Tiger Release Date?

[MacRumors]

Several sites are reporting that Amazon is listing a release date of March 31, 2005 for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger).

Amazon has frequently posted unofficial release dates on pre-release items, and this likely does not represent any inside knowledge.

Apple first announced Tiger at WWDC 2004 and stated that it would be released in the first half of 2005.

[dizastor]

can't wait to shell out another $129 to help Apple's profit margins.

[mattster16]

I can't wait! Actually Panther is working fine for me, but some of the features sound interesting. ($129 interesting? not sure yet.) But go Apple!

[zelmo]

I bet they just picked a date (which happens to fall smack dab in the middle of Apples 1H2005 target) to put on the product so they begin taking pre-orders. Most people aren't going to order it without a release date.

[Toeknee]

Hmm time to renew the Apple OS Subscription. I'll keep paying it as long as the OS keeps kicking ass!

[Macaddicttt]

I don't think that the release date is real (Amazon usually isn't right for these sorts of things), but that sounds like a nice release date. With a little luck, Apple's real release date will be that or earlier.

And shouldn't this be Page 2? Amazon posting a release date before Apple doesn't sound like a real solid rumor.

[jimsowden]

Another retread of a post from days ago on Macrumors.
2 Days ago!
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthre...=tiger+release

[arn]

Originally Posted by jimsowden

Another retread of a post from days ago on Macrumors.
2 Days ago!
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthre...=tiger+release

yeah... was submitted a few days ago, but not posted since it seemed inaccurate. Posted now because other sites have picked up on it and reporting it as truth.

arn

[johnnyjibbs]

That date must just have been plucked out of thin air by Amazon. Can't imagine Apple would be too please though - it could potentially prevent people from buying Macs in February and early March, as people will not want to shell out for a computer knowing that a new OS costing $129 will be imminent.

[nesbitt_a]

On a Wednesday??!

[Poff]

Originally Posted by johnnyjibbs

That date must just have been plucked out of thin air by Amazon. Can't imagine Apple would be too please though - it could potentially prevent people from buying Macs in February and early March, as people will not want to shell out for a computer knowing that a new OS costing $129 will be imminent.

They did provide a free upgrade path to Panther for those had bought it withing a couple of months before the release. Many people probably don't know that, tho..

[Toe]

Originally Posted by Macaddicttt

And shouldn't this be Page 2? Amazon posting a release date before Apple doesn't sound like a real solid rumor.

MacCentral, or whatever it's called today, posted this as a big story.

Personally, I think Apple is going to "release" it at MWSF if at all possible... and even if it doesn't ship for a month or two after that.

[dotnina]

Originally Posted by johnnyjibbs

That date must just have been plucked out of thin air by Amazon. Can't imagine Apple would be too please though - it could potentially prevent people from buying Macs in February and early March, as people will not want to shell out for a computer knowing that a new OS costing $129 will be imminent.

Wouldn't Apple offer a free upgrade for those people who buy a new Mac when an OS upgrade is imminent? Or am I thinking of another software maker?

Amazon is usually on the ball with release dates. I'm thinking Apple gave Amazon that information ... but why? It seems early for pre-orders.

[MikeTheC]

Well, in any event, the sooner the better.

[Toe]

Originally Posted by greenmonsterman

can't wait to shell out another $129 to help Apple's profit margins.

Dude... Windows XP costs $300!!

With each 10.x release of OS X, Apple includes a TON of new features, new applications, and improvements. I think it's a downright deal.

[AmigoMac]

Originally Posted by jimsowden

Another retread of a post from days ago on Macrumors.
2 Days ago!
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthre...=tiger+release

Maybe you can give us a better idea...

[Steamboatwillie]

My bet is January '05

I seriously doubt that Amazon has any real release date. I called my rep at CDW and he had no tentative date for Tiger.

[MacsRgr8]

Isn't March 31st exactly half-way first half of the year?

I bet this is simple speculation on Amazon's part...
(conversation somewhere at Amazon):

"Let's make it pre-order available now!"
"uh... ok... when?"
"eh... when is it really expected?
"Apple says first half 2005"
"well.... pick the date exactly half-way. Least chance of having it wrong by so many days"
"ok.. uh.. right"

[johnnyjibbs]

Originally Posted by Poff

They did provide a free upgrade path to Panther for those had bought it withing a couple of months before the release. Many people probably don't know that, tho..

There was an upgrade path but only when it was announced, a mere 3 weeks before Panther was released (Announced on 8th Oct, released on 24th). I'm saying that Mac sales may dry up in February because people may think that Apple will "announce" Tiger on, say 10th March, with up-to-date applying from then with the release on 31st March, whether this is true or not. People will still be hanging on just in case Apple's official annoucement (and up-to-date scheme) is just around the corner.

[jimsowden]

Originally Posted by arn

yeah... was submitted a few days ago, but not posted since it seemed inaccurate. Posted now because other sites have picked up on it and reporting it as truth.

arn

What? They both say exactly the same thing, and that is that amazon is listing a date. Credibility is yet to be seen.
By the way, great to see you back Arn!

[NovacaineX]

windows xp = $300
total = $300

mac os x 10.0 = $129
mac os x 10.1 = free
mac os x 10.2 = $129
mac os x 10.3 = $129
mac os x 10.4 = $129
total = $516

hmm...
they do include more features, but i certainly dont consider it a good deal.

[johnnyjibbs]

Originally Posted by NovacaineX

windows xp = $300
total = $300

mac os x 10.0 = $129
mac os x 10.1 = free
mac os x 10.2 = $129
mac os x 10.3 = $129
mac os x 10.4 = $129
total = $516

hmm...
they do include more features, but i certainly dont consider it a good deal.

This is always talked about. The problem with Mac OS X is that its pricing structure is not that fair. For example, you could be with it, supporting it the whole time, and have paid the $516 you quoted. However, OS 9 users (or new Mac users) can jump straight in at 10.4 and get it all for just $129. Now, you could say that you have to pay for the priviledge of using Mac OS X since 2001, which I agree with, but surely not that much? I think a fairer solution would be to offer Tiger (10.4) for $49 or $59 to anyone who has Panther (10.3) and, say $89 or $99 for anyone who has Jaguar (10.2). Users with any other operating system would then have to purchase for $129.

[fartheststar]

Originally Posted by Steamboatwillie

My bet is January '05

I heard that from a re-seller of apple products too. Not that that means anything... but...

Originally Posted by johnnyjibbs

The problem with Mac OS X is that its pricing structure is not that fair. For example, you could be with it, supporting it the whole time, and have paid the $516 you quoted. However, OS 9 users (or new Mac users) can jump straight in at 10.4 and get it all for just $129. Now, you could say that you have to pay for the priviledge of using Mac OS X since 2001, which I agree with, but surely not that much? I think a fairer solution would be to offer Tiger (10.4) for $49 or $59 to anyone who has Panther (10.3) and, say $89 or $99 for anyone who has Jaguar (10.2). Users with any other operating system would then have to purchase for $129.

This is where I have to disagree. Too bad that you paid $129 for panther, but you have to cough it up for Tiger. You want the upgrade, then you must pay. It's only $129. Hey, I bought a G4 2 months before Panther and because it wasn't a G5 I would have had to pay $129 for the upgrade to panther.

I chose not to upgrade.... but that was my choice. It is your choice whether you want to upgrade or not.... and if you don't want to, fine. But if you do, $129 is not a lot to ask for all these new features.

[aswitcher]

Well I hope they keep supporting the family 3 pack licence...

[arn]

Originally Posted by jimsowden

What? They both say exactly the same thing, and that is that amazon is listing a date. Credibility is yet to be seen.
By the way, great to see you back Arn!

I'm saying it is NOT credible.

I didn't post it because it was just a garbage date that Amazon posted. Other sites are reporting it as a "real" date, so I posted this to express my doubt that this date represents anything other than speculaiton.

arn