In with the new and out with the old—Apple's updated both of its iApp suites and the new features are tempting to say the least. Whether you're eyeing iPhoto's hot new face recognition and geo-tagging functionality or Keynote's wicked cool new effects and transitions, there's a lot to want in both iLife '09 and iWork '09.
Retail, shmetail...
Nevertheless, regardless of how much horsepower's under the hood, there is no excuse for paying Apple's suggested retail prices ($79, $99; single license, family pack) for either iLife or iWork '09.
Of course, iLife '09 won't ship until "late January." However, by far the most-affordable way to purchase Apple's iPhoto-iMovie-GarageBand-iWeb-iDVD application suite is via the iLife Up-to-Date Program. If you purchase a qualifying Mac (that ships with the '08 version) between between Jan 6 and Mar 31, you can upgrade to iLife '09 for $9.95 + tax.
For those of us that won't be buying a new Mac any time soon, the next best bet for reduced pricing on iWork and iLife '09 comes via MacMall ($74, $94), ClubMac ($74, $94) and Amazon ($79, $99).
The above links are for iWork '09 (ie iLife's not shipping yet) and the prices are for single license and family license, respectively.
Legacy software rocks
Of course, as iWork '09 is shipping and iLife '09 is just around the corner, resellers are blowing out last year's versions with fat, phat discounts available.
iWork & iLife '08 pricing:
① Amazon—iWork Single license, $62.99; Family Pack $79.99
—iLife Single license, $56.25; Family Pack $79.99
② MacMall—iWork Single license, $69.98, Family Pack $86.99
—iLife Single license, $69.98; Family Pack $86.99
③ ClubMac—iWork Single license, $69.98, Family Pack $86.99
—iLife Single license, $69.98; Family Pack $86.99
So, for the '09 versions, MacMall and ClubMac have the better offers. But, for the '08 iterations, Amazon's obviously got the best prices.
Have you found better deals elsewhere? Don't be a skinflint! Share it with us all...
Great for folks buying a Mac now, but what about the hordes who bought a Mac during the holidays? Apple should show a little love our way--I bought two MBPros and now have to go out of pocket on iLife again? It's not the money (Ok, it is the money) but it's the pinciple of the thing.
What About Holiday Buyers Posted by Guest Poster #1 on 01/08/09 7:00 AM
Great for folks buying a Mac now, but what about the hordes who bought a Mac during the holidays? Apple should show a little love our way--I bought two MBPros and now have to go out of pocket on iLife again? It's not the money (Ok, it is the money) but it's the pinciple of the thing.
What About Holiday Buyers Posted by FO on 01/08/09 7:00 AM
Apple's standard price protection policy (14 days) applies:
I'm as much of a Mac fanboy as the next guy but calling a 10 dollar discount for old (and in the case of iMovie, poorly reviewed) software "fat, phat discounts" is just sad. I appreciate the notice about the $5 discounts for '09, but come on people, just because Apple jacks up prices and is fascist about discounts ($2 savings at Walmart, etc), doesn't mean we have to pretend like like these are good deals. In my humble and ranting opinion, the best deal would be to get the family discount and split it with a few friends (shh, don't tell).
Posted by Johnny Walker Red Label on 01/12/09 10:44 PM
Um, the single license price for iLife '08 at Amazon is $56.25, which $22.75 off list (about 30% off). That's not fat?
Nevertheless, you're right about one thing—getting the family pack and sharing it 'round is the best bang for the buck. Not that anyone here would advocate any such thing... (ni! shh...)
Posted by M Sharp on 01/12/09 11:19 PM
You know, if you are going to violate the license agreement by installing the family pack on computers in different households, then you might as well just buy the single-user version and spread it around. The only difference between the two is the license agreement, which you would be violating either way. Heck, you might as well just pirate it while you're at it.
Or you could be a good boy and pay the $80 for the five mind-numbingly useful digital media programs, and stop whining about the price.
Posted by Guest Poster #6 on 01/13/09 2:44 PM
Viva la straw man!
M
Posted by M Sharp on 01/13/09 4:00 PM
Gloom, despair and agony on all pirates!
Piracy Posted by Guest Poster #8 on 01/16/09 9:37 AM
For those of us that won't be buying a new Mac any time soon, the next best bet for reduced pricing on iWork and iLife '09 comes via MacMall
