According to Extremetech, Intel has lowered prices on their popular Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad chips. In fact, one model has dropped almost 40%. Before we all start daydreaming about cheaper Macs, let’s remember that’s not Apple’s game. The model that’s dropped the most is their Quad processor. I think you can now follow my thinking.
We’re much more likely to see a couple high end iMacs equipped with quad core processors, lower end models getting a speed bump, and the mini getting a Core 2 boost (if I were forced to guess upon threat of torture). We’re done seeing Mac revisions at major events (with the 8 core Mac Pro being released a scant week or so before NAB, a natural release venue), so Apple could switch things up any time they’re feeling saucy.
[via Mac Observer]
To me, Apple's desire to not lower prices is one of their main weaknesses. Instead of lowering prices, Apple just bumps up the specs and discontinues the old products. Sure, you're getting more for the same amount of money but it also keeps their products prohibitively expensive. If you consider the Mac Mini the entry-level Mac, it's still priced much higher than an entry-level PC. Yes, the general specs of the Mini are usually better than the PC, but the PC also includes a monitor, keyboard and mouse, possibly a printer, and oftentimes a better video card and more memory. And to make a generally simple upgrade to a writable DVD drive, you have to jump $200 from $599 to $799 (as opposed to the $40 it would cost for a PC). Not to mention the fairly complete lack of ability to upgrade the Mini.
There really is truth to the concept that Macs cost more. Comparing similarly spec'ed machines and they will be close, but compare an entry-level PC to an entry-level Mac, and the Mac loses badly. This is one reason why Apple needs to lose their one-size-fits-most philosophy.
Have the mobile processors dropped in price? Since everything from Apple except the Mac Pro uses Merom (and Yonah in the mini), if only the Conroe prices have dropped the iMac is going to look awfully expensive if other "desktops" drop in prices. The price differential between mobile and desktop chips was already significant.