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View Full Version : Just Ordered a MBP for College!




Littleodie914
Jul 8, 2006, 08:58 AM
Hey guys, wanted to thank you all for your comments on your Macbook Pro's (and how the issues are actually only apparent in a small percentage of users!). Last night, after much debate actually deciding between the macbook and the pro model (seeing the MB at our Apple Store had me kinda hooked, but I was kinda hooked on the x1600), and after working my butt off repaving a friend's brick driveway, I ordered a MBP with the glossy screen, 1GB of RAM, 120GB hard drive, and the 256MB video card! I feel much better having actually ordered it and gotten it out of the way.

One question I have, however, is the shipping times. I got the custom ordered machine, which I know takes time to build. But then I also opted for the 2-3 day shipping (I think it was only like $18 or something.) What's weird is Apple says it should ship on Tuesday (the 12th) but not get here until that next Monday. (The 17th.) Even excluding weekends, that's more than 2-3 days. Do you guys have any personal experiences as to how long Apple's products usually take to ship? I'm just too excited to wait! :D



iGary
Jul 8, 2006, 09:04 AM
Hey guys, wanted to thank you all for your comments on your Macbook Pro's (and how the issues are actually only apparent in a small percentage of users!). Last night, after much debate actually deciding between the macbook and the pro model (seeing the MB at our Apple Store had me kinda hooked, but I was kinda hooked on the x1600), and after working my butt off repaving a friend's brick driveway, I ordered a MBP with the glossy screen, 1GB of RAM, 120GB hard drive, and the 256MB video card! I feel much better having actually ordered it and gotten it out of the way.

One question I have, however, is the shipping times. I got the custom ordered machine, which I know takes time to build. But then I also opted for the 2-3 day shipping (I think it was only like $18 or something.) What's weird is Apple says it should ship on Tuesday (the 12th) but not get here until that next Monday. (The 17th.) Even excluding weekends, that's more than 2-3 days. Do you guys have any personal experiences as to how long Apple's products usually take to ship? I'm just too excited to wait! :D

I think the MBP will be a more serious and long-term choice for you at college - congrats.

The shipping times are really off most of the time. My last PM was listed as shipping in a week and it took two days. Most likely your MBP will come from Shanghai - probably take a day or two to build, and then a coupe to get where you live. I bet you have it on the 17th or sooner. ;)

Where did you decide to go to school?

lamina
Jul 8, 2006, 09:04 AM
WOO!

I'm not sure about shipping times, but I am sure you will absolutely love your new beast. Did you order the 15" or 17"?

aaron.lee2006
Jul 8, 2006, 09:27 AM
Have fun with it. I'm gettin one next week!

Josias
Jul 8, 2006, 09:32 AM
Sweet!!!:D

Cool you took a glossy screen, the roxrzorz! zomg!!11!!1:D
Congrats!;)

craigatkinson
Jul 8, 2006, 09:34 AM
I just got mine yesterday. Because of the holiday and a weekend and such it was delayed a little. I think it took a week total to receive it between the purchasing date and the day I received it. I got expedited shipping though. I could have took longer. Needless to say, I'm enjoying it now. It's a great computer. I bought mine for law school. You'll enjoy yours too. Great choice!

generik
Jul 8, 2006, 09:48 AM
Thank you very much. Thanks again. If not for people like you, Apple would never clear its old inventory and the newer models would never be released. :p

Littleodie914
Jul 8, 2006, 10:22 AM
Thank you very much. Thanks again. If not for people like you, Apple would never clear its old inventory and the newer models would never be released. :pBoo on you, I say! :p Ya, I was deciding whether or not to wait for WWDC and any possible speed bumps, but I figured if I keep waiting for all the little things, I'll never get one! Now if I had heard significant improvements to the MBP were coming soon, I might have waited. I'm not worried, as right now I'm typing this on my 933MHz iBook. Anything's a step up. :rolleyes:

Toward the other posters... I got the 15", sorry I didn't specify. It was the middle model ($2499) with the HD and screen upgraded. (Yes, I consider the glossy screen an upgrade. :p) I got the education discount, going to Michigan Tech University this fall up in Houghton (U.P. of Michigan.) I'm going to study computer science, on a full ride. :D (That also helped in getting the Pro model over the Macbook.) I grabbed the 2GB white nano for free, don't know if I'll keep it or sell it, I've got a 4G color now which suits me fine.

Oh, and do you guys know if they cancelled that printer rebate? I remember reading on there that there was a $100 printer rebate involved when you buy a new mac or something, but that was a couple weeks ago, and I couldn't find it last night.

Thanks for all the replies, and I'm very glad to hear about the usually-exagerated shipping times! :D :cool:

lamina
Jul 8, 2006, 10:39 AM
I just realized something...

Do you have your student number yet? If so, you can get the student discount from the online Apple Store. Go to the Apple Store website and look for a link at the right of the screen that says Education. You can pretty much take it from there, and once you've completed the few questions they ask, you will be brought to the Education store with education prices. You'll likely have to cancel your previous order and re-order the same laptop.

It's a bit of a pain to have to cancel your order, but hey I think it's worth the ~$200 discount!

Edit: Woops, saw your last post... my bad.

Littleodie914
Jul 10, 2006, 10:10 PM
Update!

My iPod Nano and HP 6940 both shipped this morning! They're expected to arrive on the 12th, Wednesday. My lappy hasn't shipped yet, I hope it does tomorrow! (It's supposed to ship on the 12th, but I'm being optimistic.) Hoping for a nice black box on Friday! (If the 2-3 day shipping really takes 2-3 days.)

Keep your fingers crossed for me! :D

jaxstate
Jul 10, 2006, 10:25 PM
For some odd reason, it took my MBP a week and a half to get to me. The shipping time was 3-4 days. It was well worth the wait. ENJOY!:D
Hey guys, wanted to thank you all for your comments on your Macbook Pro's (and how the issues are actually only apparent in a small percentage of users!). Last night, after much debate actually deciding between the macbook and the pro model (seeing the MB at our Apple Store had me kinda hooked, but I was kinda hooked on the x1600), and after working my butt off repaving a friend's brick driveway, I ordered a MBP with the glossy screen, 1GB of RAM, 120GB hard drive, and the 256MB video card! I feel much better having actually ordered it and gotten it out of the way.

One question I have, however, is the shipping times. I got the custom ordered machine, which I know takes time to build. But then I also opted for the 2-3 day shipping (I think it was only like $18 or something.) What's weird is Apple says it should ship on Tuesday (the 12th) but not get here until that next Monday. (The 17th.) Even excluding weekends, that's more than 2-3 days. Do you guys have any personal experiences as to how long Apple's products usually take to ship? I'm just too excited to wait! :D

chuckee
Jul 10, 2006, 10:58 PM
Update!

My iPod Nano and HP 6940 both shipped this morning! They're expected to arrive on the 12th, Wednesday. My lappy hasn't shipped yet, I hope it does tomorrow! (It's supposed to ship on the 12th, but I'm being optimistic.) Hoping for a nice black box on Friday! (If the 2-3 day shipping really takes 2-3 days.)

Keep your fingers crossed for me! :D

did you find that 100$ printer rebate? i never heard of it and would like to see it please? :P

i'm making the jump very very soon...probably a macbook pro too... do you really like the glossy screen more than the matte screen? i honestly cant make up my mind since my apple store recently got 2 macbook pros, one matte and one glossy....

glossy just pops out so much better but the glares is the only flaw... :P

dmw007
Jul 10, 2006, 11:08 PM
Congrats on the purchase of your MacBook Pro Littleodie914! They are truly great computers- I absolutely love mine! :)

ricgnzlzcr
Jul 11, 2006, 02:57 AM
Congrats. I'm sure the MBP will treat you well for your entire college life. My little brother is going to Berkley School of Music next semester and they demand Macbook Pro's there so he is getting one from the school. It will be a 2.13 MBP with 2 gigs of ram and music software like logic and all that expensive musicians crap. I hope his and yours last as long as possible.

Littleodie914
Jul 11, 2006, 08:45 AM
Update again!

I just checked this morning, and all three things are on their way!! The iPod and Macbook are on their way from China, and the printer is in California. I'm super excited now, it might even come Thursday! (2-3 day shipping, yay!) :D
did you find that 100$ printer rebate? i never heard of it and would like to see it please? :P

i'm making the jump very very soon...probably a macbook pro too... do you really like the glossy screen more than the matte screen? i honestly cant make up my mind since my apple store recently got 2 macbook pros, one matte and one glossy....

glossy just pops out so much better but the glares is the only flaw... :PYa, I did find the printer rebate. Head over to the Apple Store, and then scroll to the bottom and on the left there are the "Apple Refurbished", "Offers" etc. Click on "Promos" and scroll to the 4th or 5th one. It gives you a list of all the printers that qualify, I remember there being 20-25 of them. From there I think you can either do the rebate process online or print out the PDF.

As for the glossy screen, ya I went to an Apple Store in Indiana when we went to pick my dad up from the airport a few weeks ago, and the glossy screen is definitely nothing like the shiny screens on Windows lappys. All the Macbooks I saw were amazingly bright, and looked so much better than the 15" and 17" Macbook Pro's they were sitting next to. (The MBP's were matte, they didn't have any glossy Pro's in the store.) Even when I turned the screen brightness down and picked the Macbook up to wobble it around, I couldn't catch the tiniest bit of glare. My friend got his MBP in the mail last week for college too, and says the shiny screen is so much better, he can actually take it outside to a certain degree and use it. (At least more-so than his old G4 iBook.) Good luck with your choice! ;) (Maybe ask the Apple reps at your store for a flashlight or something to shine on the screens of the two Macbook Pro's. Seriously!)

ChrisBrightwell
Jul 11, 2006, 08:49 AM
I think the MBP will be a more serious and long-term choice for you at college - congrats. Agreed. Two years ago I toiled between the 15" PowerBook and the 12" iBook. I went with the PB (and its extra 500MHz, among other things) and it's still keeping up nicely.

I just wish it was easier to upgrade the HDD. :)

chuckee
Jul 11, 2006, 11:05 AM
Update again!

I just checked this morning, and all three things are on their way!! The iPod and Macbook are on their way from China, and the printer is in California. I'm super excited now, it might even come Thursday! (2-3 day shipping, yay!) :D
Ya, I did find the printer rebate. Head over to the Apple Store, and then scroll to the bottom and on the left there are the "Apple Refurbished", "Offers" etc. Click on "Promos" and scroll to the 4th or 5th one. It gives you a list of all the printers that qualify, I remember there being 20-25 of them. From there I think you can either do the rebate process online or print out the PDF.

As for the glossy screen, ya I went to an Apple Store in Indiana when we went to pick my dad up from the airport a few weeks ago, and the glossy screen is definitely nothing like the shiny screens on Windows lappys. All the Macbooks I saw were amazingly bright, and looked so much better than the 15" and 17" Macbook Pro's they were sitting next to. (The MBP's were matte, they didn't have any glossy Pro's in the store.) Even when I turned the screen brightness down and picked the Macbook up to wobble it around, I couldn't catch the tiniest bit of glare. My friend got his MBP in the mail last week for college too, and says the shiny screen is so much better, he can actually take it outside to a certain degree and use it. (At least more-so than his old G4 iBook.) Good luck with your choice! ;) (Maybe ask the Apple reps at your store for a flashlight or something to shine on the screens of the two Macbook Pro's. Seriously!)

thanks for the heads up on the printer rebate...too bad it ends july 17th...i dont think ill have enough money by then...thanks anyways! :D

also thanks for the your opinion on the glossy screen..im leaning towards it now... weird how before everyone freaked out about it and now it looks more advantageous than the matte screen :P

amac4me
Jul 11, 2006, 12:15 PM
Congrats :D

Littleodie914
Jul 12, 2006, 07:25 AM
Yikes! I was scavenging the MR site this morning, and ran across this (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=212175) scary little thread... Now I'm getting worried! Is there anybody out there who isn't having this problem? If it is pretty widespread, how bad is the gap? From the pictures I can't imagine why anyone would complain about it, unless of course it wobbles up and down.

But anyway, update... Printer is in Grand Rapids, should be here today! iPod is in Grand Rapids too, I guess! (Just checked.) The Macbook still hasn't landed from Shanghai, but both that and the iPod are scheduled to arrive tomorrow at noon. Woo hoo! :D

wako
Jul 12, 2006, 10:30 AM
just an FYI...


You wont see an update from your MacBook for atleast a good day. It has to pass through customs first. :(

Littleodie914
Jul 12, 2006, 12:42 PM
just an FYI...


You wont see an update from your MacBook for atleast a good day. It has to pass through customs first. :(Ah yea, I was wondering why it was still flying from China! Does that usually slow delivery times down? Like if it left China yesterday at 11AM, how long do you think it will take to make it through Alaska? Thanks for the FYI, I was starting to worry! :eek: ;)

Littleodie914
Jul 12, 2006, 05:47 PM
Alrighty guys, update!

Just drove to the FedEx building and picked up my iPod Nano and HP 6940 printer! The Macbook says it's "Picked up" in Shanghai, I've still got my fingers crossed for a tomorrow delivery.

One question I've got though. The 6940 has a USB port in the front with a bluetooth symbol next to it. I checked on HP's website, and they say you can print to it wirelessly with some BT450 adapter or what-not. I'd be very interested in doing something like that, as it doesn't have bluetooth built in, but the website says you have to have Windows XP with Service Pack 2. Do you really need Windows just to use the bluetooth adapter? Or will it work with Macs too? Thanks for the help so far!

Littleodie914
Jul 15, 2006, 08:48 AM
Finally, it's here!

Just wanted to thank everyone for their comments, and to let everyone know that I got a good one! No whine, no buzz, no case problems, nothing. It got here yesterday, after the plane leaving from China had technical difficulties and had to turn around! I didn't get to open it until around midnight, as my girlfriend had a birthday party last night. (What a tough decision that was!)

I think I'm heading out to grab a copy of Windows XP, and get all my games going on it, I'm super excited! (I know windows is a community "no-no", but I never saw why a rival OS should be outlawwed. Best of both worlds, instead of a stingy person with one! :rolleyes: )

nesbitt_a
Jul 15, 2006, 11:09 AM
Finally, it's here!

Just wanted to thank everyone for their comments, and to let everyone know that I got a good one! No whine, no buzz, no case problems, nothing. It got here yesterday, after the plane leaving from China had technical difficulties and had to turn around! I didn't get to open it until around midnight, as my girlfriend had a birthday party last night. (What a tough decision that was!)

I think I'm heading out to grab a copy of Windows XP, and get all my games going on it, I'm super excited! (I know windows is a community "no-no", but I never saw why a rival OS should be outlawwed. Best of both worlds, instead of a stingy person with one! :rolleyes: )

Pics? :D

Littleodie914
Jul 19, 2006, 02:53 PM
Pics? :DVery soon! Can't take my hands off the thing, so I'm having trouble holding the camera. :)

I'm planning on taking pics of both this and my iBook next to each other so people can compare the brightness and glossy/matte factor.

xPismo
Jul 19, 2006, 02:55 PM
Finally, it's here!...after the plane leaving from China had technical difficulties and had to turn around...

Wow, how did you find out about that?

Congradulations on your MBP!

Littleodie914
Jul 20, 2006, 11:04 AM
Wow, how did you find out about that?

Congradulations on your MBP!I called the FedEx facility after I noticed the package had been flying from Shanghai to Anchorage for 3 days. :rolleyes:

Thanks! I really do hope to get some pictures up soon, been busy lately getting stuff ready for college but I promise they'll be here!

Littleodie914
Jul 22, 2006, 03:09 PM
Alrighty, they're up and ready to go! Take a look and let me know what you think. The last two pictures are next to my iBook G4, the first with the MBP backlight only 1 bar up, and the second (last) photo is the MBP with the backlight all the way up. Enjoy!

Macbook Pro Photoset (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigotis/sets/72157594207922564/)

Miguel0019
Jul 23, 2006, 02:46 PM
Alrighty, they're up and ready to go! Take a look and let me know what you think. The last two pictures are next to my iBook G4, the first with the MBP backlight only 1 bar up, and the second (last) photo is the MBP with the backlight all the way up. Enjoy!

Macbook Pro Photoset (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigotis/sets/72157594207922564/)

It looks good Congrats.

Josias
Jul 23, 2006, 03:21 PM
Alrighty, they're up and ready to go! Take a look and let me know what you think. The last two pictures are next to my iBook G4, the first with the MBP backlight only 1 bar up, and the second (last) photo is the MBP with the backlight all the way up. Enjoy!

Macbook Pro Photoset (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigotis/sets/72157594207922564/)

That screen is so bright!:D I also compared my MB screen to my brothers 14" iBook G4 screen... pwned!:p

jimsowden
Jul 23, 2006, 03:46 PM
I just got that exact machine and It's a dream. No problems at all, good call on the BTO witht he HD and Glossy, both worth it and it assures the rev2 logic board. It doesn't even get warm when on my lap without power plugged in. A little warm on the desk when charging or running off the wall. A kickass machine all in all.

xPismo
Jul 23, 2006, 03:47 PM
...pictures ...my iBook G4... MBP ...Enjoy!Macbook Pro Photoset (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigotis/sets/72157594207922564/)

Wow. I like the mods to the iBook. Are you running ubuntu / XP / and OSX on the MBP? They look great.

Littleodie914
Jul 23, 2006, 08:08 PM
Wow. I like the mods to the iBook. Are you running ubuntu / XP / and OSX on the MBP? They look great.Thanks :D

Actually, I've got OS X and XP on the MBP, and then OSX and Ubuntu on the iBook. (The mod on the iBook is just a colored, see-through binder divider thing. Like the cover of one of those plastic folders to turn nice papers in with. I just got out a little square and put it behind the apple, easy to do!)