I was reminded recently of the global purchasing power disparities. 🤔

Both my colleague in India and I received work laptops from our client (for security reasons).

When Apple announced their new MacBook Pro lineup, I noticed something - while troubleshooting of an issue with BitBucket access, I've found out he received a Windows laptop instead of a MacBook. I was wondering why but then I remembered how prohibitive it was to have the latest tech in Brazil.

💸 This got me thinking about the real cost of tech across borders and what are the implications.

🇺🇸 USA
MacBook Pro Base model: $1,599
Average NON-IT monthly salary: $5,299
Cost ratio: 0.3x monthly salary

🇧🇷 Brazil
Base model: R$19,999
Average IT monthly salary: R$8,357
Cost ratio: 2.4x monthly salary

🇮🇳 India
Base model: ₹169,900
Average IT monthly salary: ₹30,668
Cost ratio: 5.5x monthly salary

I don't know how it is in India but in Brazil the reasons for the high cost are the currency rate and the high import taxes (it used to reach 60% of the original value, not sure how it is today).
When I lived there, there were some non-official channels whereby one could purchase tech more affordably (😅👍🏼🇵🇾 Paraguay).