Anyone who buys a computer knows full well that a year down the road, a much better machine for much less money will be available. I have learned to live with that, and it doesn't bother me. Much.

On May 11, I went in to get my two kids some computers. At this time, Apple was touting their new "eMac," a 700 MHz G4 version with a 17" flat screen CRT and hot graphics ($1,099). Nice! Unfortunately, it was restricted to the education market: faculty, teachers, or college students. I asked the guys at the Apple Store about this. No, high school and middle school kids need not apply. No exceptions. Too bad.

I settled for buying a pair of 600 MHz G3 iMacs, the old kind. $999.

Now, lo and behold, Steve Jobs decides this morning to sell the eMac to everybody. This is only about a month after the eMac was first announced.

Now that sucks.

I will be in touch with the people who sold me the other systems. I will be polite--the store guys were (I hope) as blindsided by this as I was--but I will expect some sort of satisfaction. I'll let you know.