VeeshanVault

As much as I'm against Apple from a pc/laptop point of view, I'm sort of interested in buying one for app development purposes, plus my old laptop is old and huge and heavy. That said, I've been thinking about getting a Macbook Air. Is there any place that is less expensive to buy them than anywhere else? My corporation has a corporate discount with apple that doesn't seem to be particularly helpful, so if anyone has any recommendations, I'm all ears.

Thanks!

Suck it up and render thine tithe to the throne of Zombie Steve Jobs.

Line up to buy one at an Apple™ Store

Serious question, what is considered huge and heavy for a laptop these days? Over 7 lbs or more like 9?

My work laptop is about 5 1/2 lbs and that seems pretty light. My old thinkpad is a little over 7 lbs and that didn't seem too bad either.

Wish I could help you on the purchasing front, never owned a mac. Does the apple store charge a premium?

Can you even find much price variance with Macs? I have always seen them to be at the same, or VERY close, price regardless of the retailer.

Chidoro wrote:Serious question, what is considered huge and heavy for a laptop these days? Over 7 lbs or more like 9?

I have what was a pretty serious "desktop replacement" with a 17" monitor from dell like 5 or 6 years ago. I think it probably weighs 15lbs.

Boogahz wrote:Can you even find much price variance with Macs? I have always seen them to be at the same, or VERY close, price regardless of the retailer.

That was why I was curious if there was anywhere better. I did just realize that since my wife works for the University of Michigan, I may be able to get the best price using their educational discount. That's where I've decided to try next, anyway.

I purchased my MacBook Pro at Amazon.com. It was cheaper than the same MacBook Pro with a student discount at Apple.com.

Usually the big universities have a different channel that gets bigger discounts than what they will show on their webpage, and those savings are not passed on to the students

Microcenter usually has all macbooks shown at retail, but they do a 100 bucks off. they just can't advertise and stuff. from my understanding, its like mercedez benz...you sell at thier prices, and their discounts only, or you aren't a certified retailer anymore. Its very nazi germany.

but i get an email a week showing 100 bux off apple macbook's from microcenter.not much of a discount.

Apple products rarely/never go on sale.
Educational institutions offer the best discounts... however, you pretty much need to be a student.
Some workplaces have a partnerships with computer manufacturers like Lenovo, Dell and Apple. The discounts you get with the 'Apple Employee Purchase Program' are pretty fucking terrible.... usually around 7%.

I just looked up the EPP price for the ipad2... you save $8 (a 2% discount). ROFL

Wait.

When they roll out the new Macbook Airs in a few months, you might be able to grab one of the current models at a lower price.

Also, I wouldn't get a MacBook Air.

Spang wrote:Also, I wouldn't get a MacBook Air.

That's a thorough and well thought-out argument. Thanks.

Drolgin Steingrinder wrote:

Spang wrote:Also, I wouldn't get a MacBook Air.

That's a thorough and well thought-out argument. Thanks.

yeah, it was pretty rare...even for him

Drolgin Steingrinder wrote:

Spang wrote:Also, I wouldn't get a MacBook Air.

That's a thorough and well thought-out argument. Thanks.

I'd get a MacBook Pro instead. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is just 4.5 pounds and a much better laptop for about the same price. With a MacBook Pro you'll get more memory and storage, more connections and expansions, and a DVD drive. If Sylvus is looking to purchase an overpriced netbook, then he should definitely get a MacBook Air. But if he wants a really great laptop, he should get a MacBook Pro.

Whether it's the Air or the Pro, there seems to be a good case for waiting a little:

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/02/29/thi ... -in-april/

Rumors as of yet, but even if it's "just" an upgrade to ivy bridge, the boost in onboard graphics could make it worth it.

Oh, and go here for a dock for it.

Just got my Dell XPS13z and I love it... very fast and snappy, there are some kinks being worked out with the fan/touchpad drivers, but otherwise it rocks. Also I like the feel better than the Macbook air's and other ultrabooks that I have seen...

and of course, the bottom being carbon fiber is pretty cool.

If you are going to buy an apple product though, i would seriously suggest only buying through the online applestore refurb dept.... Apple's refurbs are just as good as new in my experience.