🚀 go-pugleaf

To end estimation and speculation, allow me to provide the exact *new low*
prices of Apples 1 and 2MB memory expansion kits.

As of September 15, the list prices Apple are as follows:

    M0218 Apple 1MB Memory Expansion Kit    $249
    M0219 Apple 2MB Memory Expansion Kit    $599

The prices extended to participating education/government entities are
significantly lower, and although I don't think Apple wants me giving those
prices exactly, suffice it to say that they're not as good as the discounts
given on machines, which for schools in the consortium is generally ~40%.

This puts significant downward pressure on third-party memory upgrade shops,
including Sophisticated Circuits of Seattle, WA, (206) 547-4779.  Their price
on a 1 to 5 meg expansion for the Mac II is $1200.  I phoned them and they
reported that they do not have much of a margin to drop their prices on the
1 MB SIMMs as they aren't making a lot on them now.  They claim that Apple
is selling the chips at below wholesale, and until the chip prices fall,
they won't be dropping their retail prices, but did have a little room to
deal.  The low price they gave me was $1100, which is less than Apple's
retail, but significantly more than Apple's educational/government price.

Dove Computer also markets SIMM upgrades for the Mac II.  Their number is
800-622-7627.  I asked them today if they had plans to adjust their prices,
and in fact they had adjusted them already.  Their price on 2 1MB SIMMs is
$749 retail, and for 4 is $1495 retail.  Their products are available at
a discount through mail order firms, but at retail are higher than Apple's.

It seems that Apple is offering a bargain.  At $600 retail for a 2MB expan-
sion, though, let's hope prices continue to fall.

	Kevin Long
	Baylor College of Medicine

Disclaimer: The items expressed herein are opinions not necessarily repre-
	    senting those of Baylor College of Medicine.