'Brilliant Savings' Promo

[JamesDPS]

Too many people loosing site of proper grammar and spelling. The yoke is on the face of our educational system.

IMHO there is wayyy too much homonymial speech going on in this forum.

Heh -- this is a great post; it's nice to see others who are as particular about language as I. However, I think you should have added a [sic] after "site" just to indicate that it was an intentionally ironic error, like "loosing". As for "homonymial", that too is ironic? I don't think "homonymial" is a word. Perhaps you were thinking of "homonymic"?

 

[ghiangelo]

revision delay issues

there is another side to this whole revision delay that is not being talked about, it concerns the reseller sales. currently i am waiting to make a substantial upgrade (G5, new LCD, pro level Epson printer etc) and like so many others i am waiting till the next revision to appear before i purchase. i spoke with my dealer and he has no idea as to when new Macs will be introduced. he also went on to say that the delay of new machines is seriously slowing business. it has dropped substantially, and with news that it might be the end of June before anything new is announced is going to prove to be a serious problem. there is also another issue concerning this delay, namely the fact that it reminds me of the days when Motorola was supplying chips for Apple pro towers. this is deja vu ALL over again... i had assumed that the ramp up issues and competetive development of cpus was finally resolved with IBM as the new supplier. it looks not to be the case. lets be honest here, this delay is potentially showing that there is a problem inherent with 970 manufacturing and implementation. this is not a good sign at all... for now or the future.

ghi

 

[robbieduncan]

Heh -- this is a great post; it's nice to see others who are as particular about language as I. However, I think you should have added a [sic] after "site" just to indicate that it was an intentionally ironic error, like "loosing". As for "homonymial", that too is ironic? I don't think "homonymial" is a word. Perhaps you were thinking of "homonymic"?

Hmm looks like I missed a few. "homonymial" is a Google Whack at the moment (as this thread has not been indexed yet).

 

[MacEyeDoc]

No Rev B?

Initial reaction to the new promo: Great! $500 off a 23in display! Then as you read the other posts here, you get the sinking feeling that this is just a last ditch effort to keep selling PM's, 'cause there aren't going to be any new ones till after WWDC. Ouch!

As a dedicated Mac user I was thrilled last year when Steve announced the new G5's and quickly added that we would be at 3GHz in a year. Like many others I presumed that meant an intermediate speed bump in the middle of the year, and I decided to wait for the "Rev. B" version. Boy, has that been a long road of disappointment. Although Apple never said there would be an intermediate step, many here (including me) took it as a given - so it's not Apple' s fault, but it still has been a pain. If in the fall, Apple had said no Rev. B till June 2004, I would have bought one in Dec. 2003, making me and Apple both happy. Now I'm not happy to still be waiting, and Apple hasn't sold one more G5 - doesn't seem to be good business. Still, although many here are loyal to Apple, His Steveness doesn't consult us on when to bring products to market. So we have to wait . . . and think . . .

I wonder what IBM is announcing next week at their POWER processor press conference? Could that announcement have anything to do with the Apple specials?

 

[SirCletus]

So begins my whiny rant.

I'm sorely in need of a new audio workhorse (especially if it can handle the latest games, heh heh), and the current crop of G5s at their current price point just isn't cutting it for me. I'll admit, I'm a tightwad (not that I have much to spend anyway), and I told myself four years ago I wouldn't buy again until I could get 2GHz of post-G4 PowerMac for under $2,000. But I've got a fairly important (international distribution), LARGE editing/mastering gig coming up and my pitiful old G4 can't handle the Waves plugins. Just try a few instances of Linear Phase EQ and Linear Multiband Compression on a 400MHz G4. And I won't even get started on convolution reverb...

My point: I'm sure that Apple doesn't purposely, with malicious intent, deny its customers new hardware on a regular basis. I'm well aware that we're dealing with supplier issues. I still, however, find this fantastically alienating, especially when people somewhat urgently need new hardware and really see little value in the current, IMHO somewhat outdated (oxymoron, I know) offerings. Ultimately, what matters to me (I can imagine I'm not alone) is getting the work done and delivering a product to a client on time and getting paid, and making the most cost-effective investment I can in the tools to get the work done. I would PREFER to do it on Apple hardware running an Apple OS (since that's pretty much all I've CHOSEN to use for literally the past ten years), but I really don't see the value in Apple's current pro hardware offerings. And I need to buy within the next week for a solid tax write-off on this upcoming gig. *sigh* I'm sad, Apple, and I really hope to hear about some updates to the G5 line in the next week or so, even if they don't ship right away.

Now, I completely understand that this announcement != "no new PowerMacs until June," but I'm a little saddened by the prospect of migrating to Opteron out of sheer urgency. Sorry for being such a pooper, all. Had to get it out. Good therapy. Thus ends my rant.

 

[JamesDPS]

I'm sorely in need of a new audio workhorse (especially if it can handle the latest games, heh heh), and the current crop of G5s at their current price point just isn't cutting it for me. I'll admit, I'm a tightwad (not that I have much to spend anyway), and I told myself four years ago I wouldn't buy again until I could get 2GHz of post-G4 PowerMac for under $2,000. But I've got a fairly important (international distribution), LARGE editing/mastering gig coming up and my pitiful old G4 can't handle the Waves plugins. Just try a few instances of Linear Phase EQ and Linear Multiband Compression on a 400MHz G4. And I won't even get started on convolution reverb...

My point: I'm sure that Apple doesn't purposely, with malicious intent, deny its customers new hardware on a regular basis. I'm well aware that we're dealing with supplier issues. I still, however, find this fantastically alienating, especially when people somewhat urgently need new hardware and really see little value in the current, IMHO somewhat outdated (oxymoron, I know) offerings. Ultimately, what matters to me (I can imagine I'm not alone) is getting the work done and delivering a product to a client on time and getting paid, and making the most cost-effective investment I can in the tools to get the work done. I would PREFER to do it on Apple hardware running an Apple OS (since that's pretty much all I've CHOSEN to use for literally the past ten years), but I really don't see the value in Apple's current pro hardware offerings. And I need to buy within the next week for a solid tax write-off on this upcoming gig. *sigh* I'm sad, Apple, and I really hope to hear about some updates to the G5 line in the next week or so, even if they don't ship right away.

Now, I completely understand that this announcement != "no new PowerMacs until June," but I'm a little saddened by the prospect of migrating to Opteron out of sheer urgency. Sorry for being such a pooper, all. Had to get it out. Good therapy. Thus ends my rant.

I wholeheartedly second that. Although an Opteron isn't an option -- I need a machine for Logic Pro. I wonder what the resell on a dual 1.8 with about 2.5 GB RAM and big drives would be after revisions?

 

[Mac2004]

A few quesions.....

Why is everyone waiting for new G5's? Is it only because of the speed issue or do the current Power Mac G5's have problems????? I am very confused. Is it just the processor speed issue? I really want to buy a Power Mac G5 but I am concerned. I am not a big "power user" so would a dual 1.8 GHz be fine for me? All I use a computer for is word processing, e-mail, Internet, photos, some graphics, etc.

Here are my questions:

1. Are there an serious issues with the current G5's or are they fine machines? I am very confused after reading some of these posts.

2. If I were to get a Power Mac G5 should I get it with any upgrades? (ATI 9600 video card, memory, CD drive, bluetooth, etc.)?

3. Who do I purchase it from? (Apple store, Apple.com, Mac Connection, Mac Mall, etc.)

4. Has there been a problem with the G5's power source? If so, has that been corrected?

5. Are there any other monitors out there that are better than the Apple display? I heard that Sony, Planar, and Samsung make some really nice displays that are cheaper.

This whole $500 off deal is really no benefit to me as I never planned on getting the OVERPRICED 23" Cinema monitor. That monitor is way overpriced so this $500 off deal does not appeal to me whatsoever. They hold your money for up to 8 weeks too.

If this is just a speed issue and there are no problems with the current G5's then I am going to stop waiting and buy mine. This is ridiculous! I will wait until April 1st and then that's it. My friend told me I should just save the money and get an imac 17".

 

[klaus]

My friend told me I should just save the money and get an imac 17".

your friend is probably right.. any g5 would be overkill for your needs i'd say..

 

[gensor]

IBM and Nvida ramping issue

About 2 to 3 weeks ago I read from reliable Taiwan news source that Nvida was moving production from IBM to TSMC because IBM was having ramping problems.

 

[nightcap965]

Live and In Color

This note is coming to you live from the vast expanse of a 23" Apple Cinema Display (aka Barbie's Drive-In Theater), attached to a new 2 GHz dual G5 PowerMac. Clearly at least one prospective buyer was motivated by Apple's rebate offer.

Maybe next week, maybe next quarter, there'll be a faster machine available. An even faster machine will follow a few months later. And so on, ad infinitum. The joy of owning the fastest computer is at best an ephemeral pleasure. Moore's Law has not yet been repealed.

 

[Wonder Boy]

apple should build computers on a build-to-order system. that way, the always know what people want and can hoard the proper supplies accordingly. the make too much of one thing and they dont sell (g5 1.6) and they make too little of another (g5 dual 2). therefore, we are forced to get products we dont really want pushed on us become of excessive inventory.

there should be some sort of sign up sheet that asks customers what they want. have a cut off date, fill the orders, then start another sign up sheet. maybe they could make and extra 5% of the sign up sheet's orders just in case. it may not be plausable but atleast apple would know what products are actually in demand, there by saving us from these insulting inventory blowout ploys.

hey apple- build only what we want, not what you want us to have.

 

[toontra]

As I've said before in other threads, Steve has brought this heightened expectation upon himself by the infamous "3ghz G5's in 12 months" speech last year. Without that, people would have bought the current line-up readily and would have been content with a moderate bump on the rev.B.

He really should have held back with the "world's fastest personal computer" nonsense also. This was waiting be thrown back in his face in the media as well as the court-room (can't understand why the ads were banned in the UK last autumn but it has taken months longer in the US).

 

[advocate]

Call me crazy, but here goes; SJ said up to 3 gHz in a year. He really didn't specify if it was a fiscal year, an actual year, etc. But, what if we've missed the point? Say WWDC comes in a couple of months, and SJ is doing his keynote address, "As promised, we're introducing the G5 3 gHz...as the low-end." Is this totally off base?

Oh yeah, that would be the kind of thunder that Steve Jobs would want.

And there's just one more thing.

Last year, we announced that the G5 processor will be running at 3 GHz within 12 months. Many of you have been wondering whether we succeeded.

I'm here to tell you that yes, we've reached the 3 GHz mark. In fact, we reached it three months ago.

Last month, we started building the first PowerMac G5s with dual 3.4 GHz processors.

And today, I'm very pleased to announce the PowerMac G5 with dual 3.6 GHz processors. We've exceeded our wildest expectations.

And all three models are available... today.

 

[billyboy]

Like Apple rarely care what posters on Mac rumour sites say, think or want. Rumours pander to peoples lust and gives dreamers a soap box. TBH 99.9% of our ideas would sink Apple in a New York minute.

In the real world, most people have no idea what is lined up for the future, and a lot of people sort of understand that their latest greatest model will be old hat in a year or two. So the majority of consumers in th emarket for a computer walk into a store or browse the on line stores, see what they like and buy what is there.

Apple have a very tidy dual G5 Powermac, they are bundling it with a very spectacular display. They have a reputation for being pricey, so they are knocking a fair bit of money off to tempt some new buyers. The latest Apple technology still stands up to the needs of the masses more than well enough and the bundle addresses the "Apple is dear" price obstacle. Set up in stores the combination will produce a wow factor.

If every one in the world already had a powermac G5 then fair enough to rip into Apple for lack of updates, but they dont have a place in the majority of people's homes.

 

[shadowself]

We all forget

Apple will uses the 970FX in the new XServes and will very likely use a variant of the 970FX in the next generation G5 desktop machines. However, we all often forget that Apple designs all of its own interface chips for the CPUs (what in days gone by we used to call "glue chips").

The 970 went from 130nm to 90nm. Did Apple's chips do the same? Undoubtedly they will have to in order to get to 3GHz.

However, Apple's chip design team is not as large as IBM's or Intel's. When Dell (or almost any other Wintel maker) ships a speed bumped machine they almost always use chips from Intel or a third party.

The CPU is one of the major heat generating devices in a computer. However, all the othe chips count to. If Apple changed to the lower power 970FX for the new XServes and was not able to (yet) change to a lower power set of glue chips, then this would easily explain the delay in the XServes shipping. (I would expect the design team for the XServes were expecting to be able to use newer, faster, lower power glue chips, and when they could not they had to deal with higher power and higher heat than they had anticipated -- thus delaying the XServes.)

This is also the primary issue with G5s in PowerBooks. It is true that the 90nm 970FX chips are not much more power hungry (and in some cases less power hungry) than the current G4s. However, the glue chips are currently more power hungry. They need to get scaled to lower power versions before PowerBooks with G5s can ship. I don't expect this to happen until MWSF 2005. I sincerely hope I am wrong as I would love to replace my antique 667 MHz TiPB before then. However, this seems like the most likely time frame.

If the glue chips are delayed in their transition to a new design then a delay in the PowerMacs going to 2.4/2.6 or even 3.0 GHz is to be expected. The 970/970FX/975/976 or what ever it will be called in coming months/years can go to 4 or 5 GHz but if the glue chips are stuck at 2 GHz that is the best the machines will do. Period. There is no way around it.

From what has happened with the XServes and what is quite possibly happening with the PowerMacs and PowerBooks this seems like the most likely scenario.

Again, I hope I'm wrong. I would truly LOVE to see 2.0/dual 2.4/dual 2.6 GHz PowerMacs shipping in quantity before the end of April. Then this would be followed by 2.5/dual 2.8/dual 3.2 GHz PowerMacs shipping in quantity no later than 21 September 2004.

However, Steve can always claim he lived up to his remarks if Apple ships 2.2/2.6/dual 3.0 GHz machines in quantity no later than 21 September 2004. That's almost six months from now. They still have a decent chance at making this one.

 

[Mac2004]

I agree with you... Most people don't even know about these rumor web sites and don't even check them out. I would say 99% of the people out there walk into a computer store, look at the models, buy the one they like, etc. I was shocked how many people out there don't even know about Mac Connection or Mac Mall catalog. When I tell them they can order a computer system through them and pay no sales tax they seemd to be shocked. Some people can be so dumb!

I sometimes think we are making a BIG DEAL out of these new G5 updates. What are we talking about??? Just an updated processor speed and that's it??????????????????? From what I have read the G5 is a great computer and it will last a long time. Unless you are some super power user why wait for the 3.6GHz model. In my opinion thats overkill.

I wish I would have never stumbled on this rumor web site because it has planted a lot of doubts in me that I never had.

 

[mvc]

No No you've all got it wrong…

PowerMac and displays WILL be updated on the 30th, and this is all just a brilliant and novel marketing campaign to further increase sales of the brand spanking new products!


*suddenly wakes*

 

[Gott]

Hi there everyone, first post here and man what a topic to start off my postings here!

I at first thought of a stellar plan to get the best of both worlds, a developer discount coupled with the Brilliant Savings. I was planning on signing up as a student developer regardless of the new promo or not, but with such savings I really can’t resist much longer in making a purchase. Here is where the dilemma lies:

I checked the Developer Connection store site and sure enough, the Brilliant Savings promo was front and center. I then went to a configuration of a 2GHz computer and the little red promo sign was under the display dropdown option, we’re talking a 23” HD Cinema Display for $1100 after the mail-in rebate, truly amazing. Being the skeptic that I am for such good deals, I decided to read the fine print of the promo and one line disturbed me, “Products offered through the Apple Employee Purchase Plan, Apple Developer Plan, or QPromo are NOT eligible for this offer.” Might this mean if you are a developer planning on using your once per lifetime (always thought that was funny) hardware discount, that the promo doesn’t affect you? If that is the case, they really need to take the promo off the developer page AND remove the red promo option from the configuration page as well, very deceptive and it will draw people into purchasing thinking they will get the rebate.

Am I correct in this or is the Apple Developer Plan not related to the Developer Connection store site? I’m hoping these two things are different, because then I could afford to purchase Final Cut Pro academic.

 

[Krrill]

Why is everyone waiting for new G5's? Is it only because of the speed issue or do the current Power Mac G5's have problems????? I am very confused. Is it just the processor speed issue? I really want to buy a Power Mac G5 but I am concerned. I am not a big "power user" so would a dual 1.8 GHz be fine for me? All I use a computer for is word processing, e-mail, Internet, photos, some graphics, etc.

Here are my questions:

1. Are there an serious issues with the current G5's or are they fine machines? I am very confused after reading some of these posts.

2. If I were to get a Power Mac G5 should I get it with any upgrades? (ATI 9600 video card, memory, CD drive, bluetooth, etc.)?

3. Who do I purchase it from? (Apple store, Apple.com, Mac Connection, Mac Mall, etc.)

4. Has there been a problem with the G5's power source? If so, has that been corrected?

5. Are there any other monitors out there that are better than the Apple display? I heard that Sony, Planar, and Samsung make some really nice displays that are cheaper.

This whole $500 off deal is really no benefit to me as I never planned on getting the OVERPRICED 23" Cinema monitor. That monitor is way overpriced so this $500 off deal does not appeal to me whatsoever. They hold your money for up to 8 weeks too.

If this is just a speed issue and there are no problems with the current G5's then I am going to stop waiting and buy mine. This is ridiculous! I will wait until April 1st and then that's it. My friend told me I should just save the money and get an imac 17".

For me, and I think a lot of other people, it's based on the ratios... For $2300 after taxes - Canadian, I can get a system that's gonna just blow over apples top of the line computer. But for a 2Ghz G5 PM it costs $4800 after taxes! That's more then double!

For me that's wasted money, and makes me either think, get a pc (Which sucks cause it's pc ), or wait for a revision in the line up so you aren't feeling like your unloading on a computer that is (Cause of pc's), and will be (Cause of the new revisions) outdated.

What apple have to do is look at a middle ground for it's market, and offer incentives. If you buy these products, we'll give you free ram etc. I'm betting I will get flamed, but I bet it would increase the sales of current G5's for the time being. 2 motos to go buy, spend money to make money, and lose money to increase money (Sleeper sales). You might think this is foolish, but if someone buys a G5 now, they'll buy other mac stuff, and come back to the company later.

Well, hoping I don't get flamed =)

 

[JasonL]

Could you please explain a little bit more detailed what you mean that not everyone will get $500 off ? I don't understand it.

P.S. Best thing is in February someone here at Macrumors asked if he should better give his newly purchased G5 1.6GHz back. And wait for updated machines. Most people told him to do so (including me ) I will never give the advice to wait for any update again.

As others answered for me, some people will either mail in the rebates, but with incorrect documentation, lose the receipt (or some other critical part of the documentation), or just never get around to it. That's why businesses do mail-in rebates. The % of people that redeem them is far less than 100%.

 

[nightcap965]

Yeah, we'll lose money on the per unit sales, but we'll make it up on volume. <grin>

What apple have to do is look at a middle ground for it's market, and offer incentives. If you buy these products, we'll give you free ram etc. I'm betting I will get flamed, but I bet it would increase the sales of current G5's for the time being. 2 motos to go buy, spend money to make money, and lose money to increase money (Sleeper sales). You might think this is foolish, but if someone buys a G5 now, they'll buy other mac stuff, and come back to the company later.

Well, hoping I don't get flamed =)

 

[TorbX]

Too late. I think he went with Alienware (thread in Buyer's section). Expect to begin hearing how great it is. He will be right. Doesn't mean the G5's suck, though. But this likely implies we will need to harp more on the "OS X rules" stuff, which is, although true, getting a bit tiring.

Yeah... I'd hate just that.

"You paid that amount of money for an OS?"

 

[MacRAND]

APPLE: Mass customization of computers built for you

Apple should build computers on a build-to-order system.
<snip>
hey Apple- build only what we want, not what you want us to have.

Apple does "build to order".

(a) Apple: G5 Built-to-Order for You

(b) Build the best computer it can for a reasonable price, with a choice Take Your Pick

(c) Including a wild assortment of accessories Pick Me @ Apple

Rx from Dr.Bott
NO, Pick Me @ Small Dog​

HENRY FORD was the leading manufacturer of American automobiles in the early 1900's. He established the Ford Motor Company, which revolutionized the automobile industry with its assembly line method of production. The savings from this technique helped Ford sell automobiles at a lower price than anyone had before.
In 1903, Ford produced only expensive cars, as its competitors did. However, Ford soon began working to make a simple, sturdy car that large numbers of people would be able to afford. To lower the price, Ford and his executives tried new ways to reduce production costs. For example, the company created an assembly line method in which conveyor belts brought automobile parts to workers. Each worker performed a particular task, such as adding or tightening a part. This system helped reduce the assembly time of a Ford automobile from about 12 1/2 worker-hours in 1912 to about 1 1/2 worker-hours in 1914.

For Apple to please Wonder Boy, should the lessons of history be ignored,
especially the Industrial Revolution of the early 1900's?

Hey, Henry, do you hear what this Wonder Boy wants to do?
(Henry - rolling over in grave)
Ok, I hear you Henry.
Wonder Boy, Henry says "build your own, to hell with costs, and don't let IBM mess with you either".
Henry, you can Rest In Peace now, Wonder Boy did admit "it may not be plausable" and I think he's right, Henry, ain't no way it's plausable!

 

[Mac2004]

As others answered for me, some people will either mail in the rebates, but with incorrect documentation, lose the receipt (or some other critical part of the documentation), or just never get around to it. That's why businesses do mail-in rebates. The % of people that redeem them is far less than 100%.

I agree!!!!! Apple should just lower thir prices. They are way overpriced compared to a fully loaded PC. These rebates are too much of a hassle. Just lower the damn prices and be done with it. Your monitors are way overpriced anyway. I sure like Apple but I am getting really tired of all these little games and delays.

 

[TorbX]

Maybe Steve knew that a slight bump would be a waste of resources/time/money and decided to hold off until 3 Ghz, when he knew more people would be interested. It's not like the competition is roaring ahead -- the P4 is the biggest joke in history( )

Maybe a little off-topic, but why is that? I hear people saying it, but why do they?

Why is P4 a joke?