$320 is what I got quoted from a local Apple Service provider/reseller to purchase and install the Airport/Bluetooth combo card for my computer. This upgrade is for my Quad 2.5 which does not take the regular Airport or Bluetooth upgrades. I have heard other say they paid only $100 or so for this upgrade. Seeking advice from anyone who has had Airport or bluetooth installed after purchase.
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$320 for AirportBluetooth Card!!!!!!
- Thread starter Little Endian
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Little Endian said:
You can get the AP card off eBay for around $70 and the Apple Store sells a Bluetooth Module Kit (module, screws and external antenna) for about the same. I've also seen the Module Kit on eBay, so look there for both if you're willing to do it yourself.
Little Endian said:
Sounds like a ripper to me, but then again, just about everything Apple/mac related is more expensive once off the mainland US, yes ?
SmurfBoxMasta said:
True almost everything here in Hawaii costs more. Apple/Mac related stuff on the other hand costs the same as anywhere else in the U.S. I have seen the combo cards for sale on various sites selling for about $99. The guy I spoke to at the Apple reseller did'nt even know what I was talking about when I called to inquire about the upgrade and said he would call me back. Upon recieving the call back I am quoted $320.87 for the upgrade!! I ask why when the cards go for about $99 and even with shipping to Hawaii it's still way less than $120.
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Id=4069415&JRSource=google.datafeed.APP+MA252G/A
The guy explains to me that there are three parts that have to be ordered and it's difficult to install. Sounds full of it to me!! Also seeing how they are an Apple Authorized service provider they should be able to acquire the part directly from Apple at an even cheaper price than at J&R.com
I however decided not to argue with the guy as he was either trying to rip me off or he was grossly mistaken, either way that helped me make up my mind there and then that I did'nt want this particular Apple Service provider to even touch my computer.
After dealing with the stupid Reseller/Service provider I decide to go to the one and only Apple Retail store in Hawaii to see a Genius. Upon arriving the place is packed as usual and they apparently don't take appointments unless you have ProCare. The instore Genius bar reservation system seemed to be offline due to excessive volume of people wanting to talk to a genius about ipod related issues. Really, the Genius bar was full of people with ipods. Makes me wonder if Apple should call the place "ipod store" cause that's all they seem to care about.
Anyhow to make a long story short I ask a sales clerk to see a Genius and they tell me the wait time is over an hour!! Way to long for me to wait so I leave. I then call AppleCare to get at least a price quote and after talking to three people I realized they were absolutely clueless and I was pretty much told to go to an Apple Store.
Crap I would do it myself but I don't want to void my warranty and I also have an issue with my rear exhaust fan that needs to be looked at by an Apple tech. Sorry for the rant but damn I'm mad. Apple sure made it an ordeal to get the simplest of things done.
I paid 100 for a wireless card to go in my mac mini.
That doesn't include bluetooth and it's the ordinary module.
Still, I think $320 is way too much.
That doesn't include bluetooth and it's the ordinary module.
Still, I think $320 is way too much.
Little Endian said:
honestly, that IS what they are. For the masses:
Apple = iPod
iPod = Apple
Store = Store
Logically:
Apple Store = iPod Store
Little Endian said:
The newer Apple Stores are opening up with an Ipod Bar AND a Genius Bar. I know this doesn't help you much, just FYI.
nrd said:
unfortunately your options are really limited here. you can't use the AP card in the Quad, and i'm not sure if you can use the bluetooth only module either. you need a quad specific wireless module, and for all i know they may cost 320 dollars. when people have been getting theirs for 100, often they're for mac minis.. afaik they are a different module. they should cost the same, but you know apple...