The US price excludes sales tax (VAT). Sales tax is local, and IME varies from 3% to 8%. Only very few states (eg New Jersey) levy that tax on ANY purchase, including those from out of state.
The US price at your rate of exchange when adjusted for 7% import duty (best number I can find for electrical goods, open to a challenge on that rate!!) and then VAT on top of that (yes, another tax on a tax that we enjoy over here!!) puts the total price at £165, compared to the UK price you quote of £159, which will include both Duty and VAT.
It is nothing like a simplistic as that, but it follows two immutable Laws of business:
Profit = Sales Price - Cost. If you can charge more, you make more profit. Apple can charge more, so they do. The American market will stand $199, the UK market will stand £159 and they can sell every one that they make. If it were your business would you sell your product or service for less than you could get? Neither would I...
Brand is worth more profit than functionality. Why are Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Renault, Nissan... in fact every car manufacturer except VW Group, BMW and Mercedes struggling to make money? Because VW, BMW and Merc can charge premiums of 20% to 30% over the others for the privilege of having their badge on the bonnet of what is (as people like to describe Apple) an inferior product.
Welcome to the real world, where people like to make money. If you don't want them to, don't be a fashion victim!! For balance, I have an iPhone, Mac and iPod, but drive a Volvo because it is based on the Ford Focus/C Max (the most reliable car in Germany and the UK!) and cost £500 less than the same spec of Ford Focus!! I'm happy to be a victim of Apple 'fashion' and functionality, but not BMW blandness and austerity!!
