Apple UK Delivery: How long does it take?

[mike...]

So after a year of running a hackintosh, and a decade of on and off Mac usage at school and work, I'm about to take the plunge an buy my first Mac: a 2.4GHz unibody Macbook. My burning question, though, is how long will it take? I'm taking the base spec so there's no customisation. It says it will ship "within 24hours". But if I ordered one tomorrow morning, when could I expect to have it? Wednesday? I hate to wait. I hate the way Apple don't offer you the opportunity to pay for next day shipping. I'm seriously tempted to get a train to my nearest Apple store and buy one there, but I don't fancy being mugged by chavs on the way back

 

[stomer]

It is normally next day. I remember ordering my Macbook on the afternoon 27 Dec and I received it on the 28th. I as amazed at the quick turn around.

 

[The Samurai]

I'm pretty certain all notebooks and desktop machines from Apple are built and dispatched from Shanghai, China. It does say 'dispatch in 24 hours'... doesn't say 'delivered within 24 hours'.

I would estimate that it would take three/four days.

 

[mike...]

Just went through some of the checkout process. If I order today:

Estimated Shipping: within 24 hours
Estimated Delivery: 20 Jan, 2009 - 22 Jan, 2009

So it could be here Wednesday after ordering it tomorrow

 

[shoppy]

Next day if it is a stock model and ordered before 2-3pm. As they are stored at warehouse in Midlands and if they run low there then come from european store house. CTO machines are always from China.

 

[mike...]

Next day if it is a stock model and ordered before 2-3pm. As they are stored at warehouse in Midlands and if they run low there then come from european store house. CTO machines are always from China.

Ah excellent I'm getting the stock 2.4GHz model. I'll max out the RAM with Crucial stuff when Apple fixes the memory bug.

 

[applgeek]

Foxconn, the company who builds them, has little chinese kids working day and night, so your laptop most likely will get a shipping label within 12 hours of you ordering it. I ordered a dell at night and it shipped the next morning. Since they both come from the same factories, its probably the same for you.

You should expect it in a few days. If you order it from a reseller, you can probably get next day shipping.

Oh yeah, "Within 24 hours" Means it gets out their door in a day. That doesn't include shipping time at all.

 

[hacksaw-C87]

Yeah that little tab saying 'Designed by Apple in California' is nice, but it omits the minor detail of 'Assembled, Manufactured and Tested in Remote Chinese Provence'. It got mine three working days after ordering, standard Postal delivery time.

 

[mike...]

I ordered it Afterwards I placed a separate order for a DVI cable and sleeve. I've had the email about the second order, but not the first, which I made at 9am (it's now 13:30) :s Do the emails for the computers take longer?

 

[stomer]

I'm pretty certain all notebooks and desktop machines from Apple are built and dispatched from Shanghai, China. It does say 'dispatch in 24 hours'... doesn't say 'delivered within 24 hours'.

I would estimate that it would take three/four days.

I thought Apple only dispatched from Shanghai if they don't have a particular item in stock?

 

[shoppy]

I ordered it Afterwards I placed a separate order for a DVI cable and sleeve. I've had the email about the second order, but not the first, which I made at 9am (it's now 13:30) :s Do the emails for the computers take longer?

Yes, emails can take a while, so log in to your account you created to check teh status of your order, or ring apple up, on the free o800 number on the online store number.

 

[kastenbrust]

I thought Apple only dispatched from Shanghai if they don't have a particular item in stock?

Thats correct. Common items like standard Macbooks, Ipods, Mighty Mouse etc come from your regional warehouse, however custom items like a Macbook with upgraded RAM, or Macbook Pro come from China.

Sometimes they happen to be in stock and come next day.

Sometimes they come from China by sea or air, which means a week less waiting time if theyre by air.

 

[sutom]

Sorry to hijack, but any idea how much time is added if you order a ram upgrade (2Gb>4GB) for a new macbook too?

I'm in the UK and thinking about a MB 2.4 also, so it's good to hear the stock models ship quickly. I wanna be set for ram from the start though.

Thanks!

 

[kastenbrust]

Sorry to hijack, but any idea how much time is added if you order a ram upgrade (2Gb>4GB) for a new macbook too?

I'm in the UK and thinking about a MB 2.4 also, so it's good to hear the stock models ship quickly. I wanna be set for ram from the start though.

Thanks!

The upgraded RAM Macbook is a stock item so next day or 2 days. Upgraded RAM is only considered a custom feature on the Macbook Pro because it can take so much more, and is rarely needed.

 

[sutom]

Ah excellent, thanks for that

I'm just waiting for preinstalled iLife'09 now, then I'm good to order.

 

[mike...]

Better to get that extra RAM from a third party as it's a lot cheaper and easy to fit. Plus you get to keep the 2GB of RAM Apple supply as spares, or for use elsewhere.

Anyway, my second order (sleeve + DVI cable) is now shipping, but my Macbook is still showing "not yet shipped". Does Apple ship products by courier overnight, or should I give up hope of getting the Macbook tomorrow?

 

[kastenbrust]

Ah excellent, thanks for that

I'm just waiting for preinstalled iLife'09 now, then I'm good to order.

Feb 16th preinstalled I believe.

 

[sutom]

Better to get that extra RAM from a third party as it's a lot cheaper and easy to fit. Plus you get to keep the 2GB of RAM Apple supply as spares, or for use elsewhere.

I will definitely consider it. Have there been any compatibility issues reported though? I recently had trouble with a Dell laptop + Crucial ram, which should have worked fine, but didn't so had to buy ram directly from Dell after all. If the difference is only £19 (I think?) maybe it's not worth the hassle? You're probably right though.

Feb 16th preinstalled I believe.

I thought it would be end of Jan at the latest!