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Buying Mac mini at Apple Retail Store

A

AndrewTosh

macrumors newbie
Original poster
I'm probably going to Delaware on the 22nd to pick up a Mac mini. I can get it with the student discount and save on sales tax. The Apple site says they are opening early at 9am so people can "check out" the mini and iLife 05, etc.

Do you guys think there will be enough (or any) in the store to buy? Another poster mentioned that his store was going to have them on the 22nd, but I'm worried that some nutty characters are going to camp out or something. 😛 Do they let you reserve them in advance like some video game stores do? I really don't feel like waiting 3-4 weeks. My monitor and 1GB stick of ram are waiting. 😉

-Andrew
 
AndrewTosh said:
Do you guys think there will be enough (or any) in the store to buy? Another poster mentioned that his store was going to have them on the 22nd, but I'm worried that some nutty characters are going to camp out or something. 😛 Do they let you reserve them in advance like some video game stores do? I really don't feel like waiting 3-4 weeks. My monitor and 1GB stick of ram are waiting. 😉
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You are talking about the Newark Apple store inside the Christiana mall, right? I don't think anyone will have the oppertunity to camp outside the store since it's inside a mall. The security guards won't have the mall doors unlocked until a little before 9am.

Are you asking if people will be camping outside the mall itself? I'd say no way; it's really freakin cold out. There might be people who arrive at the mall a little before opening time, but I don't think you have to wade through hordes of people to get a mac mini.

The store should have plenty in stock; however, I don't think you can call to reserve one. Try it though, you never know.
 
AirUncleP said:
Do you plan on installing the RAM yourself? I don't think that's an option.
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it is, there is a safe dissasembly vid making rounds on the net, and apple has said that if you can get it open, and dont break anything, it wont void your warranty.
 
You are talking about the Newark Apple store inside the Christiana mall, right? I don't think anyone will have the oppertunity to camp outside the store since it's inside a mall. The security guards won't have the mall doors unlocked until a little before 9am.
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perhaps this mall is different than other malls, but the two that i have worked at open their exterior doors like two hours before stores open, this is for employees to come in, and others to walk (people actually do that). so lines can occur under those circumstances. but again, this mall might be different.

best bet = call
 
Unless DE is right across the border from you the savings in taxes might not make it worth the drive and wait. Here in VA and MD the taxes are 5%, and that makes the extra cost only $25 on the base Mac mini. Time, gas, and such are worth much more to me. Now if I were looking at the PM or PB, then it might be worth it. Just my two cents.
 
Oregon is about a $25 drive for me away. No sales tax. It would be worth it to me, even if I was just getting a Mini and not even a new iPod because the sales tax here in Washington state is around 9%. 😱 Even though there's an Apple Store right down the Street from where I work (and several others around). I'd make sure to call ahead though.

And in my case, I'm waiting to see if the eMac goes G5 and make sure they have them in stock. I'd rather not go all the way down there for nothing.
 
the stores are supposed to have a few in stock, but i have a feeling they will sell very very quickly and there will be a pretty limited number on hand. give it a month or so to get a full stock. but no sales tax and student discount is totally worth it!!!!! in TX sales tax about makes up for the student discount, still a good price. i really want one. maybe someday
 
solvs said:
Oregon is about a $25 drive for me away. No sales tax. It would be worth it to me, even if I was just getting a Mini and not even a new iPod because the sales tax here in Washington state is around 9%. 😱 Even though there's an Apple Store right down the Street from where I work (and several others around). I'd make sure to call ahead though.

And in my case, I'm waiting to see if the eMac goes G5 and make sure they have them in stock. I'd rather not go all the way down there for nothing.
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This puzzles me. If you are in Olympia you are 2 1/2 from the OR Apple store (130 miles). Is not your time worth something, or are there other reasons to make the trip? For me I can justify the trip to DE for the beaches, photo shooting of old farms, or the casino. The savings after gas for you on a Mac mini would only be $20. Like I said on higher purchases it would make the trip worth it.

Was just wondering.... 🙂
 
Chip NoVaMac said:
Unless DE is right across the border from you the savings in taxes might not make it worth the drive and wait. Here in VA and MD the taxes are 5%, and that makes the extra cost only $25 on the base Mac mini. Time, gas, and such are worth much more to me. Now if I were looking at the PM or PB, then it might be worth it. Just my two cents.
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I'm in Broomall PA, so it's right down 476-S and 95-S for a bit. The other Apple Store is in the KOP mall, which is a 25min drive or so. Going to Delaware only takes about 15 more minutes and maybe $5 gas tops. I save $28. I waste 30min on a Saturday morning when I'd likely be asleep. I don't think it's a bad deal. 🙂 Plus my sister is probably picking up an iPod mini, which also saves a few bucks.

I'll give them a call tomorrow. I can't wait. 🙂 🙂 🙂

-Andrew
 
Only having been to an Apple Store once (and then just to buy an iPod remote a couple days before Christmas), I'm not familiar with how they stock computers. With the mini, will they have just the two base models, or do you think it's likely they might have some with the SuperDrive already installed? I ordered from the online store last Saturday but I am getting impatient (scheduled to ship on or before 2/15) and there's a retail store about 45 minutes from here, but I did a BTO and added the SuperDrive and upped the RAM to 512MB (which I now kind of regret given how easy it apparently is to swap for a 3rd party stick).

Thoughts?
 
AndrewTosh said:
The 512MB isn't that much of a rip off. It's the $425 1GB upgrade that is really way over the top.
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I know that, it's just if I'm going to be buying a 1GB stick anyway it's not really worth spending the $75 for a piece of RAM that will be coming out in short order.
 
get there early

My local Apple Store told me that they won't take reserve orders till the 22nd. So if I show up b4 noon on the 22nd, then I can get one probably. If they are all reserved by phone on the 22nd,b4 i get to the store, they(potential owners) have to pick one up by 6pm, or it is fair game between 6-9pm. Just what I have been told.

peace
 
Chip NoVaMac said:
The savings after gas for you on a Mac mini would only be $20.
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That's the thing, I won't be getting the Mini. 😉 That wouldn't really be worth my time (which is saying a lot, because right now my time isn't worth much). Plus, I'd be going to CompUSA, Fry's, Barnes and Noble... and may even combine it with my trip back from California. It's a long drive up.

Otherwise, it's a nice weekend trip. And worth it if I buy an iMac or eMac (if it goes G5), plus iPod. I'd just want to call first, because even if that's not my only reason for going, it's the main one. Would kinda not feel worth it if they were out of stock or something, no matter how much I spent everywhere else. 🙁
 
AndrewTosh said:
I'm in Broomall PA, so it's right down 476-S and 95-S for a bit. The other Apple Store is in the KOP mall, which is a 25min drive or so. Going to Delaware only takes about 15 more minutes and maybe $5 gas tops. I save $28. I waste 30min on a Saturday morning when I'd likely be asleep. I don't think it's a bad deal. 🙂 Plus my sister is probably picking up an iPod mini, which also saves a few bucks.

I'll give them a call tomorrow. I can't wait. 🙂 🙂 🙂

-Andrew
Click to expand...

Congrats, and good luck.

It is that some don't take a good look at the details some times. Wish DE was as close for me. 🙂
 
solvs said:
That's the thing, I won't be getting the Mini. 😉 That wouldn't really be worth my time (which is saying a lot, because right now my time isn't worth much). Plus, I'd be going to CompUSA, Fry's, Barnes and Noble... and may even combine it with my trip back from California. It's a long drive up.

Otherwise, it's a nice weekend trip. And worth it if I buy an iMac or eMac (if it goes G5), plus iPod. I'd just want to call first, because even if that's not my only reason for going, it's the main one. Would kinda not feel worth it if they were out of stock or something, no matter how much I spent everywhere else. 🙁
Click to expand...

My sister makes monthly trips to DE to do here major shopping, so I know what you mean.
 
DanTekGeek said:
it is, there is a safe dissasembly vid making rounds on the net, and apple has said that if you can get it open, and dont break anything, it wont void your warranty.
Click to expand...

Hi DanTekGeek,

I saw this on another forum. I'm thinking a mini disassembly is pretty doable. Good luck if you try it. You may want to be careful to not scratch the casing too badly cuz I think the guy in this video uses a putty knife. 🙂

http://www.smashsworld.com/2005/01/taking-apart-mac-mini-how-to.php

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/105812/ (just found this thread too)
 
solvs said:
That's the thing, I won't be getting the Mini. 😉 That wouldn't really be worth my time (which is saying a lot, because right now my time isn't worth much). Plus, I'd be going to CompUSA, Fry's, Barnes and Noble... and may even combine it with my trip back from California. It's a long drive up.

Otherwise, it's a nice weekend trip. And worth it if I buy an iMac or eMac (if it goes G5), plus iPod. I'd just want to call first, because even if that's not my only reason for going, it's the main one. Would kinda not feel worth it if they were out of stock or something, no matter how much I spent everywhere else. 🙁
Click to expand...
Solvs, if you need directions to the Apple Store in Portland, or recommendations/directions to other mac retailers in Portland or Salem ( I know several), drop me a PM or something. I do love the lack of sales tax here in Oregon...
 
In case anyone's curious, I just called Legacy Village and they said they will have some with the SuperDrive already installed. I am now very iffy on whether I should cancel my online order and just go pick one up on Saturday. Hmm...
 
blackfox said:
Solvs, if you need directions to the Apple Store in Portland, or recommendations/directions to other mac retailers in Portland or Salem ( I know several), drop me a PM or something. I do love the lack of sales tax here in Oregon...
Click to expand...
Been there a couple of times already (PowerMax, too). 😉 Thanks though.
 
tubedogg said:
In case anyone's curious, I just called Legacy Village and they said they will have some with the SuperDrive already installed. I am now very iffy on whether I should cancel my online order and just go pick one up on Saturday. Hmm...
Click to expand...

Don't cancel your order until you know you can buy one. If they have it in stock, cancel your order in the store using one of their display models.

When my iMac G5 BTO was on order, I was getting tired of the wait (although I did receive it in the first round of shipping). I was in the Apple Store and they had stock. I told the guy to go get me one (sacrificing my BTO options). While he was doing so, I checked my order online and the status had changed to shipped. Sales rep wasn't too happy after dragging the box from the back.
 
tubedogg said:
I know that, it's just if I'm going to be buying a 1GB stick anyway it's not really worth spending the $75 for a piece of RAM that will be coming out in short order.
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hi there, why dont you sell your 512mb stick online to other Mac mini users who want to have 512 instead of the 256 their mini came with?

no worries ;-)

edit... umm, why dont just go with 512mb for now, it might actually work quite well 😉 ... if you are actually doing anything that really needs 1GB, then i think you should get an iMac or PowerMac dude 😉
 
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