Apple Switchover Questions

[Poseidon]

So I've decided to make the plunge and switch from my clunking, gagging, gasping, sputtering, dying old PC to a new IMac. I've narrowed down my choices to the "20 and "24 inch versions but have two basic questions.

1) Anyone have suggestions on stores or locations to buy from? I don't have my heart set on buying directly from Apple, but I don't know of anywhere else that would be markedly better.

2) I am COMPLETELY confused about the difference between the two airport express versions listed at the Apple Store:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=6C04E0B8&nplm=M8799LL/A


And

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=6C04E0F6&nplm=MA073LL/A

What's the difference between the two of them? My reading of the descriptions and searching the Apple site hasn't helped me at all.

And more importantly, do I even need 'em? I currently have a Netgear router through which all my wireless electronics are running and a hub (?) that my computer uses to connect to the wireless set-up. But do I need these Apple Routers at all, or does the internal Airport card allow me to just hook up via my existing Netgear?


Any help would be appreciated. I plan to buy this weekend and if I actually know what I'm doing that would be a good thing!

- Paul

 

[72930]

Your netgear router will work just like with your PC

 

[Turkish]

So I've decided to make the plunge and switch from my clunking, gagging, gasping, sputtering, dying old PC to a new IMac. I've narrowed down my choices to the "20 and "24 inch versions but have two basic questions.

1) Anyone have suggestions on stores or locations to buy from? I don't have my heart set on buying directly from Apple, but I don't know of anywhere else that would be markedly better.

2) I am COMPLETELY confused about the difference between the two airport express versions listed at the Apple Store:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=6C04E0B8&nplm=M8799LL/A


And

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=6C04E0F6&nplm=MA073LL/A

What's the difference between the two of them? My reading of the descriptions and searching the Apple site hasn't helped me at all.

And more importantly, do I even need 'em? I currently have a Netgear router through which all my wireless electronics are running and a hub (?) that my computer uses to connect to the wireless set-up. But do I need these Apple Routers at all, or does the internal Airport card allow me to just hook up via my existing Netgear?


Any help would be appreciated. I plan to buy this weekend and if I actually know what I'm doing that would be a good thing!

- Paul

1. Why not buy from an Apple Store? This way you can develop a relationship with the people at the store. I'd also recommend ProCare - you get 52 hours of personal instruction to help you get going. How do you plan on learning this stuff?

2. The first router you list is the "old" model Airport Extreme, which has been replaced by the second you list. New features, 802.11N, etc. You can use your Netgear router with no problem.

 

[smueboy]

1) that's kinda hard to say if we don't know where you are from (US?). I like buying from Apple myself. But you can go Amazon, BestBuy, macmall.com etc. I don't know if the prices are much better than Apple.com for new machines.

2) your netgear will do fine.

 

[Poseidon]

1. Why not buy from an Apple Store? This way you can develop a relationship with the people at the store. I'd also recommend ProCare - you get 52 hours of personal instruction to help you get going. How do you plan on learning this stuff?

2. The first router you list is the "old" model Airport Extreme, which has been replaced by the second you list. New features, 802.11N, etc. You can use your Netgear router with no problem.

Turkish:

I'd have no problems buying from an Apple Store and purchasing ProCare except that the closest one is 250 miles from me. Fortunately for me I'll be going to that one this weekend - parents live right there - so I can buy the machine itself but it's obviously not a good idea (for me) to purchase a personal instruction package when I could never use it.



In general: is there any advantage to buying the AirPort Extreme router? Does it provide for a better connection or higher speed?

- Paul

 

[skubish]

Turkish:

I'd have no problems buying from an Apple Store and purchasing ProCare except that the closest one is 250 miles from me. Fortunately for me I'll be going to that one this weekend - parents live right there - so I can buy the machine itself but it's obviously not a good idea (for me) to purchase a personal instruction package when I could never use it.



In general: is there any advantage to buying the AirPort Extreme router? Does it provide for a better connection or higher speed?

- Paul

Depends on your Netgear router. If the netgear is 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g then it will be slowly than the new airport extreme which supports 802.11n. Also the airport extreme has a longer range if that is of interest. It should say on the Netgear which it supports. I recommend using the Netgear.

 

[Italchef]

One thing to remember about buying a Mac: there are no deals on them. There's a thread on here somewhere about fraudulent online sites that were offering up to $200 off the price of new Macs and there were a number of people that got ripped off. Whether you buy from Apple itself or a certified reseller, there are no deals.
Personally, I've bought most of my kit from Apple and have nothing to say but good things about them.
Good luck and enjoy the ride. After 3.5 yrs I still can't wait to get home and play around on my iMac.

Mick

 

[Poseidon]

My concern about running things through Netgear was mostly about compability and range, which are apparently non-issues, but also about trying to run it on a network that's set up through my PC when I'm removing the PC =).

Anyway, everyone seems to think I'll be good to go, so I'll give it a whirl. Thanks to all!

 

[theBB]

Amazon might have rebates of about $100 or $150 on iMacs. Amazon is very reliable for delivery and I have not heard anybody here about their rebates not being honored. I was happy about my purchase from Amazon.

 

[fuzzwud]

I've bought from CDW, MacMall, and MacZone before without any problems. Prices were competitive and they often have promotions to include printer, accessories, memory, software deals or other stuff. Also, you don't have to pay for tax if you buy from third party whereas I believe you do with Apple.com. If you have Amazon prime membership, pay less for 2nd Day shipping for everything you buy during the year for a $80 flat annual fee.

 

[ChrisA]

Turkish:

In general: is there any advantage to buying the AirPort Extreme router? Does it provide for a better connection or higher speed?

- Paul

The new router has much faster wreless speed. But think about what goes over that link. If your only use of wirelass is to connect to a DSL line that is capped at 1Mb then why replace the router.

The new Apple router can also drive a printer and disk and will share those with all computers on your network, PCs or Macs. If you need this it's worth it.

If you are happy with the functionality provided by the existing router than don't change it. It will continue to work just like it does now with the new iMac. But if you want the new features buy a new router

 

[bob909bob]

I would say buy from apple.com and look into the education discounts if your in school. If you want to buy it in person then either an apple store or a comp usa is your best bet.