I'm hoping to purchase a PowerMac DP 2.0Ghz within the next week (the reseller that I'm thinking of getting it at has a 4 year interest free period on atm). So this will be pretty much just before April, or just after. Now, it has been rumoured that Tiger will be announced next month or so.

I've heard that if you purchase a system close to or just past the announcement date, Apple can ship you a copy of the OS for a minimal fee, is this correct? If so, do I have a full version shipped, or just an upgrade?

I can't really wait out any longer, as the interest free period probably won't last much longer and it is a perfect opportunity for me to finally get my Mac.

Thanks

I would wait before buying a Power Mac, as they are due for an upgrade really soon.

Some rumours point to a release soon.

Apple has a tendency (justly so) to offer more for less when they get product refreshments out.

Ex: the new PowerBooks are cheaper, yet are faster (CPU), have Bluetooth 2.0 and all come with 512MB minimum (as opposed to 256MB for the "older" models), off the top of my head.

New Powermacs are expected to sport faster CPU's (maybe even the new IBM PPC 970GX CPU's, capable of virtualisation) and maybe PCI-Express for expansion.
They are also expected to come with 512MB of RAM standard.


If I were you, I'd look into it...

visit sites like Think Secret and Mac Rumors

Well, the DP 2.0Ghz comes with 512mb ram standard, I have another Gb I can already put into it. PCI-X is already on the DP 2.0Ghz model.

I do mainly graphic and web work, so I don't really need faster processors. The DP 2.5Ghz would be over-kill as it is.

With Apple, I could wait for months for a PowerMac update.

Would a dual 2.5 be overkill if it cost the same as the dual 2.0 now? what if you could get the dual 2.0 for the price of a single 1.8? That's why he was recommending the wait, not because the system you're looking at is a bad choice but because he thinks that very soon your options will improve.

Apple has a thing about making it impossible to plan your future purchases so all you can do is read the rumors and hope for the best, buy whenever you want and accept that next week Apple might make your system "obsolete", or sit on your money until you absolutely have to buy something.


Remember that memory sticks must be installed in pairs so your 1GB would have to be 2x512 MB and not a single 1GB stick.



PCI-X != PCI-Express.

Well, that's what I was getting at. Apple could update them in April, or update them during the WWDC time, there is no point to continually wait as something better will always be around the corner regardless.

Yeah, I have 2x 512Mb sticks.

Yes, I know PCI-X is PCI-Express - what are you getting at?

Doesn't he mean, PCI-X is NOT equal to PCI-Express?

!=

yes, != means not equal. pci-x and pci-e (express) are not the same thing.

My bad (apologies to the original poster), I was under the assumption that they where.

Could we get back to my original question about the upgrade with Tiger?

Find out when the interest free period 'deal' ends. Then order your PowerMac? I don't know about Apple sending you Tiger, but I THINK you can redeem Tiger using a voucher or by showing your proof of purchase/invoice date to the shop and getting for a reduced price (not free, I doubt it'll be free). You might just have an upgrade shipped instead, because your PowerMac (again, I'm not 100%) comes with restore DVDs (or CDs) and not "full version" installation discs. I've been able to format my Panther install and reinstall it cleanly from the restore (installation???) discs just fine.

If you can hold out, just wait. If the interest-free deal will end SOON, then buy now? If you don't need it ASAP, then wait a little bit until Tiger is out, then get the PowerMac (without interest-free deal... which might mean no PowerMac for you?).

I would just wait, until Tiger comes INCLUDED with the PowerMac, personally.

Thanks for your reply Huy. Thats what I was looking at doing, I'm probably going to go tomorrow and find out exactly when it finishes off. They're usually 2 weeks or something I think.. (saw the advertisements on TV 2 days ago).



That's pretty much the case.. I have approximately half the money for the PowerMac, the interest free deal would suit me really well at the moment. Waiting is killing me, been waiting for so long.

Also if you're a student, make sure you're looking at the educational prices (it's 10% off retail pricing). That might save you a few hundred dollars too.
http://www.apple.com.au/education/store/

Apple also offer financing options but I don't think you're interested in going down that path (interest rates/credit etc). I think if money is a concern, then maybe one option might be to look at cheaper Mac desktops? 20" iMac? 1.42GHz Mac Mini? Perhaps just a single 1.6GHz or a 1.8 dual? That will cut prices.

Apple financing is only a 3 month period last time I read, which isn't enough for me. 4 years interest free is much better, I'd be able to pay it fully off within 6 months or so.

I don't like the intergration of the iMac, it's nice, don't get me wrong - but it's just not for me. The mini isn't too bad, but I don't think it's really future-proof + it's limited in upgradability like the iMac.

The are just some things that attract me to the PowerMac's more.

i plan to buy a powermac soon too but i will most likely wait until they get updated since im in not hurry

Even if they're announce in due, you will most likely have to wait another 3 months before anyone gets them, so thats another 5 months wait.

Not really. Once Apple announces a hardware update, it's available that day. Sometimes, the Apple Stores and other retailers are on a delay of about a week, but that's about it. Only when the Power Mac G5 first came out did they delay the release from the time of announce.

When they announce availability it is generally available in 2 - 3 weeks in Australia.

to the thread starter.... i would hold off as long as possible as tiger is just around the corner. Yeah interest free is nice, so go get a loan through your bank but i personally would hold off

Well, the interest free period ends tomorrow which is crap. Probably won't be able to get it anyway because of the situation that has come up. So sick of waiting.

edit: What kind of updates are expected for the PM G5's anyway?

Dual Core G5 processors. In the top of the line anyway.