Apple Mac Owners...where did you purchase your Mac

[oak3x]

In shopping around for a new iMac, I was trying to find a reputable retailer with a good deal.

This led me to the thought...

Where have most Mac owners purchased their Macs from?

[BeritOlam]

If you plan on buying the Apple Care Warranty, the Apple Refurbished computer deals are virtually impossible to beat for the price/value. I've gone that route 4 or 5 times now (plus at least a dozen or so friends that I've helped set up with their own Macs)....and have never had an issue (beyond a defective power cord that they quickly replaced) with any of them.

Only limitation with that is you can't get "the latest and greatest" systems.....

[wlescall]

If you plan on buying the Apple Care Warranty, the Apple Refurbished computer deals are virtually impossible to beat for the price/value. I've gone that route 4 or 5 times now (plus at least a dozen or so friends that I've helped set up with their own Macs)....and have never had an issue (beyond a defective power cord that they quickly replaced) with any of them.

Only limitation with that is you can't get "the latest and greatest" systems.....

+1.

I have seen 27" iMac refurbs, but not i5 or i7s yet.

Another benefit that may arise with a refurb is a 'silent upgrade'. I got an iMac with a more RAM and larger HD for the same price as the listed model I ordered, YMMV.

If you are going to buy new, NAPP members can get a discount from Apple. (My NAPP membership has more than paid for itself just in the shipping discount from B&H alone. )

If you want a refurb, know what you want and then check frequently each and every day until you see what you want.

Good luck.

[oak3x]

+1.

I have seen 27" iMac refurbs, but not i5 or i7s yet.

Another benefit that may arise with a refurb is a 'silent upgrade'. I got an iMac with a more RAM and larger HD for the same price as the listed model I ordered, YMMV.

If you are going to buy new, NAPP members can get a discount from Apple. (My NAPP membership has more than paid for itself just in the shipping discount from B&H alone. )

If you want a refurb, know what you want and then check frequently each and every day until you see what you want.

Good luck.

Thanks for the tips, but in particular the suggestion of NAPP. Just joined!
Additionally, it will certainly help as I begin to learn Lightroom

[Kronie]

+1.

I have seen 27" iMac refurbs, but not i5 or i7s yet.




You will. There is quite a few people returning them because of loud grumbling hard drives. Mine unfortunately included.

[wlescall]

You will. There is quite a few people returning them because of loud grumbling hard drives. Mine unfortunately included.

When it comes to refurbs at Apple, it is always just a matter of time. :wink:

[EmmaRose]

bought it used

[lowrider]

Got my Mac Pro from L.A. Computer Co. in Anaheim, CA. Great price and Good guys to deal with.

Lou

[keitaro]

Bought mine through Apple Canada Online store. I had my MacBook Pro 15" custom ordered with a matte screen. So it was shipped from Shanghai.

[Marcy]

fry"s electronics - Imac 24- had it about 4 months and the ram died - took it to an Apple store and they fixed right up - no problems

[scis30]

apple store online. came fast, ordered one with custom settings too

[mathogre]

I purchased both my MacBook and iMac from apple.com.

On refurbs, I bought a MacBook refurb and had problems with it. Specifically the inverter for the screen was bad; the track pad was unglued on one corner; and the unglued portion of the track pad scraped the coating off of the screen. I superglued the trackpad into place and it worked fine. The screen coating was a minor annoyance. The inverter was a design flaw, which caused the screen to randomly flicker. Apple replaced the inverter for free as it failed within six months of purchase. Three months later, it failed again. I sold the MacBook to someone with full disclosure (and a one week trial) and bought a new MacBook. Refurbs are machines that were returned for a reason. Yes they can be a bargain, but buyer beware.

[regnis]

You will. There is quite a few people returning them because of loud grumbling hard drives. Mine unfortunately included.


really? I am just about to pick one of these up. Have you had any other problems? What are they going to do about it?

[airfrogusmc]

Got my Mac Pro from Calumet.

[Halliday]

I have bought 2.
I bought a used and loaded 24" iMac from a user here.
I also bought a 15" MBP from the Apple store at the mall.

[GSansoucie]

You missed a choice:

"Apple Refurb Store"

I bought my MBP and my daughter's MB from the Refurb Store (Online).

About ready for a replacement for my MBP now.

[Tareq]

Bought my MacBook Pro 17" [Early 2008] from B&H, then bought Apple Cinema Display 30" from local retailer in UAE, from same that local retailer i bought my MacBook Pro 13" [late 2009] and Mac Mini.

[timnosenzo]

I've bought from the Apple retail store, the Apple online store, and most recently B&H. Experience has been great every time. :)

[xMClass]

The Apple Store. I always try to buy things direct from the manufacture's store whenever I can.

[Natural Imagez]

best price i found on what i was looking for in my mac pro was B & H. free shipping too

[chrishunt]

I was an Mac Genius for a couple years in college and really recommend you purchase from you local Apple Store if possible. It's nice to build a relationship with the team. If you want to customize your machine beyond RAM configuration, then I recommend apple.com.

PLEASE buy Apple Care. It's worth way more than you pay. Any single repair will make you happy you have it.

[Echo63]

I bought both macs (mine and my wifes) at a local store.

that said - they are a Canon Pro Dealer, and an Apple Dealer
they pretty much deal in Pro photo gear, and Mac computers, NEC and Apple screens etc.

[neil_r]

Mac Pro from Apple Store
2 x Mac Book Pros from Apple on line store