Apple Sale (in Australia)

Last week in US and some other lucky countries, Apple did a sale event which was called a Black Friday sale. It's a similar concept to the Boxing Day sale in Australia. So, one day after Thanksgiving, the stores hold sale events to suck you dry of the pocket money you might received during the holiday season.

Anyway, Apple did the sale last Friday, 24th of November 2006 for the US and some lucky countries (I think Canada was one of them). However, Apple decided to include some of the unlucky countries that missed out on the sale. So, on the 1st December (this Friday), Apple will again hold a sale, for Australia only (I lied, and UK as well).

Unlike the US sale which happened at both retail stores and online, the Australia sale seems to be online only and UK seems to be focused more on retail stores.

So, browse the Apple Store now to have a look what are available and get ready for next Friday. The sale in US include discounts for ipods (not the shuffle), macs and some accessories. We can only hope that it will be the same here.

Check out www.apple.com.au and click on store for further details.

Getamac campaign

Also, if you're a fan of the Get a Mac campaign (the commercial with PC and Mac), you might want to check out the US site for 3 new commercials. As always, the commercial is hilarious.

The new ones are,

• Gift exchange - PC and Mac exchange gifts
• Sales Pitch - PC is trying to sell itself with subliminal messages
• Meant for Work - PC is exhausted of too much work

Check out http://www.apple.com/getamac/.

Chadstone Summer VIP night [updated]

I just went pass Chadstone (Chaddy) and I saw the announcements for another VIP night. It is going to be on Wednesday, 22nd of November 2006. I guess the time would be after 6pm as usual, I didn't manage to look at the time. There are no details on the website yet but will keep you all updated when more news come.

Update:
It has been confirmed that the VIP night will be held on Wednesday. The sale will start from 5.30 pm until 12 am (yes midnight). There is also free shuttle bus to and from Chadstone every hour on the night.

For all the special offers on the night, please click here (pdf file).

Some of the highlights (from Chadstone's website):

• Enjoy exclusive one night only discounts of up to 60% off at selected stores
• Savour complimentary wine & Mainland cheese on arrival
• See 3 star Michelin Chef, Marc Brown cooking up Christmas storms at Chadstone Corner
• Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Cadbury chocolates & Christmas cake sampling
• Great door prizes including a getaway to The Sebel Heritage Yarra Valley Wellness Retreat and a weekend golfing package up for grabs
• The Sebel Heritage Yarra Valley will be conducting spa treatments and massages to rejuvenate tired shoppers and a mini golf putting green to keep shopping buddies entertained
• You could be in the running to WIN a Summer South African Safari valued at almost $20,000
• Purchase a Variety Heart for the Chadstone Christmas Tree from the Customer Service Desk, located at the Jag entry

Offers from Microsoft

PC

Currently Microsoft is running a few promo for its products. As we know, next year Microsoft will revamp its product line by introducing the new OS, Microsoft Windows Vista and the new office applications, Microsoft Office 2007.

So, if you buy the current version of Windows XP or Microsoft Office that is specially marked, Microsoft will give you an upgrade to next version for $27. So if you buy Windows XP, you'll get Windows Vista for $27 (although it's not really that simple).

The version you buy now will determine the version you'll get later. So for example,

• Microsoft Office Professional 2003 Academic > Microsoft Office Professional 2007 Academic
• Microsoft Office Standard 2003 > Microsoft Office Standard 2007 Version Upgrade
• Windows XP Home Edition > Windows Vista Home Basic Upgrade
• Windows XP Home Edition Upgrade > Windows Vista Home Basic Upgrade
• Windows XP Professional > Windows Vista Business Upgrade
• Windows XP Professional Upgrade > Windows Vista Business Upgrade

For a full list of what software, you'll receive check this website. http://www.microsoft.com/australia/windows/terms.mspx

If you bought it already, you can redeem the offer here,
http://www.microsoft.com/australia/windows/upgradeguarantee.mspx


To bad the XP Pro doesn't upgrade to Vista Ultimate. I'm not sure though who wants to buy Vista Ultimate considering the price is going to be AU$751. Nice.

Note though that these products (Office 2007 and Vista) have yet to have a launch date. I just read that Office 2007 is completed and MS will begin shipping to business customers this month. But for common users like us, expect the products to launch early 2007 (Feb/Mar if MS doesn't delay anymore).

MAC

Anyway for Mac users, Microsoft has a deal going on as well. If you buy the Office 2004 for Mac (any versions - including the Student and Teacher edition), you can get a Microsoft Laser Wireless Mouse or $50 cashback. The mouse has an RRP of $99.


Purchase must be done at qualifying retailer then you can download the coupon and send it to Microsoft.


Further details here, http://www.microsoft.com/australia/office/mac/holidayoffer.aspx

New Macbook just released !!!

After releasing the new Macbook Pro line a couple of weeks ago, only the Macbook line is left with the Core Duo processors. Update by Apple was predicted by everybody before Christmas and it's finally here.

The new Macbook line still has 3 different models to choose from, two of them are white and one is black. The upgrade includes the processor, RAM and hard drive. The processor is now 1.83GHz or 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo.

In Australia, the prices are $1749, $2099 and $2399 for the 1.83GHz White, 2.0GHz White and 2.0GHz Black respectively. All has 13.3 inch glossy screen.
The cheapest version only has a Combo Drive (no DVD burner) and 512MB RAM whilst the
rest comes standard with a Super Drive and 1GB RAM. Hard disks vary according to the model.

Unlike its predecessor, the difference between the white and the black now is only around $50 (if you upgrade the hard drive and have the same spec). So, basically you're buying the black paint for $50. Last time, you basically bought the paint for around $200.

I don't think that the changes are really significant except of course the processor. So I guess if you have been waiting to buy a Macbook, this is the perfect time. But if you're upgrading, maybe I'd wait until it comes with the Leopard (OS 10.5) at least.

Domestic airfare ON SALE NOW

Jetstar and Virgin Blue are doing it again. They are on a price war. Their latest sale will end at 6th of November 2006. So, grab it soon. Unlike previous 'wars', now Virgin and Jetstar are completely different sale.

Virgin has the normal, price cut sale. Travel is between 16 Jan 07 - 29 Mar 07. Some of the specials from Melbourne are as follows,

• Melbourne to and from Sydney: $79
• Melbourne to and from Gold Coast: $69
• Melbourne to and from Hobart: $55

Full details check out www.virginblue.com.au

Jetstar has two sale, one for domestic and one for international.

The domestic one is a bit different. You must travel in twos to take advantage of the offer. Travel is between 01 Feb 07 - 31 Mar 07. Some of the specials,

• Melbourne to and from Hamilton Island: $169 for 2
• Melbourne to and from Sunshine Coast: $109 for 2
• Melbourne to and from Gold Coast: $109 for 2
• Melbourne to and from Hobart: $79 for 2

For weekend dates, I think there's only a few left but there's still plenty on the weekday.

For the international fare (note: Jetstar will start flying international end of November), the travel must be done between 22 Jan 07 - 31 Mar 07.

• Melbourne to and from Christchurch: $199
• Melbourne to and from Bali: $299
• Melbourne to and from Bangkok: $329
• Melbourne to and from Honolulu: $429

For full details, check out www.jetstar.com.au

Qantas has a sale as well but obviously it will be a bit pricy as compared to Jetstar and Virgin Blue.