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General discussion

Help! When to upgrade?

Aug 2, 2007 5:15AM PDT

I have an iBook G4 (MID-2005) 10.4.10. Basically, since late 2005, I have had two hard drives replaced, three logic boards, a keyboard, and a software fix. It's been to the Apple Store and repair facilities more than it's been with me, or so it feels. Apple has been terrible the entire time, rude, unhelpful, etc, so I decided to write to steve@apple.com( I just wanted to get to corporate) sharing my feelings with them. Needless to say, now I am offered a new MacBook free of cost( from my apple store) or take that $$ towards a MBP, which is what I want to do. Don't like the MB much. So, when do I get it!!! Arg! ??

Buy it Now-Sept. 16: I get an iPod Nano. A Red one. (Got a 5.5 video, already. But who dosen't want a flashy nano?) I also get $100 off a printer. BUT, I have to pay for Leopard, about $120. And I have to go through the hassle of upgrading. And it's slightly weird to buy the old OS computer on purpose when the new is around the corner.

Buy it after Leopard comes out- I don't get an iPod nano . But I do get OSX 10.5 pre-installled and ready to go.

Number wise, option number 1 wins. Sub- 1k price for computer, $200 nano, $100 printer minus $120 for OSX5. Equals $180 value ( I guess) Option two, $100 printer + $120 OSX = $220 value. Wait, that makes no sense at all. Let's just say that the $200 Nano is worth more than the $120 OSX.

So I have no clue what I'm talking about, nor what to do. Help!

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Upgrading a Mac OS is easy as 1 - 2 - 3
Aug 2, 2007 7:01AM PDT

?You stick the new OS disc in...

?You choose upgrade, archive and install...

?You type in your admin password and hit enter.

As for the iPod/printer discount... do you need or want an new iPod? Do you need a new printer?

Most importantly, do you need the computer now or can you wait till October for the new OS release? Any which way I look at it... you're coming out a winner.

Wink

grim

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re: upgrading
Aug 2, 2007 7:38AM PDT

Thanks for your response. I understand installing the new OS is very easy, but it seems smarter to have it pre-installed on my computer. Won't a computer that has had Tiger and Leopard run on it be....different...than a fresh start?
I can wait until October, but it's a bit more stressful becuase I will have started school and my free time will be dramatically cut.
As for the iPod, why not? Sure, I'll take one, who wouldn't? I don't have a huge need for one, but it would be nice to have a tiny mp3 player. I get a free printer either way.
Any other suggestions? If apple released Leopard in 10 days I would be perfect....

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When to buy
Aug 2, 2007 9:30AM PDT

There will be no difference in the machine whether it ships with Tiger or Leopard.

If you feel that strongly about it, you could always get one now, use it, backup all your data to an external drive, format the disk and install Leopard when you purchase it.

Go for the max and don't forget your AppleCare. I don't recall that being part of your equation

P

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I am
Aug 2, 2007 10:30AM PDT

in the same pickle as you are except this will be my first mac, a blackbook. I'm currently leaning towards waiting for October to roll around for leopard becuase watching the keynote over again makes me want it more without paying extra. But I am in need/want of a new ipod video. I currently have a 4gb blue ipod mini but want something with video. I don't want to spend an extra 69 dollars (student discount) for something I can get free if I'm patient. Why can't apple extend that deal? Sigh I suggest joining me in waiting for leopard, rumored new ipods are coming closer to reality!

Candice

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re: I Am
Aug 2, 2007 10:49AM PDT

you can get a free video? I don't think so. I think it is only the $200 Nano....?

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it is
Aug 2, 2007 12:51PM PDT

200 dollar rebate on an ipod purchase. So you can get a free video if you settle for a refurb or put the 200 towards a new video.

We're in the same boat. Nearly cried when leopard was delayed =(

Candice

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No Time Like the Present
Aug 3, 2007 12:47PM PDT

Sounds to me like now's the time, and I wouldn't look down my nose at the MB. Unless you're a filmmaker, photographer, or psychotic gamer, the MBP offers little additional value for the extra dough. I'm writing now on a 2GHz white MB with 2GB RAM, with a Boot Camp partition running Windows XP and Parallels 3.0 running a couple of my favorite Linux distros, and after 8 months I've had no complaints of any significance (you can check out my review of the MB <a href=".">http://www.dailyrevolution.net/2006/12/geek-wednesday-stevies-wonder.html">here</a&gtWink.

As for Leopard, what's the rush? From what I've seen of it, there's not enough there to make it a must-have upgrade on day one (in my opinion, the only upgrade they've done that meets that description was Jaguar to Panther, that was a big one). Tiger's a great OS and will remain a great OS long after Leopard's out. What you need now is a good piece of hardware, and from what I've seen and heard about these machines, the MB and MBP are about as good as you can get. Both have just been upgraded to Santa Rosa chips, so you're on the cutting edge there. Take what they're offering now, is my advice.

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rebate hell
Aug 4, 2007 5:10AM PDT

If you want to deal with a lengthy, frustrating, and possibly fruitless rebate process, then by all means get the nano.
I've been on the phone 6 times with 6 different reps over three weeks. I've submitted everything, made copies, and submitted online. Apple has lost my rebate. I've had to fax a missing UPC form and pray I get my money.
I wish I had waited for the os upgrade. It would have been less painful and a lot less stressful than trying to redeem my rebate.
I'm not the only one. Just search the apple forums on rebates to see the carnage.
No more rebates for me.

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Ouch
Aug 4, 2007 7:04AM PDT

that sucks. Sad

I've decided! I'm going to wait until october. I've thought about it, and as much as the nano is nice, I just won't use it too often. My iBook will last till october.

To the user who said don't overlook the MacBook, don't worry, I didn't.
BUT:
I don't like the design. The keyboard is awkward. I'm not a fan of the widescreen screen. Also, from what I saw at the Apple store, the screen looks washed out and dim at the same time, while looking like it has a much lower resolution compared to the "hi def" image on the MBP. Also, I hate how the glossy screen reflects everything behind you. In addition, I have lost all trust in Apple's Consumer Notebook Line, from my experiences with my iBook. I will be doing no movie/photo editing, nor music composement, ect. I'll be heavy on the internet, iPhoto, iTunes, iChat, Appleworks, Google Earth, and maybe a game, but not a graphics intensive one. Besides, if you could get a MB for no cost, or a MBP for $599, which one would you get? Happy

Thanks everyone.

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Just came to the opposing decision
Aug 4, 2007 12:42PM PDT

I went to the apple store and spoke with one of the apple employees. I came to the decision that I want work with Tiger and let Leopard mature for a bit before becoming my operating system. I can get hopefully get Leopard a little cheaper with the student discount and have two operating systems at my disposal, if for some crazy reason I don't like Leopard. I have been wanting a new ipod for the longest time and fifty dollars for a new video ipod is pretty good of a deal. I might get my new blackbook as soon as next week, not sure yet though. Good luck with your mac jpr, hope it gives you a better expirence then your ibook.

Candice

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same to you!
Aug 5, 2007 8:36AM PDT

Good luck with your MacBook and iPod, give us an update after you get it!!

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Sigh
Aug 6, 2007 1:26PM PDT

Won't be getting the macbook or ipod soon. Something came up, sigh... maybe another year of waiting. Still good luck in october jpr with leopard

Candice