Computer Decisions + Holiday Season
Well, it's the time of year that people are looking for presents for the Holidays, and my family is no exception. I have a group of younger cousins who have very high hopes for Christmas this year.
One of my cousins (he's 10) is only asking for an iMac. He visits every weekend and sees that the only computers I have are Macs. At home, his older brothers each have an HP PC, but they do not let him or his younger brother use them at all. (They are always online playing Everquest).
Any way, my aunt has squirreled away quite a bit of money this year and has told me that she is looking to buy an iMac for him.
She has been holding off until the new Apple Store opens up here in Salem, New Hampshire instead of getting it in Peabody, Massachusetts because of the 5% MA sales tax. Sales tax does not exist in NH.
She wants me to advise her on which iMac she should get for him. I think that the 500 MHz G3 w/ CDROM is plenty of computing power for him, and its also the cheapest out there at $799. On the other hand, she also wants to get something that will last, and a new iMac coming out a week later isn't going to make her happy. <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
So the question is this: Should she get the new iMac for him so its sitting under the tree for Christmas, or should she hold off and explain to him that a brand new iMac is coming out the following week and she will order it when it comes out.
He's 10 years old, and I think not having anything big to open will be a disappointment to him, but then again, if there is a new flat panel G4 iMac coming out, he'd much prefer that.
I already know that my other cousins are getting an XBox and a Game Cube, so this would probably hold him out for another week, but I'm not sure what to do.
A 500 MHz iMac for Christmas or a new iMac within 2 weeks? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
One of my cousins (he's 10) is only asking for an iMac. He visits every weekend and sees that the only computers I have are Macs. At home, his older brothers each have an HP PC, but they do not let him or his younger brother use them at all. (They are always online playing Everquest).
Any way, my aunt has squirreled away quite a bit of money this year and has told me that she is looking to buy an iMac for him.
She has been holding off until the new Apple Store opens up here in Salem, New Hampshire instead of getting it in Peabody, Massachusetts because of the 5% MA sales tax. Sales tax does not exist in NH.
She wants me to advise her on which iMac she should get for him. I think that the 500 MHz G3 w/ CDROM is plenty of computing power for him, and its also the cheapest out there at $799. On the other hand, she also wants to get something that will last, and a new iMac coming out a week later isn't going to make her happy. <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
So the question is this: Should she get the new iMac for him so its sitting under the tree for Christmas, or should she hold off and explain to him that a brand new iMac is coming out the following week and she will order it when it comes out.
He's 10 years old, and I think not having anything big to open will be a disappointment to him, but then again, if there is a new flat panel G4 iMac coming out, he'd much prefer that.
I already know that my other cousins are getting an XBox and a Game Cube, so this would probably hold him out for another week, but I'm not sure what to do.
A 500 MHz iMac for Christmas or a new iMac within 2 weeks? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
Comments
Hypothetically, what if a new iMac isn't announced @ MWSF? Yikes!
My two bits: from the AppleStore purchase an Apple GiftCard (or whatever it's called) for x amount. Wrap that up in a big box, and give it to him.
Once the crestfallen look is gone from his face, explain to him that he has a choice: he can travel to the AppleStore the next day to purhase an iMac; or, he can wait until 01/08/02 and see what happens--then purchase whatever (perhaps the same iMac @ a reduced price).
He's ten; an age that I believe he can handle his own decision--and its aftermath (though I would strongly encourage him to wait ).
Good luck!
He will have something tangible as a present, plus the promise of much more to come.
Just my 2c,
G-news
I do want him to get a machine that will last, though, and if a flat panel iMac w/G4 hit the scene, and I told them to get him a current iMac now, I would feel very badly.
Plus, even if the new iMacs come out and he doesn't like them, he can pick up an 'older' iMac at the store at a discount.
As far as the pie-in-the-sky iMac that always seems to be right around the corner, I wouldn't think about it too much. Even if something new was announced in January, it wouldn't be in stores until February, and would cost more than $799.
He has washed dishes in his parent's restaurant on many different occassions and has squireled away some money, so that might be the best idea for him.
There is no doubt that there will be revised iMacs. I'm not saying LCD iMacs, just revised iMacs.
The iMacs were last revised in July. That's almost seven months old! You can bet the house there will be revised iMacs.
Make him wait. It's only 2 1/2 weeks after Christmas. Otherwise, you're just throwing money away.
IMHO.
[ 12-03-2001: Message edited by: NeoMac ]</p>
If not, he can wait until MWSF and get one then.
I think its a win-win situation.
Otherwise, you're going to feel pretty stupid buying a computer two weeks before a revision. It's an instant loss of value. One day it's $999 and two weeks later it's $500.
It's your money, though.
This is a little off topic, but I've decided to get a new desktop after MWSF, but would really like to make the purchase before the end of the year so I can get the deduction sooner. Is there anyway to place an order with Apple on, say, Dec. 30, and if something newer and better comes out at MWSF have my order changed? Does anyone have any experience with this?
She got the midrange iMac on a big sale at Circuit City. She got the $150 discount and something to the tune of a 30% discount further. I don't think she could have got a better deal.
On the other hand, I am going to take him to the Apple Store opening in Salem, NH this weekend to let him see what he's going to get (but doesn't know he's getting). That way, he can also get his first taste of the 'Mac Community' which will also show up, no doubt.
I'm sure that the iMac is going to last for him and will be good for what he wants to do. He'll just be happy to have a computer that he can use.
<strong>Taking him to an Apple store should also be a very 'religious' experience. He's already bashing Windows PCs. I'm so proud. </strong><hr></blockquote>
Sounds like you've taught him well.