BASICS: Ways to Buy a Mac

Want to buy that shiny new Macbook? It seems that everyone is buying a Mac today.

Macs are definitely more expensive than an equivalent PC. Altough prices are fairly uniform, there are ways to pay less than other people.

Here is a review of what your purchasing options are.

• Premium: For those with money to burn and want the full Apple experience, go to the Apple store. This is good if you're not sure what you want. You get your own personal (hopefully not annoying) Apple employee to help you out. You can spend as much time as you want. The best part is that you get to take your prize home right away.
  

• Bargain: If you know exactly what you want and can wait a short time for shipping, then this is the best option. Not only can you save on sales tax, but you can often get cash rebates or bundles that aren't usually available at Apple. The most popular places for this are Amazon, MacMall, NewEgg and MacConnection. Remember, these are Apple Resellers so all warranties apply. Any problems and you can take it to the Apple store just as if you bought it there.
  

• Refurbished: Excellent option. You will pay sales tax, but there is usually a significant discount. I've bought 4 Macs this way and they all look brand new. Warranty is exactly the same as if you bought brand new. Unfortunately, the Apple experience is degraded since it comes in a generic brown box rather than the fancy Apple packaging.
  

• Student: Students can qualify for small discounts at the Apple Store for Education. I don't find this a good option because sales tax often wipe out the discounts. You might as well buy it at Amazonor MacMall.
  

• Student Developer: If you are in college and have taken a CS course (which they may or may not verify), you qualify for a 1-time (per lifetime) 20% discount for any Mac and monitor. The catch is that you have to pay a $99 Student Developer Fee. Good if you are buying a more expensive Mac.

• Used: For the true bargain hunters, this is the way to go. Your options are Ebay or Craigslist. Great potential but high risk. Although you might get the best bargain this way, you are increasing your risk of fraud (and potential headaches). Be wary!

Random tip: If you can wait for new models to be released, old models will be discounted

Other tips to save on Amazon

• Use 5% discount trick
• Get the Amazon Visa Credit Card, currently giving 6% back as an Amazon rebate (i.e. $2000 purchase nets you $120 credit)
  

Check out online options below:

NewEggAmazon

Read more!

DEAL: iPhone 3G part II (25% off)

If you don't want to do the Walmart iPhone deal I talked about before, there is now an alternative deal.

AT&T has recently allowed iPhone 3G activation at home. Previously you had to go to a real store to activate it in person. What this now means is that you can order the iPhone online at the AT&T website.

And for the cherry on top, it just so happens that live.com is offering 25% cashback on purchases.

Steps for iPhone deal

1. Go to live.com. Search for "ATT" or "ATT Wireless" and then look for the 25% cashback link. If you don't see it initially, keep hitting refresh. If confused, click here for more specific instructions.
   
2. Click on 25% cashback link. At this point, you have to enter your existing live.com account or create your own live.com account
3. Purchase the iPhone. Note: you won't see confirmation that the rebate is applied during the checkout process.
4. Wait for email confirmation of the 25% cashback.

Live.com rebates are legit. I've received several hundred dollars in rebates through it.

Order before 4 pm CST and you'll get free overnight shipping to receive it the next day!

Once you get your fancy new iPhone, you can save even more money on that expensive monthly plan. These promotions can be applied after you purchase the phone and get your account set up.

Please post your experience with this in the comments Read more!

DEAL: New Apple Headphones

The new Apple headphones are out after a long delay!

It's tough to find them in stock but Amazon has them right now with a special promotion. $79 but you will save on tax compared to the Apple store.

Plus if you purchase before 12/25, you will get a $5 credit for the Amazon MP3 store.

Preliminary reviews indicate that they are a big step up from the stock headphones. A little short on bass but good mid-range.

Reviews

• Gizmodo
• Engadget
• AppleInsider
• iLounge
• MyDigitalLife
  
• Apple Store user reviews

It WILL work with your iPhone just like the stock ones do. However, the volume control will NOT work. You'd have to adjust the volume using the iPhone controls.

Pro:

• Save on sales tax
• $5 in free Amazon MP3 (these are DRM free)

Con: May have to wait to receive it


Read more!

DEAL: iPhone 3G (up to $80 off)

I love Apple products.

The problem is that you definitely pay a premium for them. Plus, Apple has such tight control over the market and resellers that the Apple stuff rarely has any discounts.

Here's how you can get a discount.

Walmart is definitely getting the iPhone on 12/28/2008. This has been confirmed on various forums and through Walmart employees.

$299 for the 16gb phone, and then the cheapest plan is like $70 (without fees/taxes). Not cheap!

What to do? Well use the current Amex Walmart promotion!

1. Use 4 american express cards to buy $320 in gift cards, thus receiving $80 statement credit
2. Register your account as an AT&T premiere account

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Pro: iPhone and plan with discount which is hard to come by
Con: Need 4 Amex cards. Wait until Walmart stocks iPhone (12/28/2008) Read more!