Apple's Timing
Maybe its just my imagination. Wasn't it just a few years ago that Apple timed hardware releases to coincide with XMas and/or back-to-school? I also recall they paired this with timed promotions in the summer, and Black Friday to clear inventory, offering attractive prices.
Now Apple seems to release things outside the retail cycles. It hasn't hurt them, I don't think. But its annoying to me. The last version of the MB Pro didn't seem like a significant change, especially with rumors about a new one on the horizon, neither for the iPhone.
I have been waiting for something meaningful (I still have an MB from 2007, and an old 3Gs iPhone - amazingly the laptop is still smooth as silk - the iPhone not so good - but i need to run software now available and want to maximize the longevity of my purchases. I live in the EU at the moment, so the only times I'm back in the US are XMas and Sept. Frustrating bc things are not adjusted to the currency in EU, the pricetags are the same ($399 is generally 399Є, which is currently %130 to %140 more expensive than if in Dollars.) Apple US wont ship to Europe either...for obvious reasons.
Advice?
Now Apple seems to release things outside the retail cycles. It hasn't hurt them, I don't think. But its annoying to me. The last version of the MB Pro didn't seem like a significant change, especially with rumors about a new one on the horizon, neither for the iPhone.
I have been waiting for something meaningful (I still have an MB from 2007, and an old 3Gs iPhone - amazingly the laptop is still smooth as silk - the iPhone not so good - but i need to run software now available and want to maximize the longevity of my purchases. I live in the EU at the moment, so the only times I'm back in the US are XMas and Sept. Frustrating bc things are not adjusted to the currency in EU, the pricetags are the same ($399 is generally 399Є, which is currently %130 to %140 more expensive than if in Dollars.) Apple US wont ship to Europe either...for obvious reasons.
Advice?
Comments
Maybe its just my imagination. Wasn't it just a few years ago that Apple timed hardware releases to coincide with XMas and/or back-to-school? I also recall they paired this with timed promotions in the summer, and Black Friday to clear inventory, offering attractive prices.
...
Welcome to the Mac and to AppleInsider.com. As to your question, I'm going with your imagination. Apple may have offered promotions for back-to-school. However, I cannot recall Apple's ever releasing hardware, operating systems, or applications to coincide with the big President's Day, Fourth of July, or Christmas sales seasons. There are all sorts of reasons why this would be a dumb way to promote new products.
If you just have to know for certain, then I recommend that you download the free MacTracker utility. It has a compendium of information on every computer, peripheral, and operating system that Apple ever released. Among the information included is the release date of each product. You can decide for yourself.
You are right! It was my imagination.
MBk Pros generally into. in April, October, February, or June ...
And NEVER in Aug/Sep never Nov/Dec
argh, always painful every time I enter a buying cycle... probably why I repress the memory...
Thanks for the warm welcome me to Apple Insider. (As far as Apple... my relationship started with a second hand Apple II+, before I spent a few years of lawn-mowing / life-guarding and snow-shoveling money on an SE... )
Cheers