Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

How did you pay for your computer purchase?

  • Various Financing option (Within the USA)

    Votes: 9 8.6%
  • Paid Cash (Within the USA)

    Votes: 62 59.0%
  • Various Financing option (Outside the USA)

    Votes: 2 1.9%
  • Paid Cash (Outside the USA)

    Votes: 30 28.6%
  • Other: explained below

    Votes: 4 3.8%

  • Total voters
    105
I used 12 months Barclays card interest free. Then made timely payments before the interest penalty. Note: I had the cash...however If you can get an interest free option ..use it. Take the money and put it in a savings account that earns interest. You get the best of both worlds...you make a few dollars interest and you make your credit look good.
 
I'm surprised how many people decided to finance their Macs.

I paid for mine all up front.
 
Last edited:
Paid cash.. don't think I will ever finance a computer, unless I'm doing something stupid like buying a completely maxed out Mac Pro.
 
Yes, but he is not an accomplice in this.

If the retailer gave a similar discount for cash, to offset the credit over-head, the C.C. company will pull their card from his store.

Few retailers could stand this punishment.

but at the same time, the convenience of credit cards make me more likely to purchase things (especially online), so the stores get higher sales too.
 
Well my purchases are paid in full on the day with credit card for the points on the card.

The going rates for personal loans and hire-purchase are incredibly high. From the times I did the numbers, hire-purchase at the end of the standard length 24-month contract means you end up paying +60% of the RRP, far away and beyond the local interest rates. And personal loans are only marginally better.
 
I bought two iMac's and a MBP, all with cash inside the US. There's no way I will go into debt and pay interest for a computer.
 
If you must finance (and not with a 0% deal), you are, perhaps, better served to buy a much less expensive PC.
 
If I could get a 0% financing I'd go that route, being sure, I paid it off prior to the accrued interest being applied. Other then that I've used cash and at time a credit card.

My latest purchases have all been cash, I'm on a roll to reduce my credit card balances, so my goal is to see a smaller balance each month - that's kind of hard to do if I charged a computer purchase ;)
 
I considered just stealing it, but decided I better go ahead and purchase it.

Yeah - the problem with stealing it is that you never know what config you get, and you can't always be sure to what extent it will be worth the risk.

Btw, I think it's ok to "finance" the computer as long as you pay it back before the 0% period is over. Not only because of bonus points and extra protection, but also because you keep your own money in the bank longer and gain interest on it.
 
Last edited:
Unless it's one of those "no interest for 12 months" things. Then it's an awesome deal - it's just so much easier to pay ~$200 a month, and pay it all off before the 12 months is up, and you didn't pay interest at all.

Otherwise, I agree that to finance a computer is absolutely stupid.

i don't understand, when you people say cash you mean you go with 1500$ in your pocket and buy the laptop? cuz THAT seems stupid.
well obviously you'd buy it with "no interest for 12months", i don't think they sell otherwise (at least here in Greece). It's pretty obvious that if you buy it as "x per month for 12 months" it's gonna be the same price as buying it directly. so why would you get it directly? ^^
 
i don't understand, when you people say cash you mean you go with 1500$ in your pocket and buy the laptop? cuz THAT seems stupid.
well obviously you'd buy it with "no interest for 12months", i don't think they sell otherwise (at least here in Greece). It's pretty obvious that if you buy it as "x per month for 12 months" it's gonna be the same price as buying it directly. so why would you get it directly? ^^

People most often mean "paid right away, with cash/check/debit/etc" when they say "paid with cash."

Most people do not actually have the money, in cash, when they purchased their macs :)
 
paid with cold hard $100 bills :cool:

LOL, I paid in cold hard cash for a Mac once (it was a black MacBook way back then I think). The "specialist" was at a complete loss when I plunked the bills on the counter. Even had to go in the back to get the manager to handle the transaction.
 
If you need to finance a computer to "afford" it, you don't need it. There are public computers for use for free at libraries, schools, etc. Don't pretend that you need a MBP to complete your studies. That's complete BS.
 
paid with cold hard $100 bills :cool:

LOL, I paid in cold hard cash for a Mac once (it was a black MacBook way back then I think). The "specialist" was at a complete loss when I plunked the bills on the counter. Even had to go in the back to get the manager to handle the transaction.

^^ Same :D
I believe they had to take it back to verify the $

If you need to finance a computer to "afford" it, you don't need it. There are public computers for use for free at libraries, schools, etc. Don't pretend that you need a MBP to complete your studies. That's complete BS.

I agree... somewhat. You certainly might not need a MBP ... and a $400 laptop would suffice but I'm not sure that you don't completely need a computer.
 
I put it one my credit card, because in the UK doing that gives you extra protection should anything go wrong. I then paid the entire amount off when the bill came a couple of weeks later.

I don't want any loans apart from student loans and one day a mortgage.
 
I stick it on my charge card, which automatically pays the full balance off at the end of every month. It means I get points and purchase protection as with a credit card but with absolutely no chance that I'll pay a penny in interest :)
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.