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October 8th through 15th Archives

Tuesday, October 14th 2003 14:24 EDT

PowerBook Guy iBook Deal

PowerBook Guy wrote in with a deal:

PowerBook Guy offers the reseller-refurbished Blueberry iBook G3/300 64/3.2/CD 12.1-inch TFT for $399.95. Enter coupon code "SHIP" and receive a $15 credit towards shipping. A 30-day reseller warranty applies.

Notice on Madsonline "Generation Gap" Compatibility

Longtime reader R. Bozeman sent in a note he discovered on Madsonline's website regarding their "generation gap" adapter that allowed you to use older power adapters with newer PowerBooks:

I came across a thread on Apple's support discussion board about recommendations concerning the use of 45W AC adapters with the AL Powerbooks that ship with 65W adapters:

http://discussions.info.apple.com/WebX?14@134.ojVtav2kiYs.12@.5999c3b1

It caused me to remember that I have a Madsonline "Generation Gap" adapter I use at home to connect my 17" PB to one of the yo-yo adapters. I checked on Madsonline's website, and the item description now sports a "Compatibility Note":

We do not recommend using a 45W adapter/"Generation Gap" solution with the PowerBook G4 15" (867MHZ, 1GHZ) & 17". These PowerBooks will run off the adapter, but may not charge the battery at the same time. During heavy usage, the PowerBook will draw from the battery while connected to the adapter. They will charge normally in a sleeping or shutdown state.

Madsonline is not accessible by phone before 9AM Pacific Time, so I have not had a chance to talk to them about this revelation, yet. Although my experience has been that the battery on my PB seems to charge fine when connected through the "Generation Gap", it seems apparent that it might be wise to save it as a last resort.

Monday, October 13th 2003 13:29 EDT

Even More on the Up-to-Date Program

Here's more details for those still keeping tabs on the saga of the PowerBook-excluding Mac OS X 10.3 up-to-date program...the following emails are in the order we received them over the weekend:

i am a new mac user who purchased a new 15 inch powerbook g4 superdrive from the apple store on september 17. after reading your website, i just attempted to use the online up-to-date form and my serial number did not qualify. i called the toll free number listed and was told the october 8 date was firm and i would not qualify, but that i could call another customer service number (800-767-2775). i had a 10 minute long conversation with an agent where i made clear my frustration and dissapointment with the situation, which he politely "logged" but offered no solution. curiously, he mentioned he had almost exclusively been dealing with this very complaint nonstop for the past 2 days.

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Here is something that may help people get Panther for the cheap price: You must make sure you put in the order date and not the ship date when qualifying your computer. I bought a 15 inch PowerBook G4 1.25, and at first I used my ship date and it didn't work, but the order date did. Maybe everyone knows this and I was just being stupid, but maybe not.

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I tried the link yesterday and it did'nt work. I've got a CTO Alpb 15". Tried it a few minutes ago and now it works. Seems like Apple is changing policy things on the fly.

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I completed the internet registration of my powerbook yesterday. Today i was able to order Panther for the UpToDate pricing. I guess its only available for registered serials.

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The first 3 times I tried it for my Aluminum 15˛ purchased the 30th, it didnšt work, but for some odd reason, today (10/11) it worked and, just to be safe, I went ahead and purchased it. Letšs hope Apple doesnšt do a 180 and change their mind. Consequentially, I had sent them an email and told them I would renew my $200 .Mac account they day they let me get the up-to-date discount . . . maybe someone actually listened, ha ha.

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Purchased a 15-inch AlBook from the Apple Store here in town on September 18. Entered my information into the Apple website yesterday (October 10), was confirmed eligible and am awaiting shipment of Panther! Just spreading the word that it works for PowerBooks purchased as early as 9/18.

Another Cool Bag Company: Chrome

Reader Michael writes to let us know of another option out there for PowerBook owners looking for carrying gear:

I've received these Chrome Bags items: Sputnik II and Ranchero backpack. They are extremely well made bags. The Sputniks are just fabulous, and the backpacks are huge! In fact, the Ranchero was too big for the 17" and I had to order the smallest version. They were extremely responsive, and fast, and they even have the cosmetic blemish section items. Tip: don't bother with the Badger backpack. It's far too simple for anything.

The Sputnik bag also comes with a thick padded sleeve inside, but they don't have sleeves specifically for the 17". Not yet, anyway, but I've sent an email request for such things.

Like your site a great deal. Hope you keep adding to the bag makers list. Also, the Incase PB sleeve for the 17" is really nice for the price. Not too much carrying capacity, but very clean, nice, well made, and not at all blueish in color as shown on their website. Rather, it's a sleek, smooth dark grey. Highly recommended. Lastly, there is of course the Crumpler series of bags. I got the Team Player to try (per the suggestion of Powerpage.org.). The bag is absolutely huge, even though it has a lot of compartments. Their bags are well made, durable, but not quite the rubberized glossy funkiness of the Chrome Bags.

Friday, October 10th 2003 02:03 EDT

(Hopefully) the Final Word on the Up to Date Program

We received the following differing outcomes from several readers that tried the up to date program with PowerBooks purchased prior to Wednesday:

The online up-to-date form would not take my serial number, with our without the dash (and after registering). Here's what it did:I called the toll free number, 1-800-335-9258, and spoke with a person without being put on hold. I told him that the online page wouldn't take my SN. He asked what kind of Apple I had. I said the new Powerbook G4. He asked when I purchased it. I replied several weeks ago (I actually got it Sept. 30 after a Sept. 16 purchase). He said something about the "on or after October 8" and then said to print out the .pdf form, fill it out, and mail it in to get the update.

"So, I send the check with the form, and Apple will mail me the Panther update?"

"Yes, we'll have to investigate your serial number to make sure it's valid, and then we'll send you the update."

Probably should've gotten his name or ID number, but this is what I'm going to do. My guess is the confusion is leading to them to let new Powerbook users get the update for $20. Thanks for the dialog...

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Works here - 2 aluminum 15˛ PowerBooks ordered Sep 16th.  For these at least, the serial number seems to matter more than the date.

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I purchased a 15" PB G4 1.25 Ghz on Sept. 22. I just went to Applešs Up To Date website, entered my date of purchase and serial number (without hyphens), and bought Panther for $19.95. Thanks for the tip.

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What you folks suggested does not work.

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The web qualifier won't accept my serial # - purchased at apple.com September 26th, shipped October 5. PB G4 1.25Ghz

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Bought my 17" powerbook on the 6th of this month. Went to the up to date site, entered all the pertinent info and it says I qualify and I now have an order number also.

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I purchased my new BTO 12" 1Ghz October 1 from the Apple Store Online (technically, that's the purchase date as I wasn't charged until it was shipped), it was delivered October 3.

I tried to qualify online for the upgrade but my serial number isn't recognized (I did register my PB online).

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Bought a stock 1.25Ghz aluminum Powerbook G4 from the online Education Apple Store on the morning they were announced (9/16) and registered it as soon as I received it (9/22). Used my serial number on the up-to-date website (put in Cupertino, CA as the city and state of purchase) and it was accepted. Got an email confirmation with my web order number as well.

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I bought my Powerbook 15˛ the day they were annnounced and today i order Pnather and i received my order number also.

If you've got new information to add to the discussion, please send it in! 

Thursday, October 9th 2003 15:36 EDT

Up to Date Program Update

It seems that Apple's got quite a lot of confusion on their hands after the Up to Date program was announced for recent buyers of Macs to upgrade to Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther." The PDF coupon has been updated for the G5 PowerMac to reflect "on or after August 16th" for some time, then it's now been changed to "regardless of purchase date." Yesterday, for PowerMacs, it had said "on or after October 8th" just like the rest of the Macs.

More importantly for recent PowerBook buyers, it seems there might be a workaround:

Based on the article [today] at http://www.xlr8yourmac.com, I decided to try the Up-to-date link, I purchased my 15" PB G4 1.25 Ghz on Sept 19th. Seemingly by everyone's interpretation, this purchase is not eligble for the up to date program. I entered all my information (leaving the - out of the serial number as advised) and I now have an order number from the apple store. =)

Wednesday, October 8th 2003 15:36 EDT

New PowerBook Buyers Left Out of Mac OS X Panther "Up to Date" Program

Today Apple announced that its widely-anticipated update to Mac OS X, code-named Panther, will be released on October 24th. As is usually the case, they also made public details about an "up to date" program that allows recent buyers of Macintosh systems to upgrade their operating system for a discount off the retail price.

However, the thousands of customers who have already purchased any of the new PowerBooks do not qualify for the $19.95 upgrade unless they purchased the computer on or after today's date.

Interestingly, according to Accelerate Your Mac!, all Power Mac G5s ordered qualify for the "up to date" program regardless of purchase date. On the up to date page, it says "G5s purchased on or after October 8th" just like for everyone else, but it appears that all G5 purchases qualify regardless of purchase date.

This means that a Mac buyer could've spent $3,000 on a SuperDrive 17" Aluminum PowerBook last week and not qualify while someone else could've purchased a $1999 G5 last week and qualify for the discount, which amounts to $110 off the full $129 purchase price.

While we don't think this is a huge deal–Apple's done worse–we would expect the main complaint that PowerBook buyers have during the "year of the PowerBook" is the preferential treatment given to desktop purchasers without any obvious justification from the company.