[rocky2]

Grrrrr. …A…A…ARant on.

Apple Japan just posted early to mid September shipment for 1.6 and 1.8 GHz models and late September for 2.0 GHz. I'm pissed--they must have known this weeks ago yet pulled the stunt of announcing G5s shipping in August--yes for some few people in the USA and UK (a miniscule Mac market) but nowhere else in the Asia-Pacific region.

Is it my imagination, but why does Apple seem to always give Mac users in Japan this second-class treatment? …A…AMac Music Store has been open for months in the USA but we'll be lucky to see it here before late 2004 if ever. …AApple Stores have been opening for more than a year in the USA but we'll only get to see ONE in Ginza in January 2004. …ATeachers in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia got free copies of Mac OS X but teachers in Japan got sweet FA. …ATry buying a Mac here with a non-Japanese keyboard. MacWorld Tokyo got cancelled this year. And I can think of other even worse examples from the OS 9 days too (including late localization).

I'm sure Steve knows Japan is 'only' Apple's second largest world market so what is the reason?

Rant off.

Or on the + side, could G5s in Japan will ship with Panther if delivery slips much further?

[superblue]

We might still be waiting for the Ginza store to open - but at least it's coming, unlike a London store. Compare Japan to the UK, and I know where I'd rather be for Macs. The likes of Yodobashi Camera more than make up for no retail stores, and the wealth of Mac books and accessories is astounding!

I'm dying for the iTunes Music Store to spread, and can't wait to test a G5 - the delay is a shame, but I don't think we're too bad off in Japan!

[saru boy]

Originally posted by superblue:
The likes of Yodobashi Camera more than make up for no retail stores, and the wealth of Mac books and accessories is astounding!

Which Yodobashi Camera? I'm more partial to the Bic Camera in Yurakucho. The Mac section there is pretty large, and much much much better than the Mac sections I see in US stores like CompUSA. Another benefit to those large electronics chain stores like Bic or Yodobashi is that you can use your point card to get 10% credit on any purchases. I cleared over JPY20,000 in credit when I bought my Cube a few years back.

[Short Circuit]

Yeah well im Europe and I have to wait just as long as you.

Apple forgets about the world outside USA.

W

[superblue]

Originally posted by saru boy:
Which Yodobashi Camera?

I've found Shinjuku's Yodobashi to be pretty good, though Akiba's Sofmap Mac Collection store is still my favourite - a whole floor of used Macs !

[icruise]

Originally posted by superblue:
I've found Shinjuku's Yodobashi to be pretty good, though Akiba's Sofmap Mac Collection store is still my favourite - a whole floor of used Macs !

If this is the one I am thinking of, it was completely gutted the last time I was there (about a month ago). The bottom floor that had the used Macs was changed into a floor of vending machines selling little toys, and the top floors were closed off as well. It was really sad.

[MusicalTone]

Whoever is in charge of Apples marketing campaign for these babies (and the 17" rollout too) should work for the government. As spin and half truth clearly take precedence over reality. Silly really, as they are just shooting themselves in the foot. I remember the 17' saga well - all of London was plastered with 12" & 17" PB posters - but it was impossible to buy one. Personally, by the time they were available the novelty had worn off. I realise modern marketing is about creating desires, but unfulfilled desires just create resentment and disatisfaction. Apple should know better.