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.

    Where should I buy my 15" uMBP from?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by thespeakerbox, Jul 18, 2009.

  1. thespeakerbox

    thespeakerbox Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    62
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I've finally decided on the uMBP 15" but can't decide where to buy it from.

    A. I can get late last years model refurb from apple, pay 1349 + tax.

    B. I can buy online at apple.com , get the student discount and also pick up the ipod and printer and try to recoup some money by selling those on ebay.
    I'll be paying 1599 + tax + ipod + printer then wait for rebates

    C. I can buy on amazon. for 1594 + tax (im in NY) and be done with it.

    D. I can try to avoid paying NY state tax by buying on Ebay or through a retailer that doesnt have a shop in NY (which is rare).

    What would you do? Also consider the effects of any warranty!
     
    thespeakerbox, Jul 18, 2009
    #1
  2. lixuelai

    lixuelai Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    463
    Messages:
    2,326
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Buying from Ebay is probably going to the cheapest especially with 8% off via Bing.com. The warranty on Macs is tied to the machine so if there is warranty it will get transferred to you. Next to that would be refurb. The $1599 uMBP does not have a dedicated graphics card so it is not as good as the refurbs from last generation.
     
    lixuelai, Jul 18, 2009
    #2
  3. g00eY

    g00eY Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    89
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Just remember the free printer deal only goes til July 20th!
     
    g00eY, Jul 18, 2009
    #3
  4. MKang25

    MKang25 NBR Prisoner

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    1,715
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Buying from ebay is not a bad idea. I myself bought this mbp off of ebay and saved almost $1000.
     
    MKang25, Jul 18, 2009
    #4
  5. applebook

    applebook Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    43
    Messages:
    314
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I'd recommend Craigslist too, but there are plenty of stolen stuff on there. No need to deal with shipping or taxes though.
     
    applebook, Jul 18, 2009
    #5
  6. SPEEDwithJJ

    SPEEDwithJJ NBR Super Idiot

    Reputations:
    865
    Messages:
    3,499
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    106
    Maybe buy from the Apple online store? :confused:
     
    SPEEDwithJJ, Jul 18, 2009
    #6
  7. Sponsi

    Sponsi Badibade

    Reputations:
    478
    Messages:
    1,869
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I also say try eBay. You'll definitely save quite a bit of money. Just look for auctions outside of New York to avoid the sales tax. As lixuelai said make sure to take advantage of Bing.com's Cashback program if you go this route.
     
    Sponsi, Jul 18, 2009
    #7
  8. cdnalsi

    cdnalsi Food for the funky people

    Reputations:
    433
    Messages:
    1,605
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I really don't trust eBay. I'm one of those people.

    Get it from Apple, the refurb. You'll be able to get the Apple Care with no problems what-so-ever.

    You'll get a great machine.
     
    cdnalsi, Jul 19, 2009
    #8
  9. darthvader1432

    darthvader1432 - Audiophile -

    Reputations:
    92
    Messages:
    991
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    yea I would get the refurb from apple, ebay is too inconsistent to trust
     
    darthvader1432, Jul 19, 2009
    #9
  10. MKang25

    MKang25 NBR Prisoner

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    1,715
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Ebay isnt really to bad. If you look for the powersellers who have like a 99.9% positive feedback rate from selling like 1000 Apple Laptops , that is whom I bought mines from.
     
    MKang25, Jul 19, 2009
    #10
  11. Luke1708

    Luke1708 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    352
    Messages:
    3,799
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    i'm the guy who will pay for a little more and have peace of mind that i bought mine in an apple store and have my apple receipt just in case something goes wrong.
     
    Luke1708, Jul 20, 2009
    #11
  12. Sponsi

    Sponsi Badibade

    Reputations:
    478
    Messages:
    1,869
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    There's authorized Apple dealers that sell on eBay that provide you with a receipt. There is also individual sellers that will include the receipt upon request.
     
    Sponsi, Jul 20, 2009
    #12
  13. Brain191

    Brain191 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    244
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I bought an Apple Refurbished and have no complaints at all with it. Looks like a new machine.... buying off of ebay for me just depends on the seller. Power sellers are good and ones that look like they have their act together and answer my questions quick enough...
     
    Brain191, Jul 20, 2009
    #13