Is MBP BTO only available from Apple?

[woolypants]

I’m in the UK and keen on the following spec:

• MBP 16in 2021
• M1 Pro (not Max)
• 32GB RAM
• 1TB storage

If you buy the higher-end MBPs from retailers you can typically save around 15% on Apple’s store prices. But I can’t find this particular config anywhere other than at Apple. Am I right in thinking that this is BTO and therefore only available from Apple?

(Note that I can find this config from a one or two retailers but they’re no-name guys and look shady.)

 

[wilberforce]

I don't know about UK, but in US that particular config is available from some retailers (like B&H), and you can order BTO from a few places other than Apple (like expercom).
In general, the disadvantage of buying from somewhere other than Apple is you don't get the 14-day return period and it is often only returnable if unopened.

 

[woolypants]

I don't know about UK, but in US that particular config is available from some retailers (like B&H), and you can order BTO from a few places other than Apple (like expercom).
In general, the disadvantage of buying from somewhere other than Apple is you don't get the 14-day return period and it is often only returnable if unopened.

Thanks! Alas, here in the UK we lack a retailer like B&H that specialises in Apple stuff. We have some stores that are like mini-Apple Stores, in that they have a part of their store that's dedicated just to Apple. One's a department store called John Lewis. But they usually don't do any of the BTO stuff, although they do often sell variations of the base level (e.g. iPad Air models with higher storage).

I'll keep searching

 

[RPhoto]

I’m in the UK and keen on the following spec:

• MBP 16in 2021
• M1 Pro (not Max)
• 32GB RAM
• 1TB storage

If you buy the higher-end MBPs from retailers you can typically save around 15% on Apple’s store prices. But I can’t find this particular config anywhere other than at Apple. Am I right in thinking that this is BTO and therefore only available from Apple?

(Note that I can find this config from a one or two retailers but they’re no-name guys and look shady.)

I have just purchased this exact spec. I looked around a lot and came to the conclusion that here in the U.K., it’s generally base specs only away from Apple. I nearly went for a Max, because a few sites were offering good deals on that (AO, Costco etc). Ultimately, had to order via Apple.

Keep an eye on the Apple refurb section, they’ve had a few 16’s come through. Just a matter of time…

 

[woolypants]

I have just purchased this exact spec. I looked around a lot and came to the conclusion that here in the U.K., it’s generally base specs only away from Apple. I nearly went for a Max

Thanks. LOL, yes, that's exactly where I am right now.

Costco does the M1 Max with 32GB and 1TB SSD for just under £3K. That extra memory bandwidth does sounds tempting even if it's rarely utilised. But, honestly, I'm just future-proofing at this point. My current MBP is still going strong after seven years, and the one before that lasted just over five years. I anticipate similar from this upcoming purchase.

Apple's currently offering a couple of refurb 16in MBP M1 Pros with 32GB and 1TB SSDs... 🤔

 

[velocityg4]

Thanks! Alas, here in the UK we lack a retailer like B&H that specialises in Apple stuff. We have some stores that are like mini-Apple Stores, in that they have a part of their store that's dedicated just to Apple. One's a department store called John Lewis. But they usually don't do any of the BTO stuff, although they do often sell variations of the base level (e.g. iPad Air models with higher storage).

I'll keep searching

BHPhotovideo ships around the world.

International | B&H Photo Video

 

[RPhoto]

Thanks. LOL, yes, that's exactly where I am right now.

Costco does the M1 Max with 32GB and 1TB SSD for just under £3K. That extra memory bandwidth does sounds tempting even if it's rarely utilised. But, honestly, I'm just future-proofing at this point. My current MBP is still going strong after seven years, and the one before that lasted just over five years. I anticipate similar from this upcoming purchase.

Apple's currently offering a couple of refurb 16in MBP M1 Pros with 32GB and 1TB SSDs... 🤔

The refurb site essentially seems to be giving the same prices as the student discount ones. I’m glad I went Pro. It arrived 5 days ahead of time and it’s a beauty!

 

[mreg376]

So the UK has no retailers that have enough sophisticated customers so that the retailer is comfortable ordering custom configurations in advance from Apple? Interesting.

 

[wilberforce]

.

So the UK has no retailers that have enough sophisticated customers so that the retailer is comfortable ordering custom configurations in advance from Apple? Interesting.

That may not be the reason. It could be UK has more customer protection requirements legally, that retailers do not want to deal with.
B&H refuses returns on computers unless it is unopened. If this is not allowed in UK, I can understand a retailer not being willing to sell a BTO computer.

 

[woolypants]

Thanks all for some very useful and interesting answers.

If you're interested, here's some peculiarities about the UK when it comes to buying computers, esp from retailers outside the UK.

(Note: there will be pedantic people who point out the following isn't 100% true 100% of the time, but it's true for the majority of situations):

1. If buying online from a UK retailer, everybody legally gets 14 days to return any item. No matter which retailer. This is NOT decided by individual retailers. Often you have to pay to ship it back to the retailer but they have no choice but to accept.
2. Everything gets a 12 month warranty (called a guarantee, here in the UK). In theory, the law says you can return items even after this if they're not fit for purpose (they break). But this is very hard to achieve legally. If you return an item within the 12 months you often get a replacement, because it's cheaper, but the retailer may attempt a free repair. That's what Apple would do if I went in with a battery that no longer charged, for example.
3. If importing from outside the UK, you usually get hit with several taxes/fees/costs.
   1. 20% import VAT: That's 20% of the TOTAL COST. Import a computer costing £2,000? Import VAT will be £400. Incidentally, the cost of the item is calculated at the time of import, so if I buy something for $3,000 to take advantage of a competitive exchange rate, then by the time the item arrives in the UK the exchange rate might've tanked, and that computer will now be valued at $3,500! That's the amount the taxes, fees etc. will be applied to.
   2. Import duties: On computers this should be zero (the UK gov thankfully realises a tech-equipped nation is useful). But I read that for personal imports a 2.5% is applied for individuals anyway? Again, that's 2.5% of the cost, so for a £2,000 laptop it'll be £50.
   3. Processing/release fee: The delivery service you use will charge you around £15 for both calculating the above, and accepting your payment. They will also keep the item until you do so.
   4. Bank fees: If you buy in dollars, your bank/credit card company will probably use a not-entirely-competitive conversion rate, and charge a fee for doing so. Even when buying domain renewals of $9.99, my bank charges me just under £1.

Of course, you might also have to pay higher shipping costs, and also insurance. And delivery is likely to take weeks. Plus, it's not unheard of for items just to disappear entirely in transit.

There are ways around all of the above. When the Sterling/Dollar exchange rate was favourable, some friends used to go on holiday to New York with a view just to shop. They would buy laptops, clothes etc. Ditch the packaging. Pretend you bought it in the UK. Even with the cost of flights, this worked out cheaper than buying in the UK.

Spoiler: SELF CENSORING—NO POLITICS!

Alas, something happened in 2017 that tanked the Sterling exchange rate and it's never recovered—and it's only getting worse.

Another way to avoid bank fees is to have a US currency bank account.

Spoiler: SELF CENSORING—NO POLITICS!

Honestly, with the UK's current rate of inflation this isn't a bad idea right now...

But there's usually a monthly fee that wipes out any potential savings.

 

[woolypants]

The refurb site essentially seems to be giving the same prices as the student discount ones. I’m glad I went Pro. It arrived 5 days ahead of time and it’s a beauty!

The poorer battery life of the M1 Max has turned me off. The Verge measured the M1 Pro at 16 hours, and the M1 Max at just 10 hours. Other people e.g. on Reddit reckon there's around a 10% battery life hit for the Max, even when just doing basic tasks.

I think the M1 Max has a particular use case, but for future-proofing just going for the M1 Pro and 32GB is probably a good plan.

> It could be UK has more customer protection requirements legally, that retailers do not want to deal with.

I suspect this is it. B&H is probably buying these BTO Macs from Apple, with the knowledge that consumer protections in the US aren't as good. For a retailer here in the UK, it's probably entirely possible to buy a load of BTO Macs from Apple for retail, but if the customer returns them then there's potential for making a loss.

Or Apple might just refuse to sell BTO to retailers. It's their choice.

 

[woolypants]

I hate to keep replying to my own post, but I popped into an Apple Store today to take a look at the 16in model.

It's just so... unremarkable. I mean, it's undoubtedly one of the best laptops in existence. Don't get me wrong.

But for day-to-day tasks it's almost just like my current 7-year-old MBP 15in from 2015. Yes, it's much faster. Nicer screen. Bigger trackpad.

But it's significantly the same otherwise. I was a bit surprised that Apple's built-in apps still take a second or two to open, for example. Even when apps like Photos or Music appear, it still takes a second or two for the app to "wake up" and for things like album art to pop-in.

I was expecting more of a night and day experience. But really it's more like day and day, just at different times of the day. The new MBP 16in is brighter, and better. But it's still daytime If you get the metaphor!

 

[wilberforce]

If buying online from a UK retailer, everybody legally gets 14 days to return any item. No matter which retailer. This is NOT decided by individual retailers. Often you have to pay to ship it back to the retailer but they have no choice but to accept.

I think this pretty much explains why retailers are not so interested in selling BTO computers in UK.

 

[RPhoto]

I hate to keep replying to my own post, but I popped into an Apple Store today to take a look at the 16in model.

It's just so... unremarkable. I mean, it's undoubtedly one of the best laptops in existence. Don't get me wrong.

But for day-to-day tasks it's almost just like my current 7-year-old MBP 15in from 2015. Yes, it's much faster. Nicer screen. Bigger trackpad.

But it's significantly the same otherwise. I was a bit surprised that Apple's built-in apps still take a second or two to open, for example. Even when apps like Photos or Music appear, it still takes a second or two for the app to "wake up" and for things like album art to pop-in.

I was expecting more of a night and day experience. But really it's more like day and day, just at different times of the day. The new MBP 16in is brighter, and better. But it's still daytime If you get the metaphor!

It sounds like you’re better off saving some money then. There’s only a need to upgrade if you do heavy lifting on a regular basis. Any computer will do the basic day to day tasks fast enough. Might be worth you holding out for the M2 variants 👌

 

[generationfourth]

Here in the US I see larger size SSD available but all machines are base model ram spec (16gb for MBP). It's a bummer because Best Buy has had ~$300 off on these machines the past few weeks. For more ram I need to go BTO.

The new 14" and 16" M1's are game changing, at first I was a little underwhelmed (nothing in the store seems that amazing) but once I had a base model 14" at home and was using it in real world scenario the differences between that and my previous fully spec i9 16" has been night and day. I can only imagine the 16" screen in all it's XDR glory...

But in the end it's just a computer.

 

[wilberforce]

I hate to keep replying to my own post, but I popped into an Apple Store today to take a look at the 16in model.

It's just so... unremarkable. I mean, it's undoubtedly one of the best laptops in existence. Don't get me wrong.

But for day-to-day tasks it's almost just like my current 7-year-old MBP 15in from 2015. Yes, it's much faster. Nicer screen. Bigger trackpad.

But it's significantly the same otherwise. I was a bit surprised that Apple's built-in apps still take a second or two to open, for example. Even when apps like Photos or Music appear, it still takes a second or two for the app to "wake up" and for things like album art to pop-in.

I was expecting more of a night and day experience. But really it's more like day and day, just at different times of the day. The new MBP 16in is brighter, and better. But it's still daytime If you get the metaphor!

I think the 2015 15" MBPs are one of the "good" MBPs - reasonably capable, having an i7 CPU and 16GB RAM, and the last of the era before the disastrous butterfly keyboards.

I find the new M1 Pro MBPs to be pretty snappy opening apps (I have a 14"), especially after the initial period when things like spotlight indexing, downloading from iCloud are being done - I suspect the store model is not representative behavior.

 

[woolypants]

I think the 2015 15" MBPs are one of the "good" MBPs - reasonably capable, having an i7 CPU and 16GB RAM, and the last of the era before the disastrous butterfly keyboards.

I find the new M1 Pro MBPs to be pretty snappy opening apps (I have a 14"), especially after the initial period when things like spotlight indexing, downloading from iCloud are being done - I suspect the store model is not representative behavior.

Totally agree. Without any shadow of a doubt, the mid-2015 15in MBP is the best laptop I've ever owned. I just couldn't complain about anything (other than the cost of the damn thing).

The 2009 Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro I had for five years before it was again the best laptop I'd ever owned.

(Sadly I can't say this about the same about the white CoreDuo MacBook or the G4 iBook before that. But the white iMac I had around the same time was excellent.)

I look forward to a new adventure with the M1 Pro 16in once it arrives. But just to add something else I noticed while in the Apple Store—it's a heavy beast. I haven't looked up the figures, but I'd estimate it's around 1/3rd heavier than the 15in MBP. Again, I was a little surprised at that.