Despite the fact that I don’t consider it a very logical move, I realize some folks have decided to put off buying a new Mac until they contain Intel processors. Yes, I understand that you want the latest and greatest, and I expect Apple is going to do something to help you change your mind, such as cut prices of existing models. But that won’t completely stop the fence-sitters.

But I have another point of view that may make you think twice about whether waiting is a good idea. No, it’s not because that decision might affect Apple’s bottom line. I am sure that’s something Apple has also accounted for, even if it has to suffer a few quarters of lower sales, or at least lower than expected.

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In the fall of 1989, I received a floppy disk in the mail, along with material promoting a new online service. At the time, I was enduring the high prices of CompuServe, since it was the best game in town, but I was sorely tempted by the lower price offered by America Online, then a Mac only service.

At the beginning, it was a lonely place, and there wasn’t a whole lot of content, but it was simple to navigate, and, like others, I soon discovered the message boards. Over time, those message boards developed into a wonderful outlet for Mac users to get advice, trade troubleshooting tips and just stay in touch with one another. I got sucked in and, before long, one of the producers at AOL offered me a free account in exchange for becoming a forum person.

In those days, AOL was a universe unto itself. You could only send mail to fellow members, and, from your vantage point, there was no such thing as an Internet, since you were shut off from the rest of the world.

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My comment about the horrible condition of technical support these days clearly struck a nerve. You readers have plenty of horror stories to relate and the situation continues to get worse. Fortunately, you aren’t locked into the manufacturer to get help. There are alternatives that may be far better for you, and it’s clear that, where market opportunities appear, smart people will try to fill them.

Most of you know the name Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus, but unless you’ve heard the news on The Tech Night Owl LIVE and elsewhere, you may not realize that he does more than write books these days. The doctor has put together a new company, Doctor Mac Consulting, which provides, at a price of course, professional caliber technical help and training covering the Mac, Mac OS X and your favorite applications. There’s also a rich and growing section at Bob’s site offering free help on common troubleshooting issues. No, the doctor and his talented crew don’t make house calls, at least not yet, but they do guarantee that if they don’t help you solve your problem, you won’t have to pay for the service.

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The other day, I wrote to an online columnist who, in a supreme fit of ignorance, suggested that you should hold off purchasing new Macs until the new models with Intel chips appear. Since I once worked for the same company he did, I thought he’d have the courtesy to respond, but I wasn’t surprised when he didn’t. No matter. The real issue is whether or not Mac users will listen.

It’s probably far too early to see if there’s going to be any impact on sales, and I have little doubt Apple is watching the situation carefully. At the same time, maybe it’s a good time for a smart, preemptive strike, one that would ensure decent sales of new Macs and make you think twice about waiting.

In other words, cut the prices.

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