Macbook: Online retailer or Apple Store?

E

e_lectro

Limp Gawd
Joined
Oct 26, 2000
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I am looking at getting a new black macbook from Amazon, Newegg, or the Apple store. Is there a reason to use one over the other?

Will you get the same customer service in an Apple store if you purchased it from another retailer? Or will they tell you to go back and complain to your point of purchase (Newegg/Amazon)?

I qualify for an education discount, so that saves $100, but Amazon has a $100 rebate and no sales tax. Newegg only has no sales tax.

It would be my fist mac, and the only branded computer I've had since a Gateway in 1995, so I've forgotten how warranty/repairs/etc are dealt with.

Thanks, e_lectro
 
Try the Apple Store refurbs. They usually have good deals and I think its much more worth it than a new one. This laptop that I just got is a refurb, and it is in great condition!
 
I'd either go with Amazon or the refurb from the Apple store as the other fellow suggested.
 
Are the refurbs only previous generations of products? I only see 2.16 and 2.2 GHz black macbooks there, not the 2.4 that is shown in the regular store.

I like the price difference, but what are the technical differences? I see proc speed, bus speed, video card changes between the 2.16 and 2.2... but what about compared to the 2.4? And are there more differences than just the numbers shown in 'product details'?

Thanks, e_lectro
 
The 2.2Ghz refurb has a Merom Core2 Duo processor and the 2.4Ghz current model is a Penryn processor.
 
i ordered mine from the apple store online last month with the education discount. i had to pay tax, but over night shipping was 19 bucks i think. ordered it at 2pm on a thursday and had it before noon on friday. i was quite satisfied.
 
Really, before Penryn was out mine was a refurb from the current generation. If you want to wait a while go ahead, but you should be fine with one of the 2.16 or 2.2
 
e_lectro said:
Are the refurbs only previous generations of products? I only see 2.16 and 2.2 GHz black macbooks there, not the 2.4 that is shown in the regular store.

I like the price difference, but what are the technical differences? I see proc speed, bus speed, video card changes between the 2.16 and 2.2... but what about compared to the 2.4? And are there more differences than just the numbers shown in 'product details'?

Thanks, e_lectro
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The refurb stock just really depend on what they have. They're not always the previous version. Just kind of have to wait and see what they have.
 
Always get macs from Apple. They will give you better support if anything goes wrong. Its so much harder throwing a 3rd party in the mix. It can cause annoying inconveniences in the mix and you also might not get the latest build of components like logic boards that are always getting re optimized.
 
i was in ur place just a week ago. honestly the tax kills any discount they might offer. i think amazon is the way to go. free shipping and it got here in like 2 days. newegg would be fine too, but stay away from macmall no matter how much free crap they offer.

also if u want refurb, then apple store is the way to go. and amazon also offers pre gen on discount and rebate i think...if not the discount i great.

amazon is the way to go.
 
BingeBoy said:
Always get macs from Apple. They will give you better support if anything goes wrong. Its so much harder throwing a 3rd party in the mix.
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As long as you buy it from an Apple authorized reseller, you will get the same warranty and support as if you had bought it from Apple. Now return policies are another story.

It can cause annoying inconveniences in the mix and you also might not get the latest build of components like logic boards that are always getting re optimized.
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Just make sure you know which model you are getting and verify that it's the same as the current offering at Apple.
 
Compare Amazon with free shipping with the educational discount. Right now, I wouldn't bother with refurbs because it is virtually impossible you will get a Mac with multitouch and Penryn, features I think would be worth paying a little bit extra for. That said, the refurb would probably come with a remote while the new ones don't....wtf?
 
felix is right....Authorized Apple Resellers you get the same warranty as if purchased directly from Apple...BUT if you have a problem and need to either return or want it replaced....you will need to go back to where you purchased it from. Think of it like any other product you buy...if you are getting a DVD player for your TV and get brand XYZ and it goes tits up...you are going to take it back to where you bought it...not some other store and not the mfg of the DVD player.
 
I was under the impression you could take it back to the Apple Store to get it serviced (While it's under warranty), but you had to keep the proof of purchase, or they assume the warranty started 1 month after manufacturing.
 
truly, not to discount felix88's expertise when it comes to mac's but i don't know how anyone who is an "apple certified reseller" does business without having a real-life brick and mortar establishment. in september 08 my company will have four full years as an apple reseller and service provider. the most emphasized prerequisites to becoming an apple business partner was to provide a detailed and transparent ewaste disposal program. not only do we provide machines at the enterprise level, but we sell macs to individuals as well. among my collegues; technicians who work for apple stores or other private enterprises, we don't know of any legitimate apple dealer who sells via craigslist or ebay.
 
Oompa said:
I was under the impression you could take it back to the Apple Store to get it serviced (While it's under warranty), but you had to keep the proof of purchase, or they assume the warranty started 1 month after manufacturing.
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yes you can take to an ARS to get it serviced but if you want to return or have it replaced...you will be taking it back to your place of purchase. When I worked in AppleCare had a guy that purchased an iBook from MacMall and it was a previous version (which is why he got such a good deal). When he was doing his research, he had checked the Online Apple Store and looked at the model and CPU and then went to MM, found what he thought was comperable and got that. Yeah the CPU was the same but that was about it since the newer models had different OS, bundled SW, etc and he wanted us to replace it or get him that software. Told him to 'follow the money' cause he didn't buy it from us. Sort of like a car, you didn't buy that Honda from Honda...but a Honda dealer who in turn purchased it from Honda.
 
I like buying Macs from online retailers, because that way you don't pay tax on it, which can be pretty expensive.
 
TheLordsServant said:
I like buying Macs from online retailers, because that way you don't pay tax on it, which can be pretty expensive.
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that is not always true...if they have a business license in your state you will pay tax and then you have to look at shipping and unless you get a good deal on that you are still paying about a quarter of the tax...that and any return issues it just seems to me if you are going to be spending any kind of money...you want a B&M store
 
If I were in your situation, I'd go with Amazon.... save tax, save $100 via rebate, good service, and they are an authorized apple reseller.
 
I agree with buying it from amazon. I just ordered the black macbook from them. Should arrive on Monday.
 
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