Buying the new Mac Pro from Apple make sense?

[psymac]

I don't get it, why are so many of you buying thru Apple?

You can get the same system for MacMall with no tax (about $225) and free Parallels and printer (which you could ebay for about $125 if you don't need them). You can even save another $100 off the single cpu system.

In a couple of weeks or perhaps less, you can get the same system from Amazon for the same price, plus no tax (about $225) and maybe even a rebate (usually about $150).

Ok if you want or need to be an early adopter or need to do some high end BTO, but is it worth $350 for most of you?

 

[yippy]

BTO is the main reason to buy from Apple. Specifically the 8800GT is very popular and can only be bought through Apple.

 

[timestamp]

ADC discount for me. It beats any discount on the net hands down.

 

[aaronw1986]

ADC discount for me. It beats any discount on the net hands down.

First off, no tax in OR. Secondly, my machines are always BTO.

 

[timestamp]

First off, no tax in OR. Secondly, my machines are always BTO.

Hey! I am moving to Oregon in a few years... Wish I was there now so I can sav the $200+ in tax.

My Mac Pro is still cheap though!

 

[oogje]

I don't get it, why are so many of you buying thru Apple?

You can get the same system for MacMall with no tax (about $225) and free Parallels and printer (which you could ebay for about $125 if you don't need them). You can even save another $100 off the single cpu system.

In a couple of weeks or perhaps less, you can get the same system from Amazon for the same price, plus no tax (about $225) and maybe even a rebate (usually about $150).

Ok if you want or need to be an early adopter or need to do some high end BTO, but is it worth $350 for most of you?

Even if MacMall or Amazon doesn't collect state tax from you that doesn't necessarily mean you don't have a tax obligation - it depends on the state and the buyer's circumstances. In New York, for instance, on your income tax return you're required to report any internet purchases over $1,000 for which NYS sales tax wasn't paid.

 

[GoKyu]

I had a pretty decent NAPP discount buying through Apple, and I wanted a few extras, so BTO was needed.

With tax, I ended up paying around $350-400 less anyway, so I'm really happy

-Bryan

 

[astrostu]

Because of educational, government, and/or developer discounts, and also because of customization options. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

 

[Norco]

Hey! I am moving to Oregon in a few years... Wish I was there now so I can sav the $200+ in tax.

My Mac Pro is still cheap though!

Holla, Oregon here too...enjoy no tax.

 

[kirkbross]

First off, no tax in OR. Secondly, my machines are always BTO.

Grew up in Ashland... went to U of O for a year too...

I work at New Line Cinema in Los Angeles so I get a TimeWarner discount of about 8%. I'll be ordering either a 2.8 or 3.0 online from work. I could go into an Apple store and show my pay stub and ID and get the discount too, but only if I get the 2.8.

 

[peterjun]

Simple reason: didn't want to wait

Went to the mac store the day it was released with the basic option. Plan on upgrading it soon...

 

[Octobot]

All of the above..

 

[Cloudane]

Other places often have old models for ages, our "PC World" only just got Aluminium iMacs!

I also prefer to buy direct from the manufacturer when there is an option to do so as it's better support when things go wrong. I've had enough of:

Me: "It's broken!"
Manufacturer: "Well you bought it from Tesco, it's Tesco's problem"
Me to Tesco: "It's broken!"
Tesco: "So? Go to the manufacturer"
ad nauseum

 

[Graphis]

I'm ordering mine from Computer Warehouse: there's a five week wait due to the 8800 card I ordered, but if I took one off the shelf I could have it today. It's cheaper than buying direct from Apple, all the extras are cheaper (Applecare at £149 instead of £199, Wireless Mouse £6.90 compared to Apple's £49, etc), and they throw in a free second drive. All the other retailers are cheaper than Apple, I've never bought any of my Macs direct from Apple. I can't see any advantage. The only thing I ever bought direct from the Apple Store was an iPod.

 

[student_trap]

HE discount plus BTO, thats why ill order from apple (im waiting to see if new acd's come out first!)