"... Customers who purchase a qualifying new PowerMac G5 ... on or after August 16th, 2003..." (emphasis mine)

Despite the fact the text on the up-to-date page says (for G5s) that the offer is valid "regardless of purchase date".
Hopefully the PDF coupon is in error and the text on the page is correct. (Update: I called the Apple store on Oct. 9th and reported this discrepancy to a support person who said that any G5 order date should qualify as far as he knew and that he would notify a supervisor about the PDF file order date issue. I'm hoping the PDF file will be corrected soon. Also I think the 'order date' is really the invoice/ship date - so that even June orders should qualify regardless since they didn't ship until September usually.) BTW - Even though my order was taken around noon ET today and my 9/15 shipped XB337... S/N checked out apparently (I was given a order confirmation number), I still have not received a confirmation email. I wonder if the reason why my original order date of June 23rd was not accepted is related to the date requirements listed on the PDF coupon. I'm going to call the 800 number for the up-to-date offer tomorrow to try and get an answer. (They're closed after 8PM ET.)

Everyone that bought a G5 early was originally very happy about the $19.95 10.3 offer not being limited by purchase date (per the page text), but the confusion on S/N's and the discrepancy between the PDF coupon and the web page has put a damper on that. Hopefully this will be be cleared up within the next day or two.

Although I often don' t follow my own advice, I try to caution readers to be leery of buying the first release of any new design/model (due to potential quirks/flaws, etc. in a first rev.), but for some it seems most everything associated with the early G5 buying experience has been more frustrating than it should have been.
Regardless of how the 10.3 upgrade offer turns out, I'm still pleased with the G5 here. If I have to pay full price for 10.3, I'll still buy it, but will wait to see how it plays out as far as compatibility and bugs first.

Also I've had two mails saying some new Powerbook G4 owners (who bought before today) qualified using the online form linked at Apple's up-to-date page, but unless I'm misreading the comments there, you don't qualify for the up-to-date offer for systems bought before Oct. 8th (today) unless it was a G5. (Only G5s didn't have a purchase date limitation.) I almost hesitated posting this in case it's a mistake and gets "corrected" soon, but maybe it's just Apple's way of saying thanks for those that bought a new PB G4 earlier.

1) I know some beta 10.3 testers were using CPU upgrades - so I suspect the note on no support for CPU Upgrades is to avoid any Apple support costs/time spent on potential issues with 3rd party CPU upgrades. (For some G3 macs running a G4 upgrade for instance there could be issues with the vendor's cache enabler, so make sure you check with the vendor of your CPU upgrade to see if any cache enabler you're using is 10.3 compatible before updating.) I don't expect any major problems from owners of AGP slot G4 Macs with 3rd party CPU Upgrades - but anything is possible I guess. You know there will be many reader reports here on 10.3 with CPU upgraded macs, so if you can wait for those before buying if you prefer.

2) As far as the Beige G3/AIO and PB G3 wallstreet (no onboard USB on these) not being listed - I'm not sure why unless Apple doesn't want another lawsuit like before due to some "supported" systems not having support for every feature of Panther (i.e. The OS X DVD player didn't support older than Rage128 Graphics chips, drivers for older graphics chips were MIA originally, etc.) or if 10.3 "requires" a New World ROM mac (i.e. iMac G3, B&W G3 and later Mac models). And even though the iMac G3/233-333 and Lombard PB G3 has onboard USB, their graphics chips are not supported by any previous OS X Apple DVD Players (Lombard G3/400 had an onboard decoder but the OS X DVD players to date never supported it.) And even though they say on the requirements page in text ".. a Macintosh with a PowerPC G3, G4 or G5 processor, built-in USB,..." (processor upgrade cards not supported is mentioned later), the table of Mac model/pictures doesn't show the PowerBook G3 1999 (Lombard/Bronze keyboard which had USB but no Firewire ports); the "PowerBook G3 (firewire)" aka Pismo is the oldest Powerbook model shown in that section. This may be just an inadvertent omission in the table though.
But regardless of the official supported models listing - I know that Ryan Rempel is working on 10.3 compatibility with his (famous) OS X on Legacy Macs utility Xpostfacto which has been used to install previous OS X versions on many older (pre-G3) legacy PCI macs not officially supported by Apple. Ryan already mentions on the Xpostfacto page that:

"I am also now working on Panther support (i.e. Mac OS X 10.3), both for the models that XPostFacto currently supports and for the Beige G3 and "Wallstreet" Powerbooks. It is unlikely that I will have Panther support completed for Panther's ship date (of October 24), because Apple has not yet released the Panther source code. However, I do not expect a long delay before Panther support is available. "

When 10.3 ships, I'll be posting reports here from "unsupported" Mac owners (of all types) when the next update to Xpostfacto is released.

MU lists the Myth III: The Wolf Age 1.1.1 update but the download link had a problem this morning (same one at VT, same issue - perhaps due to traffic and may be ok by the time you read this.)

• Major new keyboard and mouse input code for the Mac. Uses our new core input code.
• Added version information to the player lists.
• Fixed "sprite freakout". If sprite buffer overflows some sprites are now dropped rather then distorting screen.
• Improved framerates.
• Changed FPS display to not be part of the chat console. No more missing chat while checking FPS.
• Removed 2 gig of memory limit.
• Font size adjusted to be larger on higher resolutions.
• Easter egg added.... you go find it :-D
• Support for wide screen monitors.
• Sprite buffer can now hold four times the amount of sprites it could previously.
• Added sprite count to the FPS display.

While on the subject of MacPlay games, they sent a note that Mac No One Lives Forever 2 is now shipping. (Bensch said he has it on order and will also do a review here when he receives it.)

"For Power Mac G5 systems Customers who purchase a qualifying new Power Mac G5 (M9020LL/A, M9031LL/A, M9032LL/A) regardless of purchase date (emphasis mine) that does not have Mac OS X Panther v10.3 included can upgrade to Mac OS X Panther...
(see links there for US, Canada and French customers)

For Macintosh systems, except Power Mac G5
Customers who purchase a qualifying new Macintosh computer on or after October 8, 2003 that does not have Mac OS X Panther v10.3 included can upgrade to Mac OS X Panther."

See the "up-to-date" page for full details and links to order. (See the later news items above for info on problems some had with their S/N verification and a note on the G5 up-to-date PDF coupon mentioning August 16th and later orders.)
Filling out the form there shows even an early ordered G5 (ordered June 23rd, but shipped Sept 15th - it would not accept a June 23rd order date) - shows it qualified for the $19.95 Up-to-Date offer. (You can also call 800-335-9258 to order.)
Note: Steve sent a summary (but see the linked page/PDF coupon for full terms and conditions, etc.)

• Macs that ship after Oct 24 will have Panther already installed.
• Qualifying Macs that ship (from authorized dealer) between Oct 8 and Oct 24 qualifies for a free upgrade to Panther. ($19.95 S&H fee + any appl. tax)
• Any G5 that shipped prior to Oct 8 can upgrade for $19.95 (plus tax.).
  (the PDF coupon notes Aug. 16th and later orders)
• All others must pay the full price.

Apple also has a page with the Top 10 upgrade questions which also links to another FAQ on Panther.

" iCal is a calendar application that enables you to unify and manage the many calendars in your life. With iCal, you can share your calendars with friends and family, subscribe to public calendars, and view your calendars on portable devices, other Macintosh computers and the Internet.

iCal 1.5.1 is easier and faster use with its enhanced Info Drawer, To Do alarms and notes, and more keyboard short cuts. iCal 1.5.1 also includes improved time zone support and personalized calendar colors.

If you use iSync to synchronize your calendars, you must to upgrade to iSync 1.2. Also, if you synchronize calendars across multiple Macintosh computers, You should upgrade all of your Macs at the same time."

Here's the info from SU on iSync 1.2.1:

" iSync lets you manage your contacts, calendars, To Do lists, and Safari bookmarks across multiple Mac OS X computers and devices (such as an iSync-compatible mobile phone, Palm OS device, or iPod), so you always have your most current information with you. To sync a Palm OS device you will need to install the iSync 1.2 Palm Conduit or later.

New features in iSync 1.2.1 include the ability to synchronize calendar information on Symbian OS phones, and stability improvements.

You must install iCal 1.5 prior to installing iSync 1.2.1. iCal can be downloaded by visiting www.apple.com/ical.

Before you use iSync with an iSync-compatible Bluetooth cellular phone, you need to update your Bluetooth software to version 1.2.1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences and click Software Update, then click Check Now. ."

Note: as with any OS X or X Apps Update - it's a good idea to run Repair Permissions from Disk Utility in Jaguar after the updates, just as a general rule.

" ProMax Internal 500 GB SATAmax Array
Part # 27205 $1,195.00
The new ProMax Internal 500 GB SATAmax Array was designed especially for professional uncompressed SD video editors. The array includes the following:

• 2 - 250 GB SATA, 7200 RPM, 8 MB Buffer, Hard Disk Drives
• 1 - Two Port SATA PCI Host Adapter - Especially Designed For The G5 (the card appears to be Firmtek's SATA PCI card - you can even read Firmtek on the card in the photo. I asked why they used PCI cards vs the onboard SATA in the G5, esp. since the PCI cards are not higher speed PCI-X models.)
• 2 - SATA Drive Cables
• 1 - 120 GB FireWire 800 External Boot Drive
• 1 - FireWire 800 Cable
• 1 - Power Cord

Each system is bench tested for 24 hours. The two SATA drives are striped as RAID-0 using MacOS 10. The FireWire boot drive includes one year warranty parts and labor. When the array is configured with a system the FireWire boot drive ships with the latest MacOS 10 operating system.

The kit includes two drives that mount internally in the factory supplied brackets of the G5. They connect as masters to the PCI card which means less overhead than previous ATA storage. The external FireWire 800 drive contains the operating system, as well as applications, and has proven to be very reliable. This arrangement allows the two SATA drives to be used solo for video thus less chance of latency. Our tests prove the SATAmax array will handle 8-bit, 10-bit, and 16-bit SD video. It is the most economical uncompressed video storage available.

Benchmarks and Compatibility:
Sustained Writes: 58 MB/sec using SATA PCI card
Sustained Reads: 61 MB/sec using SATA PCI card
(To get these higher sustained rates we choose to use our SATA PCI card) (I'd have thought the onboard SATA using RAID0 stripe could have sustained rates at least this high (and saved a PCI slot) but not sure what benchmark they were using.-Mike)

Compatibility:
8 and 10-bit Kona SD by AJA Systems
10-bit DeckLink SD by BlackMagic
10-bit AJA Io by AJA Systems
8 and 16-bit CineWave SD by Pinnacle

Not Compatible with CineWave RT "

• Other World Computing G4 1GHz (at 1.2GHz) in (sawtooth) G4/AGP (rated 9)
• Sonnet G3/500 in 8500/120 (rated 10)
  (included lots of info on audio setup and links to utilities used)
  (My full reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades w/apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked here.)

(Warning - Overclocking may not be reliable and could lead to hardware failure or corrupted data.) You can find the full reports by searching the database selecting the indicated Mac model and upgrade card brand/type. If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, please post an entry in the database. Search the database for entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand). For detailed reviews with performance tests and install tips, see the CPU Upgrades page.)

CDRW Drives:
• Firewire (IDE drive in FW case) Plextor PX-W5224TA (52x24x52) used w/G4 AGP (OS X) (used patchburn to enable itunes burn support)
• IDE Liteon LTR-52327S (52x32x52) in G4/AGP (OS 9.2) (no native itunes burn support - FAQ has modified burn support file)
  (Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MT, B&W G3 and 8600/9600 Macs)
  
  Combo DVD-CDR Drives:
• IDE Acer CB4824 (didn't note speed) in G4/AGP (OS 9.2)
  (no itunes burn support)
• IDE Philips RWDV3210 (32x10x40x + 12x DVD-ROM)
  (using modified burn support plugin - noted poor dvd playback)
  
  DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106 in Dual G4 DDR (OS X)
  
  DVD-R Drives:
• IDE Pioneer DVR-105 in Dual G4 DDR (OS X)
  (problems noted burning DVD in Finder - asked if he had 4GB+ free on the HD since DB images the DVD to the HD first.)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-104 in PowerMac G5 (OS X)

You can find full owner reports (latest shown first) by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches). For guides to installing CD/CDRW/DVD drives or Hard drives in many mac models, see the IDE Articles page. The Firewire articles page also has guides on case kits, installing drives, etc.
If you've added a IDE, SCSI, Firewire or USB hard drive, CDRW, tape drive, etc. make sure you add a report to the database. (If you post an updated entry - make sure you use the same name, etc. as you did before so I can find your past entry. Thanks.)
(Incomplete entries are deleted. Do not post questions in the database, it's for drive reports not questions on what drive to buy - for that try searching the database for reports from owners of your mac model on the drive type/brand/interface, etc. you're interested in.)

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