That's how we roll: OWC savagely undercuts Apple's $699 Mac Pro wheels with bargain $199 alternative
- Reference: 1596792246
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/08/07/owc_mac_wheels/
- Source link:
Yes, $199 is still a lot of money. You can get some actual car tyres for that. Hell, that's roughly the price of a 2009-era Mac Pro on eBay. Nonetheless, OWC manages to undercut Apple by almost two-thirds – which, to be fair, says more about Apple than OWC.
Made in the US, the OWC Rover Pro is constructed out of stainless steel and uses a patent-pending design that supposedly allows you to install them in minutes without any tools. Meanwhile, there's 360˚ of rotation and a braking system that stops them rolling about. OWC also throws in a free lifetime warranty.
Come to think of it, there doesn't seem to a single area where they're eclipsed by the Mac Pro Wheels Kit. There's nothing particularly special about Cupertino's version. They let you move your computer without having to carry it. That's it.
It's not as though Tim Cook fashioned them himself from recycled odds and ends or they were lubricated with angels' tears. They don't cure coronavirus. They're wheels.
Unfortunately for Apple, that particular gravy train is coming to a crashing halt, thanks to some lovely free-market competition.
If you're tempted, you can pre-order the OWC Rover Pro now, with units shipping in September. After that point, the price soars to $249 (although still cheaper than what you'd pay at the Apple Store).
Failing that, just send us the money. This correspondent can whip you up something with the Meccano in the loft. ®
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[1] https://www.theregister.com/2020/04/16/apple_mac_pro_699_dollar_wheels/
[2] https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/rover-pro
[3] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: Brace yourselves for some wheely bad puns in the comments
Keep it up, you're on a roll.
Re: Brace yourselves for some wheely bad puns in the comments
I'll never get tired of things like this, and even if I do I'm sure I'll come back round eventually...
Re: Brace yourselves for some wheely bad puns in the comments
You "spoke" too soon.
Re: Brace yourselves for some wheely bad puns in the comments
These puns are tyreing and nut very funny.
Re: Brace yourselves for some wheely bad puns in the comments
Never mind, I expect you're bearing up.
Pretty lax of Apple, I'm sure the next version will have a proprietary wheel connector than they can sue anyone for replicating.
They're only wheels, they're not essential. Nobody has to buy them.
But yeah, does anyone make a PC case with Meccano-spaced holes? You could even use a Mammod traction engine to power the fan via a belt.
They should...
Still Overpriced
For a set of castors it's still stupid money. You'd be better off getting a custom skateboard and strapping the computer to that. Would also look way cooler.
Re: Still Overpriced
To be fair, for a low volume, presumably high quality (or at least, good enough for the company it keeps) set of castors where people along the design process need to be paid, tooling set up, etc I can see it being pricey to set up for* - economies of scale and all that. I don't imagine they'll be expecting to sell 100k of them.
I'd put a shiny penny on OWC making at least 100% margin on these though, easily. Likely more.
Kudos to them - if they can completely take the piss and make money off them, I suppose they win regardless.
Steven R
*my old man worked in manufacturing and engineering maintenance - some of the costs of dies and machining and generally tooling up for production, even in an existing manufacturing environment, can be eyeopening and eyewatering...
Edit: Having had a look at the OWC kit, it looks more sensibly engineered than the Apple ones too - pretty much tool-less. I think OWC might actually have earned that $200-250!
Re: Still Overpriced
"Kudos to them - if they can completely take the piss and make money off them,"
Funny that you should say that. I was looking at it the other way and thinking that it was Apple taking the piss and being unjustly rewarded.
Though I was not thinking that any kudos should be given to Apple. It's just the standard modus operandi . Take all you can and give nothing, or in this case very little, back.
God! A set of castors for nearly £590.
Just greedy bastards in my opinion but I suppose some Apple fans will have sucked it up and bought the bloody things.
Re: Still Overpriced
There are loads of examples of seemingly simple things that are purchased by companies and cost stpid amounts of money. The companies just pay the prices.
For ordinary folk buying stuff for home, I got a "Roughneck Dolly" from Wickes. Which is not a sex toy, but a four wheeled load skate for moving large bits of furniture. Cost £10, 200kg capacity.
Sheets of PTFE
If I think a rack or something might have to become itinerant, I will put a 1cm thick sheet of PTFE under it before loading it up with equipment. Then I can slide it about the lab without needing, say, a rugby team to help me out.
Lifetime warranty eh?
*scratches chin thoughtfully*
I wonder how specific the clauses are?
For that money I'd truly consider using them for something prone to having high wheel wear so that I'd get the best value for money out of them.
That said all I can think of is my office chair or maybe attach them to the welded steel frame I've got in the drive for a mobile workbench...
Re: Lifetime warranty eh?
Warranty lasts for the lifetime of you, or the wheels, whichever is the shorter
And yet...
five replacement wheely chair wheels can be obtained from the bay for under a tenner, including postage.
Re: And yet...
The difference is that wheely chair wheels have a standard connection, allowing mass production and competition between wheel-makers to drive down prices. Apple chose not to put that standard connection on their Mac Pro.
So OWC have had to produce an adaptor consisting of two CNC-cut pieces of stainless steel, each threaded, and each with a different piece of plastic attached to them. There are four of those adaptors in the kit, one for each wheel. This is being sold in relatively small quantities, so the custom adaptor will be expensive. It looks like OWC are using standard mass-produced wheels, the adaptor is the expensive part.
Still taking the piss
I'd go for four of these
https://www.diy.com/departments/diall-dolly-150kg-capacity/1530965_BQ.prd Under £4.00 a pop.
and be done with it..
Apple making the things from unobtanium was just the last straw. mind you, the OWC option is still far too expensive.
almost time for a nice pint of Harvey's Best. It if Friday after all.
Re: Still taking the piss
Those b4st4rds at Greene King have reduced the 10x500ml pack to 8x500ml pack, for the same price.
There's 360˚ of rotation
That is, to be honest, my minimum expectation of a wheel, even if it is a "bargain".
Re: There's 360˚ of rotation
I presume they mean laterally (i.e. 'swivel')? But your comment made me properly lol. Thank you! Many images of wheels that only do 359˚ now in my head. :-)
Do they do monitor stands as well?
How much would it cost to hire a lacky to move the thing for you?
£15 a pop (assuming 1:1 for £:$ as usual).
That's 46 whole moves and one part way for £700.
How often do you move your damn PC anyway?
Brace yourselves for some wheely bad puns in the comments
Well, someone had to start :-)