The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Bing Cashback and how to optimize my Macbook Pro purchase

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by masterchef341, Sep 9, 2009.

  1. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

    Reputations:
    3,047
    Messages:
    8,636
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    206
    I just sold my "classic style" 2.4Ghz Macbook Pro w/ the 8600m GT for $1300 exactly.

    Thankyou, thankyou. *bow*

    Now I want to upgrade. I'm looking at the apple refurb store. I'm wondering how exactly to optimize my purchase of a new machine.

    eBay? Amazon? Apple Refurb Store? Bing Cashback? Explain to me how to swing this and if there are other means as well. It is possible for me to avoid tax by shipping to New Hampshire fyi, but at increased shipping cost to me (I will need to pay for shipping to me from NH) so factor that in.

    Thanks Guys!

    Begin optimization discussion:
     
    masterchef341, Sep 9, 2009
    #1
  2. applebook

    applebook Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    43
    Messages:
    314
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    My strategy is generally to check Craigslist for local deals. In my area, there are usually plenty of decent deals to be had --tax free, shipping free, and scam free.
     
    applebook, Sep 9, 2009
    #2
  3. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

    Reputations:
    3,047
    Messages:
    8,636
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    206
    nay, i do not want to buy a used laptop off of a 3rd party. I want it new (factory refurbished is sufficient), sealed in a box.

    I want to optimize the output given that input.

    Advice?
     
    masterchef341, Sep 9, 2009
    #3
  4. tasty_chicken

    tasty_chicken Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    43
    Messages:
    108
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Get this:

    http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB471LL/A?mco=Nzk3MDMwNQ

    15" - T9400 2.53 Ghz - 4GB - 320GB HD - 9600M GT 512 MB

    all for $1449. This was originally the 2499 back in late 08 and also the model i got :D

    otherwise, i would do ebay with bing cash back. I think its currently at 8% right now.
     
    tasty_chicken, Sep 10, 2009
    #4
  5. Xirurg

    Xirurg ORLY???

    Reputations:
    3,189
    Messages:
    7,375
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    206
    which model do you want?
     
    Xirurg, Sep 10, 2009
    #5
  6. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

    Reputations:
    3,047
    Messages:
    8,636
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    206
    I think I want the 1299 macbook pro listed here:

    http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB470?mco=Nzk2MTU1Ng

    The thought process behind this is that it is literally a "free upgrade" for me since I sold my mid-2007 mbp for 1299.

    The only thing is, taxes are $150. Is there some sort of mail forwarding system so I can ship it to a tax free state and have them forward it to me (even at marginal cost, say $50 for the service plus shipping?)
     
    masterchef341, Sep 10, 2009
    #6
  7. Xirurg

    Xirurg ORLY???

    Reputations:
    3,189
    Messages:
    7,375
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    206
    don't buy it from apple!I got my 13" from JR, and it came to 1300$ with 500 WD and 4gb ram! Bing saved me 60$! Could save more,but was late one day and cashback went from 15% to 5 :( also,no tax!
     
    Xirurg, Sep 10, 2009
    #7
  8. Xirurg

    Xirurg ORLY???

    Reputations:
    3,189
    Messages:
    7,375
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    206
    and check PCconnection.com
     
    Xirurg, Sep 10, 2009
    #8
  9. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

    Reputations:
    3,047
    Messages:
    8,636
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    206
    JR's cheapest 15" machine is 1699 and it doesn't have the 9600m gt, just the 9400m.

    PCconnection's cheapest 15" machine is also 1699 (but at least it includes the 9600m gt)

    Apple has a 1299 15" unibody with the 9600m gt... seems to be the "deal to beat" as far as i can tell.
     
    masterchef341, Sep 10, 2009
    #9
  10. Xirurg

    Xirurg ORLY???

    Reputations:
    3,189
    Messages:
    7,375
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    206
    did you check ebay...and a week ago pcconnection had the same model for 1200 :(
     
    Xirurg, Sep 10, 2009
    #10
  11. MKang25

    MKang25 NBR Prisoner

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    1,715
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Why not ebay? Back before the mid 2009 models were introduced on ebay I bought my MBP for 2000 w/ apple care factory sealed (both) with the 10% bing cashback, so i bought it for 1800 Flat, compared to apple' 2500 +349 (applecare) + tax. so i saved roughly 1.2k. Even with the price drops that apple introduced where it was 2200 for the model I had thats still a 900 dollar saving
     
    MKang25, Sep 10, 2009
    #11