View Full Version : Buy Online or in Store?
Is it better to buy hardware online or in an Apple Store, especially when getting BTO upgrades? I'm looking at getting a MacBook with at least a RAM upgrade but possibly a hard drive upgrade as well. When my brother purchased a MacBook in store with a RAM upgrade he went home with the RAM removed from the computer as well for some reason. Is there an added charge for upgrades done on site? Or is there some sort of discount like there is for .Mac and iLife in the Apple Stores?
Try and get the RAM from someplace other than Apple as they charge an awful lot for it - newegg.com seem to get good reviews on here.
I'm in the UK, and I ordered a BTO 15" MBP which clocked in at £2100 on the online store. I paid just over £1700 for it over the phone, if memory serves - the thread is around if you search for it.
I would always, always go for the phone option: the website can NEVER just give you a discount or cut you a good deal - over the phone you're talking to a person with a (limited, admittedly) capacity to do so. So I'd say go with the phone or in-store.
Windowsrookie
2007-02-01, 19:27
Try and get the RAM from someplace other than Apple as they charge an awful lot for it - newegg.com seem to get good reviews on here.
If you're not buying a MacPro they are actually pretty decent.
But, you are charged more in store for RAM upgrades, because they give you the old RAM too. You cannot upgrade the HD in store as far as I know.
If you're not buying a MacPro they are actually pretty decent.
Maybe. Their notebook memory is $15 more expensive than the first result I found on Newegg.com for a 512MB stick.
So the reason my brother ended up with his old RAM is because he was still charged for it huh... Well I personally love NewEgg. I actually used them to build many systems prior to my Mac switch.
I guess I'm a little confused as to the value of buying from NewEgg though. According to my research, the MacBook uses DDR2 PC2-5300 notebook RAM. Buying 2 GB of runs around $180 plus shipping (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Category=17&N=2030170381+1309121117&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=381&Description=DDR2+PC2%2D5300&Ntk=all) but the upgrade cost at Apple only costs $175. Granted, there an initial cost of the RAM built into the base price of the MacBook, but isn't it cheaper to go the Apple route here or am I missing something? Again, I'm referring to in-store prices as the online store prices are pretty straight forward.
Windowsrookie
2007-02-01, 19:46
If you buy the RAM in store, they will open up your MacBook and put it in, in store. You will get the old RAM too, but it will cost you more, and Apple has to go in the back and spend time opening and installing the RAM. Also, if you want a Higher capacity HD, Apple won't do that in store.
Personally, I just like the idea of being the "First" to open it up. :)
So the reason my brother ended up with his old RAM is because he was still charged for it huh... Well I personally love NewEgg. I actually used them to build many systems prior to my Mac switch.
I guess I'm a little confused as to the value of buying from NewEgg though. According to my research, the MacBook uses DDR2 PC2-5300 notebook RAM. Buying 2 GB of runs around $180 plus shipping (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Category=17&N=2030170381+1309121117&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=381&Description=DDR2+PC2%2D5300&Ntk=all) but the upgrade cost at Apple only costs $175. Granted, there an initial cost of the RAM built into the base price of the MacBook, but isn't it cheaper to go the Apple route here or am I missing something? Again, I'm referring to in-store prices as the online store prices are pretty straight forward.
In general, buying RAM from Apple is not a good choice. However, at the moment, Apple is the better deal on MacBook (and MacBook Pro?) RAM.
As far as buying the hardware itself goes, I prefer to buy in-store, but I have bought online as well. I just prefer to go to the store so I don't have to wait. I'm an impatient SOB, and I like to have stuff right away. :p
Also, if you want a Higher capacity HD, Apple won't do that in store.
When it comes to hard drives NewEgg would surely be a cheaper option it seems as a Seagate 120 GB SATA notebook drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Category=15&N=2010150380+130971534+1035907918&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=380) is $50 less then the Apple option. And since you say they don't do those in store that is almost a no brainier.
In general, buying RAM from Apple is not a good choice. However, at the moment, Apple is the better deal on MacBook (and MacBook Pro?) RAM.
I just prefer to go to the store so I don't have to wait. I'm an impatient SOB, and I like to have stuff right away. :p
I guess it looks like my best option would be to buy the base model in store as the advantage is getting it now with the trade off of paying tax. Doing all the upgrades myself also looks like the way to go. I assume the Tiger DVD that comes with the MacBook will allow for the install onto the new HDD? :o (this will be my first Mac upgrade).
Windowsrookie
2007-02-01, 20:04
Yes.
NosferaDrew
2007-02-01, 21:35
jdcfsu, check out MacPrices (http://www.pcprices.net/macbook.shtml) for the best online deal (and the best bundles offered).
You can use the money you saved by not paying tax on AppleCare - or on faster shipping like I usually do! :)
Then, when you order your HD from New Egg, add a 2.5" FireWire enclosure to your order so that you can use the original HD from your MacBook as extra storage.
Once you replace the HD in the MacBook and pop the original drive in the enclosure, you can use Disk Utility to clone the drive to your new one in the MacBook.
It's easy!
Thank you Drew. I had planned on adding the enclosure, though cloning the drive is a great idea. Also thanks for reminding me I need to plan for AppleCare as well.
...
Then, when you order your HD from New Egg, add a 2.5" FireWire enclosure to your order so that you can use the original HD from your MacBook as extra storage.
Once you replace the HD in the MacBook and pop the original drive in the enclosure, you can use Disk Utility to clone the drive to your new one in the MacBook.
It's easy!
I haven't been able to find a FW enclosure. Can you link to one?
Windowsrookie
2007-02-01, 21:57
These are USB 2.0 stilll looking for firewire.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Category=9&N=2010090092+1053807124+1054107131&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=92
EDIT: All I can find are 3.5" SATA FireWire drives.
See, I need FW because I need to be able to install OS X on it for my ease of use.
I did find this one (http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/MSTG800U2K/). It's the only SATA to FW I have found.
You need FW in order to boot from the drive right? Without a FW enclosure I'll still need to just install fresh on the new hard drive using the Tiger DVD?
Windowsrookie
2007-02-01, 22:06
yes.
You need FW in order to boot from the drive right? Without a FW enclosure I'll still need to just install fresh on the new hard drive using the Tiger DVD?
As WR said, yes. If you want to be able to boot off of this drive or install the OS on it you have to have FW. I need a device I can install the OS onto for my Clamshell endeavors. :) I have my old 60GB from my MB sitting here with nothing to do with it. I have no enclosure to connect it to so I can't even use it. I'm not going to buy a USB enclosure for it since I need FW. $90 seems to high for me to have access to this drive right now. I was hoping more would be available by now.
BTW, I put a 160GB drive (https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Hitachi/0A28844/) in my MB and used my Mini to install the new OS on it via Target Disk Mode via SuperDuper!.
NosferaDrew
2007-02-01, 23:53
I haven't been able to find a FW enclosure. Can you link to one?
Here are nine of them (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Category=9&N=2010090092+1053807124+1054107130+1054207135&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=92&Description=2%2E5%22+enclosure&Ntk=all) $16-49. Pick your poison!
Here are nine of them (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Category=9&N=2010090092+1053807124+1054107130+1054207135&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=92&Description=2%2E5%22+enclosure&Ntk=all) $16-49. Pick your poison!
Problem, those are for IDE drives. :( MB has SATA.
NosferaDrew
2007-02-02, 00:44
Ah! Overlooked that bit of info, didn't I. :D
CoolDrives (http://www.cooldrives.com/sataenclosures.html) has a few with varying degrees of bulkiness and cost.
Here's one (http://www.cooldrives.com/2sahddencosa.html) for $100. :eek:
We have a few of those OWC enclosures at work that turtle linked above. They're very nice.
Ah! Overlooked that bit of info, didn't I. :D
CoolDrives (http://www.cooldrives.com/sataenclosures.html) has a few with varying degrees of bulkiness and cost.
Here's one (http://www.cooldrives.com/2sahddencosa.html) for $100. :eek:
We have a few of those OWC enclosures at work that turtle linked above. They're very nice.
Those are good links, thanks.
I still haven't figured out why they charge so much to go from SATA to FW/USB. Are the chips really that expensive? :confused:
Hey, I just wanted to thank everyone for their input. I purchased the MacBook at my local Apple Store and picked up a hot off the truck Airport Extreme while I was there. I also purchased the Travelstar hard drive that Turtle suggested, though I found it for $20 less on NewEgg. Thanks again for all your help and suggestions.
Windowsrookie
2007-02-02, 16:16
Why would you leave me this negative feedback for helping out?
you don't need the period :)
Hey, I just wanted to thank everyone for their input. I purchased the MacBook at my local Apple Store and picked up a hot off the truck Airport Extreme while I was there. I also purchased the Travelstar hard drive that Turtle suggested, though I found it for $20 less on NewEgg. Thanks again for all your help and suggestions.
Cool, I think I want one to the Airport Extreme base station. I just haven't made the decision yet.
I'm glad you got the drive cheaper. It was $200 when I bought it a few months ago.
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