brand new MBAir - old OS X

my wife just took delivery of a brand new 13" MBAir purchased direct from AppleStore Online (Australia) and upon startup it has only Mountain Lion and old iWork, iLife, etc and not 10.9 Mavericks + associated new iPhoto, iWork.

when queried, Apple said no it's not old stock but new Macs do not come with Mavericks as many people prefer ML.
I can download all for free.
I responded, that's not the point especially if I'm at my bandwidth limit until next month.
in all my years of buying Macs, I've never come across this before, especial when a new OS has been out for a month.
I reckon they've given me 'old' stock

is this normal or are they trying to pull the wool over me??

rechecked Apple Store - new machines advertised as coming with Mavericks and all the new apps.
called again and got a different consultant.
He offered to exchange or alternatively $100 refund on purchase.
took the latter and will d'load Mav and associated software myself.

apparently this Mac was manufactured in Szechuan (?) on 9 November, shipped to Syd and then purchased by me on the 14th, delivered on 15th.
super slick supply chain! - but feedback from me and quite a few others will cause Apple to go to manufacturing plant and correct the error.

ends well

mbdownunder said:

Personally, I think Apple is too generous sometimes. $100 refund just because you had to download and install some software updates? Yes, the online store advertises Mavericks, but it also says:

"If you buy a new Mac that does not come preloaded with OS X Mavericks, Pages, Numbers and Keynote, please visit the following links to learn how to get them for free"

So the possibility of this scenario was presented to you. Anyway, Apple is a big company and it's a win for you, so I guess it doesn't really matter.

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when one's reached the bandwidth limit for the month and ISP charges $10 per excess GB, then to download 5.6GB Mavericks, 1.2GB iPhoto, iMovie and new iWork, it becomes a rather expensive exercise.

you quote correctly, yet the specs for new Macs across the board in the Store declares that these machines come preloaded with Mavericks and associated software.
for Macs manufactured pre- or near to Mavericks release date, I can understand but for a Mac made just last week when Mavericks was released the best part of a month ago … …

akadmon said:

Um, you couldn't bear to wait a couple of weeks?

There really aren't any must have features in MV (one of the reasons it's free). If you had done your research, you'd have come to this conclusion yourself and spared yourself getting hot under the collar. Good for you that you scored a $100 "appeasement credit" for your troubles. I think the whole thing is silly.

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well, amen.
200 new features apparently.

and by the way, I didn't get hot under the collar, I just called Apple with a legitimate concern and they addressed it.
you may think 'the whole thing silly' and I guess I'm entitled to your opinion.

in 18 years of purchasing and owning Macs, this was the first time I've ever come across this issue.
to me, it borders on false advertising, with the only rider begin that Mavericks and associated software is a free update if your Mac doesn't come with it.
I repeat - according to the consultant that this Air was assembled on 9 November and he was surprised that it didn't come pre-loaded because according to his info with that serial number, it is listed as having Mavericks, etc, pre-installed as well as new iWork, iLife, etc.

anyway, it's all solved and I'll update when my bandwidth ticks over to the new month - not all of us have super high speed broadband with unlimited downloads.
beyond that, my wife is very happy to have a $100 discount on her new Air.
perhaps others in the same position can receive the same - a public service to Mac buyers, etc

qawsed said:

Can you not get proper broadband where you live?

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yes - ADSL 1 - but limited download allowance per month.
may have to increase data allowance on my plan … …