Ok, so I'm taking the dive and getting the MBA refresh when it comes out. This will be my first Apple product ever. I think I want the 13 inch maxed out. I would like to know the difference in buying in the Apple store as opposed to an online store. If I need to go online then where is the best place to buy from. Thanks for your time.
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What is the advantage of buying MBA @ Apple store?
- Thread starter SirLance99
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Nothing if you're not a student.
If you're a student, you get a discount AND a $100 iTunes card right now.
If you're a student, you get a discount AND a $100 iTunes card right now.
Apple only tend to keep standard configurations in stock in store. If you want to customise or "max out" things you need to buy from Apple online.
If you want it maxed out you probably need to buy it online from Apple. However sometimes, some stores carry the ultimate versions. It varies store by store. To get exactly what you are looking for, you need to buy online from Apple. Other resellers such as Amazon and Best Buy generally carry the base models. If you not looking for upgrades on the MBA, might want to see what resellers are offering the best deals.
I don't know if it's a benefit as such but I bought my first macbook online about 5 years ago, was good. However I found buying it in a store made more of an experience... PLUS I love to browse around so I have to say buying in-store is the best for me...
Tried to buy my Air in store but I was looking for a base 13 with the extra RAM which they did not have in stock. They did the 13 ULTIMATE in stock though. Ended up using my iPhone to order mine online as I left the store. 
Advantages:
If you need to travel to that same mall or shopping district anyway for new socks or something.
If you want to touch it TODAY, and don't want to wait a day or three for shipping.
If you fear stuff might "fall off the back of the delivery truck".
If you want to open it up in the store, and make sure you aren't one of the 0.01% who gets a DOA/dud/dead pixel.
If you need extensive help with setup, and don't have a competent buddy at home/work to help you.
Disadvantages:
Possible travel time, parking hassles, local taxes greater than shipping charges, etc.
If you need to travel to that same mall or shopping district anyway for new socks or something.
If you want to touch it TODAY, and don't want to wait a day or three for shipping.
If you fear stuff might "fall off the back of the delivery truck".
If you want to open it up in the store, and make sure you aren't one of the 0.01% who gets a DOA/dud/dead pixel.
If you need extensive help with setup, and don't have a competent buddy at home/work to help you.
Disadvantages:
Possible travel time, parking hassles, local taxes greater than shipping charges, etc.
In store:
you can take it home with you right now, as opposed to waiting anxiously for FedEx to fly it in from China.
I haven't used this, but didn't Apple recently add a set-up area to the Apple Stores where the staff will help you set up and explore your new Mac? I may have dreamed that, but if it's real, it might be nice for your first Mac.
You can touch it before you buy it.
That's about it...
Online:
All configuration options are available (at Apple.com), while In Store will limit you to what's in stock.
Maybe a price break (at anywhere except Apple.com)
No need to drive to a mall. I hate Malls - YMMV...
you can take it home with you right now, as opposed to waiting anxiously for FedEx to fly it in from China.
I haven't used this, but didn't Apple recently add a set-up area to the Apple Stores where the staff will help you set up and explore your new Mac? I may have dreamed that, but if it's real, it might be nice for your first Mac.
You can touch it before you buy it.
That's about it...
Online:
All configuration options are available (at Apple.com), while In Store will limit you to what's in stock.
Maybe a price break (at anywhere except Apple.com)
No need to drive to a mall. I hate Malls - YMMV...
Hmm, I may have to wait a few days to see what Amazon's prices are. Since I'm a college student I would get the student discount and the $100 gift card. The student discount should cover tax so I should be getting an extra hundred credit. Or is my math off? Don't know how much Amazon charges or anything.
Amazon currently has no promotions like the Apple store in terms of a free gift card. Only promotions appear to be at Apple or Best Buys that appear to be willing to match Apple's offer.
I kinda like this thought. Since its my first time buying a Apple product I think I need transition help.
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Looking back I kinda wish I had gotten transition help since I had used windows my whole life and then opted to switch to a Mac I would have found it helpful. I didn't have a clue on how to do ANYTHING! I couldn't even copy & paste I had to call Apple for help.
Have fun with your new Mac which ever you decide to go for!
You should always first browse, touch, and feel the MBA at the Apple store. Ask questions. And buy it right there if you're completely confident.
But if you want thinking time, a unique configuration, a discounted/tax free price online at various vendors, then buy it online.
But if you want thinking time, a unique configuration, a discounted/tax free price online at various vendors, then buy it online.
Curious question for you... in the past I've bought macs from amazon after a month of being released. Seems it takes them a while to get them in stock. How was the experience with the MB Air from them? I just know they didn't have it on launch day or the following 3 days so I ordered from Apple CTO, but I certainly love to order whenever possible given I save the 10% CA tax here buying from Amazon.
this is prob what i'll do when i get my Air.. have one of the "geniuses" show me around the new features of Lion
For me, the student discount + $100 App Store/iTunes gift card far outweighs the local taxes that I would save by buying online (local taxes are about 8.8% here).
Here's to hoping that they stock the configuration I want so I don't have to wait for shipping!
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Yeah, @ 9.25% here it adds up. Dumb California... oh, and a $16 "eWaste" fee the state mandates on the LCD screens sold by CA retailers, that blows.
The $100 is compelling, but at say $1199.99 ($1099 if I use student discount) and $100 "credit to buy more stuff from app store" plus tax, and recycle fee, it's still $1216 out of pocket, vs usually $1130 from Amazon for the same.
I just don't like waiting for Amazon to get them in stock. In the past I haven't bought from them simply because they were slower to in-stock new models.
Whoops, the local rate here is actually 8.8% (7% was county-only). So...
From Apple in Gilbert, AZ:
$1199.99
-$100 Student
x 8.8% Tax
=$1195.71
-$100 free apps/music/movies that I was probably going to buy anyway
=$1095.71 Total
So basically I'd come out $105 + a load of free content/apps + no wait for shipping than if I bought online at Amazon or similar site.
I feel for folks with the higher tax rates.
I suppose, if you use Apple's App\Movie store, but if it's not something you use, it's not a big deal. And remember, Amazon's price is $1137 shipped, not $1199, so even if you count $100 in value, you're still only saving $40 and being forced to spend the $100 from Apple.
For me it makes no sense since I wouldn't be spending the $100 anyhow, plus I have 0.5% higher tax than you, plus the silly CA eWaste fee. But the bigger issue is Amazon is slow to stock new models :-(
Getting it immediately and reducing the chance of a "missing" package or damaged item since it will have to be shipped again.
I suppose, if you use Apple's App\Movie store, but if it's not something you use, it's not a big deal. And remember, Amazon's price is $1137 shipped, not $1199, so even if you count $100 in value, you're still only saving $40 and being forced to spend the $100 from Apple.
For me it makes no sense since I wouldn't be spending the $100 anyhow, plus I have 0.5% higher tax than you, plus the silly CA eWaste fee. But the bigger issue is Amazon is slow to stock new models :-(
Yeah, fair enough. I think we can all agree that we would've preferred the B2S promotion to have been the iPod Touch again. Then we could've all sold it and brought our overall costs down a little more. I guess we can't have it all.