Apple lowered the prices of Mac Mini upgrades! and now 8x Superdrive!

Superhob · Jan 25, 2005, 11:58 AM

I just noticed these price drops on the edu pricing of the mac mini:

Bluetooth and AE combo was $116. Now it's $89

The 1 gb ram was $382. Now $292

NOW this is weird. The superdrive upgrade is now for an 8x and at $90. The tech specs page says 4x and I'm pretty sure all the original minis had 4x drives in them. This is sure to make many early adopters very angry......

Those were the only ones I noted as I've been on the fence as to which system to buy.

io_burn · Jan 25, 2005, 11:59 AM

You've got to be kidding me.

wordmunger · Jan 25, 2005, 12:04 PM

Looks like those discounts are reflected in regular pricing as well. The price of being an early adopter, I suppose. I suppose if you've already ordered, you could cancel and get back at the end of the line with the cheaper/better add-ons.

Peyote · 12:07 PM

Also the HDD upgrade is $50....I thought it used to be $90! Am I wrong there?

The 8X superdrive is listed in the regular BTO area for the mini, not just the EDU.

The 1GB upgrade is now $325

wordmunger · Jan 25, 2005, 12:08 PM

I wonder if this is a sign of things to come for Apple -- really making these things commodity machines, changing prices/specs as the market changes. Instead of waiting 6 months for upgrades, they could happen every couple of weeks.

eduo · Jan 25, 2005, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wordmunger

I wonder if this is a sign of things to come for Apple -- really making these things commodity machines, changing prices/specs as the market changes. Instead of waiting 6 months for upgrades, they could happen every couple of weeks.

What I am is worried that people will take pause now and decide to wait to see if it drops even lower, which could mean impulse buys are lost and as bottom line of sold minis drops the model is either dropped or cut in specs to fit the new lower price.

I don't know. I don't think it's really a good thing that they dropped price so soon, if you ask me, which you didn't.

Eduo

jaw04005 · Jan 25, 2005, 01:23 PM

I just spoke to a sales rep at the Apple Store to see about getting a refund for $27. He said they are aware of the issue, and are waiting for upper management to initiate a response.. and that he would call me back later today or tommorow morning with an answer.

They are going to a problem on their hands, when the mini customers realize the price dropped within a week of shipment.

Chip NoVaMac · Jan 25, 2005, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eduo

What I am is worried that people will take pause now and decide to wait to see if it drops even lower, which could mean impulse buys are lost and as bottom line of sold minis drops the model is either dropped or cut in specs to fit the new lower price.

I don't know. I don't think it's really a good thing that they dropped price so soon, if you ask me, which you didn't.

Eduo

I don't think that will happen. There are many of us that would like to think of ourselves as savvy shoppers, that are rethinking of our plans to wait. Simply because we know what goes down in retail can go up.

Since this seems to be the first time Apple has done something like this, it is possible that they are testing the waters for dynamic pricing.

Chip NoVaMac · Jan 25, 2005, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wordmunger

I wonder if this is a sign of things to come for Apple -- really making these things commodity machines, changing prices/specs as the market changes. Instead of waiting 6 months for upgrades, they could happen every couple of weeks.

Could be, but it could also be a signal that Apple is boosting production on it, and is wanting to make an even bigger splash.

mstecker · Jan 26, 2005, 04:33 PM

I placed a Day 1 order for a BTO Mac mini, and would have saved a couple of bucks on these lowered prices. I called customer service this morning, and they were very nice and immediately credited the price difference back to my account.

jsw · Jan 25, 2005, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peyote

Also the HDD upgrade is $50....I thought it used to be $90! Am I wrong there?

I'm pretty sure it was always $50. At least, it has been for some time.

tubedogg · Jan 25, 2005, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsw

I'm pretty sure it was always $50.

It was at least $75 for regular BTO because I briefly considered it when it first was up for preorder.

Peyote · Jan 25, 2005, 12:17 PM

I am so psyched about the 8X superdrive...I was going to buy my mini through MacConnection since they don't charge sales tax in TX and I can get the config I want (1.25Ghz, Superdrive). Now I will be ordering through Apple.com for sure. That slow superdrive was one thing I really wished was different when they were first announced. I'm glad I had to wait to order...I'll be placing my order for a mini with the following specs tonight:

1.25 Ghz
8x Superdrive
256 MB
40 GB
Apple Keyboard & Mouse

I'll also be ordering a 1 GB module from one of these vendors:

http://dealram.com/prices/23/1GB.html

auxplage · Jan 25, 2005, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peyote

Also the HDD upgrade is $50....I thought it used to be $90! Am I wrong there?

The 8X superdrive is listed in the regular BTO area for the mini, not just the EDU.

The 1GB upgrade is now $325

Yeah, I just went to the Apple Store online as well, and all of this is true. Airport Express and Bluetooth together as a BTO is only $99 also! Individually they are the same price $79 and $50 but together cheaper. Who knows where this came from?

maxterpiece · 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superhob

I just noticed these price drops on the edu pricing of the mac mini:

Bluetooth and AE combo was $116. Now it's $89

The 1 gb ram was $382. Now $292

NOW this is weird. The superdrive upgrade is now for an 8x and at $90. The tech specs page says 4x and I'm pretty sure all the original minis had 4x drives in them. This is sure to make many early adopters very angry......

Those were the only ones I noted as I've been on the fence as to which system to buy.

I'm guessing it has something to do with supply problems for the superdrive increase in speed. As far as the price drops go, I'm not sure why the big EDU drops and no drops in regular pricing. Maybe it's because they are cancelling the eMac and they want to make sure the mac mini is an equal or better value for education customers than the emac was/is.

maxterpiece · Jan 25, 2005, 12:18 PM

I think this thread could be moved to the front page, no? It's not a huge upgrade, but it's definitely interesting that apple has dropped prices for this stuff so quickly and it is fun to speculate as to why.

ravenvii · Jan 25, 2005, 12:29 PM

Wow... Apple is really making this hard for me... the mini is more and more of a GREAT deal, and winning more and more ground over the single 1.8 G5 PowerMac in my mind. I just might break down and buy the mini soon.

Mudbug · Jan 25, 2005, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxterpiece

I think this thread could be moved to the front page, no? It's not a huge upgrade, but it's definitely interesting that apple has dropped prices for this stuff so quickly and it is fun to speculate as to why.

just put it there.
Good catch

Peyote · 12:50 PM

Gotta love 'Apple Update' Tuesdays

Now I'm wondering what other updates we might see today....Powerbook maybe?

Mord · Jan 25, 2005, 12:53 PM

bring on the bitching about no powerbook's

the imac g5 and the powerbook/ibook optical drives will surely be 8X from now on like what they did with the powermac when the emac got an 8x superdrive

Savage Henry · Jan 25, 2005, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hector

bring on the bitching about no powerbook's

Ha! I hope it does come ... I love that ol' gem!!

Quote:

the imac g5 and the powerbook/ibook optical drives will surely be 8X from now on like what they did with the powermac when the emac got an 8x superdrive

ImacG5 ... now THATs an update I'm waiting for. This price drop could be the trickling before a general alignment in the product range.

Chip NoVaMac · Jan 25, 2005, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hector

bring on the bitching about no powerbook's

the imac g5 and the powerbook/ibook optical drives will surely be 8X from now on like what they did with the powermac when the emac got an 8x superdrive

Could be that given the relatively low costs for the dual layer DVDRs, that the next updates to the "higher end" models may have them as well. It would provide a reason for those looking at the Mac mini to truly consider moving up.

rhpenguin · Jan 25, 2005, 12:55 PM

maybe this little bump really means the end of the eMac? this brings the mini on par with what was the eMac.

24C · Jan 25, 2005, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhpenguin

maybe this little bump really means the end of the eMac? this brings the mini on par with what was the eMac.

All it will take is a cheaper 17" screen, keyboard bundle to compete in existing eMac territory...now if the Mac mini was really easy to 'simple user' upgrade, wouldn't it be nice to get an add on wireless keyboard/ mouse/ BT & extreme package all bundled in a sweet box...one for each arm

It's a bit like you've bought the pants... fancy a nice jacket and tie sir?

pashazade · Jan 25, 2005, 01:03 PM

No changes on the UK Store

Hopefully this will change too at some point.

Jan 25, 2005, 11:58 AM	#1
Superhob macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2004	Apple lowered the prices of Mac Mini upgrades! and now 8x Superdrive! I just noticed these price drops on the edu pricing of the mac mini: Bluetooth and AE combo was $116. Now it's $89 The 1 gb ram was $382. Now $292 NOW this is weird. The superdrive upgrade is now for an 8x and at $90. The tech specs page says 4x and I'm pretty sure all the original minis had 4x drives in them. This is sure to make many early adopters very angry...... Those were the only ones I noted as I've been on the fence as to which system to buy.

Jan 25, 2005, 12:04 PM	#3
wordmunger macrumors 601 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina	Looks like those discounts are reflected in regular pricing as well. The price of being an early adopter, I suppose. I suppose if you've already ordered, you could cancel and get back at the end of the line with the cheaper/better add-ons. __________________ ResearchBlogging.org Cognitive Daily

Jan 25, 2005, 12:05 PM	#4
Peyote macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2002	Also the HDD upgrade is $50....I thought it used to be $90! Am I wrong there? The 8X superdrive is listed in the regular BTO area for the mini, not just the EDU. The 1GB upgrade is now $325 Last edited by Peyote : Jan 25, 2005 at 12:07 PM.

Jan 25, 2005, 12:08 PM	#5
wordmunger macrumors 601 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina	I wonder if this is a sign of things to come for Apple -- really making these things commodity machines, changing prices/specs as the market changes. Instead of waiting 6 months for upgrades, they could happen every couple of weeks. __________________ ResearchBlogging.org Cognitive Daily

Jan 26, 2005, 04:33 PM	#10
mstecker macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Philadelphia	Get your money back I placed a Day 1 order for a BTO Mac mini, and would have saved a couple of bucks on these lowered prices. I called customer service this morning, and they were very nice and immediately credited the price difference back to my account.

Jan 25, 2005, 11:59 AM	#2
io_burn macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Naperville, IL	You've got to be kidding me.

Jan 25, 2005, 01:23 PM	#7
jaw04005 macrumors 68030 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: AR	I just spoke to a sales rep at the Apple Store to see about getting a refund for $27. He said they are aware of the issue, and are waiting for upper management to initiate a response.. and that he would call me back later today or tommorow morning with an answer. They are going to a problem on their hands, when the mini customers realize the price dropped within a week of shipment.

Jan 25, 2005, 12:17 PM	#13
Peyote macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2002	I am so psyched about the 8X superdrive...I was going to buy my mini through MacConnection since they don't charge sales tax in TX and I can get the config I want (1.25Ghz, Superdrive). Now I will be ordering through Apple.com for sure. That slow superdrive was one thing I really wished was different when they were first announced. I'm glad I had to wait to order...I'll be placing my order for a mini with the following specs tonight: 1.25 Ghz 8x Superdrive 256 MB 40 GB Apple Keyboard & Mouse I'll also be ordering a 1 GB module from one of these vendors: http://dealram.com/prices/23/1GB.html

Jan 25, 2005, 12:18 PM	#16
maxterpiece macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2003	I think this thread could be moved to the front page, no? It's not a huge upgrade, but it's definitely interesting that apple has dropped prices for this stuff so quickly and it is fun to speculate as to why. __________________ Fiction Weekly

Jan 25, 2005, 12:29 PM	#17
ravenvii macrumors 68040 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Melenkurion Skyweir	Wow... Apple is really making this hard for me... the mini is more and more of a GREAT deal, and winning more and more ground over the single 1.8 G5 PowerMac in my mind. I just might break down and buy the mini soon. __________________ You spoony bard!

Jan 25, 2005, 12:46 PM	#19
Peyote macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2002	Gotta love 'Apple Update' Tuesdays Now I'm wondering what other updates we might see today....Powerbook maybe? Last edited by Peyote : Jan 25, 2005 at 12:50 PM.

Jan 25, 2005, 12:53 PM	#20
Mord macrumors 601 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: People's Republic of Yorkshire	bring on the bitching about no powerbook's the imac g5 and the powerbook/ibook optical drives will surely be 8X from now on like what they did with the powermac when the emac got an 8x superdrive __________________ Consider the lily.

Jan 25, 2005, 12:55 PM	#23
rhpenguin macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: London, Ontario	maybe this little bump really means the end of the eMac? this brings the mini on par with what was the eMac. __________________ Hacintosh >>Gigabyte EP45-UD3P>C2D E6600@3.8GHz>8800GTS 640MB>8GB RAM>4TB HDD>2x BD-R>OSX 10.5 I don't do piracy. I do support breaking EULAs.

Jan 25, 2005, 01:03 PM	#25
pashazade macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Richmond, London, UK	No changes on the UK Store Hopefully this will change too at some point.

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