Mac OS X Server Free with Mac Pro?

[MacRumors]

With the release of the new Mac Pro, it appears that Apple UK Store is offering Mac OS X 10.4 Server (10-Client) for free with the purchase of a new Mac Pro.


The Mac OS X Server software typically costs £349 for the 10-Client version at the UK Store, while the Unlimited-Client typically costs £699. On the Mac Pro order form, however, the OS X Server 10-Client is a free upgrade, with the Unlimited Client discounted to £349.

In fact, this discounted option is reflected in all of the European stores, but U.S/Canada customers still have to pay full retail price.

Since there has been no official announcement of this "deal", it remains possible this may be an error on Apple's website.

[[ digg this ]]

[dartzorichalcos]

I would say it's a error. There is no way Mac OS X Server could be for free.

[Howmanoid]

This is totally sweet! Wish they'd offer server up at a discount for those of us who already sprung for the Mac Pro...

[i4k20c]

It's a shame they didn't do this earlier.

[coumerelli]

I like it. I'd like to do some domain type stuff in my house. But I really don't want to have to BUY server for it. Maybe Apple just wants to make Server more accesable for IT admins who want to fool around with it. If I'm using it personally and am rather comfortable using it -- it's more likely that I'll recommend it for the office/company I work for/with -- and throw in a purchase of an XServe/XRAID to boot. I think it's smart.

[Eidorian]

Someone buy it now!

[guzhogi]

Would be nice if this was true & US customers got the same deal. I work in an elementary school district and only use Macs. This can help save us money. While we already get a discount for this for being aschool, it's not that much of a discount.

I kinda like Mac OS X Server. Makes administering users and stuff like that easier. However, Remote Desktop is a little too "Big Brother"-ish for me.

[Max Payne]

Finally some consideration of European users. I feel bad for other consumers. But still I'm sure the european version was originally three quarters more expensive than the american equivalent.

[killmoms]

Originally Posted by guzhogi

I kinda like Mac OS X Server. Makes administering users and stuff like that easier. However, Remote Desktop is a little too "Big Brother"-ish for me.

What do you care if you're Big Brother?

[Mgkwho]

I would think half the IT industry would fail if it weren't for remote desktop.

-=|Mgkwho

[koobcamuk]

Legally, if we were to buy this - Apple can't turn around and say "it was a mistake" because we have it in black and white and it would be on all payment and order forms.

Weird. Lots of mistakes at the website recently.

[guzhogi]

Originally Posted by killmoms

What do you care if you're Big Brother?

I see your point, but I just don't like how I can invade people's privacy. (I have a big conscience, okay?) Besides, the higher-up techs in the district can still do it to me.

[moutian]

Free stuff is always good.

[Highland]

Originally Posted by guzhogi

I see your point, but I just don't like how I can invade people's privacy. (I have a big conscience, okay?) Besides, the higher-up techs in the district can still do it to me.

Well, like a lot of features, it has to be turned on to work (turned on for the CLIENT). And there's plenty of Remote Desktop uses that don't include invasion of privacy, like logging in to control a server.

I ordered a Mac Pro in Aus yesterday... didn't see the option

[tibbon]

I'm SURE that Apple has a line in their legal stuff that says something like, "We are not reponsibile for misprintings of product pricing, etc..."

But being a good company, they will likely honor it until they fix it.

Either that or it's in an attempt to get people to pay for an upgrade to 10.5 Server instead of to just 10.5. You don't realize how badly you need the features until you start using them.

Apple Remote Desktop is great! I often use it to control my desktop (which is in my studio) when I'm around the house. I can set an intensive program to start doing something, or do something like turn off iTunes in case I forgot earlier and don't want to go to my studio. Very nice.

I also use it so that I can often have my iBook controlling my desktop when I'm using Logic so that I can have the laptop on the piano or near the drums, and record myself better. Works for me!

[brooker]

Originally Posted by Macrumors

... so readers should order at their own risk.

By that do you mean, "Order Now!!"

seriously... someone do it! oh, how i hope they offer that in the US stores soon...

:fingerscrossed: don'tbeamistakedon'tbeamistakedon'tbeamistake.....

[Will_reed]

This sounds like a mistake if the US store doesn't have this.

If your european and want a mac pro maybe now is the time to buy one fast quickly before they switch it off.

[portent]

Gotta be a mistake. (Or maybe they're giving Tiger Server away, because Leopard server's coming soon?)

I would love to play with Server, though.

Originally Posted by guzhogi

I see your point, but I just don't like how I can invade people's privacy. (I have a big conscience, okay?) Besides, the higher-up techs in the district can still do it to me.

Many IT departments have access to all sorts of private information. Payroll records, performance reviews, salary info, personal files or emails, passwords...if your IT guys aren't trustworthy, then you've got bigger problems than what's on your screen.

[j_maddison]

Originally Posted by tibbon

I'm SURE that Apple has a line in their legal stuff that says something like, "We are not reponsibile for misprintings of product pricing, etc..."

It doesn't matter what they have in their small print, they are still subject to UK law when they sell a product or service here. So if they advertise it as a certain price, and it's bought at that price, then they can't legally charge you retrospectively.

So anyone buying a macpro with a 10 client server pack in the UK wont be charged for it, providing the discount remains at the checkout point on the Apple store.

Jay

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by dartzorichalcos

I would say it's a error. There is no way Mac OS X Server could be for free.

It's not free, you have to buy a very expensive computer to get it.

[wildmac]

Its not offered that way on the Apple developer pages, so it sounds like it is a mistake. If they were trying to clear it out before Lepoard, they would be giving it to developers too.....

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by guzhogi

I see your point, but I just don't like how I can invade people's privacy. (I have a big conscience, okay?) Besides, the higher-up techs in the district can still do it to me.

It's not enabled by default, if it's your computer then it's not turned on unless you set it otherwise. As with pretty much any technology, there is the good and the bad, in this case, I don't think it makes sense to reject the good because of the potential for misuse. No body is telling you to invade anyone's privacy. If you have the right to maintain that computer, then there is likely no privacy to be invaded, any more than you could use that admin power to rifle through the user's files.

It's basically an enhanced VNC. I use VNC to maintain several computers and it saves me a lot of hassle and time.

[Peace]

Originally Posted by wildmac

Its not offered that way on the Apple developer pages, so it sounds like it is a mistake. If they were trying to clear it out before Lepoard, they would be giving it to developers too.....

Not sure what level developer you are but Select and Premier members get OS X Server for free.

[matticus008]

Originally Posted by koobcamuk

Legally, if we were to buy this - Apple can't turn around and say "it was a mistake" because we have it in black and white and it would be on all payment and order forms.

They're not responsible for technical or typographical errors, even in the UK. Since you are not billed immediately at invoice, Apple can suspend the order, correct the amount, and contact you. You will be given the option to pay the correct price or cancel your order without penalty.

Originally Posted by j_maddison

It doesn't matter what they have in their small print, they are still subject to UK law when they sell a product or service here. So if they advertise it as a certain price, and it's bought at that price, then they can't legally charge you retrospectively.

Correct. But since you will not be charged (authorization is not a charge) until the product ships, they have the opportunity to correct the error, if it is an error. They are not obligated to deliver the product at that price unless your card has been charged or your account debited.

If your Mac Pro ships before they realize the mistake, you're home free with OS X Server for no additional charge. However, if this is a mistake, Apple will likely correct it within 24 hours, before anyone gets a free copy.

[G4DP]

I don't know where you work, but if something is sold at a specific point. The company cannot change the price after the order has been placed.

If it is advertised as being free, Apple have to give it as advertised. If not this is false advertising and they would end up in court.

Anyway, I have taken an order all the way through to final checkout and it remain free for the 10 client server.