:

"...while others have simply had to bear the expense."

That's not how businesses work. What are the supporting examples for this?

but apple with there older hardware really should unless they plan to update them soon and don't want the new stuff to be a big price jump from the ones there are replacing.

irnchriz 1595 comments · 17 Years

SpamSandwich said:

"...while others have simply had to bear the expense."

That's not how businesses work. What are the supporting examples for this?

Standard business practice, suppliers increase prices, you either pass the price on or absorb it by having reduced profit. Supermarkets have been doing this for a while as they don't want to be the first to increase prices, they normally start reducing package sizes before they increase pricing, e.g. 4 apples for a £ instead of 6 etc. It depends on the business and the consumers price expectation.

Apple lost me this time, Im not about to stump up and additional £700 for the equivalent new MacBook pro 15" (compared to £1999 for the previous 15" with 512GB storage). Its just not worth that price premium in the current economic climate. Likewise the same for the 13" models. I will likely ride out the storm of brexit and see what state the UK is in after it, not looking good so far.

MacPro 19836 comments · 18 Years

It works two ways, I don't see the British stepping up to make up the hit my pensions took that I receive here in the USA from the UK in £s. Exchange rates are simple math and you have suck it up when it goes against your own interests. Obviously I'd love to see the 22% loss I've had so far on pensions regained, just as British buyers would like see foreign imports go down in price. The solution is for the £ to regain its strength not to whine that others should compensate us.

I doubt it will ever happen but perhaps a second referendum on Brexit might bring out the complacent to vote this time? If not then it may be a long road but hopefully one day in the future the £ will recover. Until it does I am just going to live with it and I suggest UK buyers will have to too. It isn't just Apple products that cost more when your currency nose dives, my heart goes out to the British it truly does. Never assuming your going to win in a vote is the lesson I hope we here in the USA take to heart! IMHO voting should be mandatory both in the UK and America!