I am a PC user that is seriously thinking of switching to a Mac. I have played with the new iMac Core Duo a few times and I really liked it. I am wondering where is the best place to buy. Online or Apple store? I have heard of some issues with DOA units, dead pixels, and video tearing. Would it be easier to deal with any issues if I purchased from the store. I am planning on upgrading the ram to 1GB and the vram to 256MB.
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Where to buy new iMac
- Thread starter MLWings19
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In store: Probably only stock Imacs so you would not be able to get the 256VRAM. Call and ask though, some might have one or two. If they have one, check in the store to make sure it actually is a 256 as some users have found that you may buy 256 but not get it. Defective items bought in stores I would imagine would have a faster turn around than online since you dont have to ship it. But even online apple does a fine job in assessing problems.
Online: Amazon has a $150 rebate and you do not have to pay sales tax. As with the store I do not think you can get a 256VRAM card though. If you are eligible for a student discount at apple.com it would be about the same price with the upgrades as amazon with the rebate. A little more expensive. When I emailed macmall the following system would cost $1824:
Imac Core Duo 20-inch
1GB RAM
256VRAM Card
250GB HDD
Normal Keyboard and Mouse not BT
Then add around $30 for shipping, no sales tax though.
And no I dont even own an iMac yet(ordering after vacation in late Feb.). I have just spent enough time on these boards to make it look like I do.
Online: Amazon has a $150 rebate and you do not have to pay sales tax. As with the store I do not think you can get a 256VRAM card though. If you are eligible for a student discount at apple.com it would be about the same price with the upgrades as amazon with the rebate. A little more expensive. When I emailed macmall the following system would cost $1824:
Imac Core Duo 20-inch
1GB RAM
256VRAM Card
250GB HDD
Normal Keyboard and Mouse not BT
Then add around $30 for shipping, no sales tax though.
And no I dont even own an iMac yet(ordering after vacation in late Feb.). I have just spent enough time on these boards to make it look like I do.
In store or online or by calling 1800MYApple.
If you qualify for the educaton discount take your I.D. or letter of acceptance to the store or be prepared to fax a copy just in case they ask.
Generaly it's best to order the stock system unless you absolutely need a BTO
upgrade.
Buy your RAM 3rd party from guaranteed Apple compatible dealers like
Datamem, Crucial or OWC (macsales.com)
If you qualify for the educaton discount take your I.D. or letter of acceptance to the store or be prepared to fax a copy just in case they ask.
Generaly it's best to order the stock system unless you absolutely need a BTO
upgrade.
Buy your RAM 3rd party from guaranteed Apple compatible dealers like
Datamem, Crucial or OWC (macsales.com)
I was thinking about buying the RAM else where but with the education discount the upgrade is only $90 and I have only been able to find it for around $130 from Crucial. Also, I wanted to upgrade the VRAM because I plan I doing some video editing and play a game every now and then.
Datamem.com has the best prices on Apple guaranteed RAM with a lifetime warranty.
Keep in mind that the price you're seeing at the Apple Store for RAM is to
upgrade TO 1 GB vs. adding 1 GB to your system.
In reality your iMac will be happiest with a total of 2 GB RAM.
The BTO 256 VRAM card is highly desirable, but it will absolutely delay your shipment.
If you are ordering BTO, I would order by phone at 1800MYApple and make damn sure you confirm the VRAM option with your sales rep.
A few people have received their new iMacs finding out that the BTO VRAM
was missing.
Keep in mind that the price you're seeing at the Apple Store for RAM is to
upgrade TO 1 GB vs. adding 1 GB to your system.
In reality your iMac will be happiest with a total of 2 GB RAM.
The BTO 256 VRAM card is highly desirable, but it will absolutely delay your shipment.
If you are ordering BTO, I would order by phone at 1800MYApple and make damn sure you confirm the VRAM option with your sales rep.
A few people have received their new iMacs finding out that the BTO VRAM
was missing.
i just ordered my 20" from amazon. they have this free 3-month trial to amazon premier, which gives free 2-day shipping and overnight for only $3.99. so i paid the extra $4 and will be getting my imac on tuesday. plus, no tax and the $150 rebate is nice. ram ordered elsewhere.
is there any danger to buying from a non apple authorized reseller?
i've seen some great deals on 12" laptops, but they seem way too low....
(sorry to hijack the thread)
i've seen some great deals on 12" laptops, but they seem way too low....
(sorry to hijack the thread)
I am not really concerned about delaying the shipment. Although I have been really jonesin' for a new computer. I just want to make sure that I don't run into any problems with the upgraded VRAM. From what I have been reading it seems like most of the problems are software related which I am sure can be fixed with simple updates from Apple.
laidbackliam said:
Generally you'll find older models in various condition at some resellers, authorized or not.
Unfortunately, many prey on poorly informed consumers selling close out models, demos and returns without informing the buyer that they could have bought the latest models directly from Apple for a small difference.