PowerMac G5 Updates - March 23rd?

[MacRAND]

Buyer preferences for PC over Mac

Every time a consumer goes into a computer store (or 3) and shops for a Mac vs a PC and selects a PC for reasons like "my friends have one" or "there is more software for a PC", or "it has higher Ghz", which are the three most common stated reasons, Macs lose sales.

You do not see people going in and saying "a Mac is more stable", "a Mac is far easier to use, upgrade, downgrade", "a Mac just makes task completion faster and easier", "a Mac interfaces with peripherals seamlessly", "the Mac manual collects dust", "the Mac reinstall discs collect dust", "the hardware lasts twice as long thus reducing life cycle costs and repair hassles".
Apple runs artsy ads ONLY and NEVER ONCE even mentions actual consumer benefits to consumers.
Rocketman

Excellent points, Rocketman.
I had always assumed that people buy PCs primarily because they they are so "cheap" to buy compared to a Mac. Like a $439 Lindows special at Wal-Mart, or $559 at COSTCO. Consumers rarely know how to compare what you get and what you do NOT get when purchasing either a Mac or PC, and therefore think cheaper is just as good.
It makes me sick to my stomach while flipping channels on cable to see a couple of PC geeks touting the benefits of their 4:3 19" LCD screens and junk PC boxes with a super COMBO drive for over $1,000. but they never tell anyone what they do not get, what it's lacking compared to a Mac, not that I'd expect them to. "You can get on the internet...read email...and look at photos from your USB camera..." Like it's a real digital hub.
Really, I thought stats would say that PRICE is number one.

 

[numediaman]

These are good points. Part of the problem lies, I believe, in the people chosen to sell computers to consumers.

I remember being offered a job to sell computers at a small retail store back in the early-mid eighties. They were looking for people who could not only sell, but could explain the benefits of computer ownership.

Think about the Dell commercials: their big line is "tell us what you want to do". This is silly: most people want e-mail and maybe Internet surfing.

That's the opposite way a computer should be sold. Sure a salesperson should find out what a person wants to do with the computer -- but when the answer is a shrug they need to demonstrate the "possibilities" of the computer. For example, I showed someone iChat and they thought it was the greatest thing ever invented (even though chat software is not really a new thing). The whole idea of integrating iChat with iSight got them very excited. GarageBand then blew them away.

The fact that I could effectively demo the software and hardware together made the difference -- and sold the Mac.

 

[FatSweatyChimp]

Maybe some people just prefer PCs?

I use both and I like both but because you all love Macs here it doesn't mean that everyone else MUST love them too and are just being brainwashed by Dell etc.

Some people love eating out at fancy restaurants while others may just prefer a hamburger. Nothing wrong with that. Ranting and raving ( I don't mean anyone here personally ) at people about what you steadfastly believe to be the better choice of computer may inadvertantly turn people away.

 

[MacRAND]

English Translation from French by Member Post 83

You're a piece of work. First, the article was never pulled.
As Arn pointed out, there seemed to be a dns problem with some ISPs.

Second, a person that (who) knows French fairly well translated the article and posted (it) a number of pages back in this thread. I guess you don't bother with that silly reading part

daveL is correct, I did miss the English Translation found in Post #83 (page 4) probably didn't see it because it was inside quote box (good form), not outside.
Yes, silly of me, MY MISTAKE - Could have saved myself a lot of work and time.
My post was unnecessarily redundant; I'm sorry.

 

[the_mole1314]

Maybe some people just prefer PCs?

I use both and I like both but because you all love Macs here it doesn't mean that everyone else MUST love them too and are just being brainwashed by Dell etc.

Some people love eating out at fancy restaurants while others may just prefer a hamburger. Nothing wrong with that. Ranting and raving ( I don't mean anyone here personally ) at people about what you steadfastly believe to be the better choice of computer may inadvertantly turn people away.

So true, but that dosn't explain the 5% market share. If you eat burgers but have never eaten a good piece of salmon, how do you know you prefer burgers? Some people perfer PCs, I agree. But others don't know there is another totally different option.

 

[ionas]

LOL

...to see a couple of PC geeks touting the benefits of their 4:3 19" LCD screens and junk PC boxes with a super COMBO drive for over $1,000. but they never tell anyone what they do not get, what it's lacking compared to a Mac, not that I'd expect them to. "You can get on the internet...read email...and look at photos from your USB camera..." Like it's a real digital hub.
Really, I thought stats would say that PRICE is number one.

I got a 22" iiyama CRT, very good monitor.
DVD Burners (Superdrives) dont cost 1000 anymore - get over it.

there are a lot of arguments pro mac, but those you mention there are mostly not existing.

 

[Azmordean]

1.8 DP actually only 1799?

Ok, I am curious... assuming this rumor is true (which is a big assumption), does anyone actually think the new "low end" 1.8 DPs will be only $1799 (or 1599 with edu discount)? I am new to the mac world, but it seems to me that having a single 1.6 for $1799 on March 22 and jumping to a dual 1.8 (prob roughly twice the power) on March 23 for 1799 just wont happen, but maybe I am wrong.

I ask because I have something of a dilemma. I am looking at getting a mac soon, and Apple is currently offering refurb single cpu 1.8s with 512 RAM and a 160gb hard drive for 1699. This strikes me as a decent deal. However, if I can get a dual 1.8 new with edu discount for 1599 come March 23, clearly, I should wait for that. My worry is that it will be significantly more expensive (say, 2000 with edu discount), then I wont be able to afford it, and that by waiting I run the risk of Apple running out of the refurb units. Thoughts?

 

[Dave00]

Re: iMac G5

It's almost certainly a mistake. One of the options is "Server G4", which suggests this was an outdated list, and there's no option for plain old G5, which suggests the "iMac G5" was supposed to be "G5".

I'm sure it's just a mistake, but check this out. I just bought a PB (I know, I know, but I had to for work) and to thank me (gee whoopdeedoo!), apple gave me a free subsription to macworld. on the page where you fill in the delivery address it asks you some questions about what you do, etc... one of the questions is 'please select from the list the apple product you purchased most recently'. imac G5? THAT'S interesting.

 

[PRØBE]

My local Mac store (Ok it's in Portugal) has just started offering 150 euro discounts for Powermacs ordered before 31st March and 75 euros off Imacs ordered before this date...Hmm, the plot thickens.

 

[reflex]

when the rest of the industry standardized years ago on 512meg of ram

This is simply not true. There are plenty of computer sold today with 256MB of ram and even quite a number with only 128MB of ram.

 

[MacRAND]

Why not wait? Really!

Ok, I am curious... assuming this rumor is true (which is a big assumption), does anyone actually think the new "low end" 1.8 DPs will be only $1799 (or 1599 with edu discount)? I am new to the mac world, but it seems to me that having a single 1.6 for $1799 on March 22 and jumping to a dual 1.8 (prob roughly twice the power) on March 23 for 1799 just wont happen, but maybe I am wrong.

I ask because I have something of a dilemma. I am looking at getting a mac soon, and Apple is currently offering refurb single cpu 1.8s with 512 RAM and a 160gb hard drive for 1699. This strikes me as a decent deal. However, if I can get a dual 1.8 new with edu discount for 1599 come March 23, clearly, I should wait for that. My worry is that it will be significantly more expensive (say, 2000 with edu discount), then I wont be able to afford it, and that by waiting I run the risk of Apple running out of the refurb units. Thoughts?

Refurbs come from refreshing returns, which should continue - how likely is it that Apple will run out of refurbs in the next two weeks?

Does waiting 2 weeks from today (March 10th) take that much patience?

Doing so (1) replaces speculation with certainty, and may (2) save you some money AND get you a (3) significant upgrade.

What do you think you should do?

 

[clr900]

I'm sure it's just a mistake, but check this out. I just bought a PB (I know, I know, but I had to for work) and to thank me (gee whoopdeedoo!), apple gave me a free subsription to macworld. on the page where you fill in the delivery address it asks you some questions about what you do, etc... one of the questions is 'please select from the list the apple product you purchased most recently'. imac G5? THAT'S interesting.

Well...we all know that G5's are eventually going to have to be put into iMacs so I don't think this is very startling as it doesn't point to a release date. Still quite interesting. If it were the name of a completely new product...now that would be startling.

 

[clr900]

Ok, I am curious... assuming this rumor is true (which is a big assumption), does anyone actually think the new "low end" 1.8 DPs will be only $1799 (or 1599 with edu discount)? I am new to the mac world, but it seems to me that having a single 1.6 for $1799 on March 22 and jumping to a dual 1.8 (prob roughly twice the power) on March 23 for 1799 just wont happen, but maybe I am wrong.

I ask because I have something of a dilemma. I am looking at getting a mac soon, and Apple is currently offering refurb single cpu 1.8s with 512 RAM and a 160gb hard drive for 1699. This strikes me as a decent deal. However, if I can get a dual 1.8 new with edu discount for 1599 come March 23, clearly, I should wait for that. My worry is that it will be significantly more expensive (say, 2000 with edu discount), then I wont be able to afford it, and that by waiting I run the risk of Apple running out of the refurb units. Thoughts?

I'm waiting until March 23rd and am really hoping the dual 1.8 will only be 1800 or I would probably still get it even if it was 2000(1800 with edu discount). However buying a single 1.8 right now is not really an issue for me since I have decided only to get the Rev B whenever that is that it comes out.

 

[allroy]

Dual Opteron vs Dual G5's

Check it out...
www.barefeats.com

Frnakly I'm not sure how you can say that a G5 is extremely competitive. Have you noticed that Apple never compares them with Opterons?

The G5 can look good when the perosn doing the comparison wants them to look good, that is not what Apple needs though. They need a computer that no one can reasonably deny is fast. The current G5 is not that machine.

It is all about Apples survival and takeing a reasonable shot at increasing market share. Apple will not have a chance of doing that, increasing market share, if there are reasonable questions about the performance of its machines. The concerns are reasonable as the G5 is not a universal winner when it comes to performance, which is something an objective mind has to admit to. I want to see Apple introduce a machine that even a biased viewer would have to admit is fast if not the fastest.

 

[joco]

So tell me how many of you really think we will see dual 2.4s on March 22??? I ask because I just bought a Dual 2.0 And I am wondering if I should return it and wait until the 22nd... whats your thoughts?

 

[klaus]

just hold on to your powermac i'd say..

 

[neonart]

So tell me how many of you really think we will see dual 2.4s on March 22??? I ask because I just bought a Dual 2.0 And I am wondering if I should return it and wait until the 22nd... whats your thoughts?

If you are happy with your DP2.0 don't screw with it. It won't magically slow down on the 23 or anything.

But if it bugs you to death and your ok with waiting for a new one (and paying restocking fees, if applicable) then wait.

 

[rdowns]

I'm sure it's just a mistake, but check this out. I just bought a PB (I know, I know, but I had to for work) and to thank me (gee whoopdeedoo!), apple gave me a free subsription to macworld. on the page where you fill in the delivery address it asks you some questions about what you do, etc... one of the questions is 'please select from the list the apple product you purchased most recently'. imac G5? THAT'S interesting.

very old news. It's a MacWorld page, not an Apple one. Have had that option in he pull down for months now.

 

[Borg3of5]

Interesting?

Although this may not be a SURE indicator of imminent updates, I will let you all decide reference the following:

I finally decided to put in my order for a Dual 1.8 gHz G5, and when I called the Apple Store, the rep advised me that he would be giving me a $250 discount on my G5. The rep offered this discount without me asking, or me inquiring about any imminent updates on the G5 product-line.

I have never called in an order to Apple, but it would seem to me that an update to the current product-scheme MIGHT be imminent, given the rep's offer to give me a discount on my G5 order.

Quite strange, isn't it? Anyone else get this recently from a phone call to Apple?

 

[Dont Hurt Me]

Since you called it in you probably didnt know of the memory discount they have going and perhaps that was the discount?

 

[Borg3of5]

Since you called it in you probably didnt know of the memory discount they have going and perhaps that was the discount?

Not really, because I do have my homepage as Apple, and I scour the online store every day. I knew of the memory discount/upgrade. I knew they rep were going to try and push some extra memory onto my G5 order, but I insisted I wanted to keep it as is. The rep advised later on, that I was still going to receive a $250 discount. Very strange. Although one of the users in this thread, PRØBE, from Portugal advised a couple of postings up, that his local stores were offering 75-100 Euro discounts. This is substantial since the Euro is kicking the Dollar's dérière lately.

 

[kawa_on_mac]

Dual 1.8GHz G5, 256MB DDR400, 80GB HD, GeForce 5200 Ultra
Dual 2.2GHz G5, 512MB DDR400, 160GB HD, Radeon 9600
Dual 2.4GHz G5, 512MB DDR400, 160GB HD, Radeon 9600

If this rumor come true, there would be a place for iMac G5 as all listed PowerMac's are dual

 

[aswitcher]

Dual 1.8GHz G5, 256MB DDR400, 80GB HD, GeForce 5200 Ultra
Dual 2.2GHz G5, 512MB DDR400, 160GB HD, Radeon 9600
Dual 2.4GHz G5, 512MB DDR400, 160GB HD, Radeon 9600

If this rumor come true, there would be a place for iMac G5 as all listed PowerMac's are dual

Yep, there has been much discussion about the Power line being Dual and the "i" line being single, maybe slightly lower clocked. That's what we expect...God knows when...

 

[pgwalsh]

Yep, there has been much discussion about the Power line being Dual and the "i" line being single, maybe slightly lower clocked. That's what we expect...God knows when...

Wouldn't it be great if they exceeded are expectations and put the top end processor in an iMac and sold all the PowerMacs with Duals. Will Apple exceed are expectations?

 

[klaus]

Pff, the other thread about the Xserve delay's is probably somewhat in line with this thread.. and there, a guy said his delivery date on his Xserver order, got pushed back from 04/03 to 29/4!, that's almost an extra 2 months..

i don't know what's going on at Apple's production line..but it sure isn't good for their rep. And I guess it's a bit opportunistic to be thinking the PMG5's won't have any problems delivering on time..that is, when they are announced the 23rd (IF)

sigh..