New MacBook Pro's Appearing in Retail Inventory?

[HappySwitcher]

In September I consider waiting for the upgrade but someone in a similar forum argued that the upgrade might not come until March or later.

Thanks to that person I did not have to put up with my 3 year old COMPAQ for an extra 7 months and I have been loving my MBP 2.4 (bought new for only 2000$) ever since.

PS Switching from PC to Mac was the best electronic experience of my life (even surpassing getting a Super Nintendo)

Mart

 

[akadmon]

Here are my thoughts... and hopefully this minimizes the anguish for some of you.

Time stands still for no man, no machine, no technology.

I am purchasing a MacBook Pro this Friday. I too obsessed over this thread for a few days, but I have come to realize that my purchase is insured somewhat.

1 - If an update comes out in X days (I think 14) I can get some money back, or return it and get the new one that just came out.

2 - I am buying the absolute top end available now. 15" (i prefer 15 due to the size) 2.6GHZ, 4GB Ram, 7200 RPM 200GB HD and AppleCare. This ensures me my unit will at least still be comparable to the mid or low range model if a product line update comes within the next 6 months. I can then sell and upgrade, or wait until the next update 6 - 8 months later.

This to me seems to be win/win, and at worst, win/lose as little as possible. All in all, pretty low risk considering the way technology advances as quickly as it does. There will always be "something" better "somewhere" at "sometime" no matter what you do or when you buy.

Am I delusional?

Yes you are. You can't return a BTO machine, and yours would be (extra RAM, faster hdd). And even if you bought a stock model (which you would be wise to do for other reasons), you still have to pay a 10% restocking fee. So if you absolutely are itching to give your money away to Apple, just bring the box home and leave it unopened for the next 14 days. If the MBP is not refreshed by then, then you and your vintage 2007 MBP were meant to be together

 

[Fei810]

Newbie on the Site

Hey guys just wondering i just picked up a 2.2 GHZ SR Macbook Pro from my College apple store for 1600 no tax since i am in Oregon too. Which i think its a steal, but just wondering what you guys think on the Forum. Should i keep it or hold out. I think im only holding out for the GPU and the Processor update. You 256 vram and 6mb L2 cache is tempting but not really important for me.

 

[alaskablue]

I am planning to upgrade the RAM myself... I have one technical question though... I purchased 4GB RAM for my currrent MacBook... that RAM should work in the pro, right? They are both 667 SODIMMS....

I think so… but I would double check the brand you got to make sure it is Mac compatible / tested, I have heard Mac can be temperamental that way and you don’t want to make your new Macbook Pro a paperweight also if you Google upgrading Ram in a Macbook pro – there are lots of videos showing how people have done it.

Aside from that, I am maxxing it out from factory (I hear hard drives are a b**** to upgrade in the pros.) I know the 7200 is smaller than the largest available, but I need the speed more than the extra 50GB.

Good plan –plus with external back ups so cheap – you can keep stuff off your computer that you don’t use often… so the speed is more the priority. In regards to upgrading the hard drive – not a good idea for sure – not only is a pain to do but I heard that upgrading your hard drive yourself in a MacBook Pro will definitely void your warranty –wait until after the warranty expires to play with it!

 

[mac821]

Hey guys just wondering i just picked up a 2.2 GHZ SR Macbook Pro from my College apple store for 1600 no tax since i am in Oregon too. Which i think its a steal, but just wondering what you guys think on the Forum. Should i keep it or hold out. I think im only holding out for the GPU and the Processor update. You 256 vram and 6mb L2 cache is tempting but not really important for me.

What is with Oregon that you can get a cheaper MBP?
How can I get that deal in New York?
Which college did you get your MBP?

 

[Puckman]

Yes you are. You can't return a BTO machine, and yours would be (extra RAM, faster hdd). And even if you bought a stock model (which you would be wise to do for other reasons)

I'm curious as to why this is. I'm a soon to be new MBP user (waiting on upgrade) and about to switch over from Windoze world. So I'm new to all this. Care to elaborate on why i'm better going with a "stock" model?

 

[mac821]

Oregon edu and sales tax

I am a student from New York. I am planning to visit my relatives in Poland month of March.
I believe Apple should and better have new Macbook Pro by then.
So do you think I can buy a new MBP with Edu. price with no sales tax
in Poland Apple store with my NY student ID?
Anyone see this as problem?
Anyone bought their Mac like this way?
Please let me know so that I can prepare myself not to buy a new MBP
next Tuesday when it comes out.

 

[bitslap47]

Yes you are. You can't return a BTO machine, and yours would be (extra RAM, faster hdd). And even if you bought a stock model (which you would be wise to do for other reasons), you still have to pay a 10% restocking fee. So if you absolutely are itching to give your money away to Apple, just bring the box home and leave it unopened for the next 14 days. If the MBP is not refreshed by then, then you and your vintage 2007 MBP were meant to be together

Not being able to return a BTO machine is no big deal (didn't know that, but not a big deal anyway.)

I am more interested in the comment "which you would be wise to do for other reasons."

Please elaborate... the pre-configured options seem poor to me... no 2.6 GHZ processor and slow/small hard drives... I assume the only pre-configured in-store options are the initial options shown on the online store before you click configure.

 

[jbg232]

I'm curious as to why this is. I'm a soon to be new MBP user (waiting on upgrade) and about to switch over from Windoze world. So I'm new to all this. Care to elaborate on why i'm better going with a "stock" model?

Custom built machines on the apple store website are non-returnable once opened. Also, all products from apple which have an individualized serial number (laptops, desktops, ipods, iphones, etc.) are subject to a 10% restocking fee if opened. There is also only a 14-day return policy.

This means that if you buy a MBP today and a new one is released 10 days from now and you want to return it:

A) It has to be a stock configuration and not custom-built

AND

B) You will have to fork over 10% of the original cost just to get the newer one (which was most likely at the same cost that you spent originally because apple tends not to decrease prices, just gives you more for the same price)

That is why most people are just waiting and not buying yet.

 

[Fei810]

I am a student from New York. I am planning to visit my relatives in Poland month of March.
I believe Apple should and better have new Macbook Pro by then.
So do you think I can buy a new MBP with Edu. price with no sales tax
in Poland Apple store with my NY student ID?
Anyone see this as problem?
Anyone bought their Mac like this way?
Please let me know so that I can prepare myself not to buy a new MBP
next Tuesday when it comes out.

Mac821 i go to OSU and they we reducing the prices for the new processors i believe thats why i got it for 1600 i got the last one too. But yeah i dunno if i am going to keep it i rather have the update but paying 200 more is something i don't know if i want to do.... hard choice money vs technology damnit!

Oh and buying in Poland maybe seem like a good idea since theres no tax there right? But when i went to Japan Apple product we inflated over the US prices so i guess double check the conversion rate and see if they add markup . But it could just have been Japan since you know everything in Japan is expensive especially the air!

 

[Puckman]

Custom built machines on the apple store website are non-returnable once opened. Also, all products from apple which have an individualized serial number (laptops, desktops, ipods, iphones, etc.) are subject to a 10% restocking fee if opened. There is also only a 14-day return policy.

This means that if you buy a MBP today and a new one is released 10 days from now and you want to return it:

A) It has to be a stock configuration and not custom-built

AND

B) You will have to fork over 10% of the original cost just to get the newer one (which was most likely at the same cost that you spent originally because apple tends not to decrease prices, just gives you more for the same price)

That is why most people are just waiting and not buying yet.

I get that, but the original poster had said something about "other reasons" (which i took to mean, besides being unable to return a BTO laptop).

 

[Mindflux]

Thinking of ordering through ecomElectronics , 2.2ghz model for $1799 ish.

1650 on eBay, reputable seller. Slow shipping is the biggest complaint.

 

[mac821]

Mac821 i go to OSU and they we reducing the prices for the new processors i believe thats why i got it for 1600 i got the last one too. But yeah i dunno if i am going to keep it i rather have the update but paying 200 more is something i don't know if i want to do.... hard choice money vs technology damnit!

Oh and buying in Poland maybe seem like a good idea since theres no tax there right? But when i went to Japan Apple product we inflated over the US prices so i guess double check the conversion rate and see if they add markup . But it could just have been Japan since you know everything in Japan is expensive especially the air!

Why Japan? I am only talking about buying a MBP in Poland.
So do you think it is possible me to buy a MBP with Edu. price
from Apple store in Poland without sales tax with my NY student ID?

I mean flat out 1800 bucks for new MBP!!!

 

[jbg232]

I get that, but the original poster had said something about "other reasons" (which i took to mean, besides being unable to return a BTO laptop).

I'm not sure either what the other reasons could be but all the stock configurations are available at your local apple store and if you buy from an apple store you can have a better chance of returning without a restocking fee (if the manager knows you or something maybe) and you can try it out in the store (to check for dead pixels and keyboard problems) to be sure you didn't get a lemon.

One thing to note is that a MBP with following specs:
-17" high-res matte screen
-2.6Ghz
-200GB 7200 RPM HDD
IS available in SOME apple stores and is not considered a custom built machine at those stores. This isn't listed on apple's webpage as a stock model, but some stores carry this (and only this) custom-built configuration for $3349 US. You would be wise to check with your local store before purchasing though.

 

[Fei810]

Why Japan? I am only talking about buying a MBP in Poland.
So do you think it is possible me to buy a MBP with Edu. price
from Apple store in Poland without sales tax with my NY student ID?

I mean flat out 1800 bucks for new MBP!!!

I don't see anything wrong with it but you might want to ask around just in case . i shouln't be quoted on that

 

[vijay08]

Any link

1650 on eBay, reputable seller. Slow shipping is the biggest complaint.

Any link?

 

[Puckman]

I'm not sure either what the other reasons could be but all the stock configurations are available at your local apple store and if you buy from an apple store you can have a better chance of returning without a restocking fee (if the manager knows you or something maybe) and you can try it out in the store (to check for dead pixels and keyboard problems) to be sure you didn't get a lemon.

One thing to note is that a MBP with following specs:
-17" high-res matte screen
-2.6Ghz
-200GB 7200 RPM HDD
IS available in SOME apple stores and is not considered a custom built machine at those stores. This isn't listed on apple's webpage as a stock model, but some stores carry this (and only this) custom-built configuration for $3349 US. You would be wise to check with your local store before purchasing though.

Yeah! i've seen that configuration you mention at my Apple store.

I was actually gunning for something like the 17" "stock" model with the only upgrade being the "hi resolution" display. But that is apparently not offered in stores.

Separate question: Wouldn't getting a lemon (let's say a bad pixel) be covered under warranty/return policy even for a BTO during the first 14 days?

 

[jbg232]

Yeah! i've seen that configuration you mention at my Apple store.

I was actually gunning for something like the 17" "stock" model with the only upgrade being the "hi resolution" display. But that is apparently not offered in stores.

Separate question: Wouldn't getting a lemon (let's say a bad pixel) be covered under warranty/return policy even for a BTO during the first 14 days?

I think officially you have to have 8 dead pixels to be covered and even then I don't think anyone can tell you for sure if it's BTO. Apple's return policy (found on their website) states that the only way they will accept it for return is if it is unopened or is dead on arrival (DOA). I actually bought the 17" high end model that I listed above at my local apple store and it had one bad pixel. I brought it back that day and the store manager let me exchange it no questions asked. After that experience I will only buy at locally an apple store from now on. I would have been really upset if I had to stare at that pixel for 4 years all for just the small cost of sales tax to buy it locally. My second MBP also had a screen problem and a keyboard problem but because I purchased a "stock" model and it was physically defective I was able to RETURN it (not exchange it) WITHOUT paying a 10% restocking fee.

So to answer your question, I don't think it is guaranteed you will be able to return it if you get a bad pixel, as it will be up to the local store manager to whom you return it to. However, if you buy their product locally I believe you will have a much better chance of getting a replacement or your money back. Also, in the US a sale is not considered final until you walk out the door of the retail store so if you buy it and turn it on in the store in front of the manager and it has a dead pixel there is almost no way they will not exchange it for you. Just my two cents.

 

[peterjeter26]

balony
macbook pros are fine the way they are the next updates are gonna be around may

 

[bitslap47]

I'm not sure either what the other reasons could be but all the stock configurations are available at your local apple store and if you buy from an apple store you can have a better chance of returning without a restocking fee (if the manager knows you or something maybe) and you can try it out in the store (to check for dead pixels and keyboard problems) to be sure you didn't get a lemon.

One thing to note is that a MBP with following specs:
-17" high-res matte screen
-2.6Ghz
-200GB 7200 RPM HDD
IS available in SOME apple stores and is not considered a custom built machine at those stores. This isn't listed on apple's webpage as a stock model, but some stores carry this (and only this) custom-built configuration for $3349 US. You would be wise to check with your local store before purchasing though.

Now this is a quality post, and exactly what I was looking for. The only difference is the screen is the 17 and I wanted the 15... but since the 17 is the higher def one... I'll deal with it.

That is what I will be doing. I called my local store, they do have it, and it is returnable (minus restock fee at manager's discretion.)

Thank you sir... I would have wasted time waiting by ordering online. If you have a paypal account, let me know. I will gladly donate $10 for your excellent advice!

 

[aiterum]

balony
macbook pros are fine the way they are the next updates are gonna be around may

thanks for this

i could go on into a whole thing about how they're overpriced in the current technology department, especially when compared to other companies blah blah blah but maybe you could read the actual thread before you jump in and try to take a crap all over what everyone else has been trying to say

 

[czarny]

Why Japan? I am only talking about buying a MBP in Poland.
So do you think it is possible me to buy a MBP with Edu. price
from Apple store in Poland without sales tax with my NY student ID?

I mean flat out 1800 bucks for new MBP!!!

Poland has a VAT of 22%. That is just a tad bit higher than any sales tax you would find in the US. I may be wrong, but I did live there for 4 years. With the dollar the way it is now you are going to lose a ton of cash buying anything there. I know a couple people from there that want me to buy stuff for them here in the states and send it to them because it would save them money. Plus, in Poland, most of the time they will not recognize you as a student unless you buy one of the International Student ID cards. Some nice people will let a normal college id slide, but most of the time they will not.

 

[mac821]

Poland has a VAT of 22%. That is just a tad bit higher than any sales tax you would find in the US. I may be wrong, but I did live there for 4 years. With the dollar the way it is now you are going to lose a ton of cash buying anything there. I know a couple people from there that want me to buy stuff for them here in the states and send it to them because it would save them money. Plus, in Poland, most of the time they will not recognize you as a student unless you buy one of the International Student ID cards. Some nice people will let a normal college id slide, but most of the time they will not.

My bad...
I don't know why I kept saying Poland...
Sorry...

What I meant was buying a MBP from Portland in Oregon
with student ID from New York.
So that I can get Edu. price with no sales tax.
This should be good?

 

[Puckman]

I think officially you have to have 8 dead pixels to be covered and even then I don't think anyone can tell you for sure if it's BTO. Apple's return policy (found on their website) states that the only way they will accept it for return is if it is unopened or is dead on arrival (DOA). I actually bought the 17" high end model that I listed above at my local apple store and it had one bad pixel. I brought it back that day and the store manager let me exchange it no questions asked. After that experience I will only buy at locally an apple store from now on. I would have been really upset if I had to stare at that pixel for 4 years all for just the small cost of sales tax to buy it locally. My second MBP also had a screen problem and a keyboard problem but because I purchased a "stock" model and it was physically defective I was able to RETURN it (not exchange it) WITHOUT paying a 10% restocking fee.

So to answer your question, I don't think it is guaranteed you will be able to return it if you get a bad pixel, as it will be up to the local store manager to whom you return it to. However, if you buy their product locally I believe you will have a much better chance of getting a replacement or your money back. Also, in the US a sale is not considered final until you walk out the door of the retail store so if you buy it and turn it on in the store in front of the manager and it has a dead pixel there is almost no way they will not exchange it for you. Just my two cents.

Fair enough. Good argument for buying at the store...

 

[melchior]

My bad...
I don't know why I kept saying Poland...
Sorry...

What I meant was buying a MBP from Portland in Oregon
with student ID from New York.
So that I can get Edu. price with no sales tax.
This should be good?

That's a big difference! Yes, you will be fine buying sales tax free and with edu discount.