Why is Pre-Announcing a 970 PowerMac suicide?

atomichamatomicham
Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited January 2014
I want to know why everyone believes that pre-announcing the 970 would kill the existing PowerMac sales. Empirically, yes, it makes perfect sense.



HOWEVER, history has shown us time and again that preannouncing desktop chips has not been fatal (not for Intel/Dell/HP/et al., not for Apple). When the P4 was announced, PC makers didn't seem to suffer. Most people took a wait and see attitude toward the P4 and bought P3's. The Pentium was announced long before shipping and I knew of a number of people who prefered the 75-100Mhz 486's that were coming.



Back in late '92, early '93, most people in the Mac world knew that Apple was switching to the PowerPC, and, yet, sales didn't halt. Hell, I remember getting an Apple compiler toolchain for our RS/6000 (what a pain that was...Thank god for Metrowerks).



I attended MWSF '94 (keynote was members of the original Mac team reminiscing about the 10 year anniversary) and, as a developer, was allowed time with a PowerPC prototype in a Quadra 800 case to test out my application. But, I digress, my point being that the media had talked about the PowerPC for at least 14 months before Apple ever shipped the original PowerPC machines.



So, open for discussion, what proof is there that confirmation from Apple that the 970 is coming "sometime in the future" destroy ailing PowerMac sales now?



[ 01-21-2003: Message edited by: atomicham ]</p>
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 47
    elricelric Posts: 230member
    If I were in the market for a new powermac and knew a faster model was 6-9 months away I would wait. Why pay top dollar for top of the line when you know something alot better is on its way. I am sure there are people out there that need a new mac right now and those are the people that are buying them, but those that can wait are waiting.
  • Reply 2 of 47
    jmoneyjmoney Posts: 133member
    Because the Internet is a tool that tricks people into believing that they are experts on everything. Yeap that's right, hook up a DSL line and flip to CNN and BOOM instant know it all. You should really try it sometime. Actually an honest answer to that question is, people are under the impression that with the limited attention span of today's people and the demand for instant everything, that announcing that new and much faster processor was on the horizon would halt all sales of current product. Take for instance the alternative thread where I am debating that a "switcher" should just go ahead and buy an iMac rather than twiddle his thumbs for a month or two, hoping that a new release will flow through.



    PC users are already used to the fact that every time they buy a new computer, a faster and better one is just two weeks away. Apple users however are required to shell out more money for their products, and instead of just saying, "Ah crap technology is changing again..", people get honestly offended when Apple releases new product. Sure, it's a kick in the ass if you waited a week more for a new product, but the fact of the matter is, Apple just does not let you know when new products are coming down the pipes and for very good reason.



    Now, this isn't entirely the consumer's fault since Apple does not really make upgrading their machines all that easy (or affordable).. however, what you do notice is that in the Apple Community there develops these people who feel that they can predict when a product line is going to be updated and spout out their "predictions." Very commonly you will even see what they predict to be the processor speed, hd, and ram. It becomes even more amusing when they price point the different products, but oh well I guess that's what happens when you're an expert



    Where am I going with this? Not entirely sure.. Apple announcing a new processor woudn't necessarily be "suicide" but it probably would not be the best move that they can make. But let's face it, Apple is going to do what they are going to do, not based on some people typing up their opinions on a message board. They are going to act on what they feel is in the best interest of the company.





    :cool:
  • Reply 3 of 47
    bgramerbgramer Posts: 15member
    [quote]Originally posted by JMoney:

    <strong> But let's face it, Apple is going to do what they are going to do, not based on some people typing up their opinions on a message board. They are going to act on what they feel is in the best interest of the company.





    :cool: </strong><hr></blockquote>



    I beg to differ. They changed their plans for the iLife pricing after the backlash posted on message boards like this one. At the very least, they're out there...
  • Reply 4 of 47
    nevynnevyn Posts: 360member
    Note also that the PowerMac's sales are already in the toilet -&gt; it would be closer to a mercy-killing.



    People that _need_ desktops are buying the Dual-867. People that can wait... are.
  • Reply 5 of 47
    elricelric Posts: 230member
    [quote]Originally posted by JMoney:

    <strong> Take for instance the alternative thread where I am debating that a "switcher" should just go ahead and buy an iMac rather than twiddle his thumbs for a month or two, hoping that a new release will flow through.

    </strong><hr></blockquote>



    This is good advice. I am a switcher, I went with the 17" iMac and I love it. Why go with the iMac instead of a powermac? Well software isn't cheap. Thank God for educational discounts. I just picked up the Adobe Web Collection for almost 60% off.
  • Reply 6 of 47
    bartobarto Posts: 2,246member
    Power Mac sales are already pathetic.



    Pre-announcing the Power Mac G5 (or whatever it will be called) might make some people hold off a PC purchase until July.



    Individuals and organisations purchasing Power Macs now do so because they already use Macs, and now is when they need to buy. Although most now buy new iMacs and eMacs instead of Power Macs.



    In short, I agree. It wouldn't be suicide, it could further boost sales when it arrives.



    The one probleeeeem is if it gets delayed. Taking pre-orders well before it arrives is probably a bad idea.



    Pre-announcing successors to existing, well selling products hurts sales though. The successors generally arn't big enough to generate anything other than "Apple ships vapourware" stories.



    Barto



    PS Remember Windows 95....
  • Reply 7 of 47
    mrmistermrmister Posts: 1,095member
    "They changed their plans for the iLife pricing after the backlash posted on message boards like this one. At the very least, they're out there..."



    This was just an ass-saving story from whichever rumor site broke it...I believe it was MOSR. I'll believe this when there's some backup for it.
  • Reply 8 of 47
    g-newsg-news Posts: 1,107member
    [quote]If I were in the market for a new powermac and knew a faster model was 6-9 months away I would wait<hr></blockquote>



    Even without being an "expert", I can say with almost perfect certainty that in this case, you'll ALWAYS have to wait. There's ALWAYS a new machine on the horizon, if you look so far ahead.



    Playing the waiting game becomes useless very quickly, once your current machine needs to be replaced. Before that, most people usually don't even think about replacing it.



    G-News
  • Reply 9 of 47
    defiantdefiant Posts: 4,876member
    [quote]Originally posted by mrmister:

    <strong>This was just an ass-saving story from whichever rumor site broke it...I believe it was MOSR. I'll believe this when there's some backup for it.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    <a href="http://www.thinksecret.com/news/freeiapps.html"; target="_blank">http://www.thinksecret.com/news/freeiapps.html</a>;
  • Reply 10 of 47
    kedakeda Posts: 722member
    If Apple announced the 970 early, I believe it would definitely kill sales. Why? Because I'm buying a new Mac this year and there is no way I'm buying b4 the 970/G5 comes out.



    I keep my computers for a while, so I'm not about to jump in when it looks like a big leap ahead is just around the corner.



    So, based on my reaction to the 970 rumor, I'd guess that many others would behave similarly if Apple announced something concrete.
  • Reply 11 of 47
    i-bent-my-wookiei-bent-my-wookie Posts: 326member
    [quote]Originally posted by Keda:

    <strong>If Apple announced the 970 early, I believe it would definitely kill sales. Why? Because I'm buying a new Mac this year and there is no way I'm buying b4 the 970/G5 comes out.



    I keep my computers for a while, so I'm not about to jump in when it looks like a big leap ahead is just around the corner.



    So, based on my reaction to the 970 rumor, I'd guess that many others would behave similarly if Apple announced something concrete.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    Thats what you say now. But when the new 970 is announced there will be a second-wave of waiters... are you one of them?



    eg...

    "No way Im buying first-gen hardware"

    "Im not a beta tester"

    "Too rough around the edges"



    Are you sure you wont change your mind and wait longer if 'Firewire 1600' isnt on board or 'Airport Ludicrous'.



    So all you who are waiting... work through all the future scenarios or be preparedd to wait 14 more months for a mature "generation 5" processor powermac.



    Buy a product with the features you need when you need it. Based on the crap spewing out of this message boards we must all be folding DNA or comprimising 256-bit security keys all day because the 'bare-minimum' people seem to expect wont be out for 2 more years.
  • Reply 12 of 47
    kupan787kupan787 Posts: 586member
    [quote]Originally posted by Defiant:

    <strong>



    <a href="http://www.thinksecret.com/news/freeiapps.html"; target="_blank">http://www.thinksecret.com/news/freeiapps.html</a></strong><hr></blockquote>;



    Is that supposed to be proof that Apple changed their plans?



    I hate rumor sites now. If they are right, everyone praises them. If they are wrong, then can post an "Exclusive" stating they weren't really wrong, but Apple changed it a the last minute. And people praise them. So the rumor sites have it great, they always win.



    I would say own up if you make a mistake, but how could you "own up" if you bs'ed out a story and then were caught dead wrong...
  • Reply 12 of 47
    eupfhoriaeupfhoria Posts: 257member
    [quote]Originally posted by I-bent-my-wookie:

    <strong>

    *snip*

    'Airport Ludicrous'.

    *Snip*

    </strong><hr></blockquote>



    Excellent post. Airport Ludicrous tops it all off. Great stuff.



    [quote]I hate rumor sites now. If they are right, everyone praises them. If they are wrong, then can post an "Exclusive" stating they weren't really wrong, but Apple changed it a the last minute. And people praise them. So the rumor sites have it great, they always win.<hr></blockquote>

    Did you even read the article? What about the iLife book that said in printed text that only iTunes would be a free download?



    [ 01-21-2003: Message edited by: Eupfhoria ]</p>
  • Reply 14 of 47
    nonsuchnonsuch Posts: 293member
    I think the potential harm of preannouncing the 970 is overstated. As others have pointed out, professionals buy hardware when they need it. I'm up for a new system this year at my job, and if my request to move to a Mac is granted, they're going to get me whatever is available the day our CapX check is cut. Most likely it ain't gonna be a G5. Maybe it would be different for small design or print shops, but I would *guess* only about half of those know or care what's coming down the pike; again, they get what they need when they need it. Very few of the Mac users I know, even the die-hard ones, pay any attention to rumors or lose any sleep wondering when Apple is going to release the Latest and Greatest.
  • Reply 15 of 47
    geddoegeddoe Posts: 45member
    I don't know if it would be suicide, but there are a couple of reasons why Apple won't prerelease information about an upcoming 970 Mac if there will indead be a 970 Mac.



    The first one is that there once was a company called Osborne Computer. I forget whether they prenannounced a product or the information leaked. However it happened, news spread of an upcoming product. Osbornes sales dried up and the company ceased to exist.



    The second one is that Apple probably doesn't know when/if they will be able to ship a 970 Mac. I'm sure Jon Rubinstein has a target shipping date, but there are so many factors that have to come together that such a project could slip by months even quarters.
  • Reply 16 of 47
    muahmuah Posts: 165member
    I'm not sure that this is solid, but it seems to me that AMD has steadily lost money since announcing their hammer line.



    I think it is generally bad policy to pre-announce. It kinda says "The stuff we have out right now is nothing compared to what we will have in 6 months." and I think consumers get that point. AMD definitely said that about thier 32 bit processors when they trumpeted the hammer 64's. It didn't help that Intel stepped on the gas in the Mhz dept. but what can you do when Intel makes more profit than you make revenue.
  • Reply 17 of 47
    bungebunge Posts: 7,329member
    Don't worry. Apple is going to pre-announce the 970 machines. They always pre-announce their new machines. They'll announce it in NY (or something) and it'll be available three months later.
  • Reply 18 of 47
    the milkmanthe milkman Posts: 94member
    [quote]Originally posted by Geddoe:

    <strong>&lt;snip&gt;



    The first one is that there once was a company called Osborne Computer. I forget whether they prenannounced a product or the information leaked. However it happened, news spread of an upcoming product. Osbornes sales dried up and the company ceased to exist.



    &lt;snip&gt;

    </strong><hr></blockquote>



    I miss the Osborne.

    <a href="http://oldcomputers.net/osborne.html"; target="_blank">clicky clicky</a>



    [quote]Originally posted by bunge:

    <strong>Don't worry. Apple is going to pre-announce the 970 machines. They always pre-announce their new machines. They'll announce it in NY (or something) and it'll be available three months later.



    </strong><hr></blockquote>



    Agreed.
  • Reply 19 of 47
    barzoibarzoi Posts: 2member
    [quote]Originally posted by Nevyn:

    <strong>Note also that the PowerMac's sales are already in the toilet -&gt; it would be closer to a mercy-killing.



    People that _need_ desktops are buying the Dual-867. People that can wait... are.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    YES, and they overclock them to 1GHZ...
  • Reply 20 of 47
    hobbeshobbes Posts: 1,252member
    Love, love, love Airport Ludicrous. <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
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