[hoytt]

I've been looking into buying a new dual G5 2 GHz. The retail price in Europe for the one I want is about 2900 euro. I know that ADC Select and Premier members can get a hardware discount (student members can to, but I don't qualify for that). The basic maths would say that if I buy an ADC Select membership for $500 (415 euro) and the hardware discount is larger than that 415 euro, it would seem like the smart thing to do.
Has anyone here used the hardware discount for ADC members and if so, how much was the discount? Any European answers would make it even easier.

Thanks in advance.

[Rickster]

You can see for yourself what the discounts are without having joined the program: http://developer.apple.com/membership/hardware.html

If you're trying to justify the cost of membership, remember that Select members get more than just a hardware discount... other benefits that have a monetary value include any Mac OS X (US$129) and Mac OS X Server (~US$250) releases from during the membership period, two DTS incidents (US$195 each), discounts on WebObjects and WWDC, and help promoting your software. Also, they frequently have additional hardware specials for events -- e.g. if you're exhibiting at Macworld, you can get an even deeper discount on a few specific models and have them shipped to your booth.

[Angus_D]

AFAIK Select members DO NOT get a hardware discount in their first year of membership, only upon renewal. This may have changed, though.

[SMacTech]

Originally posted by Angus_D:
AFAIK Select members DO NOT get a hardware discount in their first year of membership, only upon renewal. This may have changed, though.

No, AFAIK, it hasn't. I just renewed mine last week and the discount just became available to me.

The discount I am getting on a 15" PowerBook almost equals the Select membership cost.

[hoytt]

I guess in that case I'll skip getting it. The benifits wouldn't be there until I renewed it and I'm not the kind of developer that would pay the $500 just for ADC. Thanks for your input, it made my choice a little easier.

[Rickster]

AFAIK Select members DO NOT get a hardware discount in their first year of membership, only upon renewal. This may have changed, though.

Indeed it did, just within the past couple of months. ADC Select members now get a hardware discount with their membership instead of at the beginning of their second year.

[hoytt]

The troubles of having conflicting answers to your question. Thanks for the answer Rickster. I guess I'll do a little more research before deciding or not whether to join ADC to get the Hardware Discount.

[arekkusu]

Back in October, Apple ran a "get started with Panther" promo which included a hardware discount when you signed up as a new ADC Select member. Select membership = US $500, and you could save US $600 on a 17" PowerBook.

Normally, you do not get the hardware discount until you RENEW the Select membership, that is, pay for a second year. But, as mentioned, earlier this summer Apple extended the HW discount to first-year Select memberships.

Remember though, that ADC membership is intended for DEVELOPERS. It says in the terms of the agreement that you must use any systems purchased with a discount for DEVELOPING. There are a bunch of other benefits such as access to Apple's testing labs, code-level support, and monthly mailings that are only of interest to developers.