Buying MacBook Pro in US

[A_ardvark]

I’m travelling through the US in a week and I have a long layover in Miami. My current MacBook Pro is in dire need of replacement so I thought I might find a store and buy a new one.

Two questions:
Do they have different options on hand? I’d like to get a 13inch with 16gb of ram and 512gb of storage.

I’m an academic, would it be hard to get the education discount in store?

Thanks! I know this a little crazy, but there’s no apple store near me. This would be more convenient than ordering online.

 

[SteveJUAE]

You should not have any issues especially if your Uni or whatever has an associated Uni in the US

Apple do not list every school there is others on the selection, just go prepared with some document with the association

Do not buy AC+ if your home country does not have it, in fact your better getting AC or AC+ later when back home on your Academic discount

 

[Lobwedgephil]

I am not positive, but I don't believe they stock that configuration, or they didn't when I looked.

 

[mmberry1]

I’m travelling through the US in a week and I have a long layover in Miami. My current MacBook Pro is in dire need of replacement so I thought I might find a store and buy a new one.

Two questions:
Do they have different options on hand? I’d like to get a 13inch with 16gb of ram and 512gb of storage.

I’m an academic, would it be hard to get the education discount in store?

Thanks! I know this a little crazy, but there’s no apple store near me. This would be more convenient than ordering online.

The stores will stock a 13" i7 16GB 1TB or the stock models.

 

[idck_cn]

I just place a order with new MBP through online store.
There are few things you have to aware.
1).If you doing extra configuration like I do customised language keyboard. It will come with US stander wall plug-in even thought comes with documentation appropriate for the country in which you purchased it.
2).AC & AC+ will be support in any county through online support or apple store.
3).And you can avoid Highly Tax VAT changer from purchased from your home country like in my case in Denmark.

 

[SteveJUAE]

I just place a order with new MBP through online store.
There are few things you have to aware.
1).If you doing extra configuration like I do customised language keyboard. It will come with US stander wall plug-in even thought comes with documentation appropriate for the country in which you purchased it.
2).AC & AC+ will be support in any county through online support or apple store.
3).And you can avoid Highly Tax VAT changer from purchased from your home country like in my case in Denmark.

I am not sure you are correct on AC+, yes AC is worldwide for Macs but AC+ may be not, as some countries it's not even available.

You may only get some service where counties sell AC+ but it's not a given

From Apple AC+ T&C's see (11 - iv): https://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/applecare/applecareplus/docs/applecareplusmacus.html

11. General Terms.

(i) Apple may subcontract or assign performance of its obligations to third parties but shall not be relieved of its obligations to you in doing so.

(ii) Apple is not responsible for any failures or delays in performing under the Plan that are due to events outside Apple’s reasonable control.

(iii) You are not required to perform preventative maintenance on the Covered Equipment to receive service under the Plan.

(iv) This Plan is offered and valid only in the fifty states of the United States of America and the District of Columbia. Persons who have not reached the age of majority may not purchase this Plan. This Plan may not be available in all states of the United States, and is not available where prohibited by law.


PS Not sure it's wise to advise others to dodge import duties of home countries on line, the box and the charger are dead giveaways going through the green channel at customs

You can normally get 80% of the local US tax back at airport departures if you buy from a store that caters for this

 

[idck_cn]

I am not sure you are correct on AC+, yes AC is worldwide for Macs but AC+ may be not, as some countries it's not even available.

You may only get some service where counties sell AC+ but it's not a given

From Apple AC+ T&C's see (11 - iv): https://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/applecare/applecareplus/docs/applecareplusmacus.html

11. General Terms.

(i) Apple may subcontract or assign performance of its obligations to third parties but shall not be relieved of its obligations to you in doing so.

(ii) Apple is not responsible for any failures or delays in performing under the Plan that are due to events outside Apple’s reasonable control.

(iii) You are not required to perform preventative maintenance on the Covered Equipment to receive service under the Plan.

(iv) This Plan is offered and valid only in the fifty states of the United States of America and the District of Columbia. Persons who have not reached the age of majority may not purchase this Plan. This Plan may not be available in all states of the United States, and is not available where prohibited by law.


PS Not sure it's wise to advise others to dodge import duties of home countries on line, the box and the charger are dead giveaways going through the green channel at customs

You can normally get 80% of the local US tax back at airport departures if you buy from a store that caters for this

Yeah you are right. Thanks for correcting my mistake.

 

[The Mercurian]

I’m travelling through the US in a week and I have a long layover in Miami. My current MacBook Pro is in dire need of replacement so I thought I might find a store and buy a new one.

Two questions:
Do they have different options on hand? I’d like to get a 13inch with 16gb of ram and 512gb of storage.

I’m an academic, would it be hard to get the education discount in store?

Thanks! I know this a little crazy, but there’s no apple store near me. This would be more convenient than ordering online.

Re academic discount - in the past I've not been able to use that across borders. It worked once for me in Austrlaia purely by chance - it was the 'genius''s first day and after he said yes they had to give it to me. But not without managers involved etc. So in general they will only let you do that in your own country.

 

[iMacDragon]

Re academic discount - in the past I've not been able to use that across borders. It worked once for me in Austrlaia purely by chance - it was the 'genius''s first day and after he said yes they had to give it to me. But not without managers involved etc. So in general they will only let you do that in your own country.

I got academic discount buying in UK with Finnish admissions letter no problem, at least. But could be because still within EU.

 

[Lennyvalentin]

I thought I might find a store and buy a new one.

Does your country use U.S. keyboard layout? Unless yes, I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[M.Rizk]

I am not sure you are correct on AC+, yes AC is worldwide for Macs but AC+ may be not, as some countries it's not even available.

You may only get some service where counties sell AC+ but it's not a given

From Apple AC+ T&C's see (11 - iv): https://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/applecare/applecareplus/docs/applecareplusmacus.html

11. General Terms.

(i) Apple may subcontract or assign performance of its obligations to third parties but shall not be relieved of its obligations to you in doing so.

(ii) Apple is not responsible for any failures or delays in performing under the Plan that are due to events outside Apple’s reasonable control.

(iii) You are not required to perform preventative maintenance on the Covered Equipment to receive service under the Plan.

(iv) This Plan is offered and valid only in the fifty states of the United States of America and the District of Columbia. Persons who have not reached the age of majority may not purchase this Plan. This Plan may not be available in all states of the United States, and is not available where prohibited by law.


PS Not sure it's wise to advise others to dodge import duties of home countries on line, the box and the charger are dead giveaways going through the green channel at customs

You can normally get 80% of the local US tax back at airport departures if you buy from a store that caters for this

What if you get AC+ then go to a country with only Apple Authorized Service Centers (which means no AC). Will they allow you to repair it for free according to the normal AC terms at least?

 

[A_ardvark]

Thanks all! Sounds like it might be easier to order online after all.

 

[SteveJUAE]

What if you get AC+ then go to a country with only Apple Authorized Service Centers (which means no AC). Will they allow you to repair it for free according to the normal AC terms at least?

Yes I think the AC part is ok it's the + part ie accidental damage part you may struggle with but you never know Apple sometimes are just good and accept

Same goes with iPhone that did not have worldwide cover there is many a tale where users got help/repairs etc

Easiest solution is always buy AC/AC+ in home country of residence
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Thanks all! Sounds like it might be easier to order online after all.

I think in another recent thread this proved difficult as Apple wants a US phone number when ordering online for pick-up in US store

 

[M.Rizk]

Yes I think the AC part is ok it's the + part ie accidental damage part you may struggle with but you never know Apple sometimes are just good and accept

Same goes with iPhone that did not have worldwide cover there is many a tale where users got help/repairs etc

Easiest solution is always buy AC/AC+ in home country of residence

Good to hear.

There is no Apple Stores where I live so no AC+ or even AC. I tricked Apple Support into adding AC+ on my Apple Watch back in 2015 when it launched because it was a new product and was worried it could have issues later. They did it for me when I provided an address of where my parents used to live in the 90s. I ended up not needing it anyways and I still have the watch in perfect condition.

I guess I'll do the same with the MacBook Pro because the Apple Authorized Service Center where I live is nothing but a bunch of thugs who never repair anything under warranty and always claim it to be a fault of the user. I can't afford paying out of pocket repairs for a MBP.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Good to hear.

There is no Apple Stores where I live so no AC+ or even AC. I tricked Apple Support into adding AC+ on my Apple Watch back in 2015 when it launched because it was a new product and was worried it could have issues later. They did it for me when I provided an address of where my parents used to live in the 90s. I ended up not needing it anyways and I still have the watch in perfect condition.

I guess I'll do the same with the MacBook Pro because the Apple Authorized Service Center where I live is nothing but a bunch of thugs who never repair anything under warranty and always claim it to be a fault of the user. I can't afford paying out of pocket repairs for a MBP.

I understand many from the US simply do not realise how difficult it can be with so called Approved retailers in some countries at times

You pay the same premium but quality of service can be shocking especially if you did not buy from the retailer

 

[leman]

Be advised that you are obliged to pay the import tax back in your country. In the unlikely case that you are going to be checked by customs, you might get in trouble.

 

[The Mercurian]

I got academic discount buying in UK with Finnish admissions letter no problem, at least. But could be because still within EU.

Belfast store would only accept UK student cards

 

[A_ardvark]

I ordered to my address in Canada. I’ll have to wait a bit longer to get a replacement for my 2011, but dealing with imports and the like doesn’t seem worth the trouble. Thanks all!