Dual PowerMacs and Aluminum Displays?

[billefrafra]

Now, another email from Apple. . . .

Large text states: "Special memory offer ends March 27th"

"The best time to get a new iMac, Power Mac G4, or Power Mac G5 is right now. For a limited time you can save up to $700 when you power one up to maximum capacity.* Get special RAM upgrades on all qualifying desktop systems when you custom-configure one at the Apple Store by March 27. Save up to $50 on each 256MB RAM module, up to $150 on each 512MB RAM module, or up to $50 on each 1GB RAM module added to your system. And while you’re adding memory to your new Mac, you can tailor your system to your needs by adding a built-in Bluetooth module,** extra internal storage, an AirPort Extreme Card, and more."

The left column lists 3 different special offers that conspiciously end "March 27"th.

The subject line of the email: "Special offers expiring soon."

So, yes, it certainly seems very soon after but definitely not before March 27th. Can't imagine overlapping old deals with new products.

 

[jsw]

Smaller Bezel, USB & Firewire. I could not add room for the coffee maker.

I assume the coffee maker's in the back. No need to show it. When you get the time, you might want to add the spigot, which I assume would be visible from the side (don't want to actually have to stand up to get the coffee, now do we?).

 

[jsw]

...So, yes, it certainly seems very soon after but definitely not before March 27th. Can't imagine overlapping old deals with new products.

Given Apple's propensity for announcing things on Tuesdays, I feel the pain of anyone who buys a Mac after the 27th and before the 30th. Poor bastards...

 

[clr900]

Especially for someone who is in the academic realm, this puts a decent Powermac into the affordable price range of many academic institutions. Typically, faculty and staff are allowed only to 1. buy NEW machines and 2. keep purchase prices low (usually in the eMac or iMac range). Yes, the 1.6 G5 isn't the greatest machine out there, it will be a wonderful machine for many many people. I remember several years ago when ANYONE would SCREAM FOR JOY at a NEW powermac for $1400 US. Mine was $3200, but it was >$2000 for the single 733, so I bought the dual 800. This $1400 machine is a much better deal than the low end Powermacs have been in the past, in my opinion.

But after the updates?? Assuming the lowest model is still priced at 1800, it will certainly be better, probably a dual. With the student discount it is 1600 and if you take out the superdrive you drop it to almost 1400 and you are getting a much better computer. We will have to see what they announce but 1400 will probably not be hard to get after the updates for a better computer. Let's face it, Apple is trying to sucker in consumers into clearing out stock of their crappy computers.

 

[MrCommunistGen]

I'm just getting this system for photo editing, basic video editing, web design, school(can u belive I'm only in 8th grade and I get a G5!!!!!!)

Hope it comes soon!!!!(Preferably when My dad is in a good mood, maybe I'll get a 23".)

Kid, you're dad must have too much money lying around!

I've been working my but off since this summer to get $ for a new mac, but I need a car first (I'm 16) , and no my parents won't pay for any of it. unfortunately, a couple months ago I just HAD to buy the parts to finish our home theatre system that I've been working on for over a year so that set me back quite a bit... now I'm just rambling... WHY CAN'T I BE MORE LUCKY!!?

-MCG

 

[Awimoway]

I really hope and don't think Apple will bring Alum display. Why?

Firstly it will not go with anything else in the product range other than the G5 tower. Apple mice/keyboard/imac/airport none of it will match. Apple is obviously heavily interested in design.

Also, there is no need to update them other than to perhaps make them larger, brighter and better quality. All of these would increase price and not really change anything for Apple. Plus their display are some of the industry's finest, so I doubt they would change them just yet.

Apple's design seems to be Alum mixed with clear plasticy-thingy. I hope they dont go all metal yet, not unless they plan on changing the entire product range.

X

Apple is very style-conscious, and love it or hate it (I hate it--it seems like attention-deficit disorder to me), the style-conscious tire very easily with the way things look. Designers show no mercy with redesigns--they seem to take an almost perverse pleasure in introducing radical new designs that make the last one seem so dreadfully passé that you're embarrassed by the very sight of it. In this way, capitalism strings the consumer along, convincing them that a perfectly functional thing is not only worthless, it's offensive to the eyes and must be replaced with another product that is essentially identical in all but the most superficial ways. It's the art of creating desire out of nothing and it fuels a great deal of our modern economy.

Remember that Apple, like any good business, is not your friend: it's your ally. It won't bend over backwards in a self-sacrificing way for your benefit. Rather, it has its own self-interest at heart. But it cannot survive without your cooperation, so it will try to please you to an extent, but not at the expense of its core interests. This is more like an ally--you can't always trust it, but it is on your side when you have a mutual interest. Therefore, it will try to create mutual interests by offering you well-designed products, but the primary reason for this is to get your money, not to make your life better--that's just a happy accident.

My point? I expect the new displays to look mercilessly different from the current generation. Apple doesn't care if it matches your PowerMac G3. They want you to buy a G5 anyway.

 

[Mercury]

any others waitting for 3.0ghz or are you going rev. b?

can't decide, still using an old 733hz, maybe we'll get the 3.0ghz now! (probably not, but still would be great!)

Me too. I can't decide whether to go ahead and get whatever the top of the line is or try to hold out for the 3 ghz. Also, since I'm planning long term, what monitor...

This time, I'm not making the mistake of not getting AppleCare...

 

[aswitcher]

My point? I expect the new displays to look mercilessly different from the current generation. Apple doesn't care if it matches your PowerMac G3. They want you to buy a G5 anyway.

I agree. I wonder if there will be a mounting bracket at the back to assist fixing to an arm of some sort....

 

[themadchemist]

any others waitting for 3.0ghz or are you going rev. b?

can't decide, still using an old 733hz, maybe we'll get the 3.0ghz now! (probably not, but still would be great!)

Depends. I'm on a 400 MHz G4 Gigabit Ethernet right now, circa 2000. If I can scrounge up the cash I'm going to get the best G5 available so I can enjoy a moment of glory with a super-duper fast computer.

Plus, it's really starting to lag when I've got 10 apps open. I want it to be lightning fast.

Plus, student developer discount.

Plus, maybe tax-deduction for my business.

 

[3.1416]

you are wrong, the 90nm means they will run cooler meaning use less power meaning less fan and noise to keep them cool. so you have a computer thats saves a few watts and isnt a wind tunnel.

Good point. I didn't think of that since my dual 2.0 at work is quieter than my upgraded Sawtooth. Still, if that's the only way the low-end is "crippled" I wouldn't mind. I can't imagine Apple sticking with the 4 memory slots/DDR333/no PCI-X motherboard for the next rev.

 

[3.1416]

I can't decide whether to go ahead and get whatever the top of the line is or try to hold out for the 3 ghz.

I know I don't want to go through 3 more months of "maybe next week?" this summer/fall. Besides, in January 2006 when the dual-core G6 comes out, you'll want to sell whatever G5 you have anyway

This time, I'm not making the mistake of not getting AppleCare...

The house always wins with extended warranties...

 

[aswitcher]

The current 23" is 1920x1200, I'd expect a lot more from a 30"!

Well obviously native should be the limit of the current hi end graphics card...2048 x 1536

 

[vpalvarez]

Dude,
Do you even own one?
I highly doubt it because that's just plain rubbish what you say.
Apple HD and Cinema Displays are still among the best in the industry.
I invite you to actually look at and use the Apple displays and not merely just look at the specs.

Cheers!

Apple uses the LG Electronics display and, although being very good, it is by no means the best in the industry, although I wouldn't want to pay for the best when the Apple displays are good 'nuff. The New line should sport all Widescreen and more HD

 

[vpalvarez]

Kid, you're dad must have too much money lying around!

I've been working my but off since this summer to get $ for a new mac, but I need a car first (I'm 16) , and no my parents won't pay for any of it. unfortunately, a couple months ago I just HAD to buy the parts to finish our home theatre system that I've been working on for over a year so that set me back quite a bit... now I'm just rambling... WHY CAN'T I BE MORE LUCKY!!?

-MCG

I feel your plight, except add to that that I'm 19 and paying for 100% of all my college expenses at SFSU, hopefully it builds character

 

[Xerxes248]

I see your point, but the problem is that an Alum display will not go with anything other than the G5. None of the Apple periphals, even new ones like mice/key/airport are Alum. Even the iSight which is Alum has a plastic base.

Seems a real mis-match to me, but as you say they're in it to make money!

Apple is very style-conscious, and love it or hate it (I hate it--it seems like attention-deficit disorder to me), the style-conscious tire very easily with the way things look. Designers show no mercy with redesigns--they seem to take an almost perverse pleasure in introducing radical new designs that make the last one seem so dreadfully passé that you're embarrassed by the very sight of it. In this way, capitalism strings the consumer along, convincing them that a perfectly functional thing is not only worthless, it's offensive to the eyes and must be replaced with another product that is essentially identical in all but the most superficial ways. It's the art of creating desire out of nothing and it fuels a great deal of our modern economy.

Remember that Apple, like any good business, is not your friend: it's your ally. It won't bend over backwards in a self-sacrificing way for your benefit. Rather, it has its own self-interest at heart. But it cannot survive without your cooperation, so it will try to please you to an extent, but not at the expense of its core interests. This is more like an ally--you can't always trust it, but it is on your side when you have a mutual interest. Therefore, it will try to create mutual interests by offering you well-designed products, but the primary reason for this is to get your money, not to make your life better--that's just a happy accident.

My point? I expect the new displays to look mercilessly different from the current generation. Apple doesn't care if it matches your PowerMac G3. They want you to buy a G5 anyway.

 

[moofdog]

Minor Panic

I'm after advice. I saved for ages and finally convinced myself I could buy a 1.6Ghz G5 PM. So I bought it (GBP1400). Now with these updates coming out - and I bought just before rumor got going - I'm worried that I made a silly decision.

Basically what's the likelihood that post updates I'll get more for that money. Bear in mind that was the ceiling of what I was prepared to spend - so if concencus is that the updates will not replace the 1.6 at a similar price, then I'm happy. What form does apple have for that? Ie do they just replace a whole range at a similar price. I thought they tended to add at the top and let things shift down slowly.

If I couldn't get more for my money, what drop in 1.6 prices are we likely to see - ie how much could I save. I bought from a store so I do have the option of returning it (though I'd rather not have to).

Oppinions welcome on what I should do.

 

[rdowns]

I'm after advice. I saved for ages and finally convinced myself I could buy a 1.6Ghz G5 PM. So I bought it (GBP1400). Now with these updates coming out - and I bought just before rumor got going - I'm worried that I made a silly decision.

Basically what's the likelihood that post updates I'll get more for that money. Bear in mind that was the ceiling of what I was prepared to spend - so if concencus is that the updates will not replace the 1.6 at a similar price, then I'm happy. What form does apple have for that? Ie do they just replace a whole range at a similar price. I thought they tended to add at the top and let things shift down slowly.

If I couldn't get more for my money, what drop in 1.6 prices are we likely to see - ie how much could I save. I bought from a store so I do have the option of returning it (though I'd rather not have to).

Oppinions welcome on what I should do.

Apple has historically released new models at the same or similar price points of the models they replace. Prices are rarely lower. They tens to keep prices the same and add more features (i.e. faster optical drive, bigger HD, new video).

Chances are, if PMs are updated soon, you would get quite a bit more bang for your buck, er, pound.

I say keep the damn thing. You obviously want and/or need it;you decided it met your needs. Or you could jump on the Apple buying paralysis bandwagon and wait for the rumored new models. Don't forget that Steve promised us 3 GHz within the next 6 months. Maybe you should wait for that. Then again, the G6 could appear in early 2005.

 

[Mercury]

I know I don't want to go through 3 more months of "maybe next week?" this summer/fall. Besides, in January 2006 when the dual-core G6 comes out, you'll want to sell whatever G5 you have anyway


The house always wins with extended warranties...

Oy...I'll probably be going through that even after I buy it. For a while after I got the 733, I was hoping they wouldn't come out with new things for a while so I would be top of the line for a bit longer. Of course, I also made the mistake of not upgrading the graphics card for a reasonable price when I could...

I'm afraid I definitely am going to get the AppleCare this time. Last time, my IBM deskstar(apparently the brother of the model they recalled...) died several times, a bit after I was out of AppleCare, taking three or four papers due that week due with it. I booted it up and it gave me the blinking question mark of doom. I booted up off the CD and found out that mysteriously half of my files had disappeared more or less spontaneously(overnight, it would seem). Last year, my beautiful beatiful 17" Apple CRT, the last one they ever made, died. I don't know whether it shorted out or what, but it stopped working and just makes a clicking sound when connected to power. Since then I've been using the same IBM drive reluctantly, and a crappy 19" ViewSonic CRT. I can't wait to get my hands on a brand new Apple LCD...

 

[centauratlas]

New G5 support in 10.3.3?

from 10.3.3: /System/Library/SystemProfiler/SPPlatformReporter.spreporter/Contents/Resources/English.lproj/Localizable.strings

Shows the following support (summarized):
2 different PM G5s.
Do they view the single and dual G5s as different machines or does this indicate support for the upcoming G5s? (Unfortunately, I didn't keep a copy of my 10.3.2 version around, anyone?). Given the modification date of that file, I think it is showing the NEW G5s.

NO PB G5s (I am not sure how many PB G4s were listed in 10.3.2 either). If the rumors about a quick 10.3.4 update for any bugs in 10.3.3 are correct, that may not be indicative of a lot).

---------------
Here is the long version:
hardware_overview = "Hardw
are Overview";
current_processor_speed =
"CPU Speed";
minimum_processor_speed =
"Minimum CPU Speed";
maximum_processor_speed =
"Maximum CPU Speed";
number_processors = "Numbe
r Of CPUs";
bus_speed = "Bus Speed";
l2_cache_size = "L2 Cache
(per CPU)";
l3_cache_size = "L3 Cache
(per CPU)";
machine_type = "Machine Ty
pe";
machine_model = "Machine M
odel";
serial_number = "Serial Nu
mber";
sales_order_number = "Sale
s Order Number";
physical_memory = "Memory"
;
cpu_type = "CPU Type";
platform_cpu_vendor = "CPU
Vendor";
boot_rom_version = "Boot R
OM Version";
boot_rom_vendor = "Boot RO
M Vendor";
boot_rom_release_date = "B
oot ROM Release Date";
platform_cpu_features = "C
PU Features";
platform_product_name = "P
roduct Name";
platform_manufacturer = "M
anufacturer";
platform_version = "Versio
n";
platform_serial_number = "
Serial Number";


/* These strings link the
model name as returned by t
he "compatible" property
*/
/* in Open Firmware to the
marketing name for the sam
e machine. Do not modify
*/
/* the left hand strings;
they are what is returned b
y Open Firmware. */
/* To add a new model, add
its compatible property an
d the marketing name.
*/

/* see <http://developer.a
pple.com/techpubs/hardware/
Developer_Notes/> */

/* xserve */
"RackMac1,2" = "Xserve";
"RackMac1,1" = "Xserve";
"RackMac3,1" = "Xserve G5"
;

/* eMac */
"PowerMac4,4" = "eMac";

/* iMac */
"iMac,1" = "iMac";

"PowerMac2,1" = "iMac";
"PowerMac2,2" = "iMac";
"PowerMac4,1" = "iMac";
"PowerMac4,2" = "iMac";
"PowerMac4,5" = "iMac";
"PowerMac6,1" = "iMac";

/* PowerMac */
"AAPL,PowerMac G3" = "Powe
r Macintosh G3";
"AAPL,Gossamer" = "Power M
acintosh G3 series";

"PowerMac1,1" = "Power Mac
intosh G3 Series";
"PowerMac1,2" = "Power Mac
G3 (PCI graphics)";

"PowerMac3,1" = "Power Mac
G4 (AGP graphics)";
"PowerMac3,2" = "Power Mac
G4 (AGP graphics)";
"PowerMac3,3" = "Power Mac
G4";
"PowerMac3,4" = "Power Mac
G4";
"PowerMac3,5" = "Power Mac
G4";
"PowerMac3,6" = "Power Mac
G4";

"PowerMac5,1" = "Power Mac
G4 Cube";
"PowerMac5,2" = "Power Mac
G4 Cube";

"PowerMac7,2" = "Power Mac
G5";
"PowerMac7,3" = "Power Mac
G5";


/* iBook */
"PowerBook2,1" = "iBook";
"PowerBook2,2" = "iBook";
"PowerBook4,1" = "iBook";
"PowerBook4,2" = "iBook";
"PowerBook4,3" = "iBook";
"PowerBook4,4" = "iBook";
"PowerBook6,3" = "iBook G4
";

/* PowerBook */
"AAPL,PowerBook1998" = "Po
werBook G3 series";
"PowerBook1,1" = "PowerBoo
k G3 Series";
"PowerBook3,1" = "PowerBoo
k";
"PowerBook3,2" = "PowerBoo
k G4";
"PowerBook3,3" = "PowerBoo
k G4";
"PowerBook3,4" = "PowerBoo
k G4";
"PowerBook3,5" = "PowerBoo
k G4 15\"";
"PowerBook5,1" = "PowerBoo
k G4 17\"";
"PowerBook6,1" = "PowerBoo
k G4 12\"";
"PowerBook6,2" = "PowerBoo
k G4 12\"";
g4800:/System/Library/SystemProfiler/SPPlatformReporter.spreporter/Contents/Resources/English.lproj riley$
g4800:/System/Library/SystemProfiler/SPPlatformReporter.spreporter/Contents/Resources/English.lproj riley$ pwd
/System/Library/SystemProfiler/SPPlatformReporter.spreporter/Contents/Resources/English.lproj
g4800:/System/Library/SystemProfiler/SPPlatformReporter.spreporter/Contents/Resources/English.lproj riley$

 

[garybooberry]

Discounts

I received an e-mail from Apple this morning specifically stating:

"Save up to 200.00 on any Power Mac"

(This is with an educational discount, but it did not mention any other products in the Apple line.)

 

[klaus]

I received an e-mail from Apple this morning specifically stating:

"Save up to 200.00 on any Power Mac"

(This is with an educational discount, but it did not mention any other products in the Apple line.)

Other people also reported they were offered extra discounts on edu prices for the powermac.

But if you decide to go with the offer and order a powermac rev A. Then this would mean your order will certainly not be replaced by a rev B powermac if this arrives within a week or two. Cause otherwise they would only hurt themselves..(lower price for a brandnew spanking g5 rev B)

Klaus

 

[Rustus Maximus]

Apple Australia have changed the main image on their website (www.apple.com.au) to advertising the G5.

I wonder if this is a sign???

Perhaps a small clue at the Australian Apple site. Click the Trade up info box in lower right hand corner. It appears the Trade up to G5 offer is good through Friday, March 26th. Perhaps an indication that the new G5's will be released on the 30th. Seems like they are trying to push out that old G5 inventory.

 

[garybooberry]

In reference to the educational e-mail I posted:

I'm definitely not ordering before the Rev. B's are out.

I am (naively) hoping for a good price point on a dual 1.8 revision as the entry model.

We'll see what happens.

 

[javabear90]

I think apple is trying to get rid of their stock by giving discounts, also the new front page on apple.com is probably trying to encourage sales. so.....

 

[skunkburner]

**newbie-like question alert**

When I've bought Macs in the past, I've never taken into consideration when new models were going to come out. Yeah, stupid me. I just bought when I saw a good price and needed one. Like how I buy toothpaste.

But now I really need a new computer and would like to get a G5, but I *am* tempted to wait until these new models come out. However, if they're announced in the next couple of weeks, will they actually be *available* at the same time? Or will I have to wait for availability? Usually how long is the wait, if there is one?

And does anyone know if new models come out at the same time in Canada, where I'm from?