.mac has been down for hours now... I think this is some kind of serious outage, not necessarily an upgrade.
As for a "surefire indicator", the most dependable indicator I've seen is inventory levels at distributors. It appears that the PowerMac is in low supply, and the 17" PowerBook. But with the Intel transition afoot, I'm not sure that this is that meaningful. At times in the past, Apple has let inventory of some products sit at zero for months; the transition might make this happen again.
Over the last week we have seen Apple release a Security Update, the iPod Updater, Backup 3.0, iTunes 5.0.1, Xsan Tuner, Java 1.3.1 and 1.4.2 Release 2, the Java Security Update and WaveBurner 1.1.1.
Well, that means we will see some new Apple hardware released the first part of next week.
Well, that means we will see some new Apple hardware released the first part of next week.
You have an interesting theory. It is reasonable and it did work with the iBooks. However, more experimental evidence is needed before accepting it as scientifically proved.
I just hope it works and around Oct 1 we will finally see something new, like long overdue PB updates.
You have an interesting theory. It is reasonable and it did work with the iBooks. However, more experimental evidence is needed before accepting it as scientifically proved.
I have already accepted it as scientifically proven. In fact, I trust my theory to the extent that I even went so far as to go out and purchase a new Mac mini yesterday knowing that I would get the new and improved super-speedy super drive, the 1.5GHz G4, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, a faster hard drive AND the upgraded video card with double the RAM. If you are unsure of whether the serial number reveals the contents of the new & improved mini, I have a story for you. Some store employee seemingly sauntered up and exclaimed, "Hey, that there is one of those new Mac minis" and the employee I was originally talking to says, "how do you know" (as if he really didn't know). Then the greasy-haired employee with a sock sticking out of his back pocket???, says "Because it has a slash B there!" and points to the sticker. So ther you go, if you don't want to trust the serial numbers with the most recent week and the proper country code, just look for the "/B".
Oh, they are also now including iWorks with these in addition to iLife, Quicken 2005, Marble Blast Gold, Nanosaur 2 (is that an omen :-) ) and the System Discs now include Mac OS 10.4.2, AHT 1.1 on the first disc (version 1.0) and then the second disk which I THINK has the applications (iLife, iWork, etc.)is now labeled version 1.3.
Some store employee seemingly sauntered up and exclaimed, "Hey, that there is one of those new Mac minis" and the employee I was originally talking to says, "how do you know" (as if he really didn't know). Then the greasy-haired employee with a sock sticking out of his back pocket???, says "Because it has a slash B there!" and points to the sticker. So ther you go, if you don't want to trust the serial numbers with the most recent week and the proper country code, just look for the "/B".
Really.
Well I guess you should tell the people that maintain Apple's website, because all three models listed on their Tech Specs page are the older version, yet end with "/B".
Quote:
Oh, they are also now including iWorks with these
They include software they haven't even announced yet! I'm shocked.
Well I guess you should tell the people that maintain Apple's website, because all three models listed on their Tech Specs page are the older version, yet end with "/B".
Yeah, I was mainly just telling the story for entertainment value. It was probably more funny for me though than anyone else here.
Quote:
Originally posted by Chucker
They include software they haven't even announced yet! I'm shocked.
Well, it's the $79 package with Keynote and Pages. Just something else to add to the new hardware release. Kinda like having Tiger included so you don't have to purchase it seperately.
Actually, when you add up the value of all the software included with this thing, the computer can just be looked at as expensive packaging.
$ 70 Quicken 2005
$ 79 iWork
$ 79 iLife
$129 Tiger
That's $357, if you get the low end mini, you are only paying $149 for a brand new Mac... but I digress.
Yeah, I was mainly just telling the story for entertainment value. It was probably more funny for me though than anyone else here.
You were telling it in a way as to make me think that you actually believed that. To my knowledge, Mac mini packages have absolutely *no* indication of whether they're the newer version; the only way to find out is to either break open a Mac mini and look at the bare hardware, or to actually run the thing and check in System Profiler.
Quote:
Well, it's the $79 package with Keynote and Pages.
I was just commenting on the common "iWorks" misspelling.
Quote:
Actually, when you add up the value of all the software included with this thing, the computer can just be looked at as expensive packaging.
$ 70 Quicken 2005
$ 79 iWork
$ 79 iLife
$129 Tiger
That's $357, if you get the low end mini, you are only paying $149 for a brand new Mac... but I digress.
True, but then again, these are OEM versions, you don't get the entire package. For example, there's usually no printed documentation, no separate box, etc. Apple (just like similar suppliers like Dell) gets huge discounts on these OEM versions.
You were telling it in a way as to make me think that you actually believed that. To my knowledge, Mac mini packages have absolutely *no* indication of whether they're the newer version;
I'm pretty sure you can count on checking which week of the year that the mini was put together to reveal if it is a new "updated" model - these 2 digits are found directly after the 5 at the front of the serial number. They have been assembling these every since they stopped that Mac mini promotion a few weeks back.
Actually, I think they started part way through week #35 (which is the same week they cancelled the Test Drive a Mac mini promotion) so I wouldn't count on any from that week necessarily.
Well, if they're just 'slipstreaming' those upgrades in there, I wonder if the same thing might happen to the iBook? A 14" with a 1.5GHz and more VRAM would be pretty nice to have...
BTW as to the "Surefire Indicator", it looks like Apple inventory is at an all-time low for nearly all products. It's too early for the Intel stuff to be appearing, there's little software to run on it. Someone go shake the pipeline and see if you hear anything rattling in there.
I was completely out of touch with the world, no where near a computer, the last time Apple released new hardware (Mac mini and iPod Hi-Fi) but they too were preceded by a Front Row update, G5 firmware update and a whole series of iLife application updates.
Interesting, rongold...I had forgotten about this thread!
Interesting dates come to mind at the moment. Aside from obligatory April Fools Day Apple 30th Anniverary, there's Tuesday April 4, a date largely speculated Apple would update hardware, including the venerable AppleInsider. Beyond this, I see Tuesday April 11th as the outside possibility.
Hardware expected:
MacBooks with 13-inch widescreen displays in a new or updated form factor
17-inch MacBook Pro (outside possibility). Although with Toshiba, Dell et al coming out now with their 17-inch Core Duo notebooks, this may force Apple's hand. Hopefully if they do release it, it will not have the dreaded sound and production issues the first iteration of the MacBook Pro has...
True iPod Videos with 4-inch widescreens and a virtual click wheel.
I say bring it on.
I think the deal will be sealed WRT hardware if the 10.4.6 update appears in the next few days...
Comments
As for a "surefire indicator", the most dependable indicator I've seen is inventory levels at distributors. It appears that the PowerMac is in low supply, and the 17" PowerBook. But with the Intel transition afoot, I'm not sure that this is that meaningful. At times in the past, Apple has let inventory of some products sit at zero for months; the transition might make this happen again.
Well, that means we will see some new Apple hardware released the first part of next week.
Originally posted by rongold
Well, that means we will see some new Apple hardware released the first part of next week.
You have an interesting theory. It is reasonable and it did work with the iBooks. However, more experimental evidence is needed before accepting it as scientifically proved.
I just hope it works and around Oct 1 we will finally see something new, like long overdue PB updates.
Originally posted by Emin
You have an interesting theory. It is reasonable and it did work with the iBooks. However, more experimental evidence is needed before accepting it as scientifically proved.
I have already accepted it as scientifically proven. In fact, I trust my theory to the extent that I even went so far as to go out and purchase a new Mac mini yesterday knowing that I would get the new and improved super-speedy super drive, the 1.5GHz G4, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, a faster hard drive AND the upgraded video card with double the RAM. If you are unsure of whether the serial number reveals the contents of the new & improved mini, I have a story for you. Some store employee seemingly sauntered up and exclaimed, "Hey, that there is one of those new Mac minis" and the employee I was originally talking to says, "how do you know" (as if he really didn't know). Then the greasy-haired employee with a sock sticking out of his back pocket???, says "Because it has a slash B there!" and points to the sticker. So ther you go, if you don't want to trust the serial numbers with the most recent week and the proper country code, just look for the "/B".
Oh, they are also now including iWorks with these in addition to iLife, Quicken 2005, Marble Blast Gold, Nanosaur 2 (is that an omen :-) ) and the System Discs now include Mac OS 10.4.2, AHT 1.1 on the first disc (version 1.0) and then the second disk which I THINK has the applications (iLife, iWork, etc.)is now labeled version 1.3.
Originally posted by rongold
Some store employee seemingly sauntered up and exclaimed, "Hey, that there is one of those new Mac minis" and the employee I was originally talking to says, "how do you know" (as if he really didn't know). Then the greasy-haired employee with a sock sticking out of his back pocket???, says "Because it has a slash B there!" and points to the sticker. So ther you go, if you don't want to trust the serial numbers with the most recent week and the proper country code, just look for the "/B".
Really.
Well I guess you should tell the people that maintain Apple's website, because all three models listed on their Tech Specs page are the older version, yet end with "/B".
Oh, they are also now including iWorks with these
They include software they haven't even announced yet! I'm shocked.
Originally posted by Chucker
Really.
Well I guess you should tell the people that maintain Apple's website, because all three models listed on their Tech Specs page are the older version, yet end with "/B".
Yeah, I was mainly just telling the story for entertainment value. It was probably more funny for me though than anyone else here.
Originally posted by Chucker
They include software they haven't even announced yet! I'm shocked.
Well, it's the $79 package with Keynote and Pages. Just something else to add to the new hardware release. Kinda like having Tiger included so you don't have to purchase it seperately.
Actually, when you add up the value of all the software included with this thing, the computer can just be looked at as expensive packaging.
$ 70 Quicken 2005
$ 79 iWork
$ 79 iLife
$129 Tiger
That's $357, if you get the low end mini, you are only paying $149 for a brand new Mac... but I digress.
Originally posted by Chucker
They include software they haven't even announced yet! I'm shocked.
What are you talking about?!? iWork has been available pretty much sine the introduction of the Mac mini...
I know it was one of the items I installed when I set up a Mac mini for my ex-wife back in March of this year...
Originally posted by rongold
Yeah, I was mainly just telling the story for entertainment value. It was probably more funny for me though than anyone else here.
You were telling it in a way as to make me think that you actually believed that.
Well, it's the $79 package with Keynote and Pages.
I was just commenting on the common "iWorks" misspelling.
Actually, when you add up the value of all the software included with this thing, the computer can just be looked at as expensive packaging.
$ 70 Quicken 2005
$ 79 iWork
$ 79 iLife
$129 Tiger
That's $357, if you get the low end mini, you are only paying $149 for a brand new Mac... but I digress.
True, but then again, these are OEM versions, you don't get the entire package. For example, there's usually no printed documentation, no separate box, etc. Apple (just like similar suppliers like Dell) gets huge discounts on these OEM versions.
Originally posted by MacRonin
What are you talking about?!? iWork has been available pretty much sine the introduction of the Mac mini...
Jeez, lighten up. I was talking about this ominous "iWorks"
Originally posted by Chucker
Jeez, lighten up. I was talking about this ominous "iWorks"
Whoa, slow down...
Someone adds an extra "s" to something, and it become ominous...
Check your meds!
;^p
Originally posted by Chucker
You were telling it in a way as to make me think that you actually believed that.
I'm pretty sure you can count on checking which week of the year that the mini was put together to reveal if it is a new "updated" model - these 2 digits are found directly after the 5 at the front of the serial number. They have been assembling these every since they stopped that Mac mini promotion a few weeks back.
If they had gone forward with the program too many people would have sent back the Mini after 30 days and then gone bought the new one.
BTW as to the "Surefire Indicator", it looks like Apple inventory is at an all-time low for nearly all products. It's too early for the Intel stuff to be appearing, there's little software to run on it. Someone go shake the pipeline and see if you hear anything rattling in there.
Contrast that with two weeks ago:
iPod Updater 2006-03-23
Final Cut Pro 5
Soundtrack Pro
Motion 2
DVD Studio Pro 4
This guarantees new hardware within about 10 days time.
Interesting dates come to mind at the moment. Aside from obligatory April Fools Day Apple 30th Anniverary, there's Tuesday April 4, a date largely speculated Apple would update hardware, including the venerable AppleInsider. Beyond this, I see Tuesday April 11th as the outside possibility.
Hardware expected:
MacBooks with 13-inch widescreen displays in a new or updated form factor
17-inch MacBook Pro (outside possibility). Although with Toshiba, Dell et al coming out now with their 17-inch Core Duo notebooks, this may force Apple's hand. Hopefully if they do release it, it will not have the dreaded sound and production issues the first iteration of the MacBook Pro has...
True iPod Videos with 4-inch widescreens and a virtual click wheel.
I say bring it on.
I think the deal will be sealed WRT hardware if the 10.4.6 update appears in the next few days...
Originally posted by DHagan4755
Hopefully if they do release it, it will not have the dreaded sound and production issues the first iteration of the MacBook Pro has...
Pardon me, but what problems have you noticed.? My MacBook Pro has been so far exemplary!
Sound is good.
Production is also good.
I am perplexed.