I was playing with the MacBooks/Pro at the new Fifth Avenue store and I noticed that they all have 1 gig of RAM installed. I didn't get a chance to play with the desktops so it's possible that they have 1 gig installed as well. Nevertheless, I think this is a bit misleading if you're allowing customers to try one thing, but then selling them something else, especially without acknowledging it. And perhaps more important, if Apple recognizes that 1 gig is a more appropriate entry level for RAM to run their software, then they should really start including it standard.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
1 gig of RAM in all of the notebooks at the Fifth Avenue store
- Thread starter sir42
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
nbs2
macrumors 68030
This is a topic that has been debated on and off since before I joined a couple of years ago. I take some issue with not informing the buyer of the difference before making the sale, or offering to demo a machine without the RAM, but for the following:
1) most users that wouldn't care to check the amount of RAM in the machine aren't going to tax the system enough to notice; those who will tax the machine will probably upgrade anyway (remember that these in store machines are running memory intensive apps).
2) this really isn't any different than going to a car dealer and being shown the top of the line model for a test drive or ordering food at a restaurant after seeing the sample dishes...
1) most users that wouldn't care to check the amount of RAM in the machine aren't going to tax the system enough to notice; those who will tax the machine will probably upgrade anyway (remember that these in store machines are running memory intensive apps).
2) this really isn't any different than going to a car dealer and being shown the top of the line model for a test drive or ordering food at a restaurant after seeing the sample dishes...
shadowmoses
macrumors 68000
I find this to be the case in the Apple Store Regent's street as well, its so the computers run well, when they are demo'd to customers....
If you look around though you can find the odd one with 512mb,
SHadoW
If you look around though you can find the odd one with 512mb,
SHadoW
I've used MacBook Pro's in Apple Bluewater, Kent (UK) that have had anything between 512Mb and 2Gb in the laptops. There was no correlation between processor speed and RAM - the high end laptop didn't have 2Gb in it.
I agree with the original poster. It is misleading. They should at least acknowledge it if they aren't going to make 1GB of RAM standard.
Yeah, all the computers at my apple store (mayfair) have different amounts of RAM. But, it is usually listed on the little pricing sheet next to the system. And to note there isn't anything stopping customers from clicking the "About this mac."
nbs2 said:
When you got the car dealer, although you might drive the highest class of whatever car it is, you are informed because its stickered right on the window when you test drive it. Although the a user can simply just goto the system preferences and check the system, the sign right next to the macbooks say something entirely different. This is misleading customers.
Ordering food at a restaurant after seeing sample isnt a good analogy at all because although they take the time to decorate it nicely, it is not like you pay more or less or gain or lose anything ,when you get your meal.
Misleading!?sir42 said:
uh.... guys.... last i checked apple is a business trying to sell us something. dont most stores put out there best products for customers to use..... it isnt misleading...... come on guys.... some things just arent even worth posting about
California
macrumors 68040
wako said:
It's not misleading. People should know they can max out their computers if they want to. My mom's new G5 iMac is running fine on 512mb, so what? The better analogy is the cars on the showroom floor. They never show the base model car.
it becomes misleading when you have a tag next to the computer that is shows a entirely different spec than what the computer you are testing out really is.
And although people should know, many people do not. This becomes misleading.
And although people should know, many people do not. This becomes misleading.
Misleading or not, it's just a marketing ploy.
A smart move for Apple would be to leave 512mb in their 17" iMacs, 1.83ghz Macbooks, and single-core Mac Minis. They will run alright, but not entirely great.
Then, when an Apple Store employee takes them over to the more expensive, better models (20" iMac, 2.0ghz Macbooks, dual core Minis), they will probably be more likely to "buy up".
I have no idea if this is how they do it, but it would make marketing sense...and would be misleading - but hey, welcome to American business!
A smart move for Apple would be to leave 512mb in their 17" iMacs, 1.83ghz Macbooks, and single-core Mac Minis. They will run alright, but not entirely great.
Then, when an Apple Store employee takes them over to the more expensive, better models (20" iMac, 2.0ghz Macbooks, dual core Minis), they will probably be more likely to "buy up".
I have no idea if this is how they do it, but it would make marketing sense...and would be misleading - but hey, welcome to American business!
Abstract
macrumors Penryn
Oh geez. 🙄
Several years ago, people at MR were complaining that Apple only included 256MB of RAM in their demos, which meant that OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) ran too slow and gave potential switchers the impression that Macs were slow when they really SHOULD be loaded with more RAM so that it runs to potential.
CONCLUSION: They'll never make 100% of the people happy.
Several years ago, people at MR were complaining that Apple only included 256MB of RAM in their demos, which meant that OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) ran too slow and gave potential switchers the impression that Macs were slow when they really SHOULD be loaded with more RAM so that it runs to potential.
CONCLUSION: They'll never make 100% of the people happy.