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ckohler · Sep 18, 2003, 03:14 PM

Okay, this is a simple enough question. If I wanted to order a G5 (possibly a dual) and ordered from the Apple website, I'd probably end up waiting a month before it even arrives, correct?

How about if I go to an Apple Store or CompUSA? Do they have models in stock I could just walk in and buy off the shelf without having to wait?

denim · Sep 18, 2003, 03:29 PM

The CompUSA near me has some 1.6 and I think 1.8 boxes in stock. The 2.0 systems aren't available there yet, as far as I know. Call your local store and ask.

Eriamjh · Sep 18, 2003, 08:40 PM

You can order now and then wait, or you can wait first, then order and get it immediately.

Cincinnatus · Sep 18, 2003, 09:48 PM

ckohler,

I just picked up a base 1.8 G5 from my local CompUSA in Boulder, CO. They had 1.6 and 1.8 in stock. They are the basic models: GeForce FX 5200, 512MB Ram, 160 GB HD, Sony SuperDrive; but no airport and no bluetooth.

I spoke with the salesman, a fairly helpful fellow (surprised me given that it was CompUSA) - and asked him if they has any deals going. He let me know about the 6 months 0% financing on the CompUSA credit card. This seemed like a good deal (and I'd been thinking about buying a new box for a while), so I let him know that my purchase of the G5 was contingent on aquiring the CC. He hopped-to, and walked me through the process, and 15 min later pulled together another 512MB of ram, AppleCare, LCD monitor. Must have made his day with a $3500 purchase.

Err...so to answer your question - unless you need a dual, or BTO options (Bluetooth, AirPort or a Radeon 9600/9800) - CompUSA should have what you're after (obviously, your local branch's stock may be different). Interestingly enough, as of last Saturday, CompUSA online listed all three models as unavailable.

/Cincinnatus

OldManMac · Sep 18, 2003, 09:59 PM

Most CompUSAs have the 1.6 & 1.8 machines in stock. Come on up to the Detroit store, and I'll see to it that you get one!

mayomani · Sep 18, 2003, 10:52 PM

Ordered mine 6/23 (first day) and received it early this morning. Changed my shipping to overnight once apple sent me an email telling me that the G5 were being shipped to education institute first. Let me tell you receiving it today sure made me forget about all the waiting i did.

ckohler · Sep 19, 2003, 02:45 AM

Thanks for the info. Anybody got an idea how soon duals will start appearing at the walk-in stores?

Unfortunatly for me, the closest CompUSA or Apple Store is three hours away. Still, I'd rather spend a few hours driving than having to wait a week for order processing and shipping.

Arkham_c · Sep 19, 2003, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by ckohler:
Thanks for the info. Anybody got an idea how soon duals will start appearing at the walk-in stores?

Unfortunatly for me, the closest CompUSA or Apple Store is three hours away. Still, I'd rather spend a few hours driving than having to wait a week for order processing and shipping.

You could always just wait to order. That's what I am doing. When the backlog is cleared, I'll order and get mine the next day. If they happen to ship panther with them by then, all the better.

KidRed · Sep 19, 2003, 11:51 AM

Originally posted by Arkham_c:
You could always just wait to order. That's what I am doing. When the backlog is cleared, I'll order and get mine the next day. If they happen to ship panther with them by then, all the better.

Same here. You figure by this time next month how many G5 threads there will be. I'll have plenty of info to see if there's any rev A concerns or not, or if any general issues. Plus, you know someone will install a Panther build onto the G5 sooner or later, I'm curious about that as well. Pluse, by the end of next month, rev B would only be 4-5 months away and the dual 2gz would be the bottom of the line

ckohler · Sep 19, 2003, 12:44 PM

Good points all. I'm really kicking myself trying to decide whether to wait or not.
The clear benefits to waiting are:

I'll be more informed in six months.
Panther will be included.
I'll get more when Rev. Bs come out.

The downsides to waiting are:

My iMac will probably be worth less on eBay in six months.
There'll always be a better model in year anyway.
If I wait I'm going to end up buying Panther anyway.
I CAN'T STAND WAITING, Dangit!

BTW, I called the closest Apple Store to me (Cincinnati) and they said they have 1.6 and 1.8 models in stock but 2.0 models are not available yet.

rambo47 · Sep 19, 2003, 04:17 PM

I, too, hate to wait. But this time I'm forcing myself to wait until I can walk into an Apple Store and pick one up. This way I can read about all the "issues" that folks are having, plus evaluate the speed benefits from hands-on reviews of real Mac users, not magazine columnists like those at MacWorld. Have they ever given a Mac a rating of less than 4 of 5 mice? I don't trust their objectivity enough with my $3000+.