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LightWaver-67 · Apr 18, 2004, 06:26 PM

Well... I've got to say... as much as I know it is financially advantageous for them, I still get irked by Apple's approach to software upgrades.

Case-in-point: Today's announcement of DVD Studio Pro 3. Nice...! Lots of new features. Pretty cool. Hey...! Guess what I just bought for our company...? DVD Studio Pro v2.

The quotes came in about 3-weeks ago for a huge equipment & software upgrade at my company... with all the leasing rhetoric and the i-dotting and t-crossing, part of our order shipped last Thursday. Let me clarify...

As far as the date is concerned on our invoice... the entire order was generated on TUESDAY the 13th and shipped (in partial) on THURSDAY the 15th. Why am I irritated...? I won't even RECEIVE the product until Tuesday the 20th... and it won't be installed on a machine until MAYBE the following weekend... but yet we STILL will not be eligible for an UPGRADE for FREE...!!! The "PURCHASE" Cut-off date is TODAY (the 18th)

I mean, c'mon... I'm not looking for a hand-out by ANY means... but my product will not even be in my posession until 2-days after the cut-off date and yet I cannot upgrade for FREE...? I hope they release a decent upgrade price once it ships.

I know... it's not world-crisis news or anything... just bad timing on our behalf... but it still bugs me.

OptimusG4 · Apr 18, 2004, 07:33 PM

Def bad timing, esp with Apple's appearance at NAB today. Sorry about the loss.

sith33 · Apr 18, 2004, 08:12 PM

Call apple and talk with them. There's a special number for the "free" upgrade type things... they've helped other folks out before with similar issues surrounding FCP.

Truepop · Apr 18, 2004, 08:34 PM

They have some kind of 7 or 10 plan with hardware, I am sure they have the same or more lacked software plan.

RooneyX · Apr 18, 2004, 08:39 PM

Apple's strategy of releasing products with no advance notice is quite detestable. For many people it means they pay full price for a product that is about to become last season's wares. They should have the decency to drop prices for a month or two before new products are announced. Not many companies keep their prices so high towards the end of the shelf life of their products.

With hardware it's a bit more understandable. They do sometimes lower the prices and they have profits to make. It's business after all. But when it comes to software people want to upgrade their products anyway. Why should costumers be angry and refrain from paying for upgrades? Lower the prices before the updates so that people can afford to upgrade and stay Mac happy.

mitchell_pgh · Apr 18, 2004, 09:07 PM

Apple MUST not say anything about Hardware and Software. If they didn't, nobody would buy the software until the new version came out...

Sad but true.

RooneyX · Apr 18, 2004, 09:47 PM

Originally posted by mitchell_pgh:
Apple MUST not say anything about Hardware and Software. If they didn't, nobody would buy the software until the new version came out...

Sad but true.

They can if the previous version is discounted enough and there's enough incentive. What if the previous version plus upgrade came to 50-100 bucks cheaper than the latest full version? They could clear the shelves of the old version.

They don't have to say anything about the hardware but it doesn't make moral sense for consumers to have to pay full price for computers that have been on the market for 6 months when PC manufacturers discount 1 month old models.

mitchell_pgh · Apr 18, 2004, 10:25 PM

The real solution is... they should offer free upgrades to anyone that can prove that they purchased it in the last two months...

RooneyX · Apr 18, 2004, 10:56 PM

Originally posted by mitchell_pgh:
The real solution is... they should offer free upgrades to anyone that can prove that they purchased it in the last two months...

Even better. Only software of course!

JLL · Apr 19, 2004, 01:58 AM

Originally posted by RooneyX:
Apple's strategy of releasing products with no advance notice is quite detestable. For many people it means they pay full price for a product that is about to become last season's wares. They should have the decency to drop prices for a month or two before new products are announced. Not many companies keep their prices so high towards the end of the shelf life of their products.

Do Adobe lower prices on their apps? Do Microsoft lower prices on their apps? Do Quark?

No!

LightWaver-67 · Apr 19, 2004, 06:07 AM

Well... again, I agree with most that it's really just unfortunate luck and bad timing.

I don't agree that people would keep "holding-off" for the next release instead of purchasing because at SOME POINT you need to make a decision & purchase in order to get your work done.

RE: Advance warning...? It's not so much that... It's the fact that they announce the software... but it's not released yet. Kinda the OPPOSITE. They create their OWN black-holes in sales. They ANNOUNCED it yesterday... but it won't be available until Mid-May. So, if you bought it a day before it was announced, you will be outside of the "Free Upgrade" timeframe by the time it is released... as opposed to it "being a surprise" and finding out it is "Shipping today" and those that purchased it up to one month prior to April 18th get it for FREE.

Again... just to clarify... I don't feel I am ENTITLED to it or deserve ANYTHING for FREE... I just wish my timing was better and the promotion was timed differently.

As usual, I'm sure we're going to have to wait until it is "Oficially" available before we see an "Upgrade" price at the store.

CatOne · Apr 19, 2004, 09:28 AM

Originally posted by LightWaver-67:
Well... again, I agree with most that it's really just unfortunate luck and bad timing.

I don't agree that people would keep "holding-off" for the next release instead of purchasing because at SOME POINT you need to make a decision & purchase in order to get your work done.

RE: Advance warning...? It's not so much that... It's the fact that they announce the software... but it's not released yet. Kinda the OPPOSITE. They create their OWN black-holes in sales. They ANNOUNCED it yesterday... but it won't be available until Mid-May. So, if you bought it a day before it was announced, you will be outside of the "Free Upgrade" timeframe by the time it is released... as opposed to it "being a surprise" and finding out it is "Shipping today" and those that purchased it up to one month prior to April 18th get it for FREE.

Again... just to clarify... I don't feel I am ENTITLED to it or deserve ANYTHING for FREE... I just wish my timing was better and the promotion was timed differently.

As usual, I'm sure we're going to have to wait until it is "Oficially" available before we see an "Upgrade" price at the store.

Did you buy it at the Apple Store or through a reseller or through an Apple Rep? In the latter case you'd probably have an ear to bend

RooneyX · Apr 19, 2004, 12:44 PM

Originally posted by JLL:
Do Adobe lower prices on their apps? Do Microsoft lower prices on their apps? Do Quark?

No!

I dont care for them but they have announced products 6 months ahead of release many times.

MrBS · 04:43 PM

In the end, don't spend the money if it's not worth it. You're still getting the same software that you were happy to be getting a couple days ago, at the same price. The fact that they're offering a different version doesn't change the capabilities of the software you ordered.

And if you're paying attention you can usually spot upgrades coming. At least a few days in advance. Maybe the problem is your company's month long process for purchasing.

And lastly, isn't this a free upgrade? It's showing up in SU for me, it's version is 4.5... I haven't installed it yet but my guess is my 4 license will work fine. I doubt Apple would let someone clicking on OK in SU break any applications.

~BS

[edit: FCP upgrade page]

[edit again: Whoops... I thought he was talking about FCP. My bad. First 2 points still apply]