What's the problem? There is nothing sneaky going on. It IS a good deal.
Itsahoot is right. You both suffer from Apple Derangement Syndrome. It is the author of that article who is hoodwinking you—and also suffers from ADS.
Coming September 2009 with every new Mac.
Upgrade from Mac OS X Leopard for just $29.
Mac OS X Snow Leopard requires an Intel-based Mac.How to get Mac OS X Snow Leopard.
Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard will be available in September 2009. Here’s how to get it.With every new Mac.
When it’s released, every new Mac computer will come with Mac OS X Snow Leopard already installed. You won’t need to do anything.Snow Leopard Up-to-Date Program.
If you purchased a qualifying Mac on or after June 8, 2009, that does not include Mac OS X Snow Leopard, you can upgrade for $9.95.Upgrading from Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard.
If your Intel-based Mac is running Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard, just purchase Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard when it’s available and follow the simple installation instructions.Upgrading from Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger.
If your Intel-based Mac is running Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger, purchase the Mac Box Set (when available), which is a single, affordable package that includes Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard; iLife ’09, with the latest versions of iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, and iDVD; and iWork ’09, Apple’s productivity suite for home and office including Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.[The $169 Mac Box Set includes:
—Swordmaker]
- iLife'09 upgrade, sold separately for $79
- iWork'09 package, sold separately for $79
- OS X.6 Snow Leopard, cost to the user just $11
Source: Apple's Snow Leopard pages
The upgrade for ANY Mac user who already has ANY version of the Intel based OS X.5 Leopard to OS X.6 Snow Leopard is only $29. According to Apple, that includes over 80% of the early buyers of the original Intel Macs that came with Tiger.
No one is being cheated. It's an upgrade to LEOPARD... not to any other previous version of the OS. If a Mac user doesn't have the Intel version of Leopard, then Snow Leopard is not an option—unless they either buy an Intel Mac, or If they have an early Intel Mac, and are still using OS X.4 Tiger, then they need to buy Leopard so it can be updated.
The fact people who upgraded from OS X.4 Tiger to Leopard paid $129 (for a single license) is irrelevant to the upgrade from Leopard to Snow Leopard. I upgraded from Tiger to Leopard (five license package - $189 = $37.80 per Mac) 20 months ago.
I did not upgrade because I wanted to eventually upgrade to Snow Leopard. I upgraded because I wanted what Leopard could do... that Tiger could not. I have had 20 months of use trouble-free, productive use of Leopard. It is fully amortized; I have gotten my money's worth already. My cost to upgrade my machines would be $29 each, however, I will buy a five license package for $49.
This is frankly disingenuous to Mac users especially the new ones that purchased a Mac after June 8th. Why not a FREE upgrade? At least Microsoft is providing a free upgrade to Wnidows 7 to new purchases of Vista.
Upgrading from Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger.
If your Intel-based Mac is running Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger, purchase the Mac Box Set (when available), which is a single, affordable package that includes Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard; iLife ’09, with the latest versions of iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, and iDVD; and iWork ’09, Apple’s productivity suite for home and office including Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. NOTE: THIS IS NOT $29 AND THIS IS THE REASON ED BOTTS ARTICLE WAS RELEVANT