Where to buy a Powerbook G4...

[fiercetiger224]

First of all, I'm trying to figure out where I should buy a Powerbook G4. I want a 15-inch, custom-configured, 1 Ghz and a SuperDrive. BUT, I'm also on a budget.

I did plenty of research, but still haven't come to a conclusion on where to purchase this custom configured Powerbook G4. I was thinking about the Apple Store of Education, but then you would have to account for paying sales tax. If I did the 1 Ghz with a SuperDrive, the total would end of being $1,979.00 without sales tax. In GA, the sales tax would be 0.7%. So the tax would be around $138, ending up with a grand total of about $2117.

If I ordered from MacMall, I would get a crap load of freebies, but then I'll have to end up paying for those first as you have to send in rebates to get your damn money back. And sales tax doesn't apply for my area, which is pretty cool. But then, do they offer education discounts?

A few questions about MacMall. The education discounts don't apply there do they? And can you custom-configure a system online? I haven't found a way too...Maybe you have to call them. -.-

Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MoparShaha]

You can only custom configure a Mac through Apple's Online Store. If you want one, you have to buy from them.

 

[fiercetiger224]

Ahh.....I thought so. I also thought that MacMall used to do custom-configured systems...But I may be wrong. Thanks for your help!

Oh well, I guess I'll have to end up buying the Powerbook with extra bucks. -.-

Damn, the 1.25 Ghz is $300 off with the education discount as compared to $200 off the 1 Ghz. But is it really that much better than a 1 Ghz model? Or faster rather...Anyways I don't need the backlit keyboard at all and don't need AirPort Extreme yet.

Any suggestions on what to buy or where to buy? Thanks for any more help!

 

[jxyama]

like you mentioned, edu. discount is bigger for the 1.25 GHz. $100 difference, right? so it's (after taxes):

$2139 for superdrive 1 GHz.

$2460 for stock 1.25 GHz. (which comes with superdrive)

For $320 difference, you get twice the RAM, 20 GB more in HD, lit keyboard and airport extreme.

RAM is not a big deal, because you can pay $100 or so and get a 512 MB chip for your 1 GHz machine with one slot open. you can't do the same with the 1.25 GHz because it comes with 2 DIMMs of 256 MB each.

HD is up to you...

you already mentioned that the lit keyboard is not needed...

airport extreme will make the price difference $100 less, if you decide to purchase it later.

so i think for your need, i'd get the 1 GHz model.

the only time this would break down is if you happen to travel to a state with no sales tax (such as NH or DE), you can stop by an apple retail store there and pick up a stock 1.25 GHz (no BTO, so no waiting) with no sales tax and full edu. discount! (which would be $2299 so you'd get all the benefits of 1.25 GHz above for only $160 more...)

 

[agentmouthwash]

I ordered mine from Macmall.
I got the free printer, ram, and other stuff.
They do customizing too!
I wanted the 5400 Hard Drive and that's what I got. You just have to ask them and they will put a sales specialist on the phone.

 

[fiercetiger224]

Hmm...So you CAN customize systems at MacMall. Just as I thought, but you'd have to call them to do that right?

And if I do customize a system from them, Apple themselves are going to be the ones "building" it right? Or are there technicians at MacMall who build them? Not that I care, but I'm wondering if I could get the SuperDrive with the 1 Ghz model instead of the Combo Drive.

The funny thing is, I put my order in 2 nights ago for my customized system at the Apple Store of Education, and they still haven't shipped it yet! At least they send an email confirming that they've shipped it, but they haven't sent me an email yet... -.- I also had regular ground shipping, which is around 5-7 bus. days. If MacMall can ship it in the next day or 2 days, then maybe I should cancel my order and just order from them?

So, agentmouthwash, which model did you end up buying? The 1.25 Ghz model or the 1 Ghz model?

Whoever can give me more advice, thanks again!