17" PowerBook's already pre-installed w/ Panther?

sorry if this has been addressed before- it's quite urgent.

i finally <<YAY!>> ordered a brand-new PowerBook 17. can't wait to get it (actually going to have business associate pick it up @ Apple Store).

the last, and only urgent question i have regarding the new PowerBook's is if it already comes w/ Panther. I wouldn't want the hassle of buying a PowerBook w/ Jaguar instead.

wouldn't this also mean that i am purchasing an expensive piece of machine that's been lying in the store for weeks?

if it does turn out to be installed w/ Jaguar, is there a way to return it back to the store and request a Panther-version instead? (i know it's really not too difficult to install Panther onto it instead, but i've heard frightening accounts regarding switching from Jaguar to Panther)

thanks!

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PS. I went to an Apple Store a few days back, and i wanted to see "factory-refurbrished" PowerBooks 17-inch. When they took it out, i almost laughed. the bottom panel wasn't attached to the rest of the powerbook and so half of it was dangling off! (and right before- he was saying "and so our manager inspects each machine and so you basically can't tell...

i'm not joking.

so...

i should be expecting to get Panther w/ my PowerBook if i get it sometime this week (in person)? because it should be in the store right now... (or at least for several days).

hmm... interesting

i paid a visit to my local CompUSA today to check out their PowerBook G4 selection. they had the 12, 15, and 17-inch models out there. i asked the floor salesperson regarding avaliablitity of PowerBooks w/ Panther. he bluntly replied "no". he also said that "all the models here at CompUSA do not feature Panther, but if you want to upgrade, you can pay $29.00 for the new Panther CD).

i was rather surprised, and thought the upgrade cost more than $29.00

they also had the Apple bluetooth wireless mouse (one, and it was already open and in very bad shape).

i don't think i want to shop there, considering they have absolutely no incentives to purchase such pricey equipment there (exactly the same price!)