Apple Warning Retail Stores of iMac and Mac Mini Supply Constraints?

[patmorita]

refurbished mini

This is a bit strange, but I went to my local Apple store last night to get my mac worked on (9600m card overheats on MBP) and while I was waiting I got on one of their macbooks. Their default safari page was the apple store page and I just out of curiosity got onto the refurbished page. The very first listings under macs were the low end mac mini for $499 and the high end for $699. I went back to the store page today at home and couldn't find the mini on the refurbished page. Anyone else see the the mini refurb last night?

 

[jmpage2]

I am in need of a new machine, as my Macbook has outlived its usefulness, and is entirely too slow. I been disappointed by the lackluster hardware offerings and the pricing. I should not have to spend $2000 just to get an acceptable dedicated video card in a laptop.

I am -><- close to switching back to Windows. I can spend $999 and get a Quad Core i7 laptop with 4GB DDR3 memory, 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570, 250GB 7200rpm hard drive... $1099 more gets me a laptop with the above specs but is 17" and gives me a 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 video. Also, the Creative Suite CS4 software on the Windows platform takes advantage of 64-bit.

You can't even get close to those good specs in a $2000 Macbook Pro. I am also not used to having a computer that can't be continuously upgraded, especially in the ram department. I am exceptionally bitter that this Macbook, which had cost $1700, can't address or accept anything over 2GB of ram. Seriously? Why? I tried 4GB, and while it noticed it was there, it was kernel panic city.

I like the Mac OS, but the hardware is lacking at best. That's a huge issue for me. I am not looking for Blu-ray, I already have a 42" HDTV and a Blu-ray player, so there is no need for me to strain myself watching 2.5 hour movies on a 15" monitor. What I want is the ability to throw in significant amounts of memory, have a fast quad core CPU, and a minimum of 512MB of dedicated video memory on fast mobile GPU.

If HP and Dell can do it, why the hell can't Apple?

Let me turn this around a bit.

Apple is still selling a pile of notebooks, and will continue to, for a number of reasons.

1. The Apple MBP are extremely compact and light weight due to their patented single milled chassis.

2. Apple uses very high quality displays in their MBP that would add substantially to the cost of any other computer. If you do anything graphics related, such as photo or video editing, this is a big deal.

3. Apple has the best battery life of any compact notebook on the market. My wife easily gets 4.5 hours on her 17 MBP with normal usage. Those i7 machines you are lusting after get about 1.5 hrs on a battery charge.

4. The little things... such as the MULTI touch trackpad (huge!) magsafe power adapter, magnetic lid closure, etc.

5. OS X!!

So, it's perfectly fine if you would rather have a 1.5 hour battery, crappy display, plastic chassis, heavy i7 equipped notebook (RUNNING WINDOWZ!) than an MBP to save some money and get a speed bump.

Many, however, would not be willing to make that sacrifice;

 

[evilcat]

This is a bit strange, but I went to my local Apple store last night to get my mac worked on (9600m card overheats on MBP) and while I was waiting I got on one of their macbooks. Their default safari page was the apple store page and I just out of curiosity got onto the refurbished page. The very first listings under macs were the low end mac mini for $499 and the high end for $699. I went back to the store page today at home and couldn't find the mini on the refurbished page. Anyone else see the the mini refurb last night?

Yeah, those things fly out of the refurb store. You're lucky if they stay for 24 hours. It doesn't mean anything re: mew products, they're just items returned to Apple for whatever reason which can't be sold as new.

 

[MacRumors user]

New iMacs...?

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Apple-Support-Tells-Reader-to-Hold-Off-on-iMac-Purchase-123062.shtml

 

[jmpage2]

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Apple-Support-Tells-Reader-to-Hold-Off-on-iMac-Purchase-123062.shtml

I don't think there's much doubt at this point they are coming. If it was going to be a simple spec bump then there would have been little or no fanfare let alone warnings to the Apple retail channel.

So, at a minimum we are looking at some kind of new chassis with some new specs. We can all cross our fingers about larger LED lit screens, Clarksdale CPUs, Blu-Ray drives, matte screen options, etc.

 

[cjhunter]

And how many are sold to the poor Apple souls who long for a true desktop but find the Mini far underpowered, and the iMac unupgradeable? A lot I would bet.

This is an argument that has bugged me for a long time, particularly because I used to agree with it!

I wonder if anyone has stats on how many machines ever get upgraded. Personally, I bought desktop PCs, hesitated about launching into my first laptop, and always bought laptops with PCMCIA slots for this reason. Then one day I realized: after three desktop PCs and three laptops in about 9 years, I had performed a grand total of ONE upgrade. That one upgrade cost me the better part of a day because the failed graphics card was old, and the new one had a Windows driver conflict that had to be chased down.

I suspect that the large majority of consumers either _want_ an all-in-one or should be buying one, because they'll never do more than upgrade RAM. So I find this criticism of the iMac to be spurious. (By corollary, similar criticisms of the built-in batteries on the new Mac laptops are questionable; I've often bought a second battery for a new laptop, only to have it sit on a shelf for the lifetime of the machine.)

My thoughts. Maybe I'm wrong, but if anyone has reliable numbers on upgrade rates, I'd be curious to see them.

 

[nickane]

This is an argument that has bugged me for a long time, particularly because I used to agree with it!

I wonder if anyone has stats on how many machines ever get upgraded. Personally, I bought desktop PCs, hesitated about launching into my first laptop, and always bought laptops with PCMCIA slots for this reason. Then one day I realized: after three desktop PCs and three laptops in about 9 years, I had performed a grand total of ONE upgrade. That one upgrade cost me the better part of a day because the failed graphics card was old, and the new one had a Windows driver conflict that had to be chased down.

I suspect that the large majority of consumers either _want_ an all-in-one or should be buying one, because they'll never do more than upgrade RAM. So I find this criticism of the iMac to be spurious. (By corollary, similar criticisms of the built-in batteries on the new Mac laptops are questionable; I've often bought a second battery for a new laptop, only to have it sit on a shelf for the lifetime of the machine.)

My thoughts. Maybe I'm wrong, but if anyone has reliable numbers on upgrade rates, I'd be curious to see them.

I can't speak for anyone else, but within months of buying my imac, I would have upgraded the gfx card, added a fw800 card and probably more besides. The fact that 4 years on, my computer works fine except for video playback and being able to read half as fast off my external as I would otherwise be able to really annoys me. There are a million uses I could have had for it, a ton of relatives I could have palmed it off to, but ultimately it became a paperweight a lot sooner than I would have liked considering the CPU, screen and memory are adequate for most uses.

 

[jmpage2]

I honestly don't think that the typical Mac buyer is looking at upgradability when making their decision.

I would gamble that the most intensive upgrade most Mac owners ever go through is the addition of RAM or a larger HD.

Macs hold their value extremely well, so it often makes more sense to simply sell the machine to someone whose needs it fits and then buy the current model that has the new features you want.

 

[Eidorian]

I honestly don't think that the typical Mac buyer is looking at upgradability when making their decision.

I would gamble that the most intensive upgrade most Mac owners ever go through is the addition of RAM or a larger HD.

Macs hold their value extremely well, so it often makes more sense to simply sell the machine to someone whose needs it fits and then buy the current model that has the new features you want.

Which only reinforces how disposable Apple has made their desktops and specifically the iMac.

 

[jmpage2]

Which only reinforces how disposable Apple has made their desktops and specifically the iMac.

Maybe you should see what the resale value is as a % of original purchase price on an Apple product after 1 or 2 years compared to ANY PC.

 

[Eidorian]

Maybe you should see what the resale value is as a % of original purchase price on an Apple product after 1 or 2 years compared to ANY PC.

You're looking at it the wrong way. The iMac is disposable. You can't do anything to upgrade it so you have to buy a new one. You also have to buy a perfectly good display all over again!

 

[jmpage2]

You're looking at it the wrong way. The iMac is disposable. You can't do anything to upgrade it so you have to buy a new one. You also have to buy a perfectly good display all over again!

Here's a news flash. Every piece of consumer electronics is disposable. I have 10 CPU towers, dozens of motherboards, video cards, RAM, CPUs (oldest is a 386) sitting in my basement.

I have very rarely been able to sell these components unless I do so almost immediately after they become "obsolete", which in the PC world is about 18 months. I have occasionally been able to use them for hobby projects but that is not typically the case.

On the other hand I have absolutely no doubt that when a new iMac comes out that my year old iMac will quickly fetch 50-60% of its brand new purchase price (if not more) allowing me to upgrade to the new model for a reasonable price.

If you are upset about the disposability of electronics then why don't you go wage war on the cell phone, PMP people? The average person upgrades their mobile phone every 18 months. Go complain about that.

 

[cjhunter]

The iMac is disposable. You can't do anything to upgrade it so you have to buy a new one.

Granted this is a valid argument, however market shares suggest that many consumers are happy with this. Dell, HP, Lenovo, eMachines....many different manufacturers have joined Apple in the all-in-one market.

I think it's a tricky debate. Many people on boards like this are high-end/power/"savy" users, who are willing and able to conduct upgrades. However I have always felt that we/they make up a small segment of computer purchasers. Heck, I'm a 'savy' user who hates tinkering, so I fall in the category of 'could do upgrades but doesn't like messing with the hassle.'

So the iMac has a clear place, and users shouldn't dump on it for being something it was never intended to. Now, perhaps the question should really be: should Apple release something between the iMac and the Pro? An upgradeable machine that's in a lower price and power bracket, to satisfy the tinkerers who don't necessarily need a lot more power then the iMac provides? Personally I don't think Apple would do this, as it would divide their market and diminish their 'boutique' mentality, but that's probably the subject of another debate.

Meanwhile, back at the original topic, I've happily set aside funds for a brand new iMac!

 

[Eidorian]

On the other hand I have absolutely no doubt that when a new iMac comes out that my year old iMac will quickly fetch 50-60% of its brand new purchase price (if not more) allowing me to upgrade to the new model for a reasonable price.

And that's the problem.

How many iMacs do you think I've resold? It's up to three right now at about 70-75% of the original price. I can't own any Mac desktop right now.

My MacBook on the other hand works so well I can't see a reason to replace it ever right now.

Granted this is a valid argument, however market shares suggest that many consumers are happy with this. Dell, HP, Lenovo, eMachines....many different manufacturers have joined Apple in the all-in-one market.

I think it's a tricky debate. Many people on boards like this are high-end/power/"savy" users, who are willing and able to conduct upgrades. However I have always felt that we/they make up a small segment of computer purchasers. Heck, I'm a 'savy' user who hates tinkering, so I fall in the category of 'could do upgrades but doesn't like messing with the hassle.'

So the iMac has a clear place, and users shouldn't dump on it for being something it was never intended to. Now, perhaps the question should really be: should Apple release something between the iMac and the Pro? An upgradeable machine that's in a lower price and power bracket, to satisfy the tinkerers who don't necessarily need a lot more power then the iMac provides? Personally I don't think Apple would do this, as it would divide their market and diminish their 'boutique' mentality, but that's probably the subject of another debate.

Meanwhile, back at the original topic, I've happily set aside funds for a brand new iMac!

The Power Mac G4 and later the Power Mac G5 single CPU fell into this space until the iMac G5 2.0 GHz ALS came in at $1,499. Then Apple dropped the single processor Power Mac G5 1.8 GHz. 200 MHz slower and no display? Yikes!

The xMac or any other sort of tower has been tossed around ever since then. I just want the iMac to have Clarksfield because it's in dire need of it. I may not like the products that are out but it doesn't mean I don't want them to be the best they can be. Apple missed on the mobile Core 2 Quad line for some reason. I'm starting to think that marketing just wants to show off the GHz.

Arrandale only on the iMac and the notebooks is just digging the grave deeper.

 

[DisMyMac]

You're looking at it the wrong way. The iMac is disposable. You can't do anything to upgrade it so you have to buy a new one. You also have to buy a perfectly good display all over again!

My family has been buying iMacs since "Blueberry", 4 total. We have never thrown one out - we just pass them on to younger kids or set them up for our parents who "hate computers" but want to keep up with the world.

I admit the Blueberry is now shelved, but it's so old that it's not "perfectly good" in any respect.

 

[Eidorian]

My family has been buying iMacs since "Blueberry", 4 total. We have never thrown one out - we just pass them on to younger kids or set them up for our parents who "hate computers" but want to keep up with the world.

I admit the Blueberry is now shelved, but it's so old that it's not "perfectly good" in any respect.

Who do you think I've "sold" my iMacs to.

 

[stinkweasels]

I emailed newegg the other day asking why they don't sell macs anymore and they told me they are going to start selling them again on October 1st. Probably doesn't mean anything, but was interesting with refreshes coming.

 

[pdxa4]

Yes, sort of. If you restore it via iTunes it will be wiped completely clean and boxee will be removed. Apple wouldn't be the wiser. If it some how breaks while boxee is installed though, and they realize that you have installed boxee you would loose your warranty coverage.

That being said you can buy 2 Apple TVs for the price of a single mini. So even if you have to replace it yourself still didn't spend as much as you would have on a mini.

Thanks for the info Daniel much appreciated...

 

[GodWhomIsMike]

Let me turn this around a bit.

Apple is still selling a pile of notebooks, and will continue to, for a number of reasons.

1. The Apple MBP are extremely compact and light weight due to their patented single milled chassis.

2. Apple uses very high quality displays in their MBP that would add substantially to the cost of any other computer. If you do anything graphics related, such as photo or video editing, this is a big deal.

3. Apple has the best battery life of any compact notebook on the market. My wife easily gets 4.5 hours on her 17 MBP with normal usage. Those i7 machines you are lusting after get about 1.5 hrs on a battery charge.

4. The little things... such as the MULTI touch trackpad (huge!) magsafe power adapter, magnetic lid closure, etc.

5. OS X!!

So, it's perfectly fine if you would rather have a 1.5 hour battery, crappy display, plastic chassis, heavy i7 equipped notebook (RUNNING WINDOWZ!) than an MBP to save some money and get a speed bump.

Many, however, would not be willing to make that sacrifice;

HP Envy 15 will be 15", weight 5.4 lbs, magnesium casing, and have a high end display. Cost will be $1799 and will come with a Core i7 Mobile CPU, 4GB DDR3 ram (upgradable to 16GB via four so-dimm slots), 1GB ATI 4830 video, etc...

 

[tofagerl]

Then get an Envy! If you like that product better, you should get it. Anything else is just dumb.

 

[GodWhomIsMike]

Then get an Envy! If you like that product better, you should get it. Anything else is just dumb.

October 18th is the release date. I am leaning towards the Envy, but will see what Apple rolls out in October. By the 18th, we should see new Mac Mini, iMac, and possibly new Macbook models by then. I get the feeling that the Mini might pop up as early as tomorrow morning, that seems very imminent.

Hint:

 

[Moesyd]

iMac shipping

As a hopefully new Apple user. I say that cause we just ordered our iMac on Sept 18 and it still shows the order status as processing. It's nice that Apple is doing upgrades/updates, however, what good is it to customers who placed orders only to be left in the dark as to what is happening with those orders?

Seems to me that someone has dropped the ball on the customer service side. I have called and all I can be told is that the iMac has yet to ship. No expected date, nothing. Makes me wonder if Apple is more concerned with TV commercials then with real customer service. More so with NEW Apple buyers.

As I said just my opinion.

 

[crackbookpro]

As a hopefully new Apple user. I say that cause we just ordered our iMac on Sept 18 and it still shows the order status as processing. It's nice that Apple is doing upgrades/updates, however, what good is it to customers who placed orders only to be left in the dark as to what is happening with those orders?

Seems to me that someone has dropped the ball on the customer service side. I have called and all I can be told is that the iMac has yet to ship. No expected date, nothing. Makes me wonder if Apple is more concerned with TV commercials then with real customer service. More so with NEW Apple buyers.

As I said just my opinion.

Wow, Give Apple a ring!!! You may want to cancel asap since there may be an update, seems fair to think there will be a price drop too...

 

[jmpage2]

HP Envy 15 will be 15", weight 5.4 lbs, magnesium casing, and have a high end display. Cost will be $1799 and will come with a Core i7 Mobile CPU, 4GB DDR3 ram (upgradable to 16GB via four so-dimm slots), 1GB ATI 4830 video, etc...

PCs are always going to have higher performance parts for the money as compared to an Apple product.

However, it's not going to have the many other important features (glass trackpad, double life battery, etc) and most importantly it doesn't run OS X.

If Windows is okay with you (along with shorter battery life, etc) then by all means go get what makes you happy.

You are NOT the customer Apple is targeting, that much is apparent.

 

[gianly1985]

http://www.skype.com/

(just speculating)