MacUpdate Bundle: Parallels and More

Posted by Steven Owens on 04/18/08 in Featured, News

Logo MacUpdate has released their newest bundle which includes 10 Mac apps for just $64.99 (up to a $474.76 value). One of the best features of the bundle is the inclusion of Parallels 3.0 which on its own costs $79.99. The applications include:

Hazel - create rules to automatically sort and organize your files
Art Text - create high quality headings, logos, banners, buttons
MenuCalendarClock - iCal compatible menu-bar calendar.
Leap - advanced file browsing and tagging
StoryMill - creative writing tool to outline, write and publish a novel
Typinator - type common phrases and pictures
DVDRemaster Pro - recompress large DVDs to fit on standard DVD5 disc, or for use on the iPod, iPhone, and Apple TV
Sound Studio* - record and edit audio
BannerZest* - create animated Flash banners
Parallels 3.0* - PC virtualization software for Intel Macs. Run Windows in Mac OS X

You can buy this great bundle until April 29th. The three applications with a ‘*’ next to their name are currently locked until certain sales thresholds are reached (which is typical for these types of bundles). While all locked apps typically become unlocked, there are no guarantees.

MacApper is a promotional partner with MacUpdate. Bundle sales through our link benefit MacApper financially, and provides a way for readers to directly support this site.

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10 Comment(s)

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Gary said on

April 18th, 2008 at 1:52 pm

This is an amazing deal and I am all over it!

Rob Markowitz said on

April 18th, 2008 at 3:49 pm

I don’t understand this whole locked/unlocked thing and it’s not being made clear. Can someone please explain?

Thanks.

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Steven Owens said on

April 18th, 2008 at 4:00 pm

The “locked” apps stay locked until a certain number of bundles are sold, they are then unlocked and everyone who purchased the bundle gets them (even people who purchased before it was unlocked).

Chriswan said on

April 18th, 2008 at 11:27 pm

And it’s unlikely at the end there are 1-2 apps which is still locked

They will make some ‘arrangement’ to make sure all the apps get unlocked

Rob Markowitz said on

April 18th, 2008 at 11:34 pm

I still don’t understand why stuff needs be “locked” at all. It makes this thing seem kinda shady and I’m hesitant to spend any money regardless of how good a deal this appears to be. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Being a skeptic and a regular reader of “The Consumerist” has made me very wary when I see things like this.

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Ammon Beckstrom said on

April 19th, 2008 at 9:24 am

I’ve purchased the previous to MacUpdate Promo Bundles and the last MacHeist bundle as well. I was also skeptical that everything would unlock. Much to my (pleasant) surprise, I got everything I paid for and more! I have been extremely satisfied with all of my bundle purchases up until now. I’m still a little on the fence about this bundle however, not sure why this one justifies a jump to $65 when all the past bundles have sold for $50.

Steven Owens said on

April 19th, 2008 at 12:26 pm

The price jump to $65 is justified by the inclusion of Parallels.

Albert Magoolie said on

April 21st, 2008 at 1:27 am

“The price jump to $65 is justified by the inclusion of Parallels.”

But that is only (IF?) Parallels is unlocked.

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David said on

April 21st, 2008 at 9:33 pm

I think you mean indirectly supporting the site…

Chriswan said on

April 25th, 2008 at 4:22 am

Quoted from the bundle FAQ

Q: Why have unlocks? - “I’m pro-consumer, so I want to fight against the locks. Why have them?”
A: The locking of top tiers apps is ultimately there to help everyone involved.

# Unlocking milestones build community. It molds a simple sale into a fun event. It encourages users to continue to visit the site during the duration of the event, check the status and communicate with each other about the bundle.

# It helps create “viral marketing.” It encourages people to tell their friends, because when they do, they get closer to unlocking the top tier apps and rewarding themselves.

# It gives consumers better top tier apps in the bundle. Do you think MacUpdate could have gotten Parallels into the bundle without the extra focus through lock highlighting?

# It helps the Macintosh news community who are affiliates. It gives them reason to post multiple news headlines about the event, thus monetizing their sites. The more money that comes into the Mac community, the better the sites can become for consumers.

# It is not shady or sneaky. Its working are completely transparent. The people who participate in the community (1) help give awareness and funds to developers who take a percentage of the sales, (2) fund MacUpdate’s website growth, which mainly provides free promotional services to Mac developers and users, and (3) reward themselves because they get bigger and better apps added to the current bundle and future bundles.