URGENT ADVICE NEEDED

[msingerh]

Hi guys!!
I am a girl who is living in London but is right now in LOS ANGELES.
I am thinking about buying a MACBOOK PRO.
I am a singer, so I would use this computer to compose, produce and record myself.
I am also a journalist, so I may use it to edit some videos too.

First question:
I don´t know if I should buy a MACBOOKPRO WITH RETINA OR WITHOUT RETINA. (Also, note that I can only buy the 13-inch macbookpro without retina) -.-'

Second question:

SHOULD I BUY THE MAC IN USA OR UK?
in CA
the 13-inch MACBOOKPRO no retina costs: 1310 dollars
In UK 900 pounds, which is 1400 dollars
but in UK I have a STUDENT DISCOUNT: 15%, so the mac will cost me 1092 dollars.


what I would like to do if it's possible is:
buy the MACBOOKPRO in USA with my UK STUDENT DISCOUNT (I don´t know if I can do that)
and then CLAIM THE SALES TAX at the airport when I go back to UK.

Does anyone know if I can do that?

Third question:
should I buy it in Mac store or in gainsaver, maclocks or any of these shops?

 

[\-V-/]

A brand-new non-Retina MacBook Pro is only $1,099 dollars, not $1,310 ... at least here in the U.S ... on Apple's online store. Why it's almost $1,400 on the UK store is beyond me.

You can also get a much nicer Retina MacBook Pro with a 500 GB PCI-E SSD from the Apple refurb store for less tan $1,400: http://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro

 

[z31fanatic]

Yeah, it's $1099. Not sure where she got that $1310 from. Even after the CA sales tax it doesn't total that amount.
Best Buy has it on sale for $1045. Not a whole lot but it's something.

But if I were you, I'd get the 13" Air instead. The i5/4/256 is on sale for $1140 at Best Buy ($1199 regular price)
You get more or less the same display quality, but a much lighter machine, newer processor, a much longer battery life, and the speed of the PCI-E SSDs.
No one should buy the classic MBP in my opinion. It's criminal that Apple still sells it.

 

[\-V-/]

The classic MBP also has the terrible Intel HD 4000.

 

[aroojequ]

Don't forget the UK and US models have different keyboard layouts.

 

[wolfie37]

and then CLAIM THE SALES TAX at the airport when I go back to UK.

Does anyone know if I can do that?

When you claim back the sales tax you will then be charged UK VAT (20%) and import tax. That will cost you way more than the sales tax you claimed back.

I did buy a USA spec MacBook once, the keyboard layout is slightly different but you can set it to UK Keyboard in system preferences then remember where the keys are

 

[nebo1ss]

I am pretty sure there is no system in the US the claim back the tax at the airport like we have in the UK. In fact a similar system operated in Canada many years ago but that no longer exist either. I also very much doubt you will be able to use a UK student card to get a student discount in the US.

Based on the information you provided it looks a lot like you would be better served waiting until you return and buying in London.