About to buy my BlackBook

[FrenchPB]

Hi guys,

After weeks and weeks of 'to buy or not to buy', I'm about to get a BlackBook (with 1GB RAM) for my personal use (music, photos, watching movies, internet browsing and office applications. I live in France but I'm about to spend two weeks in the US, so I thought I'd buy it there and save 350 euros !!

- Since I'll stay in a hotel, can I order my customized MB on the website and have it delivered there? Or is it possible to have the delivery to the closest Apple Store or Apple reseller (I'm going to Atlanta, GA).

- do you think I should wait for WWDC before placing my order. Any chance of a minor update on the MacBook line (speed jump for example, or smaller details?)

- I will also buy a Nano for my gf. Does it take a long time if I want to have it engraved?

- has anyone purcahsed a BlackBOok recently? I'd like to know if they're quick to deliver in the US.

- I would like to buy a second sleeve to protect it. Do you have any recommendation? I alraedy have a bag to carry it, but I'd want an other protection for scratches...


Thanks so much for your answers and other advices. I love this web community for all my Mac-related questions.

 

[Chundles]

Hi guys,

After weeks and weeks of 'to buy or not to buy', I'm about to get a BlackBook (with 1GB RAM) for my personal use (music, photos, watching movies, internet browsing and office applications. I live in France but I'm about to spend two weeks in the US, so I thought I'd buy it there and save 350 euros !!

- Since I'll stay in a hotel, can I order my customized MB on the website and have it delivered there? Or is it possible to have the delivery to the closest Apple Store or Apple reseller (I'm going to Atlanta, GA).

- do you think I should wait for WWDC before placing my order. Any chance of a minor update on the MacBook line (speed jump for example, or smaller details?)

- I will also buy a Nano for my gf. Does it take a long time if I want to have it engraved?

- has anyone purcahsed a BlackBOok recently? I'd like to know if they're quick to deliver in the US.

- I would like to buy a second sleeve to protect it. Do you have any recommendation? I alraedy have a bag to carry it, but I'd want an other protection for scratches...


Thanks so much for your answers and other advices. I love this web community for all my Mac-related questions.

Just go to the nearest Apple Store and order it there, ask if they have any kinds of configurations other than the default one in stock - they may do - if they do you could walk out with the model you want right away. If not and all you want is a RAM upgrade they can do that in store.

You'll have to ask them about the nano engraving.

 

[yojitani]

This is definitely something I've never done, but it seems to me like you might be able to contact the nearest store before you leave and 'pre-order' it.
The list of stores is here: http://www.apple.com/retail/ and I noticed that at the Lenox Square store (in Atlanta) has an option to 'shop online at the Lenox Square Store.' Can anyone explain this option? (I have no idea where Lenox Square is, BTW. i've only ever been to Atlanta airport!)

As for waiting for WWDC, I would say that it depends on how long you will be here afterwards. My experience buying post-WWDC is that apple is a little slow with custom builds. But if it's just ram, it should be such a biggie. Though wouldn't you want a larger HD?

yt

 

[reflex]

Do consider that it'll have a qwerty keyboard layout and not azerty, in case that's important to you.

It'll also have a U.S. power plug, though that's relatively cheap to buy extra once you're back in France.

 

[gbalex]

Hi guys,

After weeks and weeks of 'to buy or not to buy', I'm about to get a BlackBook (with 1GB RAM) for my personal use (music, photos, watching movies, internet browsing and office applications. I live in France but I'm about to spend two weeks in the US, so I thought I'd buy it there and save 350 euros !!

- Since I'll stay in a hotel, can I order my customized MB on the website and have it delivered there? Or is it possible to have the delivery to the closest Apple Store or Apple reseller (I'm going to Atlanta, GA).

- do you think I should wait for WWDC before placing my order. Any chance of a minor update on the MacBook line (speed jump for example, or smaller details?)

- I will also buy a Nano for my gf. Does it take a long time if I want to have it engraved?

- has anyone purcahsed a BlackBOok recently? I'd like to know if they're quick to deliver in the US.

- I would like to buy a second sleeve to protect it. Do you have any recommendation? I alraedy have a bag to carry it, but I'd want an other protection for scratches...


Thanks so much for your answers and other advices. I love this web community for all my Mac-related questions.

1. Contact your hotel, odds are that they'll be willing to take your packages.
2. About waiting... It's your choice... It's difficult to predict what'll happen.
3. Engraving doesn't take long.
4. I did purchase a Blackbook online last Wednesday (with an engraved iPod), both were delivered today (with free shipping)!
5. I ordered one of this.

Good luck with your choice!!!

 

[FrenchPB]

Thanks for all the quick replies (and thanks to those of you who will reply after that also).

I'll definitely consider buying the BlackBook in store. Do you know if they will grant me my student discount (I'm a MBA student at USC, working on a project in France, so I do have my student ID card).

The keyboard is not big deal as I type without looking at it, and the power plug is a minor (but important) thing to consider when you can save $400

I'm not thinking about getting a larger HD because I have an external firewire HD, so I'd rather get the MacBook with just more RAM

 

[FrenchPB]

One other question, but if I buy it in a store, do I risk to get an older 'version' when the MBs had all those problems (heat, and other things).

My assumption is that it'd be safer to order it customized online to get the latest "revision" (even though it's not considered a revision).

Thanks

 

[T-Stex]

One other question, but if I buy it in a store, do I risk to get an older 'version' when the MBs had all those problems (heat, and other things).

My assumption is that it'd be safer to order it customized online to get the latest "revision" (even though it's not considered a revision).

Thanks

I wouldn't worry too much about getting the newest version from the online store and not the physical store. I haven't heard too much as far as major problems go, and I purchased two black MacBooks a few weeks ago in an Apple Store here, without any problems.

As far as your question about a second skin for the MacBook, I'd recommend the Booq Vyper XS2. I just got one last week and I love it. It fits like a glove, and works great. You'll probably have to order online, and I think the Booq store is sold out for now. I ordered from PivotGear, and got it within 2 days. I love the Vyper sleeves, and I'll use them for any laptop I have from now on.

 

[joebells]

I personally would wait for the wwdc or at least maybe order it but leave it in the box incase something big happens its so close. Yeah there probably won't be an update but I would wait just incase.

Also if you had a friend in the us you could do the rebate and get the nano free and even get a free printer(I think that promotion is still going)