PowerBook Trade-in Program?

MacRumors · Dec 24, 2003, 05:58 PM

ThinkSecret reports that U.S. owners of the original and "Gigabit Ethernet" G4 PowerBooks will be able to take part in a new pilot trade in program.

According to the rumor site, Apple will be offering $700 trade-in credit for eligible laptops towards a new 15" or 17" PowerBook from Apple.

Eligible laptops need to be in reasonable physical condition, free from LCD or other accidental damage. The program will reportedly be available through AppleCare until March 27, 2004.

beatle888 · 06:08 PM

gigabit? would that be the second gen 667?

if so i thought i'd be able to get more than $700 in resale value.

oh well...this is a good little system.

just checked system profiler, it doesnt tell me if its gigabit or not.
time for me to check the article.

OutThere · Dec 24, 2003, 06:07 PM

I'm not exactly sure I understand what the process is going to be, and why? Anyone care to explain?

Arcady · Dec 24, 2003, 06:08 PM

$700 seems like a decent trade-in value if you have a 400mhz model, but people are getting much more than that for the 500 and 550/667 models on eBay.

Superdrive · Dec 24, 2003, 06:10 PM

I have a 400 mhz G4 just waiting for a 1.33 ghz successor! WooHoo!!

AmigoMac · Dec 24, 2003, 06:14 PM

Help apple to deliver the actual production, and they will give us the PB G5.... good for the giga-owners....

jaykk · Dec 24, 2003, 06:19 PM

I will trade-in my 550Mhz without a doubt if they accept mine, I have to use TiPaint several time to repair the paint issue. I will be happy even if they announce a G5 PB later.

JDOG_ · Dec 24, 2003, 06:22 PM

$700 isn't even really a 1/3rd of the price for a new one...this is more of a marketing ploy than something to benefit the customer. Think about how much they can turn around that money and sell the refurbished one for over a grand. Meh, I'd stick with eBay

avus · Dec 24, 2003, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JDOG_
Think about how much they can turn around that money and sell the refurbished one for over a grand.

Don't be too cynical. Apple isn't in the business of selling two-years old computers - Even if it is, it wouldn't make any money, as the cost of checking the system and repairing any cosmetic damages (remember, we are talking about Ti here) would be really high.

jcw · Dec 24, 2003, 06:33 PM

good way to recover PB's which run OS9

VicMacs · Dec 24, 2003, 06:59 PM

what they should do is buy all the pb g3s hehe i sold a 550 pb for 1200 dollars in august just before the Al PBs came out... just threw in a 80 dollar cd-r and the guy was happy as a clam

and so was I!

now for the 400 model... well 700 NOW is not so bad..

back to the g3 pb.. there are a lot of those around! if they offered 200 for an ipod sale now there we'd have something...

dreeeeaam dream dream dream dream dreaaaaaaam

DTphonehome · Dec 24, 2003, 07:02 PM

On ebay it seems that the average 667mhz DVI PB is going for less than a grand. Most of the ones that go for more have extras included (like high-end software packages). If I got 700 bucks for my 667 DVI, no questions asked, straight from Apple, I might do it. Not that I need a new laptop anyway, I was hoping to hold out for the G5 PB, whenever it may come. OF course, I'll get peanuts for my PB then.

--DT

rdowns · Dec 24, 2003, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JDOG_
$700 isn't even really a 1/3rd of the price for a new one...this is more of a marketing ploy than something to benefit the customer. Think about how much they can turn around that money and sell the refurbished one for over a grand. Meh, I'd stick with eBay

A hell of a lot easier to just send it to Apple then deal with the crap on America's Garage Sale.

rdowns · Dec 24, 2003, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jaykk
I will trade-in my 550Mhz without a doubt if they accept mine, I have to use TiPaint several time to repair the paint issue. I will be happy even if they announce a G5 PB later.

Apple confirmed that US-based owners of the original and "Gigabit Ethernet" G4 PowerBooks will be able to participate in the upgrade program through March 27, 2004.

Seems to me this confirms no PB G5s until April at the earliest.

york2600 · Dec 24, 2003, 07:10 PM

Not that it makes a huge difference, but take into account that selling things on eBay isn't free. This comes from the guy with the $150 eBay bill.

centauratlas · 07:13 PM

Macintouch reported/discussed this on Monday so I am not really sure why ThinkSecret is saying "Exclusive". There was some discussion of it both Monday and Tuesday this week (and perhaps last Friday even).

:-)

p.s. I don't see the link for it, but will post it when I find it.

centauratlas · Dec 24, 2003, 07:16 PM

This is what they said Tuesday, and had a similar bit on Monday:
-------
From Dec 23, 2003 Macintouch:
MacInTouch readers reported an Apple PowerBook G4 upgrade program, running through March 27, 2004, said to offer a credit to original PowerBook G4 owners in the U.S. on an upgrade to the current 15" or 17" PowerBook G4 models, and said customers should contact Apple at 800-275-2273 for details. (PowerBooks that have been damaged are not eligible.)

[John Romadka] I spoke to a product specialist at Apple and they said they would give customers who have the original Powerbook G4 and the 1Ghz Powerbook G4 $700 towards the purchase of a new one.
_ Not sure why they would bother since you could get much more for it selling it outright on eBay.

ZildjianKX · Dec 24, 2003, 07:54 PM

If this is true, we know when the next powerbooks are coming out... the week after this offer ends

If this really is true, they're probably trying to kill their overstock of PBs.

ITR 81 · Dec 24, 2003, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JDOG_
$700 isn't even really a 1/3rd of the price for a new one...this is more of a marketing ploy than something to benefit the customer. Think about how much they can turn around that money and sell the refurbished one for over a grand. Meh, I'd stick with eBay

Yeah, and get about the same amount once you figure in Ebays percentage, Paypals percentage and then shipping charges.

If I had an older PB I would def. go this route. $700 off is more then I can get now with my edu. account...so this is hell of alot better deal then most.

Apple will probably just end up recycling these old PB's to make back a few bucks.
According to MacAddict you can get $2.00 for your 12-15inch PB and $2.50 for the 17incher. So Apple could make maybe $2.00 bucks off each of the PB's it gets in return.

ITR 81 · Dec 24, 2003, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZildjianKX
If this is true, we know when the next powerbooks are coming out... the week after this offer ends

If this really is true, they're probably trying to kill their overstock of PBs.

Yep the end of March or in April.
I say it's better then having to wait till Oct. or Nov. for a G5 PB.

idkew · 08:27 PM

Even with the 3% you would lose to eBay and PayPal, this is no deal at all. A 500mhz version will fetch over $700, after fees, very easily. Besides, any upgrades added to the machine are nullified (RAM, HD, Extra Batteries and Power Adapters...)

667's on eBay.

500's on eBay.

The only case I could see this being benefecial to the consumer is that if the said powerbook is in poor cosmetic condition, thereby reducing its value.

rickvanr · Dec 24, 2003, 08:41 PM

off topic, but i have to ask
i have a pb 1ghz superdrive

when i put in a cd sometimes the thing vibrates like crazy, does anyone else experience this or is it normal?

Grimace · Dec 24, 2003, 09:11 PM

true, if you know how to advertise on Ebay well, and you have a good product, you get get for more than $700- even after ebay and paypal fees.

My question is why they would do this only until March? Is this a one time deal or could it be ongoing - or make its way to imacs, emacs?

Grimace · Dec 24, 2003, 09:12 PM

rickvanr,

that is normal - the whirring sound. It may get really noisy, but as long as everything works okay - nothing to be worried about.

wtmcgee · Dec 24, 2003, 09:32 PM

you'd think they would have a price scale for the models.

Dec 24, 2003, 05:58 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	PowerBook Trade-in Program? ThinkSecret reports that U.S. owners of the original and "Gigabit Ethernet" G4 PowerBooks will be able to take part in a new pilot trade in program. According to the rumor site, Apple will be offering $700 trade-in credit for eligible laptops towards a new 15" or 17" PowerBook from Apple. Eligible laptops need to be in reasonable physical condition, free from LCD or other accidental damage. The program will reportedly be available through AppleCare until March 27, 2004.

Dec 24, 2003, 06:03 PM	#2
beatle888 Banned Join Date: Feb 2002	gigabit? would that be the second gen 667? if so i thought i'd be able to get more than $700 in resale value. oh well...this is a good little system. just checked system profiler, it doesnt tell me if its gigabit or not. time for me to check the article. Last edited by beatle888 : Dec 24, 2003 at 06:08 PM.

Dec 24, 2003, 06:07 PM	#3
OutThere macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: the good life	I'm not exactly sure I understand what the process is going to be, and why? Anyone care to explain? __________________ puisqu'on est jeune et con, puisqu'ils sont vieux et fous. . .

Dec 24, 2003, 06:14 PM	#6
AmigoMac macrumors 68020 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: l'Allemagne	Seem to be a good deal... Help apple to deliver the actual production, and they will give us the PB G5.... good for the giga-owners....

Dec 24, 2003, 06:59 PM	#11
VicMacs macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Dominican Republic	underpriced what they should do is buy all the pb g3s hehe i sold a 550 pb for 1200 dollars in august just before the Al PBs came out... just threw in a 80 dollar cd-r and the guy was happy as a clam and so was I! now for the 400 model... well 700 NOW is not so bad.. back to the g3 pb.. there are a lot of those around! if they offered 200 for an ipod sale now there we'd have something... dreeeeaam dream dream dream dream dreaaaaaaam __________________ @ MacWorld

Dec 24, 2003, 06:08 PM	#4
Arcady macrumors regular Join Date: May 2002 Location: Dallas, TX	$700 seems like a decent trade-in value if you have a 400mhz model, but people are getting much more than that for the 500 and 550/667 models on eBay.

Dec 24, 2003, 06:10 PM	#5
Superdrive macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN	I have a 400 mhz G4 just waiting for a 1.33 ghz successor! WooHoo!!

Dec 24, 2003, 06:19 PM	#7
jaykk macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Chandler, AZ	I will trade-in my 550Mhz without a doubt if they accept mine, I have to use TiPaint several time to repair the paint issue. I will be happy even if they announce a G5 PB later.

Dec 24, 2003, 06:22 PM	#8
JDOG_ macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oakland	$700 isn't even really a 1/3rd of the price for a new one...this is more of a marketing ploy than something to benefit the customer. Think about how much they can turn around that money and sell the refurbished one for over a grand. Meh, I'd stick with eBay

Dec 24, 2003, 06:33 PM	#10
jcw macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2003	good way to recover PB's which run OS9

Dec 24, 2003, 07:02 PM	#12
DTphonehome macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NYC	Price is right? On ebay it seems that the average 667mhz DVI PB is going for less than a grand. Most of the ones that go for more have extras included (like high-end software packages). If I got 700 bucks for my 667 DVI, no questions asked, straight from Apple, I might do it. Not that I need a new laptop anyway, I was hoping to hold out for the G5 PB, whenever it may come. OF course, I'll get peanuts for my PB then. --DT

Dec 24, 2003, 07:10 PM	#15
york2600 macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Antarctica & Portland, OR	Not that it makes a huge difference, but take into account that selling things on eBay isn't free. This comes from the guy with the $150 eBay bill.

Dec 24, 2003, 07:10 PM	#16
centauratlas macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Florida	Macintouch had this Monday. Macintouch reported/discussed this on Monday so I am not really sure why ThinkSecret is saying "Exclusive". There was some discussion of it both Monday and Tuesday this week (and perhaps last Friday even). :-) p.s. I don't see the link for it, but will post it when I find it. Last edited by centauratlas : Dec 24, 2003 at 07:13 PM.

Dec 24, 2003, 07:16 PM	#17
centauratlas macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Florida	Re: Macintouch had this Monday. This is what they said Tuesday, and had a similar bit on Monday: ------- From Dec 23, 2003 Macintouch: MacInTouch readers reported an Apple PowerBook G4 upgrade program, running through March 27, 2004, said to offer a credit to original PowerBook G4 owners in the U.S. on an upgrade to the current 15" or 17" PowerBook G4 models, and said customers should contact Apple at 800-275-2273 for details. (PowerBooks that have been damaged are not eligible.) [John Romadka] I spoke to a product specialist at Apple and they said they would give customers who have the original Powerbook G4 and the 1Ghz Powerbook G4 $700 towards the purchase of a new one. _ Not sure why they would bother since you could get much more for it selling it outright on eBay.

Dec 24, 2003, 07:54 PM	#18
ZildjianKX Guest Join Date: May 2003	If this is true, we know when the next powerbooks are coming out... the week after this offer ends If this really is true, they're probably trying to kill their overstock of PBs.

Dec 24, 2003, 08:24 PM	#21
idkew macrumors 68020 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: where the concrete to dirt ratio is better	Not a deal Even with the 3% you would lose to eBay and PayPal, this is no deal at all. A 500mhz version will fetch over $700, after fees, very easily. Besides, any upgrades added to the machine are nullified (RAM, HD, Extra Batteries and Power Adapters...) 667's on eBay. 500's on eBay. The only case I could see this being benefecial to the consumer is that if the said powerbook is in poor cosmetic condition, thereby reducing its value. Last edited by idkew : Dec 24, 2003 at 08:27 PM.

Dec 24, 2003, 08:41 PM	#22
rickvanr macrumors 68030 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Brockville	off topic, but i have to ask i have a pb 1ghz superdrive when i put in a cd sometimes the thing vibrates like crazy, does anyone else experience this or is it normal? __________________ rickdiculous.. mr nike+ < o >

Dec 24, 2003, 09:11 PM	#23
Grimace Contributor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: with Hamburglar.	true, if you know how to advertise on Ebay well, and you have a good product, you get get for more than $700- even after ebay and paypal fees. My question is why they would do this only until March? Is this a one time deal or could it be ongoing - or make its way to imacs, emacs? __________________ Canon 1Ds Mk III • Canon 5D MkII 16-35mm f/2.8L II • 24-70mm f/2.8L • 70-200mm f/2.8L IS 50mm f/1.2L • 85mm f/1.2L • 135mm f/2L • 300mm f/2.8L IS

Dec 24, 2003, 09:12 PM	#24
Grimace Contributor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: with Hamburglar.	rickvanr, that is normal - the whirring sound. It may get really noisy, but as long as everything works okay - nothing to be worried about. __________________ Canon 1Ds Mk III • Canon 5D MkII 16-35mm f/2.8L II • 24-70mm f/2.8L • 70-200mm f/2.8L IS 50mm f/1.2L • 85mm f/1.2L • 135mm f/2L • 300mm f/2.8L IS

Dec 24, 2003, 09:32 PM	#25
wtmcgee macrumors regular Join Date: May 2003 Location: Orlando	you'd think they would have a price scale for the models.

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