Originally posted by hkriffraff
Sorry, I was a bit worked up before. Im not loaded and a high-end Powerbook + FCP is out of my range without a significant discount. This is what I was led to expect over the course of a month and it led me to pass on a very substantial thinkpad discount through my school. Im just taken aback that the salesman would start claiming he had no idea and no control over the promotion instead of just admitting I shouldnt have encouraged you to wait, but I cant/wont do anything about it and that most of these MUG people would deride me for voicing a grievance on their forum (after all it was the MUG that led me to have dealings with him in the first place).
Some other comments he made also irritated me, like I poured my heart out over this promotion and I spent a lot of time after work trying to get this promotion together (as if its not a part of his work-day to sell to us). Many regional vendors offered excellent back to school promotions, yet this guy can show up a month late with modest offers on bottom of the line models and people will fawn over his efforts like hes been doing volunteer work. I have never seen anything like this before and from what I read, this type of unquestioning support seems pervasive in Mac culture and to some extent fostered by Apple itself.
With the panther upgrade for example, we know that its due later this year so that could be from 0-3 months. Will I get any discount if I buy a new machine now? I dont believe that Apple is obligated to offer anything, but I would like to know what their intent is so that I can make an informed decision. Why does it have to be a big secret? Things like this really bug me and cause me to wonder if its wise to go with an all-under-one-roof company like Apple.
The salesman was wrong. He just wanted to keep you from buying a PC.
Don't let that cloud your judgement of Mac Users or deter you from being a Mac user. Your points are valid but not all true. Apple's Panther by the end of the year is a lot better than Microsoft's constant push back of Longhorn, last I heard it's 2005? That's 3 years for an update to XP that's a long time. As far as Apple not giving you an upgrade to Panther for free because you bought a Mac before it was released, Micorsoft does the same darn thing. My last PC was bought abt 15 days before XP came out and I did not get an upgrade. If you bought a Ford in October and 2 weeks later an upgraded model came out with a newer engine, Ford's not going to replace it. That's the way of the world.
Alot of us cannot afford 17" PB's. It's not suprising that the College only offered discounts on iBooks etc or as you put it (low end machines). These are not "low end machines" they are the machines targeted at EDUCATIONAL and home consumers.
As far as our defense of Apple...my feeling is this. Apple makes mistakes. Everyone does. Apple has been in my opinion much more forthcoming about admitting them and fixing them than Microsoft ever is. Also, my computing expereince with my Macs are such that a "deal" would not deter me.
Using a Mac to me is about being differnet and having faith in a company, you have to be a Mac user becaue your whole computing experience is dependent on that company being around for ever, so we fight for them. We defend them. We are over zealous in trying to get you to try it because we know you will like it more than your WinTel machines. The trade off is a very simple, efficient, stable OS. Also a feeling that you are a "part" of something. The mystery makes it fun! It builds the suspense. It makes us crazy..it's a part of the experience.
Bottom line, get a Mac...enjoy the experience of your computer and if you want to...the people.
macboyX
