Apple Care and buy online or from Apple Store

[YunusEmre]

Hello all, new member here I am looking to buy a 14" Powerbook, I am wondering if I should order online or go to the Apple Store (about 5 miles from where I live ). What do you think?

Also do you think it is worth getting addtional warranty (Apple Care)?

Any other suggestions, advice? This will be my 1st Apple Computer (I already own iPods).

Edit: I want at least 1GB, should I get 2 x 512s from Apple?

thanks,
yunus

 

[radiantm3]

Hello all, new member here I am looking to buy a 14" Powerbook, I am wondering if I should order online or go to the Apple Store (about 5 miles from where I live ). What do you think?

Also do you think it is worth getting addtional warranty (Apple Care)?

Any other suggestions, advice? This will be my 1st Apple Computer (I already own iPods).

thanks,
yunus

Buying at the store is better unless you want a built-to-order machine. It's much easier to return if you are having problems and you don't have to worry about ups/fedex throwing your computer around.

And yes I highly suggest applecare for the powerbook. There are a lot of things that can randomly go wrong (display problems, hard drives dying, etc).

 

[muffinman]

Hello all, new member here I am looking to buy a 14" Powerbook, I am wondering if I should order online or go to the Apple Store (about 5 miles from where I live ). What do you think?

1st of all there is not 14 inch powerbook the ibook right? lol

go to the apple store and get it. its close, and you there are no shipping fees. plus u can make sure its not broken, and u get it instantly

 

[YunusEmre]

Thanks for your replies guys. I meant to say 15" PB. I think I'll go to the store and pick one up. I can upgrade the memory later by getting single 1GB card. Anybody know of a place I can get 1GB RAM that will work with new 15" PB?

 

[YunusEmre]

I've called the local Apple Store, they said they can install additional memory. It will take about 1 1/2 hours (too long for memory but perhaps they need to test it?). I searched the net, I could find Apple approved memory for the 1.67GHz PB under $199 so I am getting it from Apple instead. So I'll be going to the store and picking up a 15" PB with single 1GB card and Apple Care

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Buying at the store is better unless you want a built-to-order machine. It's much easier to return if you are having problems and you don't have to worry about ups/fedex throwing your computer around.

Right on with this info. Though the Apple Retail Stores do have a restocking fee. Local authorized resellers might not.

And yes I highly suggest applecare for the powerbook. There are a lot of things that can randomly go wrong (display problems, hard drives dying, etc).

I recommend Apple Care with any Mac purchase. Had issues with my PB and the SDD. And am now having the same with my eMac SDD! Glad I have Apple Care on both, along with my iMac G5 20".

I've called the local Apple Store, they said they can install additional memory. It will take about 1 1/2 hours (too long for memory but perhaps they need to test it?). I searched the net, I could find Apple approved memory for the 1.67GHz PB under $199 so I am getting it from Apple instead. So I'll be going to the store and picking up a 15" PB with single 1GB card and Apple Care

OWC, whom I have used, is offering 1GB memory for the 15" PB at $135-155. According to Apple Store web pricing (EDU) that module will cost you $300!

The only benefit in paying Apples price is that if you have a problem under warranty or Apple Care, they will address it.

For myself I did Centon memory from CompUSA on my iMac G5 (hey they had a great price after the rebate). Had a module fail last week (only after thinking that I should revert to the original Apple memory before taking it in (had a Kernel panic). Then did the swaps, to find out that I had a bad module. It took Centon over a week to respond to my first call. Will now have to call on Monday to see what they will do for me.

When I bought memory for my PB, I did test call to OWC. Got a live person within 15 minutes. Felt guilty that I did not have a problem, but it does show that there are differences in support.

 

[Veritas&Equitas]

Bad call on getting it installed in store. They charge like $30 and really overprice extra memory. Get some of the DDR2 So-Dimm stuff off newegg.com. They have a gig selling for $80-85, and it's probably the easiest thing in the world to install yourself. Much better deal in my opinion...

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Bad call on getting it installed in store. They charge like $30 and really overprice extra memory. Get some of the DDR2 So-Dimm stuff off newegg.com. They have a gig selling for $80-85, and it's probably the easiest thing in the world to install yourself. Much better deal in my opinion...

You are right installing memory in most any Mac is easy. As to the cost of install, at least at the Tysons store they do not charge if it is new system purchase. Or at least they did.

As to prices of RAM. I found out that it does matter on where you buy. OWC was quick to respond. So far Centon gets a big fat ZERO in my book in waiting over a week to respond to my message that I left, when they could not answer in a timely fashion.

How does Newegg rank in responsiveness?

 

[Veritas&Equitas]

I didn't ask any questions when I ordered mine. People said my Crucial OEM 1 gig stick would work, so I went ahead and ordered it. Sure enough, 3 days later, it ends up at my door (I got 3 day shipping). Newegg is always the best in my opinion. All of the specs in my sig were ordered from them, in addition to many other things I've ordered. Newegg is always incredible. Fast shipping, great customer service, great anything. I know I practically sound like a Newegg employee, but they really are that good. There's a reason that most anyone I know that builds a PC gets their parts through them, in addition to any other techie stuff

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

I didn't ask any questions when I ordered mine. People said my Crucial OEM 1 gig stick would work, so I went ahead and ordered it. Sure enough, 3 days later, it ends up at my door (I got 3 day shipping). Newegg is always the best in my opinion. All of the specs in my sig were ordered from them, in addition to many other things I've ordered. Newegg is always incredible. Fast shipping, great customer service, great anything. I know I practically sound like a Newegg employee, but they really are that good. There's a reason that most anyone I know that builds a PC gets their parts through them, in addition to any other techie stuff

Just as I do at times for OWC!!!

 

[YunusEmre]

Thank you all for your advice. If needed I can install the memory myself. The reason why I decided to get the memory from Apple is that I've read here that some non-apple approved memory have given trouble (like NoVaMac) and the price of upgrading from 1 x 512 to 1 x 1GB is $200 (2 x 1GB is $300). 1 x 1GB price on Apple is probably $50-$70 more than what I should pay, but I am thinking it may save me calls to OWC or NewEgg or whoever.

If the store wants to charge me for the upgrade, I'll walk away and order online. When I talked to them on the phone, they did not mention a charge for the upgrade. But I'll ask before I put down the credit card

 

[FFTT]

If you're buying at the local AppleStore and qualify
for the education discount, be sure to take your
student I.D. with you.

Crucial OWC, Datamen and Newegg are all very reliable retailers for RAM and extras.

As long as you match the required RAM specifications EXACTLY, you shouldn't have any problem with 3rd party RAM.
Apple RAM is highly overpriced and that money could go to better use, like for buying software or other
handy accessories

 

[YunusEmre]

OWC sells several 1 GB modules, priced from $112 to $149 Which one do you recommend?

 

[FFTT]

If you can afford the Samsung DIMMs, that's your best bet at OWC.

Even so, check out Datamem and Crucial.

Newegg sells Crucial RAM cheaper than Crucial, but you have to know exactly
what to order.

Another member here bought his Crucial 1 GB DIMM at Newegg for $108.00

Datamem listed the same RAM for $144.00 but also sold the generic for $104
plus $7.00 S & H

 

[YunusEmre]

Thanks FFTT, I think I'll order 2 of SAMSUNG 1 GB modules, but first I'll pick up the PB from the store when they open

 

[denial]

What about buying Applecare via auction sites such as Ebay? Are these legit? Some good discounts to be had.

 

[FFTT]

Thanks FFTT, I think I'll order 2 of SAMSUNG 1 GB modules, but first I'll pick up the PB from the store when they open

You're quite welcome.

Just make sure that you are ordering DDR2 RAM for the NEW 15" PB.

The iBooks, the 12" PB and PREVIOUS 15" and 17"
used PC2700.

The NEW 15" and 17 " DDR2 PB's require

Module Size: 2GB kit (1GBx2)
Package: 200-pin SODIMM
Feature: DDR2 PC2-4200
Configuration: 128Meg x 64
DIMM Type: UNBUFFERED
Error Checking: NON-ECC
Speed: 533
SDRAM Timings: CL=4
Specs: DDR2 PC2-4200 • CL=4 • UNBUFFERED • NON-ECC • DDR2-533 • 1.8V • 128Meg x 64

Crucial sells this 2 GB kit for $277.99

Newegg sells the exact same Crucial RAM
for $110.16 ea. or $220.32
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145097

Datamem has the same specs for $99.00 each or a total of $198.00
http://www.datamem.com/viewcat.asp_Q_C_E_1173

 

[YunusEmre]

Thanks again. Now that I've my new 15" PB I'll order from one of those

 

[MRU]

Thanks again. Now that I've my new 15" PB I'll order from one of those

Crucial are very good. Not the cheapest, but cheaper than Apple and delivery is usually 24 hours later. They use guaranteed Apple supported parts so you know it will be fine and they offer lifetime guarantee.


I found buying Apple care from Apple always to be too expensive. The main apple repair center here in Ireland will sell you the Apple care for 33% less than Apple Store offer the same. Srange. I know this doesn't help you as you are in the states, but it may be worth shopping around.

You don't have to have Apple care straight away either. You can add it at any point over your first year waranty. I usually wait until the end of the year as if I decide to upgrade before the year is out, I've not wasted 300-400 Euro on Apple Care that I wont benefit from.

 

[YunusEmre]

Thanks MacRumorUser, I will take a look at the crucial web site. As for the applecare, I already bought mine. I am guessing no matter when you buy it, the 3 years starts from the purchase date of the PB?

Now I have another question about memory, should I buy 1 GB and use it with my existing 512MB for a total of 1.5GB RAM (I am guessing I can do that?), or should I buy 1GB x 2 and try to sell my 512MB module?

 

[FFTT]

You should probably keep the factory RAM until you're sure your
machine is completely trouble free.

Even though you could sell your stock 512 DIMM, it may pay for itself
if your machine needs repair.

If anything does go wrong while you're under warranty, it makes things much less complicated to take your machine to repair without any 3rd party hardware.

I just took my G5 in to have a blown modem replaced.
Before doing so, I removed all 3rd party RAM and my Primary Seagate 250
HD.

Using 3rd party hardware won't void your warranty, but you don't want
Apple to blame a problem on that hardware either.

OK!

 

[generik]

I do not really recommend AppleCare, think of it this way, it is a rip.

Consider this, your PB costs $2000, Applecare costs approximately $400.

That is 20% on the price of your laptop. Say in one year if you ditch your PB on eBay in favor of a dual core Merom PB, will that additional 20% "investment" you made pay off?

Nope.

I'd happily keep reselling my Apple hardware each year to keep up with progress as well as continually renew my warranty than to pay into this scam known as AppleCare.

Every 5 AppleCare customers they got.. they make the profits of a whole new PB! Just remember that. In fact it is a whole lot more than just "profits" since they do not even have to provide anything to start with.

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

Thanks for your replies guys. I meant to say 15" PB...

We all make mistakes. Don't buy RAM from Apple. They overcharge big time. If you want to build-to-order the machine, you'll have to order online. If not, just go to the Apple store. Regarding AppleCare, you definitely want it for a notebook. you don't have to buy it at first... just sometime in the first year of owning the computer.

Hope that helps

 

[generik]

Regarding AppleCare, you definitely want it for a notebook.

Don't buy Applecare. In Australia Applecare costs $510 for a PB.

I was just browsing eBay and I saw some 1Ghz PBs being sold in the region of 1.7k - 2k.

A new model 15" PB costs 3.1K

Just think *how much* that 500 bucks will go towards your next upgrade.

 

[airkarol]

Never get memory for apple, i have 2 gigs of memory in my 15" Power Book, i bought the computer on the internet, found it on pricewatch.... I got it for 1799, this was in may... I saved a lot of money like that, and paid $70 for each of the 1GB memory chips,

Apple care is a good thing to have, i bought it a month ago, my screen randomly stopped working, so i bought it in case it happens again...

I don't buy much directly from apple, because everything is overpriced.