New Crystal Clear Screen Promo = no new G4 at MWNY??
Apple just announced a new screen discount promo when purchased in conjunction with at G4. The promo runs from July 9th through August 12th. The interesting thing about the promo is that it works with the current line of G4s only.
Does this mean that:
A. Apple will announce new G4s at MWNY but wont ship untill after August 12th and will continue to offer the current G4s until then?
B. Apple will not announce G4s at MWNY but perhaps at a later date and is attempting to move some inventory?
C. Apple will intro and presell new G4s at MWNY but the promo will help Apple resellers move the old stock prior to the new models shipping?
I have never seen Apple continue to sell a current product line after a new one is introduced. The Apple store is always updated the day of the keynote.
What are your thoughts?
(side note: The PDF form for the promo has a very intersesting mail in zip code. According to the PDF the mail in address is Power Mac G4 Promotion PO BOX 802, South Bend, IN XXXXX-XXXX. Heee heee somebody is going to have a bad day at the office.)
[ 07-08-2002: Message edited by: Rumor_Addict ]</p>
Does this mean that:
A. Apple will announce new G4s at MWNY but wont ship untill after August 12th and will continue to offer the current G4s until then?
B. Apple will not announce G4s at MWNY but perhaps at a later date and is attempting to move some inventory?
C. Apple will intro and presell new G4s at MWNY but the promo will help Apple resellers move the old stock prior to the new models shipping?
I have never seen Apple continue to sell a current product line after a new one is introduced. The Apple store is always updated the day of the keynote.
What are your thoughts?
(side note: The PDF form for the promo has a very intersesting mail in zip code. According to the PDF the mail in address is Power Mac G4 Promotion PO BOX 802, South Bend, IN XXXXX-XXXX. Heee heee somebody is going to have a bad day at the office.)
[ 07-08-2002: Message edited by: Rumor_Addict ]</p>
Comments
also , they are STILL selling the old iMacs, so it would seem that the only one of your theories that works is that there will be NEW machines, but probably not shipping immediately.
lets hope for a G5 .... i could really stand to replace this G3...
I think the promo that almost always signals a pending product rev is a cold hard cash discount on a basic machine, like the "Powerful Offer" promo that ended on the 7th.
I mean, how many Joe Shmoe mac owners really follow the day-to-day swells of intrigue over the latest (unfounded) rumors on upcoming mac hardware like the core of rumormongers here?
However, you're right in that an actual teaser would be interesting. I don't think Apple's done that too much before. (Am I wrong?) And if they bolstered it with public advertising and short TV spots, it could really catch on. But merely hinting at MWNY probably won't be enough - half the people there are already guessing at MWSF, so merely fanning the flames of the diehards might be fun, but as I said, a little redundant.
What I think is interesting about this idea, though, is that it sort of "cools" using a Mac, or at least tries to. As in, I don't think too many people think of home computers with the same social excitement that's given to big, long-awaited movies, for instance. So maybe identifying the mac as something worthy of teasers, trailers, and intrigue could be really good for Apple... it might fit nicely into the "real people" switch campaign, too.
Am I off my rocker? Or does any of this make sense?
NEVER kill your own product until you have a replacement ready to be sold.
A product release is NOT a movie. You don't tease people six months in advance, they stop buying what you have to sell NOW and wait until the new product is released.
This is a law of consumer sales.
Sorry for the let down.
While I think your idea is very cool and I would love to see it implemented, I see two problems, 1) "Cool" doesn't guarantee sales 2) Apple most likely is not going to present anything Earth shattering.. in terms of performance or in aesthetics.
But that's just my opinion....
MSKR
<strong>Jonathan, you'd suck as a businessman.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Dude, that's rude. I'm not attacking you. Just saying it would be neat. And if you recall (like I said) Intel did this and it worked fine..
<strong>Product launch teasers have been used with much effect in the past. I think Lexus, Dodge (Viper) Mercedes, have used this technique when introducing ground-breaking new automobiles.
MSKR</strong><hr></blockquote>
Uhuh...
I don't know about you, but most people don't buy new cars every one to three years. Besides, cars are on a well known product cycle. The 2003 models come out in the middle of 2002.
Pre-hype (on the scale of six months, as you're referring to) in the computer industry works in a very small number of cases:
- Company X is hyping a product which will be totally new (i.e. not covering any of their current markets). This is evident in Apple's XServe Raid sneak peak.
- Company Y is trying to take away sales from Company X, who beat them to market with a product. - Company X has no products yet, therefore no sales to lose.
they might as well just announce bankruptcy.
The promo guarantees something is coming. Apple has ended promos early with one of the notebooks I think.
The "1984" commercial that launched the Macintosh.
Cars are a bad example here because new models are usually presented at auto shows years in advance of actually going on sale. That's how the manufacturers build interest. But revisions of new models are never, never preannounced. There are spy shots in the mags, but it would be suicide for a carmaker to say "A new Accord is coming in six months!" Anyone in the know KNOWS a new Accord is coming in six months, but the run-of-the-mill buyer does not, and TELLING him would instantly stop sales.
BTW, teaser campaigns don't always work. Infiniti never really recovered from its disastrous "rocks-and-trees" teaser campaign.
<a href="http://www.apple.com/uk/promo/money_and_power/"; target="_blank">Apple Store UK</a>
[quote]1. This offer entitles a customer who hands in a used qualifying Power Mac (as defined herein) for the purchase of a new qualifying Power Mac G4 (as defined herein) from a participating Apple Store between the 15th of May 2002 and 31st of July 2002 inclusive to a money back rebate of up to £240 (excluding VAT).
2. Qualifying Apple Power Mac computers that can be PURCHASED and the applicable rebates for the purposes of this offer shall limited to the following:
M8705*/A Power Mac G4 800MHz => Rebate: £120;
M8666*/A Power Mac G4 933MHz => Rebate: £180;
M8667*/A Power Mac G4 1GHzDP => Rebate: £240;
M8649*/A Power Mac Server G4 933MHz => Rebate: £180;
M8650*/A Power Mac Server G4 1GHzDP => Rebate: £240;
The above rebates also apply to Configure-to-Order units.<hr></blockquote>
It clearly relates only to existing models. The new 'Crystal Clear' offer is not yet available in th UK.
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
Seriously though, I tend to think like the folks who have already posted that this is just Apple's way of making sure that any excess inventory quickly disappears as the bargain hunters swoop in after the announcement on the 17th, and also to cushion the blow for anyone foolish enough to buy between now and the keynote.
TING5
[ 07-08-2002: Message edited by: Yet Another Registration ]</p>
Dude, that started January 1.
<strong>
A. Apple will announce new G4s at MWNY but wont ship untill after August 12th and will continue to offer the current G4s until then?
</strong><hr></blockquote>
This one.