Korean Job Discussion Forums

ewok · Joined: 27 May 2007

For those of us using mac in Korea, today is a dark, dark day.
While the rest of the world was treated to new macbooks, including the fist 1,000 dollar macbook, the Korea Apple store pricing has come out...

and all macbooks have become ridiculously expensive. Wait. that's not a good word... Offensively expensive.

The cheapest macbook, white 2.1 ghz, used to be $1,100 in America. now it is $999. in korea? used to be KRW 1,190,000.. now has dropped down to....
..... KRW 1,580,000. huh??? exact same specs as before. 400 thousand more.

the rest of the mac lineup is unspeakable:

New 2.0 GHZ Macbook
-----------------
us price: $1,299
korea: KRW 2,090,000

New 2.4ghz Macbook
-----------------
usa: $1,599
kor: 2,490,000

Macbook Pro, 2.4 gh
----------------------
usa: 1,999
kor: 3,099,000

Macbook Pro 2.5gh
-------------------
usa: 2,499
kor: 3,890,000

Macbook Pro 17" 2.5GHZ
-----------------------
usa: 2,799
kor: get ready for this abomination..... 4,390,000

Some may say that the current exchange rate may be to blame.. well, for the macbook pro 17 to cost so much, you'd have to figure the exchange rate at 1,568 won to a dollar. And the highest it's been with flirting with 1,400 for about an hour on thursday. Plus, we all know that in a few weeks it will probably hover around the 1,100- 1,200 mark.

So, I guess apple has decided "to hell" with korea, and simple plans to fleece as much as they can, and quietly pull out... just like so many other foreign companies end up doing...

Kimbop · Joined: 31 Mar 2008

Buy a PC.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

Don't generalize "all the world" - check out www.apple.ca

It is 1400 for their lowest priced macbook. That is a hike of almost 300 bux from their older models.

ewok · Joined: 27 May 2007

CA-NA-DA-ABC · Joined: 20 Jun 2006

sojourner1 · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:08 pm Post subject:

I sure haven't seen many Apple products. I'm the only one I've seen running around with an Apple IPOD. I've had many Koreans ask me what that is. Of course, it's in a case that conceals what it really looks like.

ernie · Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Location: asdfghjk

apple realizes that since their customers care more about image than about what their machines actually DO, increasing the price actually makes them more of a status symbol and therefore more desirable.

ciccone_youth · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Location: Japan

ernie · Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Location: asdfghjk

yep, i can't help but laugh at all the people who buy macs "because that's what the best musicians/artists/designers use" and only surf the net, download porn and do essays on the damn thing. kind of like those dudes in hongdae driving their ferraris at top speed until the next traffic light - 100m away.

Scotticus · Joined: 18 Mar 2007

ciccone_youth · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Location: Japan

ernie, i know what you mean, i hate that too. i only bought a Mac because my previous job back home required it for some programs (i work in production), then i got hooked and it was much easier to use for me, so i stuck with it.

do you think Apple will eventually become much bigger in Korea, or is there no chance?

Temporary · Joined: 13 Jan 2008

Apple big in Korea.. Sure as long as apple install windows on all their machines and they use nothing but Internet Explorer.

ewok · Joined: 27 May 2007

apple computers will never catch on in korea, as long as korean sites insist on using active-x. (an outdated, unsecure, extinct protocol )

Also, koreans' inherent fear of all things foreign/different will never allow them to try.

they still think iriver is the original "i" mp3 player. they will never admit that it is a cheap rip off of the apple "i" concept.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Exchange rate.

Ukon · Joined: 29 Jan 2008