How easy to carry is the 27" iMac?

[TristUK]

I am planning to go to the Apple store in London to purchase a 27" iMac. Probably some time in August when I get back from travelling around SE Asia.

Is it possible for one person to carry the box around as I guess its pretty big and probably quite heavy? Bearing in mind I'll have to use the Tube and overland Train to get home?

Or would it be better to order online and get it delivered? Actually are there any advantages of buying in store or ordering online?

I will be studying next year I qualify for higher education discount so makes sense to go for it (I have I Uni acceptance letter which I understand is enough).


Thanks for your help folks

 

[Amasashi]

The box is about 30 lb. For a guy, it's not too hard to carry it around, but I wouldn't try doing so for too long.

I can't imagine having to lug this thing around on public transportation though. Unless you're new to Mac and want someone to introduce you to its basic functions, I would just order it online.

 

[AAPLaday]

I wouldn't want to have to lug that thing on the tube or a train. Too much chance of it getting knocked or damaged. Just order it online. Plus after about 20 minutes after you leave the store i would imagine you would wish you had ordered it online.

 

[MacUser09]

The box is about 30"x25"x10". Pretty big to lug down Oxford Street tube station.
You would be much better off to order it online, inc. any extras you might want, and have them delivered. It would probably be cheaper cost-wise as well, (train fares vs delivery cost). Not including of course your uni discount.

It comes right to your front door, and no risk of you dropping it going up and down those crowded escalators.

If you are intent on going there personally, I suggest you pick a "quiet" time of day, if there ever is one in London.
Certainly outside of the travel rush hours. At least in August, it should be summer holiday time, so it might be a little quieter.

 

[TristUK]

Thanks for the advice guys! Sounds like picking it up from the store in London would be more trouble than its worth. Online sounds the way to go.

For University discount, I won't have a University email address when I'm ordering it as I don't start until September. Do I just order it online and then email them a scan of the acceptance letter? Or how does it work?

 

[Amasashi]

For students who are already enrolled, all you have to do is fax or e-mail Apple a scan of your student ID. I'm not sure how it works with acceptance letters, but it should be similar.

Give Apple a call. They'll give you the details.

 

[lamadude]

The imacs are a lot heavier than I expected? I bought a 21" model and expected to just walk home with it but ended up taking a tram because it was surprisingly heavy.
Carrying a 27" one on foot seems very uncomfortable for anything more than a short walk.

 

[dazzer21]

Whhhoaaaaah, there!!!

I wouldn't be seen dead even *thinking* of taking a fully packaged, brand new, EXPENSIVE 27" iMac, in a box advertising to the whole of London exactly what you have in it with a picture that shouts 'look at me' - on the tube!!! I live in the quiet suburbs of Kent and I didn't even want people seeing me taking it into my house from the car - not that I'm paranoid or anything!!!

 

[TristUK]

I wouldn't be seen dead even *thinking* of taking a fully packaged, brand new, EXPENSIVE 27" iMac, in a box advertising to the whole of London exactly what you have in it with a picture that shouts 'look at me' - on the tube!!! I live in the quiet suburbs of Kent and I didn't even want people seeing me taking it into my house from the car - not that I'm paranoid or anything!!!

Fair point!

 

[Eduardo1971]

Whhhoaaaaah, there!!!
I wouldn't be seen dead even *thinking* of taking a fully packaged, brand new, EXPENSIVE 27" iMac, in a box advertising to the whole of London exactly what you have in it with a picture that shouts 'look at me' - on the tube!!! I live in the quiet suburbs of Kent and I didn't even want people seeing me taking it into my house from the car - not that I'm paranoid or anything!!!

Ha, ha, ha. I was awaiting this sort of responce-I actually thought it would have been mentioned from somebody living in the USA. It's such a typical North American response (nice to see Brits also having to fear being a victim of violence ).

 

[Amasashi]

I wouldn't be seen dead even *thinking* of taking a fully packaged, brand new, EXPENSIVE 27" iMac, in a box advertising to the whole of London exactly what you have in it with a picture that shouts 'look at me' - on the tube!!! I live in the quiet suburbs of Kent and I didn't even want people seeing me taking it into my house from the car - not that I'm paranoid or anything!!!

Nothing related to the iMac 27, but if you're going to be carrying around any Apple product in general, be sure to use the plain brown box that everything comes packaged in. Much more discreet. The beautiful white box with sides that shout "iMac" and feature life-size pictures make you a walking advertisement for theft.

Case in point, a couple of months ago, my friend went to the Apple Store to buy a MacBook Pro 13. He ditched the brown box and carried it in just the white box to his car, which wasn't parked far away from the store. Some random guy ran by, jacked it, and disappeared.

Obviously a guy can't exactly run too fast carrying an iMac 27, but you should still be careful.

 

[dazzer21]

Hmmmm...

(nice to see Brits also having to fear being a victim of violence ).

Not nice, exactly, but I'm afraid that sentence could be translated into any language you like and still be 100% on the money! Now if Apple were to bring out the iLove, everyone would be walking around with 27" iMacs under their arm (figuratively speaking) without a care in the world...

 

[Apple!Fre@k]

Wouldn't recommend lugging it around town. When I bought mine, I actually brought a shopping cart into the Apple Store from a nearby department store so I could put the iMac in it and roll it through the mall, and through the parking lot to my car. Didn't feel like carrying it for even that 5 minute walk. Couldn't imagine 30+ minutes.

 

[staralfur]

Its easy, just put it in a large laptop bag AKA 'a suitcase'

 

[willcodejavafor]

I did buy a 24" iMac and that was certainly not a problem to lug around on public transport. I've even done it twice when I had to take it in for repair. Yes, big box which is not exactly a feather but doable. It is also very secure in its box and I would not worry about damage. Doubt anyone would try and steal it either as it is way too big. I'd stay away from peak hours on the tube though

 

[Stealthipad]

The weight on my 27" UPS sticker said 41 lbs. It is not that it is so heavy as the box is kinda on the large size and makes for an uncomfortable thing to lug around.