Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Daniel Bayer · Oct 8, 2003, 03:15 PM

....read the fine print guys....

From this link: http://www.apple.com/macosx/uptodate/

"Apple would like to give you the opportunity to upgrade to Mac OS X Panther v10.3 and Mac OS X Server v10.3 for US$19.95.*

The program ends on December 26, 2003. Your order must be postmarked or faxed by December 17, 2003, so order your upgrade now.

I did it with no problems and bought my Powerbook on the 28th from an Apple store.

This guy on Macosrumors wrote this:

"I just followed the link on the up-to-date page and entered my s/n for my alpowerbook I received last week and it worked. Even though the $20 is for "shipping" it still charges me $4.50 for normal shipping. When you enter the s/n omit the " - "

Have Fun!!

dennis88 · Oct 8, 2003, 03:19 PM

what about people from europe?

desillusion.com · Oct 8, 2003, 03:25 PM

http://www.apple.com/de/macosx/uptodate/

german

videian28 · Oct 8, 2003, 03:27 PM

from that link

For Macintosh systems, except Power Mac G5
Customers who purchase a qualifying new Macintosh computer on or after October 8, 2003 that does not have Mac OS X Panther v10.3 included can upgrade to Mac OS X Panther.

am I missing something?

looks to me that you cannot do this unless you have purchased from today on out

Daniel Bayer · Oct 8, 2003, 03:29 PM

...Ummmm...Shhhh....there's a glitch, just follow the directions above and it will work...HURRY!!!

videian28 · Oct 8, 2003, 03:36 PM

umm...

You qualify for Up-To-Date and 1 Upgrade kit has been added to your order. You can always remove it later.

the date I entered was sept 26th

Items you have selected Part No. Est Ship Qty Unit Price Ext. Price
Mac OS X Panther Up-to-Date
Unit cost reflects standard shipping and handling M9231LL/A PM Delivery 10/24 1 $19.95 $19.95

Subtotal: $19.95
Shipping Charge: $4.00
Estimated Tax : $1.08
Estimated Total: $25.03

this makes no sense but I ain't bitchin lol

videian28 · Oct 8, 2003, 03:37 PM

daniel I think you are correct

BluThng · Oct 8, 2003, 03:39 PM

Mine doesn't seem to work. It's a BTO 15" that I purchased on Sept. 27 through a education reseller.

Daniel Bayer · Oct 8, 2003, 03:43 PM

Yep,

Think so too, but I bet they catch this by the end of the day.

Just make sure you remove the - or hyphen out of your serial number.

Well see,

I would feel bad about the hijinks if it weren't for a bogus 10.2.8 software update that screwed up my power management system, lot's of wake up from sleep kernals.

The only way to fix it was to do a clean install of 10.2.7 and then dwonload the 10.2.8 disk image.

...I'll take 10.3 thank you!

db

videian28 · Oct 8, 2003, 03:43 PM

very strange, mine was through the online apple edu store

worked well, have you registered it with apple?

exca1ibur · Oct 8, 2003, 03:56 PM

Nice. Worked for me as well. I ordered my 15" 1.25GHz on the 9/24 and got mine the 9/27 from J&R World and it worked. Kool deal.

Being the new 15" is newer than the G5, not sure why one qualifies and the other doesn't. Oh well, thanks for the heads up Daniel.

gruffster · Oct 8, 2003, 04:03 PM

Worked for me too. Thanks for the tip. Happy now.

Not that I wasn't before.

BluThng · Oct 8, 2003, 04:10 PM

Hmmm...this is quite odd.
I did register with apple. When I first started OS X I had to resgister and I also got a confirmation email too.

I want my Panther dammit! ..hehe

dennis88 · Oct 8, 2003, 04:14 PM

I have a 15" with the 5400rpm HD and it didn't work.

desillusion.com · Oct 8, 2003, 04:21 PM

sounds like apple is holding a lottery for panther..

i just hope i'll get the discount when my 12" will finally arrive. i ordered shortly after the keynote, but i am STILL waiting for it.

Fellow2000 · Oct 8, 2003, 04:23 PM

Originally posted by dennis88:
I have a 15" with the 5400rpm HD and it didn't work.

dennis, this is a little off topic, but I was just wondering if you could tell me the average actual battery time you get, I am thinking about getting your exact system, so I am just curious, thank you.

docholiday · Oct 8, 2003, 04:35 PM

Originally posted by BluThng:
Mine doesn't seem to work. It's a BTO 15" that I purchased on Sept. 27 through a education reseller.

same here... it won't recognize my serial number... i bought it on the 16th tho

dennis88 · Oct 8, 2003, 04:49 PM

Originally posted by Fellow2000:
dennis, this is a little off topic, but I was just wondering if you could tell me the average actual battery time you get, I am thinking about getting your exact system, so I am just curious, thank you.

I get about 2 hours and 30 minutes with full brightness, airport on, bluetooth on and highest performance settings.
And that's pretty good!

And the powerbook is very silent and it runs very cold.

Rain · Oct 8, 2003, 04:51 PM

Originally posted by docholiday:
same here... it won't recognize my serial number... i bought it on the 16th tho

I don't think it works for Canadians. I ordered on the 22nd and I can't get it either.

Macbear · Oct 8, 2003, 04:54 PM

I noticed that people are being charged an extra $4 for shipping?

Uh... wha?

The offer states that the $19.99 includes shipping.

What's going on? Is the extra 4 bucks so that it will arrive on the 24th?

TAZ · Oct 8, 2003, 05:28 PM

Just placed my order. Originally bought a stock 15"er on 9/19 with delivery of 9/24. Dont care if they charge me an extra $4 for shipping. It saves me almost $100, so they can have the $4.

fenster · Oct 8, 2003, 10:56 PM

doesn't recognize my serial # either.
invoice date: 9/24/03
country: USA
Al15 1GHz BTO

MacsGalor · Oct 8, 2003, 11:05 PM

Hey guys I just wanted to see the results most people get I had a thread going one this but I also have a poll please go here and answer it. Thanks
http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=181278

beijinger · Oct 8, 2003, 11:14 PM

it didn't work when i first tried but worked when the hyphen was deleted!

BluThng · Oct 8, 2003, 11:18 PM

So is it only the BTO orders that have serial numbers that cannot be recognized?

Drakino · Oct 8, 2003, 11:41 PM

It almost sounds like their system is looking up serial numbers, and if it is a BTO option, they have on record the sold date. Non BTO, they don't know if it sat on the shelf of a reseller or was sold quickly to an end user.

Milo Waye · Oct 9, 2003, 09:19 AM

[This guy on Macosrumors wrote this:

"I just followed the link on the up-to-date page and entered my s/n for my alpowerbook I received last week and it worked. Even though the $20 is for "shipping" it still charges me $4.50 for normal shipping. When you enter the s/n omit the " - "

Have Fun!! [/B][/QUOTE]

My serial number was rejected (used only the 11 place number, dash omitted). Anybody else see their serial number rejected when they press the "Qualify System"?

videian28 · Oct 9, 2003, 09:38 AM

worked for me, purchased on the 27th sept, non BTO

wintermute1 · Oct 9, 2003, 10:43 AM

Just wanted to add a note to thank the original poster of this information. The web page at the link took my serial number. My order for a 15" powerbook was processed on 9/26.

I now have a pending order for an upgrade to Panther for $19.95 - though I paid extra for shipping to ensure I get it on the launch date.

Still better than the $129 price.

I am sure that this will not last long.

Cheers

W

beefstu01 · Oct 9, 2003, 01:13 PM

BTO here and it's not recognized... I'll call up Apple later today and find out the deal.

InterfaceGuy · Oct 9, 2003, 01:42 PM

Does it charge you when you place the order?

xi_hyperon · Oct 9, 2003, 01:51 PM

My serial number was rejected (used only the 11 place number, dash omitted). Anybody else see their serial number rejected when they press the "Qualify System"?

My serial number isn't recognized. Don't understand why, as I bought it via the Apple Store and registered it the day I received it.

mmintler · Oct 9, 2003, 03:11 PM

Thanks everyone for the info...I just placed my order. Ordered my PB 15" from Macconnecton on 9/30.

It worked for me and I didn't get charged anything for shipping.My total is $21.40 with tax. Shows est. ship date 10/24. Hopefully they will ship them early!

slimmy · Oct 9, 2003, 04:53 PM

worked for me, got a PB15" Al from CDW in late September. Panther for 19.95 plus tax and shipping.

Slim

Luca Rescigno · Oct 9, 2003, 07:36 PM

The serial number on my eMac wasn't recognized. I bought it on September 15th. But when I called in and asked (not begged or demanded), they just told me that yes I do qualify! That's surprising to me, but they told me I could so I don't think there's anything wrong.

MacFreak · Oct 10, 2003, 01:11 PM

It must depend upon who you talk to...I called just to ask and they said that they can not budge...my 15" was ordered on 9/22 but just received it on 10/7...Robert said it had to be ordered on or after 10/8.

higuy83 · Oct 10, 2003, 05:28 PM

It worked for BOTH my brother and I with our 2 BTO 15 powerbooks. One was ordered 9/23 and the other was 9/20. Also, one of them had the upgraded harddrive to 5400rpm.

We both entered the serial numbers from the black box that the pb's came packaged in in.

Thanks for the great find!

Rain · 07:17 PM

It worked!!!

I decided to give it another try today and the system finally recognized my SN!! $29 CAD for shipping and handling! Thanks Apple

And thanks Daniel for the link

ETA: checked my order status and the $29 is actually its price. The total is about $33 CAD with free shipping via "bestway" (probably FedEx international priority, or whatever the "best way" is to ship domestically if it's within Canada).

machem · 02:45 AM

Originally posted by Rain:
It worked!!!

I decided to give it another try today and the system finally recognized my SN!! $29 CAD for shipping and handling! Thanks Apple

And thanks Daniel for the link

ETA: checked my order status and the $29 is actually its price. The total is about $33 CAD with free shipping via "bestway" (probably FedEx international priority, or whatever the "best way" is to ship domestically if it's within Canada).

I just tried mine again (don't ask me why...) and it worked. Earlier in the week, it did not.

Ordered 9/16, shipped 9/22, arrived 9/26. I put in "Cupertino" as the place of purchase, "Apple Store" as the store.

Don't know why it suddenly worked.

Noticed something else funny --- on the list of "Need anything else?" that pops up after you get approved was this:

Digital Photography

Office v.X for Mac Standard Edition Add $379.95

[Edit]

I didn't get charged $4 for shipping either. Didn't everyone else get charged this (even though the $19.95 is for "shipping")? I did get charged CA tax, however. $21.50 total (I live in CA).

Sandbaggins · Oct 11, 2003, 03:46 AM

I aIso got approved. I ordered my 15 BTO (5400HD) PB on 09/26 (delivered 10/06). I had tried this earlier with no success and was a little angry but ordered it from apple store online for 64.99. Well, I'm going to cancel that order because I just placed the 19.95 order. Sweet

Thanks for the heads-up guys.

buffman · Oct 11, 2003, 10:13 AM

Just followed the links successfully. Bought the PB 17" 1.33/80G/512MB on 19 Sep 03.

Suppose it would have OK at the Educator's price, but $21 beats $70 any day.

Thanks Daniel for the heads-up.

Nelsun · Oct 11, 2003, 01:26 PM

Out of curiousity, I tried this for my 17" Powerbook purchased late in September from an Apple Store.

I entered my S/N and it was accepted, but when I went to the next page, the page shows your order and the price. Not only did it accept my order for the OSX up to date, but it place on my order a new Powerbook 17" and Applecare to boost the price up to include the Powerbook and Applecare. Now at this point I stopped as I did this out of curiousity.

Was the site trying to sell me a new Powerbook, or did I miss read it and it was listing my recent Powerbook and Applecare purchase? Just curious if anyone else experienced this!

Nelson

qvr · Oct 11, 2003, 02:19 PM

My 12" BTO s/n also got approved today!
Bought it on 24th Sep, shipped 3rd Oct and arrived 7th Oct.

Only a few days ago the uptodate system couldn't find my serial. I'm glad that it worked now!

rsfoto · Oct 11, 2003, 02:24 PM

Today (Oct 11) the Apple Up-to-Date page finally accepted the serial number for my BTO PB G4 ordered prior to Panther announcement. I previously tried to order on 10/08 and the next day. The page would not recognize the SN.

Today I successfully completed the ordering process. Charge was $19.95 plus tax. No additional shipping charge was required. Optional shipping was offered for 2nd day @ $7.00 & next @ 12.00

I received my BTO PB G4 on 10/8/03. It was ordered 10/02, shipped and invoiced on 10/05.

I used 10/08/03 as purchase date. I copied and pasted the serial number that appeared on my emailed Apple invoice and used Apple Store, Cupertino, CA as place of purchase. I also used IE 5.22 this time instead of Safari as an added twist.

baseten · Oct 11, 2003, 02:28 PM

just ordered my panther.

i ordered my new alpowerbook last month the day they were announced (like sept. 16th or 17th) and it took my serial number no problem. 20 bucks. woot!

RAMdrd · Oct 11, 2003, 03:23 PM

....read the fine print guys....

I don't know that that's supposed to mean. The print isn't particularly fine and the relevant point was omitted...

Apple stated that the products must be purchase by Oct. 8. Given the context, all that "fine print" was meaningless.

But if the Apple site accepts products purchased prior to the "fine print", then some owners may indeed be lucky.

Hopefully, all of those people won't get an e-mail in a couple of weeks, saying "Nice try, but really..."

dbagli · Oct 11, 2003, 10:11 PM

Didn't work last week when all this nonesense of recent powerbook purchasers getting frozen out of the upgrade started.

Today..worked fine! $29.00 Canadian dollars.
No shipping charge. (I chose standard 8-10 day delivery).

Last week, when I called and complained to Apple Cutsomer Care, I spoke with a lady who was well aware of the unfairness going on.

She issued me a case number and said Apple was collecting complaints and basicly reveiewing th situtation. She couldn't promise they'd change the policy but, possiblely now, it appears they DID!

Of course, we'll all believe it when the box actually arrives!
I suggest if your serial number didn't go through before, TRY IT AGAIN.

Use http://www.apple.com/macosx/uptodate/

Good Luck!

Darius

Anemia · Oct 12, 2003, 12:30 AM

alright, i just ordered my copy. I notice that it says under estimated ship: "PM Delivery 10/24/03" does that mean they're going to deliver it on friday night, or they're going to ship it friday night?

ravedog · Oct 12, 2003, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by BluThng:
So is it only the BTO orders that have serial numbers that cannot be recognized?

seems like that is the common thread - BTO orders are not included (unless its after the 7th of oct)...

i have an article i wrote to Macintouch regarding a phone call to Apple's Customer Svc - if anyone cares (it was posted Saturday, October 11, 2003 _14:00 ET and appears from "Garrett" - it will be moved to archives after this weekend)

Phone call to Apple

Chunderkat · Oct 12, 2003, 10:57 AM

ordered 15 inch 10/3 phone BTO.

received 10/9. registered 10/9, called apple about uptodate program. rep said to wait a few days and try out the serial number and if that doesn't work, call back and he'll see what he can do about getting me upgrade.

10/11 - received email from apple thanking me for registerting pb. tried ordering and it worked, though i have not received an email confirmation yet. i saved the webpage order. order status doesn't work either.