Getting a MBP on the cheap!

[Stokes]

Hey Guys,
I'm sure that this is no secret to any of you, but I thought I'd relate my experience with some of you on how I just got a new 2.4 Ghz MBP on the cheap. YMMV, there is no scam, nor anything special, just a bit of forethought and a desire to do it on the cheap.

Granted, my rebates haven't arrived yet, but lets assume they do in standard Apple fashion. They're really good about processing them.

So........

MacBookPro 13.3/2.4/2X2GB/250/SD - $1199
HP Photosmart C4780 All-in-One - $129
iPod touch 8GB - $199
Oregon Sales Tax (we don't have one!) - $0

Total- $1527

NOW!!!-
Educator Discount (Homeschooler!) -$100
Sold the iPod -$175
Sold the printer -$85
Rebates coming from Apple :
Back to School (free iPod touch) -$199
Perfect Companion (printer rebate) -$100
Total money back -$659


TOTAL COST OF 13" MBP- $868
For a fairly recent computer, this seems like a bargain, and I'm glad to have made my purchase! I imagine there are some pretty clever ways to do this online using Bing Bucks or something, but I did mine at a Retail Apple store in the local shopping mall. It was nice to walk out with the computer in hand.

 

[Xombie11]

Let me fix that for you...

NOW!!!-
Educator Discount (Homeschooler!) -$100
Sold the iPod - Paid $199, got $199+175=$374 back, made $175 in total.
Sold the printer - Paid $100, got $100+85=$185 back, made $85 in total.
Rebates coming from Apple :
Back to School (free iPod touch) -$0 (factored in above)
Perfect Companion (printer rebate) -$0 (factored in above)
Total money back -$360

TOTAL COST OF 13" MBP- $1527-360=$1167

Still not bad... But you also need to factor in the price of Applecare.

 

[kny3twalker]

Let me fix that for you...

NOW!!!-
Educator Discount (Homeschooler!) -$100
Sold the iPod - Paid $199, got $199+175=$374 back, made $175 in total.
Sold the printer - Paid $100, got $100+85=$185 back, made $85 in total.
Rebates coming from Apple :
Back to School (free iPod touch) -$0 (factored in above)
Perfect Companion (printer rebate) -$0 (factored in above)
Total money back -$360

TOTAL COST OF 13" MBP- $1527-360=$1167

Still not bad... But you also need to factor in the price of Applecare.

your math is wrong, the thread starter's was right. If you sell all the stuff, the base MacBook pro is around $900 or less without tax. This is nothing new.

 

[Aboo]

Let me fix that for you...

NOW!!!-
Educator Discount (Homeschooler!) -$100
Sold the iPod - Paid $199, got $199+175=$374 back, made $175 in total.
Sold the printer - Paid $100, got $100+85=$185 back, made $85 in total.
Rebates coming from Apple :
Back to School (free iPod touch) -$0 (factored in above)
Perfect Companion (printer rebate) -$0 (factored in above)
Total money back -$360

TOTAL COST OF 13" MBP- $1527-360=$1167

Still not bad... But you also need to factor in the price of Applecare.

I don't follow your math. The OP's math is correct:

13" MBP at $1199 - $100 EDU discount = NET -$1099
8GB iPod Touch at $199 - $199 REBATE = NET $0, but sold for $175, so NET = +$175
HP Printer at $129 - $100 REBATE = NET -$29, but sold for $85, so NET = +$56

Totals = -$1099 +$175 +$56 = -$868 (i.e. he spent 868 USD on his computer)

 

[Xombie11]

This is true, my bad. I didn't realize the $1527 figure included the printer/ipod as well.

 

[wirelessmacuser]

There is no free lunch...