Buying a MacBook from Apple or MicroCenter store?
- Thread starter Vil_Riker
- Start date
It's not uncommon to see that with different retailers. Buy it where ever it costs less.
I'm seeing about $100 difference (depending on the model), correct? It looks like Apple Education pricing without having to lie about it.
I'm seeing about $100 difference (depending on the model), correct? It looks like Apple Education pricing without having to lie about it.
Check out Best Buy and watch for their sales.
If you are a Costco member and their pricing is competitive, they normally double the manufacturer's warranty on electronics to 2 years from the date of purchase. I'm not 100% certain on Apple products but the 2 year warranty includes to laptops (but not tablets).
Microcenter probably gets to control their pricing a bit more than a company store. MC has additional extended warranty plans that are separate of Apple's protection plan. Other than that, I think whatever is cheaper and more convenient for you. MicroCenter may be of help if you have one local and the macbook was DOA; Apple will honor it regardless of location.
Costco doesn’t sell Apple computers
Good point on the extended warranty for most of their electronics though
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The company where I work always buys all it's Macbooks on sale at Microcenter for the last 15 years. Never an issue.
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All things equal might as well buy at Micro Center
As far as the reason why Micro Center may have the computer cheaper than the Apple Store is simply Apple Store will charge retail price so they don’t undercut their authorized resellers
Since when? I saw them on display in the store in CA earlier this week. I'm using a mac Mini from a store in IL to write this.
The ones in my area sell them and have a display inside the brick and mortar stores:
COSTCO Apple MacBooks
I eat my words!
However, here, just checking, they have to ship it to the warehouse
Edit - I just reviewed the offerings near me. I was never aware before however, just about everything has to be ordered and shipped to warehouse.
They do have one Mac mini that says in stock
But just about everything else has to be shipped that would be the iMac desktops and MacBook airs
I didn’t even know they had the other ones even for shipping. The reason I say that is, there’s no real display here because I love walking through the electronics section so when I made the post I knew I would’ve seen it.
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No, not here in NC/SC East Coast, maybe too many old people in the Myrtle Beach location
But as nukeman just pointed out to me, I was wrong. However, here you have to order it online and ship it to the warehouse. Except the Mac mini right now and at one time it looks like they did have one iMac desktop in stock but that has to be shipped to.
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What are you using it for?
also is 64GB ram correct I only see 48GB.
There are ways to get discounts even when buying direct from Apple.
The EDU store is the most well known, but they also offer government and military discounts. Some companies have EPP programs.
The stores also offer price matching, which has vacillated between published, and unpublished policy. Just have to ask, and see if they'll agree to do it.
That discount, like all the others, maxes out around 15%. Not great, but better than nothing.
The refurb store is another option once models have matured, especially for BTO configurations, but stock gets picked quickly.
For schools that offer equipment discounts to current students, as well as alumni, stores may be willing to match those terms as well.
The terms of the EDU program say that they retain the right to a future audit, and demand proof of eligibility, but I doubt that ever occurs. There is/was no upfront proof required when making an EDU purchase, and I suspect it is abused a lot.
There was a way of customizing it when I ordered - it's a $600 option to upgrade to 64GB
I will be using to process 4k videos. My old Macbook Air from 2015 still works fine but can't process videos.
My wife is enrolled in courses so I could have used the EDU store
to save a few dollarsYeeouch! $600 for 16GB ram.
so did you get some kind of discount then because the 48GB are 3050 at costco.. (nearly 3300 after tax)
and you only paid 3400 ? (only $3400 said with straight face
)
I'd have been tempted to go 48GB for that price but not being able to upgrade later.. maybe its better to buy once cry once.
so did you get some kind of discount then because the 48GB are 3050 at costco.. (nearly 3300 after tax)
and you only paid 3400 ? (only $3400 said with straight face
)I'd have been tempted to go 48GB for that price but not being able to upgrade later.. maybe its better to buy once cry once.
