Apple Drops Single Processor 1.8 Ghz G5

[Mechcozmo]

But is it the "patch" that's the hack, merely by restoring the built in ability of the OS and the hardware?

Or is it Apple that did the "hack" by DISABLING the built in capabilities merely so the iMac wouldn't compete with their weak "Pro" lineup?

Dual-monitor support is BUILT INTO the system - it has been that way for ages (OS 7.5??). Apple set merely set a variable in Open Firmware to limit the external screen to mirroring. All the patch does is to "restore" the system to it's built in capabilities.

It isn't really either. It is a setting.

OS 8 was when screen stuff got really good, but System 7 was when the support was first laid down.

That would be downright SLEAZY. No other OS manufacturer or hardware manufacturer does this to my knowledge, not even MS.

XP Pro vs. XP Home? 3 links: Linkety Or what about nVidia disabling various Pixel Shader Units on their 6800 GTs (or something)?

It is done quite commonly in fact. Example: a 2.5 GHz chip is most likely a chip that can't run at 2.7 GHz but after being clocked down runs fine at 2.5 GHz. Saves money, manufacturing time, etc.

 

[scu]

This may mean that in two or three months we might see a price drop. I hope it is sooner rather than later. A 2.7 for under 2K would be nice.

 

[efoto]

They are up in the US store this morning, perhaps a price drop but I am not sure since I didn't follow their specs prior to this date.
Here is a screencap of the iMac Store Front listing specs on the three models. I did see someone mention a Radeon 9600, that seems to be there so perhaps they are upgraded

Edit: Sorry, page didn't fully load and I only saw first page so I thought it was relevent, sorry if nothing has changed and I just upped a picture.

 

[macgruff]

They are up in the US store this morning, perhaps a price drop but I am not sure since I didn't follow their specs prior to this date.
Here is a screencap of the iMac Store Front listing specs on the three models. I did see someone mention a Radeon 9600, that seems to be there so perhaps they are upgraded

efoto thats the iMac page, its the entry level 1.8ghz Single processor Powermac thats disapeared from the store.

 

[Ravenflight]

As told in http://www.macosrumors.com/20050429.php the Mac Mini should be boosted to 1.67Ghz soon (maybe in July) and given a 64MB graphics card. As mentioned before as well, they might solder on 256MB of RAM onto the motherboard, so it will be possible to have a grand total of 1.256MB of RAM on the Mini.

That would be sweeeet! A Mini with Airport Extreme X2, 1.25GB Ram and a dual layer Superdrive to go please. And can you hurry? I have a Birthday I need it for!

 

[tsizkeik]

Reason for 1.8 powermac drop ???

http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=10797

theres an article here stating that the 1.8 powermac had problems with quicktime, safari, iPhoto etc. when showing video for more than 2 hours.
specifically the mac froze, and apple had no intentions of fixing this.
there are links to apple discussions concerning this...


maybe the mods can update this on the main macrumors screen. i think its quite interesting !!!

 

[sacear]

sans keyboard & mouse

You said it yourself ...

As much as I like Apple, don't forget a few years ago they used to charge us all an extra $100 for a keyboard! To me that's like Ford charging extra for tires.

(I just remembered that the mini is BYO keyboard - but that's a cheap system, not a top of the line one like their old systems w/o keyboards.)

I remember that.

Yet, as I recall, Apple stopped including a keyboard with "Pro" Mac systems, because so-called "pros" bitched so much about wanting the option to choose and buy another keyboard, rather than being locked into what Apple was including with the system. Reviews and comments from MacUser, MacWorld, or MacWeek from that era listed the inclusion of keyboard as negative or con.

So Apple complied (and why not?), then there was a huge uproar of criticism that Apple did not include a keyboard with their systems. Almost immediately those same magazines chastised Apple for giving them what they asked for! Apple could not win either way. That was so hilariously ridiculous.

I think the media just wanted to criticize and chastise Apple, no matter what. I think this was when everyone wanted Spindler out.

Also, at that time Apple had parallel product lines, so if you wanted a keyboard included, then you could just choose the comparable model Mac from one of the parallel lines that included a keyboard. Back then there was no BTO, so Apple made many variations of each Mac model. So a keyboard was available if you wanted one, or not included if you did not want one.

 

[Truffy]

And still available here in Switzerland. The old stock will take a while to filter out of the chain.

 

[efoto]

efoto thats the iMac page, its the entry level 1.8ghz Single processor Powermac thats disapeared from the store.

Wow, I am really losing it then. Sorry about that, horrible night and then all I could do this morning was log on and read....but apparently couldn't quite do that very well either

 

[iGary]

Apple's lowest priced desktop is 2,000 ??? Way to go Apple that will sell'em!!!! The dual should start at less than 1,200 easily afterall a G5 processor cost less than 10 bucks each. No wonder Apple is slipping.

The "good" portion of the "good, better, best" lineup has trypically been in this price range for the last five years. Only last year when they added the single 1.8 to the lineup was there a cheap option.

We just bought a dual 2.3 for the office here, and I'll be buying a dual 2.0 this year, as will a friend of mine, so i don't see this price point hurting Apple. Remember, they just don't throw a dart at a bunch of numbers to pick the prices.

 

[AlBDamned]

The single processor looks like it's still available 'within 24 hours' on the uk apple store sight.

 

[Platform]

Had to happen.....worst Mac you could buy at this time

Lets have new once then

 

[rhpenguin]

Besides, I'd be willing to bet money that a hack like that probably voids the warranty, since it would cause the VC to heat up more than a single or mirrored view. We've all heard about melting iMacs. I wonder how many of those used this non-authorized HACK.

Im using a screen spanning hack on my iBook right now and have been for the last two years. No melting here.

 

[pianodude123]

MAD!



IM mad because i just bought a dual 2.7 and the pricce will probably drop before i even recieve the MACHINE!!! DANG IM MAD! URGRGRGRGRG When you spend 3000 on a machine and then it drops $500 wouldnt you be mad too? DARN!!! :mad

 

[fluidinclusion]

So?

Im using a screen spanning hack on my iBook right now and have been for the last two years. No melting here.

It's also got a slow, cool old G4 in it. My main argument is three-fold:

1. I should not have to hack the OS to get basic functionality that EVERY other company in the world (that I'm aware of) gives you. This isn't the only example of Apple crippling their hardware or software.

2. I don't install software that I don't trust. That is especially true for hacks like that. I'm not a programmer, and I'm not going to trust the "it's worked fine on my iBook" word of message board posters (no offense intended).

3. Until I am convinced IN WRITING from Apple (which I won't get) that hacking the OS in this way will not void my warranty, I won't use it. Who says OS 10.4.3 won't prevent you from using the hack? Then I can't use the second monitor I'd have purchased and would be stuck with a more limited machine.

I love Apple - mostly, but this is the same crap that got everyone pissed at them in the 1980's. They had a closed system hardware wise, and most people didn't like that. Now it's all about the software, and they are purposely, unneccessarily crippling the software to force you to buy a $2000 machine. THAT'S NOT RIGHT, and potential switchers will be dissuaded from moving to the Mac platform because of sleazy tactics like this.

 

[ZLurker]

IM mad because i just bought a dual 2.7 and the pricce will probably drop before i even recieve the MACHINE!!! DANG IM MAD! URGRGRGRGRG When you spend 3000 on a machine and then it drops $500 wouldnt you be mad too? DARN!!! :mad

You are mad because the price will probably drop?
I dont see prices drop till atleast september, perhaps october.
They only droped a product that was supposed to be gone by the last upgrade. Now they sold the last in US, and soon it will be gone elseware too.
Even if you did get screwed you can get you money back, if you hurry.

 

[bretm]

No. I think I would ask the retailer to reimburse me the money or return it. Very common. Most retailers these days honor sales and prices for 30 days as an incentive for you to buy. Just ask. If you bought it from Apple, well, they don't have any competition. You should purchase from a retailer like MacMall or ClubMac, etc.

IM mad because i just bought a dual 2.7 and the pricce will probably drop before i even recieve the MACHINE!!! DANG IM MAD! URGRGRGRGRG When you spend 3000 on a machine and then it drops $500 wouldnt you be mad too? DARN!!! :mad

 

[mtrctyjoe]

Mac Mini Memory Drops in the UK

Check the UK store out.... memory sale !!! Updates a'comin !!!

 

[rhpenguin]

It's also got a slow, cool old G4 in it.

It's a G3 actually..

1. I should not have to hack the OS to get basic functionality that EVERY other company in the world (that I'm aware of) gives you. This isn't the only example of Apple crippling their hardware or software.

Its an open firmware hack. Not an OS hack.

2. I don't install software that I don't trust. That is especially true for hacks like that. I'm not a programmer, and I'm not going to trust the "it's worked fine on my iBook" word of message board posters (no offense intended).

Suit yourself... Its pretty sweet to have functionality that i would have to pay atleast an extra $1000 for in a PowerBook.

3. Until I am convinced IN WRITING from Apple (which I won't get) that hacking the OS in this way will not void my warranty, I won't use it. Who says OS 10.4.3 won't prevent you from using the hack? Then I can't use the second monitor I'd have purchased and would be stuck with a more limited machine.

Unless they boot into open firmware and check, which nine times out of ten isnt possible when you need a repair, no one is going to know. Ive had several repairs under warranty not due to the hack (but the faulty G3 boards) an no one even took the time to check or they did and didnt give me flack for it.

I love Apple - mostly, but this is the same crap that got everyone pissed at them in the 1980's. They had a closed system hardware wise, and most people didn't like that. Now it's all about the software, and they are purposely, unneccessarily crippling the software to force you to buy a $2000 machine. THAT'S NOT RIGHT, and potential switchers will be dissuaded from moving to the Mac platform because of sleazy tactics like this.

I agree.. thats why i like this hack.. Turns an iBook into a mini Powerbook. Any way you look at it you win with this one.

 

[fluidinclusion]

Oh well.

It's a G3 actually..

Its an open firmware hack. Not an OS hack.

Suit yourself... Its pretty sweet to have functionality that i would have to pay atleast an extra $1000 for in a PowerBook.

Unless they boot into open firmware and check, which nine times out of ten isnt possible when you need a repair, no one is going to know. Ive had several repairs under warranty not due to the hack (but the faulty G3 boards) an no one even took the time to check or they did and didnt give me flack for it.

I agree.. thats why i like this hack.. Turns an iBook into a mini Powerbook. Any way you look at it you win with this one.

Well, an open firmware hack still probably voids warranty even more than OS, since you're allowed to run multiple OS's like linux, etc. I still am not comfortable with installing technically illegal or non-sanctioned software from a foreign hacker - or any hacker for that matter. We'll just have to disagree.

 

[pianodude123]

disappointing thread



This thread is really disappointing when you have just bought a dual 2.7 powermac and it hasnt even arrived at your house yet...

 

[pianodude123]

Apple's lowest priced desktop is 2,000 ??? Way to go Apple that will sell'em!!!! The dual should start at less than 1,200 easily afterall a G5 processor cost less than 10 bucks each. No wonder Apple is slipping.

Yes....um...where did you get that info? There is no way they can cost less than $10

 

[neverever]

This thread is really disappointing when you have just bought a dual 2.7 powermac and it hasnt even arrived at your house yet...

and when the 2.5 ghz g5s r faster then the 2.7s lol. I'd also like to know how that guy got the figure of 10 bucks per g5 cpu...

 

[notjustjay]

No. I think I would ask the retailer to reimburse me the money or return it. Very common. Most retailers these days honor sales and prices for 30 days as an incentive for you to buy. Just ask. If you bought it from Apple, well, they don't have any competition. You should purchase from a retailer like MacMall or ClubMac, etc.

Also, check your credit card policy. My credit card company will reimburse me if the price drops on anything I buy with the card. (It will also cover against loss and theft and they'll also double the warranty!)

 

[Azurael]

Well, an open firmware hack still probably voids warranty even more than OS, since you're allowed to run multiple OS's like linux, etc. I still am not comfortable with installing technically illegal or non-sanctioned software from a foreign hacker - or any hacker for that matter. We'll just have to disagree.

I don't believe anything that's done purely in software (i.e. Even this 'hack' goes into nvram, which is easily erased by a PRAM reset - no permanent changes to the firmware are made) can't invalidate a warranty - that would be unreasonable on the part of the manufacturer - I suppose one exception to this is overclocking because there is a real (though very, very unlikely these days) chance of hardware failure being a direct result - especially in Apple's limited thermal environments. (when will Apple learn to build EFFECTIVE thermal solutions for notebooks...?)

If this 'hack' is causing hardware failures, it's very unlikely to be anything beyond circumstance. You can't tell me that a GPU that dies doing something entirely within parameters should have made it past testing? If an x86 notebook can display span, I don't see why an identical chip in an iBook/iMac/Whatever shouldn't be able to.