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wetstuff · Dec 7, 2004, 12:49 PM

Actually, how soon prior to the release of Tiger could you buy a new computer and qualify for an OS upgrade. Anybody remember the policy last time?

The notebook I got was shipped with 10.3 disks when they were already well past that..but I had to use my very slow dialup to dnld the upgrades. pain....

And now my G4 is having all these kernel panics - it's getting real frustrating, but I hate like hell of thinking of having to pay ANOTHER penality on top of buying a new desktop - tho' it would look very nice on my desk. Thanks.

Jim

.....if I got a ride in Steve's G5 I wouldn't be so grumpy

SafariX · Dec 7, 2004, 12:58 PM

Think about it like this. If you get X hours of more work done with a new iMac between now and Tiger, and you have to BUY tiger, it will have paid for itself and let you use a new iMac in the meantime. Don't let 100 bucks discourage your purchase. You will recoup the costs in being more productive for the next 5 months.

Luca Rescigno · Dec 7, 2004, 01:02 PM

It's not $100, it's $130. Significant enough difference if you're buying it separately, though if you buy it with an iMac that $30 is nothing.

The policy since the 10.2 release has been to give $20 upgrades to anyone who buys a Mac between the pre-release announcement date and the actual release date. Technically, if you buy a Mac just before the announcement of Tiger's release date, you will have to pay full price.

So it's easy. Wait until Tiger's release date is announced, then buy. Or just buy it right now.

Chuckit · Dec 7, 2004, 01:17 PM

Originally posted by Luca Rescigno:
It's not $100, it's $130. Significant enough difference if you're buying it separately, though if you buy it with an iMac that $30 is nothing.

It has the same impact on your budget either way. The difference is just mental.

SafariX · Dec 7, 2004, 01:21 PM

Originally posted by Luca Rescigno:
It's not $100, it's $130. Significant enough difference if you're buying it separately, though if you buy it with an iMac that $30 is nothing.

The policy since the 10.2 release has been to give $20 upgrades to anyone who buys a Mac between the pre-release announcement date and the actual release date. Technically, if you buy a Mac just before the announcement of Tiger's release date, you will have to pay full price.

So it's easy. Wait until Tiger's release date is announced, then buy. Or just buy it right now.

Luca, my suggestion stems from the foundation that if he is more productive for the next 5 months on a new iMac G5, the productivity in time saved and money made will more than cover the costs of eventually having to purchase Tiger. For example, if he is a designer who bills at 40/hr and is able to get 3 hours more work done, tiger will have paid for itself, AND he will have had a new machine to play with. Opportunity cost my man, opportunity cost.

Luca Rescigno · Dec 7, 2004, 03:17 PM

True true. If you buy it now then I think it would be worth it. Don't wait though... if you won't have the money until a month or two from now, I'd say wait. Otherwise go ahead and enjoy... that extra few months with the iMac will be worth the money for sure.

Superchicken · Dec 7, 2004, 03:33 PM

You qualify after a ship date has been announced.

wetstuff · Dec 8, 2004, 08:06 AM

Thanks guys....

I've always operated on the basis: If I make $50k annually and I can buy everything I need at 50% (certainly not achievable - a 'goal') then I'm able to live like $100k. I bought a Mercedes in Canada with 8,000mi, and with the currency at the time, saved about $20K.
I could have bought a Chevy Malibu, but I prefer to live better.

I'm in the process of buying a $57k Porsche Boxster for $29k. I had to let someone drive it for three years and smile for 20,000mi. I can't afford a new $60k Porsche - but I can afford a Ford Explorer.

Soooooo. I'm a cheap bastard, but I live on the water (it was a foreclosure) and have plenty of time for surfing and my Mac's.

I'll go ahead and buy the new iMac - but I'll wait 'till after Xmas when the Ap-Store refurb discounts will probably be more than 11%. (I'm sure my prior issue iMac (gumdrop) was discounted more than 11%.?!....)

Cheers all. Have a good 2005!

Jim

Boondoggle · Dec 8, 2004, 12:41 PM

For me a new OS is almost as much fun as a new computer, so I'd buy the iMac first, because well, new hardware is always cool, then for $129 you get 80% of the newcarsmell back again in a few months.

But I don't get out much.

cpac · Dec 8, 2004, 12:57 PM

Originally posted by wetstuff:
I'll go ahead and buy the new iMac - but I'll wait 'till after Xmas when the Ap-Store refurb discounts will probably be more than 11%. (I'm sure my prior issue iMac (gumdrop) was discounted more than 11%.?!....)

If you're goin to wait until after christmas anyway, why not wait until after the Stevenote at MWSF? That's the most likely time for Apple to announce the ship date for Tiger.

Madrag · Dec 8, 2004, 01:07 PM

I'm hoping that will happen!
And also I wish they could drop the prices too!