Should I buy my MBA from Apple...

[jlee6890]

...or another reseller? I'm looking to buy the 13" 1.86GHz/128SSD with the 4GB upgrade.So far both Powermax and Mac Connection have it at $1399 (including tax and shipping) and Apple has it at $1462.17 (with the student discount, tax, and shipping).

All three are standard shipping, though Powermax and Mac Connection say 5-10 business days and Apple says 6 business days. However I think both Powermax and Mac Connection do not accept returns on CTO's. If I buy from the apple site can I return/exchange at their retail store?

 

[saintforlife]

I was in the EXACT SAME position a week ago. I bought the same model as yours from the Apple refurbished store for $1189. Incl sales tax for California it came to $1305 which was cheaper than $1399 that both Macconnection and Powermax had for this model. Even with no sales tax it would have been more expensive for me to buy it from these stores. Go refurbished, you will not regret it. The model that you want gets sold out very quickly at the Apple refurbished site. Just keep checking it everyday and snap it up when you see it. Don't even waste time thinking abt it. These models tend to get sold out in a matter of hours. When I first saw it on the Apple site I waited a day before deciding to buy it, but it was gone the next day. I had to wait a few days before Apple restocked this particular model. So just get it when you see it.

 

[yanksrock100]

When i bought my MBP at the apple store, they said they would match any reseller's price. Go the the apple store and do that.

 

[jlee6890]

I was in the EXACT SAME position a week ago. I bought the same model as yours from the Apple refurbished store for $1189. Incl sales tax for California it came to $1305 which was cheaper than $1399 that both Macconnection and Powermax had for this model. Even with no sales tax it would have been more expensive for me to buy it from these stores. Go refurbished, you will not regret it. The model that you want gets sold out very quickly at the Apple refurbished site. Just keep checking it everyday and snap it up when you see it. Don't even waste time thinking abt it. These models tend to get sold out in a matter of hours. When I first saw it on the Apple site I waited a day before deciding to buy it, but it was gone the next day. I had to wait a few days before Apple restocked this particular model. So just get it when you see it.

How was the condition of your refurb model?

 

[vincenz]

Apple refurb is the way to go. At least you can be confident that you'll get Apple quality control.

 

[emx620]

I was in your same shoes a couple weeks ago, and was going to go with MacMall -- $1318 with 3% off from AppleInsider, free shipping, no tax. I ended up finding an excellent condition used 13" Air with 4GB purchased in January for $1050 off CraigsList.

Best purchase ever, and I never look back

 

[saintforlife]

How was the condition of your refurb model?

I haven't got the laptop yet. It is on its way. But I have bought refurbished Apple products before and they have all looked and worked like brand new products to me. The only thing you give up by buying refurbished is the fancy packaging. Refurbished products in my opinion go through more stringent quality control testing IMO than a brand new product as someone has to personally check and certify these refurbished products before they can go one sale.

 

[The Catalyst]

How was the condition of your refurb model?

Just chiming in from the sidelines to say I purchased a refurb from apple last month, and it arrived in minty-new perfect condition. Outside of arriving in a plain white box, you'd be hard hard pressed in knowing the refurb systems are refurbs. Everything inside the box is wrapped & sealed, ready to go.

 

[UnseenLlama]

Agree with everyone here. If you are looking to save the most money while having an almost brand new MBA, go refurbished thru Apple.

 

[SR71]

I was in your same shoes a couple weeks ago, and was going to go with MacMall -- $1318 with 3% off from AppleInsider, free shipping, no tax. I ended up finding an excellent condition used 13" Air with 4GB purchased in January for $1050 off CraigsList.

Best purchase ever, and I never look back

I'm going with MacMall for my purchase. A refurbished 13" Air from Apple with 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD ended up totaling $1286 for me, while the same Air on MacMall is brand new and is $1318, so I'm just going to go with the new one.

 

[DetroitDrillSGT]

I just received by 13" MBA 1.86/4/128 from the Apple Refurb store two days ago. It was 1189 plus tax.

Perfect condition and packaged with everything like a new one, although with a refurb, you get a plainbox.

New cables and booklets, I received it 3 days after I ordered it.

Cant beat the price, was cheaper than a new one with my military discount, did the coconut battery test on it...0 days old and 2 cycles on the battery.

 

[slipkid]

Yes, buy from Apple....

especially if you live near an Apple Store, buying from the mothership just makes any support issues so easy to handle whether at the genius bar or 1-800-apple. First thing they usually ask is, did u buy it here???