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Better to buy MBP (stock) from Store or (custom) from apple.com?

J

jon4lakers

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 19, 2007
141
0
Orange County, CA
I will be buying my first Mac once Apple refreshes them. However, I am curious which way you think is better? It is my understanding, that is I buy a stock unit from an apple store, and something should happen to the unit, they will replace it, if it's necessary. However, if I buy a custom one from apple.com, and have a problem there is nothing a store can do (if a replacement is necessary) since it has been customized with more RAM, bigger HDD.

Any thoughts? I know I'm not the only one with this quandary.

As always, thank you.
 
What stock model are you considering and what upgrades are you considering?

As far as I know, there are only really 2 upgrades possible on the MBP configurations... Hard Drive and RAM.

If you're only considering RAM, buy the MBP from the store... you'll save a good bit of money upgrading the RAM yourself (doesn't void the warranty, either). If you're planning on upgrading the HD, you may be better off buying it online. Thought I'm not sure if the geniuses can swap out the HD's in store either.

Personally, if there were a store close enough to you (assuming only the RAM upgrades), I'd buy it in store... instant gratification is better than refreshing the FedEx/UPS tracking page every 5 minutes.
 
jdechko said:
What stock model are you considering and what upgrades are you considering?

As far as I know, there are only really 2 upgrades possible on the MBP configurations... Hard Drive and RAM.

If you're only considering RAM, buy the MBP from the store... you'll save a good bit of money upgrading the RAM yourself (doesn't void the warranty, either). If you're planning on upgrading the HD, you may be better off buying it online. Thought I'm not sure if the geniuses can swap out the HD's in store either.

Personally, if there were a store close enough to you (assuming only the RAM upgrades), I'd buy it in store... instant gratification is better than refreshing the FedEx/UPS tracking page every 5 minutes.
Click to expand...

Depending on what the new configurations are, I'll probably want to upgrade both RAM and HDD. DO you know of any problems with customer support in store w. online bought models? (I actually live across the street from an Apple store...)
 
jon4lakers said:
DO you know of any problems with customer support in store w. online bought models? (I actually live across the street from an Apple store...)
Click to expand...

Sorry, I didn't read the part about waiting until the refresh.

No, I don't. Truth be told, I don't even have a Mac, yet. Family's gotta come first. But I'm sure you could go to the store and ask them about their policies. Get the info straight from the source.
 
Um, just to clarify, you're getting a MBP. MBP RAM is not considered user-replaceable and requires minor surgery and therefore voids your warranty, you have to get a certified tech to do it for you. I'm not sure how this would change your feelings but I wanted to make sure you knew.
 
kuebby said:
Um, just to clarify, you're getting a MBP. MBP RAM is not considered user-replaceable and requires minor surgery and therefore voids your warranty, you have to get a certified tech to do it for you. I'm not sure how this would change your feelings but I wanted to make sure you knew.
Click to expand...

I actually did NOT know that. Thanks.
 
kuebby said:
Um, just to clarify, you're getting a MBP. MBP RAM is not considered user-replaceable and requires minor surgery and therefore voids your warranty, you have to get a certified tech to do it for you. I'm not sure how this would change your feelings but I wanted to make sure you knew.
Click to expand...

Are you sure about this? apple suggests that it doesn't.
 
Last week i visited the store and one staff told me that if i buy it here in store, if only ONE bad pixel is found, i can change for a new one within 14days while Apple online doesnt provide that. Not sure whether it is true or not, maybe someone can confirm this information
 
jon4lakers said:
I will be buying my first Mac once Apple refreshes them. However, I am curious which way you think is better? It is my understanding, that is I buy a stock unit from an apple store, and something should happen to the unit, they will replace it, if it's necessary. However, if I buy a custom one from apple.com, and have a problem there is nothing a store can do (if a replacement is necessary) since it has been customized with more RAM, bigger HDD.

Any thoughts? I know I'm not the only one with this quandary.

As always, thank you.
Click to expand...

I would TRY to get a stock model if possible. One thing to note is, if you get a BTO from apple.com, you cannot return it (or if you get lucky they will charge you a 10% or 15% restocking fee).
 
slffl said:
I would TRY to get a stock model if possible. One thing to note is, if you get a BTO from apple.com, you cannot return it (or if you get lucky they will charge you a 10% or 15% restocking fee).
Click to expand...

But you can still get a new one if something goes bad with that one right? (just making sure)
 
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