Hi..i'm in Ireland and I want to buy a Macbook Air - the 11 inch starter is $799 if you live in the US and €1049 or $1450 if you live in Ireland - thats $651 more if you live in Ireland....can anyone explain this and how I can buy for a reasonable price?

Exchange rate differences, VAT, import taxes and duties. Ask your government why it's more expensive.

They are made in China.

If you have any friends or relatives from the USA traveling to Ireland soon they may be able to help you out.You may still end up paying the VAT when they arrive. Talk to customs.

You should do more thorough reserach. The lowest priced MacBook air, in the US, is $999 - not $799 - before sales tax.

Apple does not determine prices in other countries. Those prices are determined by factors outside of Apple's control. in the US the advertised price does not include sales tax. But other countries require that the advertised price be inclusive of VAT, so that will be dependent upon what the VAT is in each country. Exchange rates and import fees will then also impact on the advertised price.

Apple isn't in the business of ripping off buyers because they aren't US residents. That would be a pretty silly way of conducting business worldwide. You don't attract customers by making them feel cheated. 🙂