Apple Doubles RAM In New Macs For $40

[Multimedia]

Sorry about the turnaround, but the devil is in the details.

UPDATE 2:39 PDT 10.10.02 Apple New Mac Double Base RAM Offer A Hoax. Loophole Makes Offer Bogus!

Upon further investigation by reading the FINE PRINT in the Terms and Conditions:

http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/promo_doubleyourmemory.html

"...Additional RAM may be installed as either a single larger capacity replacement RAM DIMM chip or by adding additional RAM DIMM chip(s) as required, exact method to be determined at Apple's discretion..."

Called the Apple Store 800-MY-APPLE line and got confirmation that Apple will use that loophole whenever it wants to and that we can't be assured that a 512MB double order will yield two 512 MB sticks every time. We can't even specify that is the only way we'll exercise that option.

So FORGETABOUTIT . . .

As of today October 10, 2002 until December 31st, Apple is offering to double the base RAM for only $40 extra on all new Macs.

So you can get a single 512 stick with the dual 867 or dual 1 GHz MDD PowerMacs or 2 - 512 sticks with the dual 1.25 GHz for only $40 extra.

Sweet.

http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/promo_doubleyourmemory.html

[j763]

good news... now how about another flat panel promo???

[GotToHaveIt]

Well I have been waiting for price drop to go from my 400mhz PB to the 800Mhz. Do not need SuperDrive, so today's promo did it. Ordered my shinny new PB. Yes!

[Haberdasher]

I just paid 130 bucks for a DDR 512 mb chip...oh well. That's technology.:D

[finchna]

Originally posted by Multimedia
As of today October 10, 2002 until December 31st, Apple is offering to double the base RAM for only $40 extra on all new Macs.

So you can get a single 512 stick with the dual 867 or dual 1 GHz MDD PowerMacs or 2 - 512 sticks with the dual 1.25 GHz for only $40 extra.


Note that asterisks (there are more at offer site)--these suggest that you can't get an extra gig in a PM even if you order it with a gig and that Apple might use up 2 slots or more to add 512.

* Base RAM is based on the computer purchased and can be either 128MB, 256MB, or 512MB. Maximum Double RAM available through this offer is 512MB. RAM upgrades over 512MB -above base configuration- include the promotional savings.
* Maximum double RAM available is 512MB for $40.
* Additional RAM may be installed as either a single larger capacity replacement RAM DIMM chip or by adding additional RAM DIMM chip(s) as required, exact method to be determined at Apple's discretion.

[Multimedia]

I hadn't noticed that. I'd hate to order a 1 GB dual 1.25 GHz MDD Mac only to find it come back with a 512 and 2 - 256 MB sticks. I wonder if we would be able to ask for a single additional 512 stick or not?

Leave it to Apple to come up with a way to weasel out of delivering to the customer that which wastes not. I wonder if they're moving to an all 512 MB minimum and dumping all their smaller sticks with this promo?

[cb911]

that's an awesome deal.:D

it's just unfortunate for us Australians...
*Deliveries must be made to addresses within the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.*:eek: :o :(

[irmongoose]

Originally posted by cb911
that's an awesome deal.:D

it's just unfortunate for us Australians...

Or anyone not living in the U.S.

Oh well, I won't be buying a new computer for another few years so who cares...



irmongoose

[MiloMac]

So does this special memory offer decrease the possibility of new system releases before Jan. '03?

[PGant]

I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope that they offer a similar deal here in Canada. Coupled with the discount they're offering on Office v.X for new iMacs (plus the coupons and free printer...I think those are still in effect) the deal's pretty sweet. It sure has me thinking about upgrading my corporate fleet.

Now if Apple would just move the firewire ports to the side of the unit, and the headphone jack to the front...I would be happy.

PG

[Backtothemac]

Well, we have it free MUUUUUUHAHHHAHAHAHAHA


;)


Things like this piss me off though. Customers ordered last week, and paid out the arshe for Apples memory, and now it is $40 bucks! They should just give it away like we do.

[MikeH]

They should double it for free.

Apple are way too tight with the standard RAM.

OSX needs 256mb at least if you want to do anything other than browse the internet. All new macs $1000 and over should come with 512mb at least.

Don't give me this "double for $40" and then make out they're doing me a favour.

[Backtothemac]

Originally posted by MikeH
They should double it for free.

Apple are way too tight with the standard RAM.

OSX needs 256mb at least if you want to do anything other than browse the internet. All new macs $1000 and over should come with 512mb at least.

Don't give me this "double for $40" and then make out they're doing me a favour.

Come on. Man, do you know what margins are on an eMac? There is no way that they could put 512 in that thing and keep it priced well. 256 yea, that is believable, but 512! No way.

[MikeH]

Come off it.

Have you seen how much Apple charge for RAM.

If you buy a new iMac and want one 512mb chip in it they charge $250 (keep in mind they remove the original 256mb chip).

If you want 512mb as two 256mb chips it's an extra $150.

They rip you off when it comes to RAM. If you can get it for a PC at half that price, I don't see why Apple should screw us for it and then make out they are doing you a good deal.

I'd never buy extra RAM via the Apple Store, you're just being robbed.

Besides, if Apple make an OS with high memory requirements they should sure there hardware can keep up.

[Backtothemac]

Few things Mike,
1) they do make hardware that will keep up with the OS. Played with a Dual 867 lately?

2) I agree that Apple charges to much for memory.

3) I never said they don't. I said that margins would not allow for a free 512MB upgrade on every Mac above 1,000 as you recommended. That would cost way, way, way too much money. They don't make money on eMac's 15" iMacs, and iBooks.

There is no margin on those systems.

[SilvorX]

if apple brings the ram deal to the canadian apple store, i should get 512 megs of ram ;) then 512 more for like $70 cdn

[PGant]

Now THAT would be a great deal! A *gig* of RAM...just mind boggling.
Originally posted by SilvorX
if apple brings the ram deal to the canadian apple store, i should get 512 megs of ram ;) then 512 more for like $70 cdn

[MikeH]

Ok Backtothemac,

Fair point, I'm probably being bit extreme, and I certainly don't want to start a flame war - but you see what I'm getting at.

I'm sure the new DP 867 Macs are wonderful - in fact I think all the current hardware range is great. It's just that Uncle Steve wants everyone over to OSX, yet some of the machines are still coming with only 128mb (iBooks) which only just enough for OSX let alone any serious software (Warcraft 3 would choke). And 256mb in a professional level DP tower is just daft, Photoshop will eat that just by starting up.

What I don't like is the fact that it's made out to be some sort of favour, when you should not really have to upgrade something as fundemantal as RAM the moment you buy the machine.

The offers not even available in UK (where I am) anyway.

[bretm]

my new dual came with 256. MacMall adds 512 to that for a total of 768, with a $39 install charge. Let's not forget that apple charges you sales tax too.

Why on earth would anyone purchase something from the online apple store? Or the apple store in the mall? Use these as resources or for last minute emergency situations.

[Postal]

I can't help but see this as an indication that Apple's going to up the minimum memory in every Mac to 256 MB as of MWSF, and presumably the Powerbooks and PowerMacs would get 512.

Seeing as how I'm planning on getting an iBook right around then, it would be incredibly useful: not only would the system as it is from the factory run properly, it would expand the memory limit to 768 MB. Very important when you're trying to eke every last bit of battery life (by reducing disk access) and speed out of your laptop.

[Multimedia]

Originally posted by bretm
my new dual came with 256. MacMall adds 512 to that for a total of 768, with a $39 install charge. Let's not forget that apple charges you sales tax too.

Why on earth would anyone purchase something from the online apple store? Or the apple store in the mall? Use these as resources or for last minute emergency situations.

I see you fell for the old "FREE for $39" routine when you could have gotten an extra 512 MB stick for "Really FREE" from General Cybernetics in Alabama with no sales tax and half price shipping. Next time pay closer attention to who is not charging bogus "install" fees for so-called "FREE" RAM and discounting shipping charges with no sales tax.

I suppose you also didn't remember to downgrade your MDD $200 to avoid the obsolete Pioneer DVR-A04 SuperDrive so you could put in a new Quad Speed A05 next month either. Oh that's right, MacMall won't let you BTO. I sure hope you bought a dual 867 without that old A04 inside. But wait! If you got a "FREE" $39 Ñ 512 MB stick, that means you bought a dual GHz. Right? Bummer. :(

[Arcady]

I'm about to buy a PowerMac G4 867 QuickSilver from Apple's edu store, so I checked on this new RAM pricing. It true that it costs $40 more to get 512MB instead of the base 256MB, making the system cost $1265. However, they also have a 128MB option that does not allow for the $40 RAM doubling, for $1155. If I buy that and get 2 512MB modules from OWC for $96, my total cost is around $1260 (including the shipping charge from OWC.) So I still save $5 and get more than twice as much RAM without using Apple's deal.

My prices are edu prices for a QuickSilver with the useless 56k modem removed. (Hey $27 is $27.)

So I could have my new Mac with 512MB RAM from Apple for $1265 or with 1152MB RAM from OWC and Apple for $1260. And OWC provides a lifetime warranty on the RAM, unlike Apple.

[Hawthorne]

Originally posted by bretm

Why on earth would anyone purchase something from the online apple store? Or the apple store in the mall? Use these as resources or for last minute emergency situations.

Educational discounts combined with the Apple loan for education, that's why. And while you can get good prices from edu.com, the convenience is killer. And I've annoyed the MacGenius at my local store so much I feel compelled to buy something there once in a while in return for his services.

[Backtothemac]

Originally posted by MikeH
Ok Backtothemac,

Fair point, I'm probably being bit extreme, and I certainly don't want to start a flame war - but you see what I'm getting at.

I'm sure the new DP 867 Macs are wonderful - in fact I think all the current hardware range is great. It's just that Uncle Steve wants everyone over to OSX, yet some of the machines are still coming with only 128mb (iBooks) which only just enough for OSX let alone any serious software (Warcraft 3 would choke). And 256mb in a professional level DP tower is just daft, Photoshop will eat that just by starting up.

What I don't like is the fact that it's made out to be some sort of favour, when you should not really have to upgrade something as fundemantal as RAM the moment you buy the machine.

The offers not even available in UK (where I am) anyway.


Now I agree with you. That is why you should buy from a vender that offers free ram and charges no tax. That is how we small resellers can still stay alive because we can give away ram as an incentive.

Hey Multimedia! Thanks for the props! Nice to see you are spreading the word. Oh, and we are in Alabama ;)

[Sebastian]

Originally posted by Multimedia

you could have gotten an extra 512 MB stick for "Really FREE" from General Cybernetics in Arkansas
Originally posted by Backtothemac

Oh, and we are in Alabama ;)

You mean, there's a difference?

-Seb

Give a man a match, and he's warm for a minute. Set him on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

[mcrain]

Originally posted by Backtothemac
That is why you should buy from a vender that offers free ram and charges no tax.

:D

[Backtothemac]

Originally posted by Sebastian



You mean, there's a difference?

-Seb

Give a man a match, and he's warm for a minute. Set him on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

Hell yea there is a difference. :D

[Mr. Anderson]

All in all, its still a deal and should get many people to consider buying an Apple from Apple. But I'm more curious as to why they're doing it - trying to get rid of stock? Or is it more of a holiday special?

[ljova.com]

So WHAT it's double the RAM? they're trying to tell you something - we have too much RAM sitting in the warehouse and we need to get rid of it. We've been overcharging for RAM for years and now we just need to get rid of these chips before they're completely obsolete.

This also is true for any new computer they may be selling right now with the double-ram -- just trying to get rid of computers in a hurry before they're obsolete.

I sure hope that this is NOT apple's idea of a Christmas promotion, because Santa's not buying this one.

-Ljova

[nixd2001]

Originally posted by MikeH
Ok Backtothemac,

Fair point, I'm probably being bit extreme, and I certainly don't want to start a flame war - but you see what I'm getting at.

I'm sure the new DP 867 Macs are wonderful - in fact I think all the current hardware range is great. It's just that Uncle Steve wants everyone over to OSX, yet some of the machines are still coming with only 128mb (iBooks) which only just enough for OSX let alone any serious software (Warcraft 3 would choke). And 256mb in a professional level DP tower is just daft, Photoshop will eat that just by starting up.

What I don't like is the fact that it's made out to be some sort of favour, when you should not really have to upgrade something as fundemantal as RAM the moment you buy the machine.

The offers not even available in UK (where I am) anyway.

If you're in the UK, look at www.scan.co.uk for your RAM - that's where I got an extra 1GB for not very much. PC2700 DDR if you've got 1GHz or 1.25GHz. And I'd say 256Mb is too small for Jaguar. But 1.25GB is probably a little excessive as well :D

[Multimedia]

Originally posted by Backtothemac


General Cybernetics is in Alabama ;)

My bad. I corrected my error in the original mis-post. Thanks for pointing that out. I always like to tell everyone where the best deal REALLY is.

[bretm]

Originally posted by Hawthorne


Educational discounts combined with the Apple loan for education, that's why. And while you can get good prices from edu.com, the convenience is killer. And I've annoyed the MacGenius at my local store so much I feel compelled to buy something there once in a while in return for his services.

Last time I looked the edu discounts were at best 10% off. I can save around that just buying from macmall and saving the sales tax.

Also, imho the stores are just a big billboard for apple. They don't actually expect them to turn a profit. After all, it doesn't matter to apple where you buy their stuff. Just buy it. So the stores may lose money, but if they increase sales elsewhere (over the loss of the stores of course) then they are a win win.

I had a drive that came out of a G4, and wouldn't format on either of my 2 G4s after i put it in a pyro enclosure. i told this to the genius here in Atlanta, and he said "Well, it's fifty bucks if we touch your hardware." Needless to say I wasn't impressed. i thought the idea was to draw people into the store to help them out any which way they can (as long as it pertains to a mac somehow) and here I was telling this guy I owned 2 G4s and he wouldn't even try to format a firewire drive just to see what the problem was. My guess is they would've recommended I walk over to the shelf and buy disk warrior - but his attitude just sent me walking.

[Multimedia]

Those stores are mostly for newbies. The majority of their employees came from Target and the Gap and never even touched a Mac before they got their jobs there. The geniuses are clockwatchers who don't really have a lot of enthusiasm for really trying to solve a customer's challenging problem. They lack curiosity and are quite full of themselves in a condesending sort of way Ñ leaving long term Mac fanatics feeling unwanted and unwelcome. Sort of unfriendly has been my experience. IMHO.

I'd rather develop a friendship with Alabama (Backtothemac) who I know really cares about the little guy than those pompous "Geniuses" at the Apple Stores. They always strike me as intimidating and smug. I have been on the Mac since some of them were falling out of their cradle (1984). It's not pleasant to have to look at their young eyes not respecting long term Mac experience Ñ misjudging change difficulties for ignorance.

[Multimedia]

Back On Topic:

Called the Apple Store 800-MY-APPLE line and got confirmation that Apple will use that loophole whenever it wants to and that we can't be assured that a 512MB double order will yield two 512 MB sticks every time. We can't even specify that is the only way we'll exercise that option.

So FORGETABOUTIT . . .

[mirageMR]

ok look. you're still getting two 256 chips for 40 bucks. Stop bitching about the fact that its in two chips. If it doesn't work out and you get 2 256's, then sell them on ebay for a profit and get your single 512 for free. lol. I'd recommend just grabbing the extra ram for 40 bucks. simply because of the price its not a big deal. But when apple is selling @ their normal price, don't upgrade your ram w/ them, just get the base and order ram from somewhere else...www.pricewatch.com. you don't have to order memory from mac club or any lame catalogue like that. Its the same **** the pc's use. heh.

[Multimedia]

I am not bitching about two sticks instead of one. I am reporting that they may not come as one. This mornig I reported they would. This is not a trivial difference. I certainly would tell everyone NOT to accept Apple's offer if your system could come back with two 256 MB sticks instead of one 512 MB stick or two 128 MB sticks instead of one 256 MB stick. You think that's trivial? You think everyone has time to learn how to use EBay (I still don't know how) to sell a couple of underpopulated sticks that nobody wants? There are only 4 RAM slots. You think 2 GBs is a lot of RAM? I don't.

Sorry about the turnaround, but the devil is in the details.

UPDATE 3:12 PDT 10.10.02 Apple New Mac Double Base RAM Offer A Hoax. Loophole Makes Offer Bogus!

Upon further investigation by reading the FINE PRINT in the Terms and Conditions:

http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/promo_doubleyourmemory.html

"...Additional RAM may be installed as either a single larger capacity replacement RAM DIMM chip or by adding additional RAM DIMM chip(s) as required, exact method to be determined at Apple's discretion..."

Called the Apple Store 800-MY-APPLE line and got confirmation that Apple will use that loophole whenever it wants to and that we can't be assured that a 512MB double order will yield two 512 MB sticks every time. We can't even specify that is the only way we'll exercise that option.

So FORGETABOUTIT . . .

[Arcady]

Originally posted by mirageMR
ok look. you're still getting two 256 chips for 40 bucks.

No, you are not. You are getting one 256 for $40. It is a ripoff.

[Multimedia]

Originally posted by Arcady


No, you are not. You are getting one 256 for $40. It is a ripoff.

No, he's right Arcady, you might get two 256 sticks for the $40 if you're doubling a 1.25 GHz MDD PM's 512MB base, but you would have to compromise your maximum capacity from 2GB down to 1.5 GB if you got the extra RAM that way.

[robguz]

Originally posted by Backtothemac
They don't make money on eMac's 15" iMacs, and iBooks.

There is no margin on those systems.

Huh? Of course they do. Those are their cash cows. They are not as high margin at 1.25s and 800Mhz TiBooks, but they make plenty on those machines. Apple buys components in huge volumes and while you pay $75 for 512MB of iMac RAM, Apple pays nothing near that. How much is a 32X internal CDRW? 20-30 bucks at most for Apple. All those machines you mention are drastically overpriced and underpowered. Apple exists and is profitable precisely because of those machines you claim it makes no profit margin on. Get real.

[robguz]

512MB is minimum for OSX if you use Classic. 1GB is minimum for power users unless you enjoy running one program at a time and never running Classic. Actually the 2GB max on the new towers is their biggest drawback. In 3 years 2GB will seem like nothing. I'm at 768MB in my new DP867, but I'm sure that will be limiting a year from now. I absolutely agree with those that say Apple needs to beef up the RAM in their systems. How can they ship pro towers with 256MB and a $3300 powerbook with 512MB that require that you sacrifice both chips to move to 1GB?

[SilvorX]

Originally posted by PGant
Now THAT would be a great deal! A *gig* of RAM...just mind boggling.

lol true..
lol whoa, u the actual Patrick Gant? :eek:
a fellow canadian who was on one of the switch adds :D

[bretm]

So I looked in my brand new (as of today) dual gig from macmall - who triples your ram on that model btw.

I had the 256 chip that came with the mac, and the 512 that macmall installed.

Go buy your machines from a third party already!

[Kid Red]

Originally posted by Arcady


No, you are not. You are getting one 256 for $40. It is a ripoff.

256 for $40 is a rip off? Damn, where do you get your memory? Let me know so i can buy some as soon as the new PBs come out.

[gotohamish]

Originally posted by Backtothemac


Hell yea there is a difference. :D

BackToTheMac - Q. Before all of us here in the UK continue on our aging systems for a minute more, what kinds on International Orders do GC offer? I'm thinking perihperals like input devices and videa cards etc, light stuff, not DP PMs!

I'm sure there's enough UK Mac users on this board (Me included) who are tempted to order from the states (SO much cheaper) but are a little worried about after sales/warranties etc?

H

[TheFink]

Originally posted by dukestreet
All in all, its still a deal and should get many people to consider buying an Apple from Apple. But I'm more curious as to why they're doing it - trying to get rid of stock? Or is it more of a holiday special?

It's the only incentive they can come up with that doesn't end up putting a dent in profits. Ram is the cheapest component of the PC right now, so they figure an incentive that doesn't cost them hardly anything is the way to go. I can't say I blame them.

[madforrit]

Ok, so the memory thing wasn't exactly doing it for me. I'm looking at getting a 1.25 dualie but I need a little help in motivation. I know the 19" display is going to be coming, at the latest by Jan. But now Apple's finally given me something to bite on. I don't know if you all have seen this yet, but Apple's got a new "Power Couple" rebate offer. I haven't read the fine print yet, but it looks like I get $400 back if I buy my 1.25 and ANY display. That means the 17" looks mighty good....
Add in the memory offer (even if it is 2 256 sticks) and that's not a bad deal. I think the two offers can be combined. Not bad...what do you all think?

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/53/wo/j6NSY1mTapFP9WdvBX/0.3.0.3.27.83.0.PowerCouplePromo.0.0.5.0

This offer starts today and ends Dec. 31, which may mean no 19" before Jan. It seemed to come so quietly....

[Multimedia]

What I get out of this new "Power Couple" offer is that Apple has pulled the trigger on wiether to begin selling the next PowerBook refresh before MWSF 2003 and that decision is NO. Bummer for those who were hoping to have GHz portability for Christmas. I hope I'm wrong. Anyone else draw a different conclusion? Could they still sell faster PowerBooks in the face of this offer out there? I don't think so. Do you?

[Backtothemac]

Originally posted by gotohamish


BackToTheMac - Q. Before all of us here in the UK continue on our aging systems for a minute more, what kinds on International Orders do GC offer? I'm thinking perihperals like input devices and videa cards etc, light stuff, not DP PMs!

I'm sure there's enough UK Mac users on this board (Me included) who are tempted to order from the states (SO much cheaper) but are a little worried about after sales/warranties etc?

H

Yea, we can sell accessories. That is not a problem. Just not systems. We cannot export systems at all. That would cost us our reseller license.

[UnixMac]

I dare say, a Britt that wants a high end Mac, say a DP 1.25 or a G4PB would be better off to buy a ticket on Virgin Atlantic and go spend a day in NY, buy their dream rig for 1/2 of UK prices (usery in my opinion) and then ship it back with their luggage and may the ridiculous VAT or what ever else. Based on what I've seen of UK pricing, I'm willing to bet it would be almost a wash between that and buying at your local Mac store (UK that is).

[SilvorX]

the deal is now available up here in canada but upgrading it to half a gig (plus $64 cdn) would equal $3000...a lil too much :( but then again if i bought 2 half gigs of ram, it would cost $600 CDN approx, while the the double ram deal sounds like a better deal...

[Multimedia]

We only have to pay $120 USD for 2700 167 MHz DDR RAM. Are you sure it's as expensive as you think up there? That sound like way too much more Canadian dollars.