Okay, sure, we know that Fridays are traditionally a time for blatant Microsoft-bashing around here (and at AtAT, "Every Day is Friday!™"), but the latest anti-Redmond poop is just more on that whole Microsoft-financed-the-SCO-anti-Linux-lawsuits thingy, and we already ran that into the ground last Friday. Besides, we thought that maybe we'd break with tradition for once and do a scene not about music, or lawsuits, or music lawsuits, or how Microsoft is comically evil, but rather about Macs. You remember those things, right? Apple makes 'em when it's not too busy cranking out iPods.

If you think way back to the misty dawn of time itself, you might recall that some folks have been waiting around for speed-bumped Power Mac G5s for ages, now-- and indeed, it's been nine months since the line was introduced and seven months since it first started shipping, and clearly those systems are due (if not overdue) for a little extra juice in the tank. Dual 2.0 GHz is still sexy, but it's no longer drop-dead sexy, if you catch our drift. And we hate to say it, but the longer Apple waits to ship an interim 2.5ish GHz Power Mac, the less likely it seems that the company will hit Steve's original timeline of 3.0 GHz by the end of summer.

So, when will the speed bumps finally get here? About a month ago we noted an Australian Power Mac trade-up program which runs through March 26th, which some people took as an indication that Apple didn't plan to introduce faster models until at least that date. Earlier this week we told you about a French web site with a rumor about new systems coming on March 23rd. And while we never got around to mentioning it, Apple's been running a U.S. promo offering discounted prices on extra RAM when purchased with a new iMac, Xserve, or-- you guessed it-- Power Mac. Since that promo ends on March 27th, that may be still more evidence that a Power Mac revision will ship right about that time.

Well, now there's even more evidence supporting the March 26th theory, so you may want to mark the date on your calendar, just in case. Faithful viewer iammattthomas was the first of several faithful viewers who informed us that they were contacted by Apple regarding still another Power Mac-related promotion: a "special, limited time offer on Power Mac computers ONLY for education institutions." The deal includes Power Mac G4 systems (for the nostalgia set) at prices as low as $1,199, and Power Mac G5s at "SPECIAL PRICES." Details aren't provided, but the "savings are significant" and "you must call for pricing!" And, of course, the deal only runs through-- all together, now-- March 26th.

This all smacks of inventory clearance to us, and so a Power Mac speed bump "on or about" the 26th seems likely. The thing is, the 26th is a Friday, and Apple doesn't typically do product intros on Fridays. Tuesday is the traditional "new stuff" day, so we're keeping our eyes on the 23rd (as per that French rumor) and the 30th. Regardless, we've got a nice, healthy gut feeling that the goods are coming "soon." So relax, go bash Microsoft for a while, and in a couple of weeks we can all rejoice in 2.5 GHz-y goodness. Maybe.