Best place to buy Macbook?

[toddsimon]

I am thinking of replacing my Macbook Air with a Macbook. I would like extra ram and a larger HD plus I like the compact size. I have a $100 best buy card but it looks like they are charging full price for the machine. Is there a better place buy.

Also that future Macbook with the OLED touch bar sounds intriguing. Maybe I should wait?

 

[ShionoyaTamaki]

Macbook price or apple in general isn't heavily discounted like other products. Only time they have sales on it is when they are trying to flush out older models before or after a refresh. I'd say get it from bestbuy or apple store directly so you have the ability to return if you don't like it.

Best buy had or maybe still have the $100 off coupon if you register their back to school emailing list thing. Apple also have education discount plus a free wireless beats headphone.

 

[DontGetTheCheese]

There isn't much. All I've been able to find is what's on Apple Price Insider and the best there is $70 off the 1.2/512. I can get a .gov discount but that's only $50. Discover gets me 5%, if I buy at full price online from the Apple store, not the .gov discount. Probably the best I'll be able to do is the $70 at Amazon, plus 5% Discover that will kick in July 1st, assuming the $70 holds.

I'm also uncertain if the Amazon price is from a reputable vendor although it says Amazon prime. iPads are listed there all the time and Apple Price Insider gets it's pricing jacked because the guy selling the iPad does a 1 only kind of thing.

Now, if you could live with the 2015 model there are all kinds of opportunities.

 

[ShionoyaTamaki]

There isn't much. All I've been able to find is what's on Apple Price Insider and the best there is $70 off the 1.2/512. I can get a .gov discount but that's only $50. Discover gets me 5%, if I buy at full price online from the Apple store, not the .gov discount. Probably the best I'll be able to do is the $70 at Amazon, plus 5% Discover that will kick in July 1st, assuming the $70 holds.

Apple with education discount also has $70 off same as amazon price. Discover card 5% also available for apple too. Plus, you'll get free beats headphone.

 

[DontGetTheCheese]

Apple with education discount also has $70 off same as amazon price. Discover card 5% also available for apple too. Plus, you'll get free beats headphone.

I thought education was same as .gov, which is $50? Does the 5% apply to education/.gov discounts? The 5% is a click this link from the Discover site so I've been uncertain about that. The 3rd quarter Discover discount is 5% Hardware / Amazon which is different from the Apple 5% if only in how the transaction occurs, hence, my confusion.

 

[ShionoyaTamaki]

I thought education was same as .gov, which is $50? Does the 5% apply to education/.gov discounts? The 5% is a click this link from the Discover site so I've been uncertain about that. The 3rd quarter Discover discount is 5% Hardware / Amazon which is different from the Apple 5% if only in how the transaction occurs, hence, my confusion.

I don't know anything about the gov discount program, but I was able to do discover 5% with apple edu purchases using the click through link. The quarterly cashback doesn't require clicks, it's based on merchant id on your creditcard bill.

 

[TillysWily]

For random info you can by off the apple website as a student (not really being one) for $50 cheaper and you get the Beats headphones. Then I turned around and sold the Headphones unopened on FB for $200 so thats $250 off all together. Also the Gov. discount is $50 just like the student.

 

[Costino1]

I always got my MacBooks from Bestbuy just for convenience and wanting it 'now.'

The base models always work great for me and enough computing power for me, so no need for me to customize it and add-on to it on Apple.com.

 

[TouchedByAl]

I was able to snag an open box Macbook for $879 today at Best Buy. It is last years model but so far I'm loving it. This is coming from someone who had a 2012 macbook pro and honestly I never really did anything that took advantage of all that power. I would echo what others are saying and go with Best Buy.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Lately, BestBuy has been a good place to buy Macs, due mainly to discounts. Of course you'll pay tax (vs. some place like MacMall, which is only tax in select states), but Best Buy also has Reward Zone points you can earn/use, so that's an extra $20+ in savings there.

Considering Apple rarely has sales, I consider Best Buy to be just as friendly as Apple when it comes to in-store returns, but with additional savings available.

 

[ctdw]

I would check out B&H...they are one of the few places that also have M7 models in stock (vs. build to order). Not sure if the price is better right now then Apple or Best But but their service is excellent and have free shipping.

 

[Hellhammer]

AppleInsider has a pretty good price guide.

 

[Supertaff]

Apple refurb site is where I buy all my Apple products, yes they are a year old in terms of spec but come with full warranty and in the same condition as a new one. I bought a MacBook Pro 17inch and had it for 6 years and my iMac for 5 years. you get about 15 - 20% off dependent on model.

Simple for me, but if you want this years model you'll have to go somewhere else.

 

[NJRonbo]

B&H Photo out of NYC. No tax out of state and prices are competitive.

bhphoto.com

 

[applesith]

Best Buy is good for rewards and offer 12 month interest free financing when you use or open their card.
Best Buy is also good for open box deals.
BH for no tax if your outside NY.

 

[KPOM]

If you work for a large company, check to see if your employer has a discount program with Apple (Apple Retail can look it up). I can get about 6% off Macs through my employer's corporate discount website (which links to Apple Retail).

Otherwise, if history is any guide, we should expect to see refurbished units appear on Apple's website in early fall. They are 15% less than regular price and come with a full warranty.