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Leopard - Free Upgrade Question

F

FritterFratter

macrumors newbie
Original poster
I'm going to be making the switch to Mac in the near future and I just have a quick question about how Apple runs their OS upgrades. Forgive me if this is a complete newbie question:

Does Apple offer a free upgrade to their new OS if you purchase a system shortly before the release of that new OS? In other words, do they offer a similar upgrade like Microsoft did with a new PC buyers who purchased just prior to the Vista release?

As I said, I'm going to buy a new Mac but it seems kind of silly to buy now if I'm going to end up paying another $130 or so within a few months. Also, do they tend to raise the prices on their systems with the release of a new OS? I'm in no rush to buy so if it seems better to wait, I can certainly do that.

Thanks in advance,

FritterFratter
 
I would hold out to buy a new mac until Leopard is released. It is going to be released in late spring.


I believe that Apple does offer the free upgrade if you buy a computer right before the OS is released, but no one even knows when the OS is going to be released exactly. Don't try and time it.

And the OS prices are usually the same, and my guess is that Leopard isn't going to be much more, if any at all, than Tiger
 
The only real free OS "upgrade" will be if you purchase a machine after Leopard is released, but it's not yet pre-installed. In that case you will receive the discs when it comes into the stores.
 
Thanks for the quick responses. I like the idea of buying "old" Mac stock at the time of the Leopard release. It'd be really handy to have both OS's for one price and would make for an easy upgrade once the Leopard bugs get ironed out.

Much appreciated.

FritterFratter
 
No FREE Upgrade Until Apple Says So IF They Say So

FritterFratter said:
I'm going to be making the switch to Mac in the near future and I just have a quick question about how Apple runs their OS upgrades. Forgive me if this is a complete newbie question:

Does Apple offer a free upgrade to their new OS if you purchase a system shortly before the release of that new OS? In other words, do they offer a similar upgrade like Microsoft did with a new PC buyers who purchased just prior to the Vista release?

As I said, I'm going to buy a new Mac but it seems kind of silly to buy now if I'm going to end up paying another $130 or so within a few months. Also, do they tend to raise the prices on their systems with the release of a new OS? I'm in no rush to buy so if it seems better to wait, I can certainly do that.

Thanks in advance,

FritterFratter
Click to expand...
You'll have to wait until Apple makes such an offer IF they do at the release date announcement. Otherwise you will have to wait until Leopard ships to get it for less than $129 more or $75 academic.
 
If you buy the day before the actual shipping date announcement (which should happen 1-3 weeks prior to shipping) -- tough titties.

Buy after the shipping date announcement and it'll range from free to the usual $19.95 with the up-to-date program.
 
bob marley said:
what is this microsoft
Click to expand...

That's a pretty ignorant statement. Microsoft doesn't make the hardware on which you install their OS. If Dell/HP/Sony/etc want to increase the price of their computers after MS releases a new OS, MS doesn't have much control over that. They don't set the price of the computer hardware, just the OS. And MS would likely not support a substantial increase since that usually discourages consumers. The increase in the cost of the new MS OS over the price of the old OS is minimal for the OEMs due to concessions from MS.
 
Viremia said:
That's a pretty ignorant statement. Microsoft doesn't make the hardware on which you install their OS. If Dell/HP/Sony/etc want to increase the price of their computers after MS releases a new OS, MS doesn't have much control over that. They don't set the price of the computer hardware, just the OS. And MS would likely not support a substantial increase since that usually discourages consumers. The increase in the cost of the new MS OS over the price of the old OS is minimal for the OEMs due to concessions from MS.
Click to expand...

It was pretty stupid, but it was freakin' funny.

😀

Cheers,
Alex
 
bob marley said:
what is this microsoft
Click to expand...

No, no it's not. Microsoft offers free upgrades to their new operating systems if you buy a computer within a couple months of their releasing that new OS. That's one thing they do right for their customers. I appreciate that Apple's opacity breeds fun rumormills like this website, but sometimes it's just too much. Dealing with Apple can be very frustrating, from trying to return a product to trying to predict when you should buy that product. The idea that the consumer has no right to know when a new or updated product is about to be released and should continue buying obliviously, that is an insult.

Do you know that if your brand new laptop arrives broken in some way but will turn on--maybe the graphics card is whack or there's a faulty motherboard component--you may not return it, you may only have it repaired. That really angers me. I didn't spend $3,000 for a refurbished computer, which is what I call a repaired, serviced computer. No, I spent $3,000 for a perfectly-working brand-new computer. Obviously my vitriol stems from personal experience: actually the first and only two Apple's I've ever purchased (iMac, defective graphics card; MBP, defective mobo component), both about nine months ago. I think Apple's Customer Service is terrible.

I have nothing positive to say about Apple's Customer Service because they've never been helpful. Those hardware issues were a huge pain, but when that was finally settled I was left with a spacebar (on my MBP) that squeaked loudly with every press. I've owned a number of laptops and computers and I've never heard that, but that's what they Apple Genius at my local store insisted: "Oh, all keyboards do that." BS! I was forced to go home and pry off the key and see what I could do about it. (Interestingly, smearing a light coat of clear nail polish on the metal guide-posts seemed to do the trick.)

And when I made a movie in Quicktime Pro by splicing together a couple clips with a couple static photographs (already resized in PS), that self-contained movie played fine until I emptied the resized photos from my Trash bin. Then it wouldn't play, though the file was 50+ megs so the videos were obviously inside. Called support several times to ask what I could do, how I could get at the data, any of it. The people I talked to were derisive, rude, and really made little attempt to help.

Honestly, I'm a nice guy, I wasn't yelling and screaming. I always try to be nice because I know Customer Support people have to put up with a lot of s**t, but these experiences were extremely frustrating. In some cases it was personnel, and in some cases corporate policy was to blame.
 
Georgie said:
No, no it's not. Microsoft offers free upgrades to their new operating systems if you buy a computer within a couple months of their releasing that new OS.
Click to expand...

No they don't. The hardware manufacturers, Gateway, Dell, whoever - they have bought that licence that they give to you when Vista released. Probably some deal with MS - "We'll pay $X for the XP lic on each machine, how about an extra few bucks for a Vista upgrade as well?"

Doug
 
djellison said:
No they don't. The hardware manufacturers, Gateway, Dell, whoever - they have bought that licence that they give to you when Vista released. Probably some deal with MS - "We'll pay $X for the XP lic on each machine, how about an extra few bucks for a Vista upgrade as well?"
Doug
Click to expand...

Whatever. Apple doesn't do that either. You have buy the new OS at full price, no discount. Or you can buzz off, they don't care.
 
Georgie said:
Do you know that if your brand new laptop arrives broken in some way but will turn on--maybe the graphics card is whack or there's a faulty motherboard component--you may not return it, you may only have it repaired.
Click to expand...

Apple said:
RETURN & REFUND POLICY
If you are not satisfied with your Apple purchase of a pre-built product, please call 1-800-676-2775 for a Return Material Authorization (RMA) request within 14 calendar days of the receipt of the product. If the item is returned unopened in the original box, we will exchange it or offer you a refund based on your original method of payment. The product must be returned to the Apple warehouse within14 calendar days of the issuance of the RMA. All products must be packed in the original, unmarked packaging including any accessories, manuals, documentation and registration that shipped with the product. A 10% open box fee will be assessed on any opened hardware or accessory. If you purchased your order using an Apple Business Lease, you may be asked to provide a major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover) for Apple to assess the 10% open box restocking fee.

Please note that Apple does not permit the return of or offer refunds for the following products:

1. Product that is custom configured to your specifications
2. Opened memory
3. Opened software*
4. Electronic software downloads
5. Personalized iPods
6. Software Up to Date Program Products (SW upgrades)
7. Apple Gift Cards
8. Apple Gift Packaging (origami style gift box with ribbon and greeting card)
9. Apple Developer Connection Products (Membership and Technical Support)
Click to expand...

Dell said:
Hardware Products and Accessories: Unless you have a separate agreement with Dell or except as provided in the section below, all hardware, accessories, peripherals, parts and software that is unopened and still in its/their sealed package or, if delivered electronically, that has not been downloaded, may be returned within twenty-one (21) days from the date on the packing slip or invoice for a credit or a refund of the purchase price paid, less shipping and handling and applicable restocking fees.

Restocking Fees: Unless the product is defective or the return is a direct result of a Dell error, a restocking fee of 15% may be charged on hardware, accessories, peripherals, parts and unopened software still in its/their sealed package, and on software that has not been downloaded if the software is delivered electronically.
Click to expand...

Microsoft said:
All software and hardware products that you purchased in the United States or Canada (North America) come with a Microsoft 45-Day Money-Back Guarantee. Microsoft will refund your purchase price subject to policy guidelines and warranty and license agreement provisions.

What Products Are Not Eligible for a Refund?

* Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) software preloaded on a PC (contact the PC manufacturer)
* Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) software sold separately from PC (contact the reseller or retailer)
* Product obtained through volume licensing or subscription (contact the reseller or distributor)
* Product acquired for free via electronic distribution
* Products purchased through electronic transmission online or over the Internet (contact the online software vendor)
* Reseller/retailer and contractor products (contact your Authorized Microsoft Distributor or Account Executive)
* Products purchased through the Product Information Center (contact the Product Information Center Customer Service team)
* Products obtained as Not For Resale product
* XBOX Console Unit (refer to your warranty and product repair guidelines)
* ZUNE Media/Video player (refer to your warranty and product repair guidelines)
* Products no longer actively sold or technically supported by Microsoft
* Products purchased through the Microsoft employee purchase program
* Customer “walk-in” returns to the Return Center
* Microsoft online services
Click to expand...

Seems to me that Apple has a decent return/refund policy for its products besides custom built machines. MS won't even let you return a faulty XBOX or ZUNE. Nothing new really, just corporate America for ya. So don't get mad at our little rumormill for your lack of research. 😛

Oh and customer service pretty much sucks across the board. Just need to be really lucky.
 
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