Here's why: Apple announced their next major OS upgrade yesterday at Macworld, OS X v10.2, or Jaguar. Jaguar has a bunch of great features and is probably worth the $125 they are charging for the OS license.

If you buy a new Mac between the announcement date and the date that Jaguar actually ships, Apple will upgrade your OS for free (except for a $20 shipping and handling fee). So far so good.

But imagine that you just want to upgrade the OS to run on your older hardware. Whatever you do, don't buy a boxed version of the currently shipping OS X and expect to be able to upgrade to the full version for the $20 shipping and handling fee. No, if you buy a copy of OS X today at the current retail price of $125, be prepared to pay another $125 in 30 days or so to upgrade to the new Jaguar version. The same thing goes for OS X Server. Currently Apple does not offer an upgrade path for those who purchase a boxed OS between now and the day that Jaguar ships.

Basically what Apple is telling their current and potential customers is "either buy a new Mac today, or don't bother buying our OS (yet)". The poor retailers are stuck with boxed OS X inventory on their shelves and no good way to convince anyone to buy.

What's up with that, Apple? Get a clue and offer some sort of upgrade path for those who want to buy a boxed version of your OS between now and the day Jaguar ships. Help your retailers clear their inventory of boxed OS X software. Encourage your current and potential customers to buy.

Surely this must be an oversight. But come to think of it, I've never heard anyone describe Apple as a great marketing company. At least they're staying true to their colors.

  11:29:33 PM