Ok Apple, are you taunting me?

Posted At : May 18, 2007 2:00 PM | Posted By : Dan Wilson
Related Categories: Random

I wrote a while ago about getting a reprieve from Apple. I was really on the fence to upgrade (read: replace) my older PowerBook with a new 13" MacBook. Once Tiger was delayed, all bets were off, however.

After not thinking about it for a month or so, I find the following deals on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000L475L2/ref=noref/103-8821255-9423855?ie=UTF8&s=pc

Apple MacBook MB062LL/A 13.3" Notebook PC (2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 1 GB RAM, 120 Hard Drive, 8x SuperDrive) White

Price After Rebate:    $1,194.99

And also this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000L48Z02/ref=noref/103-8821255-9423855?ie=UTF8&s=pc

Apple MacBook MB061LL/A 13.3" Notebook PC (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 1 GB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, 6x Combo Drive) White

Price After Rebate:    $994.99

It looks like the only differences between the 2 are .16 faster processor and a 40GB larger HD. I am not sure if that is worth $200. I can get a 500 GB external for 200$. I am sure I won't even notice the .008 increase in Processor Speed.

So if I am about to make a mistake, please let me know but I think I am leaning towards the cheaper model.

P.S. There is a black model with another 40GB increase in HD space, bringing the total to 160. All other specs seem equal however, and the price increase is $200. As 'cool' as Apple is, I don't know where they get that 40GB is worth $200. Maybe I should send them a link to pricewatch?

Seriously, the 1TB Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000 has a FULL TERABYTE of storage. Street price = 399$. This works out to $0.39/gig. Not the $5/GB from Apple. Apple meet Hitachi. Hitachi meet Apple. Y'all play nice now, Ya Hear?

What I want to know is:

  • Will I get upgrades to OSX 10.4 for free? Meaning the soon to be released OSX 10.4.10?
  • Will I get a free Tiger CD? ( M$ did it, isn't Apple cooler?
  • If the answer to the last question is NO, how much will Tiger costs, and what is the upgrade process like?

Thoughts?

P.P.S - Anyone suggesting I "get a Dell with Vista on it" (This means you T.J.) will be shot

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1. Yes, all upgrades with 10.4 are free.

2. Dunno.

3. $130-200 is my guess.
# Posted By Sam Farmer | 5/18/07 2:35 PM
How about get a Dell with Ubuntu on it :)

I'd go for the cheapest box and do the upgrades myself.
# Posted By Jim Priest | 5/18/07 2:36 PM
The cheaper version doesn't have a DVD-burner drive, if that matters to you.
# Posted By Ryan Stocker | 5/18/07 2:59 PM
@Sam,

Thanks for the info. It helps me in my decision making.

@Jim,

While I run Linux on my servers, I am not ready for a Linux desktop

@Ryan,

That is a good point, and one that was lost on me when I scanned the ads. Thanks for the comment.

Dan Wilson
# Posted By Dan Wilson | 5/18/07 3:38 PM
Haha, Dan to funny. i would never try to steer you away from your favorite platform :) That being said make sure the drive speeds are comparable. There is a HUGE difference between 5200RPM and 7200RPM. Also, check the RAM speed and the FSB of the CPUs. I'm sure you know all this, but a lot of folks miss this, especially on Macs. To me, 2000RPM faster drives are worth $200.
# Posted By TJ Downes | 5/18/07 4:29 PM
my bad, I meant to say 5400RPM. They are, after reviewing them, the same speed, same FSB and same speed RAM. I'd say the extra $200 isn't really worth it.

Unfortunately the MacBooks dont have 7200 RPM drive options, only the Pros do. It was a big reason I've decided not to get a MacBook, and the Pro is just too much out of reach of my budget. This is where the confusion comes in when comparing them to Dell, the Dells have 7200RPM drives at an equivelant cost of the MacBook (Not pro)
# Posted By TJ Downes | 5/18/07 4:33 PM
Note that Tiger is 10.5, not 10.4.10. Apple always provide free point updates (10.4.1 thru 10.4.9) but major updates are usually $129. That's been true for every release of OS X so far I believe.
# Posted By Sean Corfield | 5/18/07 7:02 PM
You will generally only get a free upgrade to a new version of Mac OS X if you buy it within one month before the release date.
# Posted By Josh | 5/18/07 7:20 PM
@Sean:

I think you meant "Leopard is 10.5"; that is the release that has been pushed back to October. It will not be a free upgrade from any version of Tiger (the 10.4.x releases) -- though as Josh noted, you might get a freebie if you purchase a Mac in the month before Leopard's release.

There is a developer release out of the free update to 10.4.9, numbered 10.4.10 - when public, it should be free to any user of 10.4.x. No-one likes the numbering, but it is NOT the same as 10.5. (10.4.0xA, anyone?)

See e.g. http://www.thinksecret.com/news/0705macosx10410.ht... or google "10.4.10".
# Posted By Lars Middleton | 5/22/07 1:18 PM
@Lars, yes, I meant Leopard... hard to keep track of all those cats! :)
# Posted By Sean Corfield | 5/22/07 1:20 PM
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