UPDATED: So, I have taken the biggest leap of faith ever ...

[mbp-abby]

well ... i guess that's what i'll do then, wait a while and get applecare later, off ebay. thank you all for your help.

btw ... i was in for a surprise this morning ... after ordering yesterday, apple estimated a delivery date of 19/20 March. this morning, the order status says shipped and out for delivery via UPS. its gonna be here anytime now ... less than 24 hrs after ordering ...

 

[gathart]

Didn't you go to the apple store? I got mine - also my first apple - straight away

new.. such a nice machine. why didn't i change before??

 

[mbp-abby]

It's Here!!

Just 26 hours from the time I ordered online (with a sweet discount courtesy our company's employee purchase scheme ... I must mention ) . Can't wait to dissect the package open, but will have to wait a couple of hours more to get home. Can't be doing the unpacking with child-like glee in the middle of the office .... tick tock tick tock ....

Didn't you go to the apple store?

Don't have an Apple store in Leeds, only a reseller. Nearest stores are in Sheffield or Manchester, both an hour away. My company's employee purchase scheme is direct with Apple, so not honoured at resellers.

 

[AdeFowler]

How can you resist opening it?

Hope it all works out well.

 

[mbp-abby]

Finally!!

It's here. It's been opened. And I have been drooling ever since....

Here are my observations ...

PROS

1. STUNNING screen ... my wife got a Vaio a couple of months back and I thought that screen was good, until I laid eyes on this. My wife couldn't take her eyes off the MBP ...
2. No cosmetic damages, dents, scrapes, scratches etc.
3. Lid aligned perfectly.
4. Original battery capactiy - 4600 mAh ... current ... 4867 mAh ...
5. Ran it for almost 4.5 hours yesterday on battery, 60% screen brightness, wireless on, bluetooth on, doing things like surfing, installing programs, burnt a DVD etc ... GOOD START ...
6. Gorgeous trackpad ...

CONS (I am being picky)

1. Some keys slightly misaligned (or crooked), like the H key, couple of function keys, noticeable only if you look at it along the edge ...
2. Sharp corners, really ... at times they hurt, you have to be careful. The point where the edge is grooved to make the magnetic latch cut, its really pointy sharp ... if you know what I mean ... (and hey, it's only a matter of opinion, so don't bash me up if you have an opinion different to mine).
3. Probably a stuck pixel on my screen, its a 9C84 LG. Not sure if it is a stuck pixel or a speck of dirt I cannot remove. The thing is only visible on a white screen as a shiny dot only at certain angles, not visible 99% of the time and not annoying unless you make an effort to look at it. Don't think I am going to fret over it.
4. Battery cover very slightly loose. Again, nothing you would notice immediately unless you made an effort to physically move it ...

Overall, beautifully carved machine. Probably its undoing too in my opinion - the edge could really do with a bit of smoothness. Even a fraction of a millimetre to get rid of the sharp edge and give it a smoother feel would alleviate it for me, and keep the design as pristine and smart looking as now.

post some unboxing pics

they are on the way ...

 

[Lurchdubious]

Congrats! Now let the SexyTime commence!

 

[BluInSpace]

It's here. It's been opened. And I have been drooling ever since....

Congratulations - I've also made the plunge, 17UMBP arriving early next week. Getting very excited and impatient in equal measure

 

[alphaod]

Congratulations on the computer!

Now then ... here's another total newbie comment/question ...

I hear dealing with Apple if you have issues is a lot easier if you have applecare compared to if you don't. I know, Apple are obliged (within their T&Cs) to provide warranty assistance for a whole year, its just how well you are treated if you have applecare, the hassle you may have to go through if you dont ... blah blah ... get my drift?

Or have I got it completely wrong and am fretting for no good reason? And I should just wait and get applecare later before my year is up?

Just to be completely clear, that 1 year that comes with your computer is the warranty. It only comes with 90 days of telephone support; AppleCare does not extend you warranty to 3 years, but it replaces your warranty with AppleCare support which lasts 3 years. Very big difference. A lot people assume it's all about extending the warranty to 3 years, but what you get is "priority" support which is why sometimes they can be lenient towards people with said service.