Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Buying first mac, should i buy from store or private party?

3

355922

Cancelled
Original poster
Aug 30, 2009
322
112
Hi all..
Im going to make the big switch, im going from PC to Mac. Ive been a pc user for damn near 20 years.
I bought an iphone 2-3 weeks ago and love it and decided to try the mac book pro.

I guess my first question is should i buy from a store or a private seller? ive seen them used and "sealed in box" on classifieds here in california.
Is there any danger in this? i could save about $500+ going this route.
My thinking is, as long as there is a warranty and im able to add apple care to it and/or its sealed i should be fine right?

next question, these people selling them sealed in box.. how are they getting them so cheap so that they can resell them and make a profit?


and last
im going to get a mac book pro
ive always overpaid and overdone it with every pc purchase ive ever made getting things i just dont need.
What are the noticeable performance differences between the 3 15" notebooks? I know thats a broad question.. Id just like to know what i wont be able to do w/ the 2.53 and what would make me want the 2.8 w/ the extra video card.
I HATE computers that lag, i dont play games and i dont do any heavy video editing.


thanks for any advice!
 
Any of the MacBook Pro's will be fine. I am not really familiar with Craigslist and what not. I'd recommend trying something like Amazon or other websites. If it's too good to be true...chances are it's stolen.
 
Congratulations on the switch and I would definitely recommend going to the store if it's possible. Obviously, if you go to the store you know there is no risk, any problems you have a place to go back to.

However, if you feel you would rather go through a private seller, then just be smart and remember that if it looks too good to be true, it is.

However, the refurb store is a nice midpoint between price (lower) and risk (none).
 
Craigslist is fine as long as you buy new.
You could buy used but you never know where those have been or how much they were abused.
But usually even with that you won't get jipped.

Craigslist is a lot better than people make it out to be,
I bought my 17" uMBP brand new on Craigslist for 2,200.
And that was before the price drop.
(And it's not stolen.)
or at least not tagged as stolen..

Anyway, I would definitely go through Craigslist or something like that.
But that's just me, I'd rather get the laptop cheaper than pay for some extra assurance.

Just be smart about it and you'll be fine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back