Buying MPB 13" Apple Store or Apple.com?

[mdgolom]

I just sold my 3 year old MBP and want to get a base 13" MPB. I'm probably going to let Apple bump the RAM from 2GB to 4GB. With my education discount, it's only $90 more which isn't bad since buying 4GB is arounf $70 from Crucial or OWC and I don't need the memory I remove. That being said, if I buy from the Apple store they can take a couple of days to install the memory (according to them) or I can order from Apple.com as a BTO. Does anyone know how long it takes Apple.com to prepare and ship the order? Do they ship UPS ground? I want a larger HD at some point, but I'd rather do that myself.

The trade-offs are that the Apple Store I'll get it sooner. If I order from Apple.com I get a better choice of "Free" printers. I found most of the printers they sell in the Apple store for $99.00 are junk with poor reviews.


Just looking for thoughts or opinions.

 

[Luba]

Well, kind of a trade-off: If you buy from the online store, I imagine they have people all day putting together machines and would be practicing best practices such as grounding themselves so to not short-circuit anything. But when you get your MB through FedEx or UPS, it's likely to be through a war as evidence by banged up corners on the box. Let me be clear: No dents on the machine itself, but the cardboard box ripped a bit and banged up to the point the MB box is affected.

At the store the geniuses are rushing around trying to do things as fast as possible . . . they could easily not ground themselves. Sort of like all those Employees Must Wash signs you see in restaurants. I wonder how many do wash, especially when the restaurant is busy.

There you go. Probably over-analyzed, but since you asked such a question, I am sure you'd appreciate an over-analyzed response.

 

[mrj205]

All BTO's from the online apple store are assembled in China. From order placement to completed assembly is from my experience about 3 days. Then international transit can cause some issues with delays and what not. If I were you, I would just let them take care of it in the Apple Store unless you are determined to get a different printer. It would be much quicker that way.

 

[munkees]

personally I like getting it form the store, the whole experience is exciting, Just got one for the wife, but we order that from the web-store, was shipped from China, to alaska, to california to Portland then delivered. BTW box was not bashed up, the computer is beautiful.

 

[WeedKiller87]

Each has its pros and cons...

Local Apple Store
+ Get your MBP within 10 minutes
+ Easy returns/exchanges
+ Apple Geniuses willing to help
+ Have stock configuration models
+ Back-To-School Promo
- Unlikely to have any BTO models (some stores may have them)
- Can't engrave your iPod

Online Apple Store
+ BTO MBPs
+ Have stock configuration models
+ Can engrave your iPod
+ Free shipping
+ Back-To-School Promo
- Takes about a week to get your MBP
- Have to return/exchange by mail (takes a while and you pay shipping)

I hope this helps.

 

[TRAG]

personally I like getting it form the store, the whole experience is exciting, Just got one for the wife, but we order that from the web-store, was shipped from China, to alaska, to california to Portland then delivered. BTW box was not bashed up, the computer is beautiful.

I vote Apple Store. It's just an overall good day when I go. You can get your MacBook and play with everything else in the store. Plus, you get your MacBook right then, no waiting.

 

[TsuaSai]

Just call and make sure they have everythingyou want in stock when you go.

 

[J&JPolangin]

...since you can't return BTO machines just get it from the store = instant gratification...

 

[mdgolom]

I wanted to thank everyone for their comments. I'm probably going to get the MBP at the Apple store. The only little think I left out of the initial post was the Apple stores sometimes can take a couple of days to install the memory. I bought a Mini two months ago. One store said it would be 3-5 days for installation of an additional GB of Ram. I went to a different store who said 24 hours. After having dinner at the mall, I was driving home when I got the call the Mini was ready. I might just go at lunch today and order the MBP then hope it's ready to be picked up after work. If not, I should be able to pick it up tomorrow or Saturday.

The printer was a minor issue since I already have one I like, so I'll go for whatever is free after rebate.

Thanks Everyone!