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Apple Accepting Trade-ins

Posted by pudge on from the there-is-a-joke-in-here-somewhere dept.

zaren writes "Apple Computer has kicked off a trade-in program that apparently is covering all of Europe (I first heard about it on apple.ru, but there's now a link at euro.apple.com as well). Apple is accepting any Power Mac (from the 6100s on up) for a credit towards the purchse of a new G4 tower. Seems like they're a) pushing for more people to upgrade to Mac OS X, and b) pushing to clear out their G4 inventory before MacWorld New York." It looks like it is not any Power Mac, but old ones (I don't see iMacs listed). Still, I wish they would do the program in the US.

7 of 52 comments (clear)

  1. Environmental win by crow · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Considering that it is now illegal in many places to throw away used computers due to the various toxic components (lead in the CRTs and such), a trade-in program is a great way of handling the problem.

    Sure, some people will pay $50 or so to have the computer recycled, but most will just leave it in the attic.

    Now the question is what happens to the old computers. Will Apple recycle them, or will they refurbish them and send them off to the Third World?

  2. Another reason for the trade-in program by c.r.o.c.o · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I know many people who prefer to buy older PowerPCs and just plug in a G3 upgrade card. A friend of mine bought a 9600 and upgraded it to a G3 500Mhz. The entire system, including the upgrade cost him CA$750 (US$500), which was significantly cheaper than any other new Mac at an equivalent speed.

    So Apple is being able to get rid of their G4 overstock, while taking off the market a large number of old, but still functional systems.

    I could be wrong in this assumption, but it seems like a reasonable one.

  3. Call me a spammer, but. . . by Laplace · · Score: 3, Informative

    Powermax is an Apple dealer. They've been accepting trade-ins for quite a while. I recently sent them a Blue and White G3 in trade for a refurbished iBook. I essentially upgraded all the components on my machine (memory, CPU, ports), retained compatibility with the system I traded in, and gained the portability of a laptop for about $400 out of pocket.

    The only problem with the deal is that it takes about a month to have the computer examined and the credit applied to your credit card.

    --
    The middle mind speaks!
  4. imagine the possibilities by paradesign · · Score: 3, Interesting
    what will apple do with their abundance of antiquated computers? anyone?

    cluster computing (beware of the B word) maybe. education? maybe theyll repack the procesors in some new box and give them to kindergarteners as the new iMac jr.

    i dont know im just guessing.

    --
    I want 2D games back.
  5. It's *STILL* a complete ripoff! by @madeus · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The maximum rebate of '240' UKP applies only to a Dual 1 Ghz G4 sytem.

    Hmm now a a Dual 1 Ghz G4 system is 2583.83 UKP (which is 3752.91 USD).

    The SAME system in the US costs only 2,999.00 USD. So, even WITH the discount it's *still* over 550 dollars cheaper in the US (and I'm one PowerMac down)!

    It's cheaper just to fly to the US!

    If they want to knock off 500 UKP off the system then I'll consider it, otherwise I'll stick a G3 upgrade card in my 7100, an $5 extra SCSI card, an extra $10 NIC and use it as a NAS.

    1. Re:It's *STILL* a complete ripoff! by mcwetboy · · Score: 3, Informative

      Bear in mind that European prices include VAT (value-added tax or sales tax), which can be as high as 20 per cent or thereabouts, whereas U.S. (and Canadian) prices do not. (For example, the dual-gigahertz G4 costs C$4,800 in Canada, but you've got to add 15 per cent or so to cover GST and provincial taxes, in most cases.) The presence of the VAT in the price might not account for all of the difference in price, but it's a part of it -- could add about US$600 or so.

    2. Re:It's *STILL* a complete ripoff! by @madeus · · Score: 3, Informative

      Good point (and your right about the tax about - it's' about 20% in Europe).

      It's 17.5% here in the UK, but the average is higher (20-25%) apart from Switzerland, which is only 7%, the minimum allowed by the EU is 15% (one of the reasons they are not members).

      I know the laws about displaying taxes on goods differs in the US (here in the UK/Europe all prices aimed at consumers included VAT, though products aimed at business users may omit VAT as long as they state that's the case).

      I had assumed that a 'Federal' level of tax would be included and that the only tax left to pay would be 'State' tax (which they might be ignoring or charging at a the rate of the where ever Apple's dispatch point is) because it's a web site (and as such their is little/no strict regulation enforce yet).

      Is this correct?