Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/1999/10/15/apple_reverses_cpu_downgrade/

Apple reverses CPU downgrade for existing orders

Buyers of 500MHz Power Mac to get $350 off on 450MHz model

By Tony Smith

Posted in On-Prem, 15th October 1999 16:05 GMT

Updated A red-faced Apple made a very sudden about-turn last night and reversed its plan to ship existing Power Mac G4 orders with lower-spec. CPUs but for the same price. According to reader reports posted on the MacInTouch Web site, would-be buyers who contacted Apple after the processor downgrade was announced, are now being told that requests for 400MHz and 450MHz machines will be now be supplied as ordered. Anyone who ordered a 500MHz Mac will, however, still have to take a 450MHz model. Apple has no choice here, thanks to Motorola's problems shipping a PowerPC 7400 (aka G4) that will run at that speed. However, they will get $350 knocked off the price, or be offered the choice of getting a new configuration 450MHz for the full price. The extra $350 for the new 450MHz model gets you an extra 128MB of RAM. Apple's original plan was to cancel all Power Mac orders, and force direct buyers and dealers to reorder from a new, downgraded range of machines. Announced at 400MHz, 450MHz and 500MHz, the G4 line will now be offered at 350MHz, 400MHz and 450MHz. Other reports from buyers appear to have had the downgrade reversed only because their machines have reached a certain stage in Apple's build-to-order process. One reader was yesterday promised a public statement from Apple clarifying the situation, but that statement appears not to have been posted on the company's Web site. We contacted Apple UK for clarification, but as yet we have had no response. ® Related Stories Big Blue backs PowerPC G4 with production deal Apple Q3 profit down to $111m