Apple Buying a new mac... abroad

I've been looking at getting a mac these past few weeks. The mac pro is probably out of my price range and the mac mini or macbook (don't have a laptop currently) appeals to me.

Now, I'm going to New York in about 3 weeks and have been wondering whether its worth me getting mac whilst over there. I would save about £80 on the mini and about £170 on the macbook (or a saving of £210 if I buy the 2GHz version).

Is there any reason why I shouldn't get it in the US such as customs and warrenty, power issues etc. Anybody got any experience in buying a mac abroad? I can't wait to join the mac club .

 

my frieds mackbookd pro workes perfectly here, even the power adaptor can chosee and change what region of the world the plug is. personally when i delt with it it didnt have any issues over here.

As for brining it back just throw away the packaging and just bring the basics back in ur suitcase/baggage.

Im not too sure about warrenty, might need to look into that properly.

 

ain't you got a friend at uni?

http://apple.procureweb.ac.uk (access it from an academia related IP)

all the cheapness of abroad, none of the hassle and warranty voidage!

 

That's what I did.

Saved about £120 on the middle range Macbook and Wireless Mighty Mouse.

 

yea my mate (24) has a uni card that will never expire (mistake with the cards so no date to expire) got his mac pro, 23" apple hd monitor, all the trimmings, ipod video, ect... with about £600 off in the end!
yay for student cards!!!!

 

Mine doesn't expire either as I am Uni Staff hehe

 

Any other comments before I jet off to the US on thursday?

Fod, I phoned up Apple and they say I'm eligible for the university prices of apple goods since I'm doing a part time course on the Open University.

MacBook 1.83Ghz - £643.90 @ uni, £593.46 @ USA
Mac Mini 1.83Ghz - £475.88 @ uni, £431.86 @ USA

USA @ $1.91 to the £

Reallly its only a minor saving but its a saving nonetheless. I cannot get finance with Apple since I have to be over 23...

 

if you buy an american laptop. will it not have an American keyboard?

 

yes it will i have one right now but the difference is neglagable

 

buy Applecare over there.... 3 years of international warranty goodness

 

remember UK education purchases get 3 years (limited) applecare for free - worth a few hundred I think and a lifesaver if anything goes wrong!

 

i can also say that an american keyboard makes bugger all difference come on how efter do you use that little pound sign

 

To enter the price of stuff im selling on the for sale forum

Apart from that, is there any real difference apart from some symbols moved about? still qwerty right?

 

FYI, it includes the location of the back slash (which I cant type as I'm using a US keyboard with a british layout), the " and @ keys...

 

Really? I didn't know that. got a reference to this - I can't access the university website, but I can phone up but don't feel like having to phone up again and ask about this. If this is true then I will most definatly buy the macbook in the uk.

I did consider a mini, but figured that I need a laptop and don't feel like having to get another display or having to switch between two computers on my monitor (even if it has two inputs).

 

if you've been looking at prices on apple.com in order to work out what you'd pay in the US in-store, remember that they don't add sales tax until you get to the register. I don't remember what sales tax is in the state of NY offhand though, but it'll be around 8-10%. NY may also add a recycling tax too (they do in CA).

Plenty of people I know bought their macs abroad and often bring them back for people... never any problems with customs. The power bricks are 110/240V capable but you'll need an adapter (they cost peanuts).

 

Yea I'm aware of the sales tax being added on. But I do quite like the warrenty on the higher education purchases, even if its limited. I'll have a look in the USA anyway if I don't get a mac for now I'd probably end up getting a dSLR if its cheap. I'm treating myself to something expensive whether its a mac or dSLR . The 400D takes my fancy mainly due to lens compatibilty. Why the hell does the 400D take a different name on the other side of the pond

 

For what it's worth, screw the apple care and specifically insure your mac for accidental damage elsewhere.

 

I haven't got any particularly Mac-related advice, but on the subject of dSLRs I'd say don't rush into spending £400-500 on a new camera for the sake of it. A lot of people do and end up using them for snapshots which a cheaper camera would be a lot more practical for, this is in addition to being friendlier on the wallet. By all means if you want to dive into photography and use the camera creatively then go for it, but there's the chance that you'd be wasting your money spending that amount on a camera you rarely use.