[Podolsky]

While I am very impressed with the new PowerMac G5s - I am really disappointed in the shame the build-to-order has become. While it looks like you have the ability to BTO, I assure, that is not the case. And why not? Apple is supposed to have the most automated state-of-art assembly system.....

[-Q-]

Can you be more specific? I don't see any more/less options than have been offered before...

[mac freak]

Well, when I ordered my DP450 three years ago, I could DOWNGRADE options such as RAM, HD size, etc.

These days, Apple only allows upgrades, save for superdrive --> combodrive.

"Processor" used to be a pull-down menu with all the CPU options as well, so you could start with the low-end machine and just pump up the CPU

Apple's BTO options today consist of:
- Buying more RAM for triple its value
- Buying more HD space at inflated prices
- Adding overpriced Apple monitors
- Upgrading your video card w/o taking into account what the price of the CURRENT card is (i.e. 9600 --> 9800 = $300, whereas their prices are NOT $300 apart!).
- Removing t3h m0d3m for teh 23 doollarz!
- Adding a SECOND overpriced Apple monitor
- The iPod is a BTO option? Huh?

Back in the day, I'd get the system as low as it'd go with only a high CPU, and upgrade the HD/RAM/etc. myself for less than half the price.

EDIT: Fixed bullet points... for some reason "opt-8" was spitting out question marks instead of dots

[AssassyN]

LoL, I hafta agree...Apple's BTO system is a tad weird, in essence it's simply constructed to encourage the customer to spend MORE without looking at their downgrading options. And yes, including an iPod as a BTO-option is ludacrious.

[MikeM33]

Well you will notice that on all the models you can slice $250.00 off if you don't need a 56k Modem or a superdrive.

MikeM

[galarneau]

I agree, the BTO option really is pathetic.

In my case, I would like to buy a bare-bones machine, and then add everything myself:

No HD
No optical drive
No RAM
No video Card

Just give me the case, motherboard, PSU, and whatever processor I want (and an OS)

THAT would be built-to-order