Experience and Thoughts on the Build to Order option?

[chubbychicken]

Hi mac peoples!! I am glad to have joined your forum, very nice community here.

I want to buy the Macbook pro 2.5, 4GB ram, 7200 Hard drive, with Glossy screen (great for movies). However, when I went to the Apple store, the Specialist mac dudette told me that NO WAY! You cannot get that mac here. I really want a mac of my dreams. So the only way is to buy from the online store? But my friend told me build to order macs are problematic because 1. no return allowed, 2. less quality control since they take a per-made mac and open it up to put your custom components.

I was wondering what you mac peoples experience with build to order macs? Is it safe? How is the quality? thanks

 

[GGJstudios]

.. But my friend told me build to order macs are problematic because 1. no return allowed, 2. less quality control since they take a per-made mac and open it up to put your custom components.

I was wondering what you mac peoples experience with build to order macs? Is it safe? How is the quality? thanks

Your friend is wrong on both counts! There is no difference in build quality or return or service policy on store-bought or BTO. By the way, I have the same system you're ordering, except I have the matte screen. It's fantastic!

 

[TheCookie]

Don't buy the extra 2 GB of RAM from Apple. It's more expensive than if you just by 4GB from newegg.com or somewhere similar--which will be of equal or better quality.

And I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) you can take your new RAM to the Apple Store and a Genius will install it for you...

Otherwise, I have the same system but with matte screen. Haven't had any problems in the 5 weeks I've had it...

 

[chubbychicken]

thank you very much mac peoples who responded! Well my friend he say build to order is bad because when he ordered his, he found his screen full of white spots but the one he got from the store was perfect. So i don't know

I don't care I trust public opinion more i just took a deep breath and order it. Hopefully everything comes ok! Can't wait for it to arrive now.

 

[88888888]

Yea, mine was perfect. The only negative thing was the longer wait, but it's well worth it.

 

[GGJstudios]

Don't buy the extra 2 GB of RAM from Apple. It's more expensive than if you just by 4GB from newegg.com or somewhere similar--which will be of equal or better quality.

And I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) you can take your new RAM to the Apple Store and a Genius will install it for you...

Otherwise, I have the same system but with matte screen. Haven't had any problems in the 5 weeks I've had it...

I agree! A great source for Mac-compatible RAM is OWC. Their MacBook and MacBook Pro 4GB upgrade kit is $99 (£50).

Another source is Crucial memory from newegg.com.

Installation for a Macbook or a MacBook Pro is easy and does not void the Apple Warranty.

 

[Sirus2400]

I second (or third) not buying the ram from apple. OWC or Crucial all the way.

I've ordered both my macs (New 2.5 MBP and old Ti powerbook) BTO and both were perfect out of the box...

In general you will hear more bitching than praising on these online forums

 

[bc008]

i am not saying this is the reason, but in the past years i have gone through 4 macs, and the only one something went wrong was in the BTO one (the larger HD failed)

i think this is because apple simply is seeing too much growth, and they cant keep up with all the BTO orders..