Well, that's only if you were one of the people that didn't wait until January. There are now three million names on the waiting list for a "coupon" that most likely will not happen. A box is $60.
As the saying goes, "you snooze, you lose." I'm sorry I can't have more sympathy for those that waited until the last minute to do something about it -- if watching TV for them was that important in the first place.
And TV is just a luxury. If someone goes without TV because they have lost their job, well, I sympathize with their job situation but not with their TV situation. If going without TV is the worst thing that happens to them, then I'd say their life is pretty damn ok.
And the point I was making is that you shouldn't have to upgrade something that is less than a year old just to make it work. It should be an option.
That's not up to you. I know there are a lot of people that share similar views in that something so new shouldn't become so old so quick, but, for lack of a better term, "boo hoo." Don't upgrade if you don't want incompatibilities or are ill-equipped to deal with them.
And "simply looking at the product details and specs on the Apple's website" isn't as simple as you make me out to be. Guess what? Aren't we talking about an adapter that visually looks the same? I'm supposed to know the difference between the dvi super dopper, just out, unibody construction adapter 54560-89 and that's different that the old one?
No, but the spec pages are not written in geek-speak. They're written as "mini-DVI port" or "DisplayPort." Not some cryptic model number. Yes, you're supposed to know that you own a "mini-DVI to DVI adapter" and that your current computer has a "mini-DVI" port. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know those go together. Looking at the specs for a new MacBook, you'll see that it has a "mini DisplayPort" adaptor. mini-DVI does not equal mini-DisplayPort. Easy.
If you look at three of their popular models for macbook pros (and you can also use Macmall.com which is also where I was searching) you will get information and specs on those three computers - all differently priced - and all virtually the same. What makes them different? Well, one may be three months old; one 6 months and one just released. All practically the same specs.
I think it would be better to do research on Apple's site rather than a 3rd-party retailer's site for specs on an Apple-branded computer. I would rather ask a Volkswagen mechanic how to fix my Volkswagen rather than a bulk sales shop that sells Volkswagens, Fords, Chevys and a whole slew of other models. Chances are they know far less about each individual model than the company that manufactured that specific model.
Apple only lists the currently-shipping models on their store webpage. That's a great resource to have when you want to know what the lastest-and-greatest computer has. Not to mention that you can look up a specific model number (which are printed directly on the computers themselves) and get a detailed, written-in-English list of the specifications of the computer.
And, as usual, one shouldn't have to search. It all falls under the category of, "What do I need to ask that I don't know in order to make a reasonable decision." I shouldn't have to know everything that goes into something to figure out whether it's new, or upgraded, or the latest or not the latest or whatever. As usual, the answer is always, "well, just throw more money at it."
I disagree -- I think the burden of research lies solely with the customer. No one is going to inform you of anything unless you ask, like you say. And all of this could have been cleared up with a simple visit to your local Apple Store:
"I have this model monitor, this model video adaptor, and I'm thinking about buying this model computer. Will it all work together?"
"No, sir, you will need a new display adaptor."
Problem solved. If there's not an Apple Store near you, you can always call one.
I hate to sound like a d*ck, but it just sounds like very little research was done on your part to ensure that all of your hardware would work nicely together with your new computer purchase. I don't think this is the fault of anyone else's. Yes, sure, it sucks sometimes that when you upgrade one thing, there's a whole chain of things downstream that need upgrading, too -- but that information is not hidden from you in any way, and is readily available to you before you make your purchase. Simply assuming that because something is only 6 months old that it should work with something that is one month old is a mistake -- however easily made -- but still a mistake. We are here to help 24 hours a day, and Apple experts at the Apple Stores are available for free for advice during normal business hours. If you chose to do no research with either of those wells of knowledge pre-purchase, then I can have no sympathy for your situation -- I can only tell you what will work and what will not, and what you'll need to obtain in order to get your new stuff to work with your old stuff.
