Buying a Macbook Pro in the states

Cabaal

So as per my previous post, I'm looking at buying a Macbook Pro in the states.

Now I've checked everything out and there's a good 500-600e saving which is brilliant and its actually changed my mind from a Macbook to a Macbook Pro because of the saving

I'm looking at the top range 15" MPB with basically no change but I'm still up in the air about some small things.

- With Applecare I'm looking at 2200e for the lot, is it worth getting it that
much?
- PSU is obviously going to be US, whats the best way about getting one for UK/Ireland. Just order one from apple on-line store before I buy the MBP so I'll ahve it when I get back or would the US retail store have one?

Figure this is a nice spec
* 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
* 120GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
* SuperDrive 6x (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
* MacBook Pro 15-inch Widescreen Display
* Apple USB Modem
* Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
* Accessory Kit
* AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Pro/PowerBook (w/or w/o Display) - Auto-enroll

$2,897.00
€2,242.58

Fenster

I bought mine at the Apple Store in Las Vegas. Please keep in mind that US prices are always given exclusive of tax - it came to a tad over 200 dollars in my case.

For the power adaptor, every Apple store sells a set of international plugs for your MBP. It was 40 dollars and well worth the purchase, especially if you ever plan to travel with it.

The only Applecare warranty they could offer me in the store was for the continental US, I enquired specifically about European cover, which it didn't.

uncle_sam_ie

You don't need to buy the international plugs from Apple. Just remove the US plug top from the portable power adapter and insert a sideways figure eight power cord(like the cord that is used on a sky box or an electric shaver). I bought the Applecare in the states which is cheaper, but used my parents US address to register it. They did send a letter to their house with the registration number. Do you know anyone in the US Cabaal?

SouperComputer

uncle_sam_ie wrote:

You don't need to buy the international plugs from Apple. Just remove the US plug top from the portable power adapter and insert a sideways figure eight power cord(like the cord that is used on a sky box or an electric shaver). I bought the Applecare in the states which is cheaper, but used my parents US address to register it. They did send a letter to their house with the registration number. Do you know anyone in the US Cabaal?

What he said.

The adaptor will work anywhere between 110 and 240V, you just need to get the power there. This applies to all laptops though, afterall they are designed to travel!

When you return home you can get a tax refund from the stuff you have bought in the US. Now it is incedibly cheeky as you most likely not be paying VAT or customs in Ireland when you return, but if you goal is to save money, you might as well go for broke!

iemillst

I'm in sort of the same situation. The girlfriend is in NY and SF in the few weeks so it makes sense for her to purchase her MacBook Pro there. But....

A: Would The 12 Month MacBook/MacBook Pro Warranty apply to Ireland (Or would one need a US address???)

B: Can a Apple Care Protection Plan Warranty (for the MacBook/MacBook Pro) be bought in the USA but registered in Ireland or does it need to be bought in the same country as the hardware is purchased?

Cabaal

Fenster wrote:

I bought mine at the Apple Store in Las Vegas. Please keep in mind that US prices are always given exclusive of tax - it came to a tad over 200 dollars in my case.

For the power adaptor, every Apple store sells a set of international plugs for your MBP. It was 40 dollars and well worth the purchase, especially if you ever plan to travel with it.

The only Applecare warranty they could offer me in the store was for the continental US, I enquired specifically about European cover, which it didn't.

Funny you should mention there as it'll be the same store I'll be getting mine, I put in their postcode in the on-line store to give me a rough idea about tax and it came to 200 dollars on the price. [edit] actually called the store and its $194 on the $2499 MBP so its pretty good to be honest

I'm thinking I'll drop the applecare, to be honest I might actually ring the store and explained the situ and see what they can advise me when it comes to tax and the full total as I'd rather know the numbers before I go

grr I forgot to verify that the normal warranty will be ok even if I don't have a US address, did you have any problems without a US address for this?

Cabaal

iemillst wrote:

I'm in sort of the same situation. The girlfriend is in NY and SF in the few weeks so it makes sense for her to purchase her MacBook Pro there. But....

A: Would The 12 Month MacBook/MacBook Pro Warranty apply to Ireland (Or would one need a US address???)

I called apple in cork about this and they said I could buy it in USA and if I brought it back to Ireland I'd still be covered, so seems you'd be ok for atleast 12 months.,

B: Can a Apple Care Protection Plan Warranty (for the MacBook/MacBook Pro) be bought in the USA but registered in Ireland or does it need to be bought in the same country as the hardware is purchased?

appears to be conflicting info regarding this sadly,

[EDIT] ok I called the Las Vegas store regarding applecare and they advised me the following, although I'm not a resident of the USA I can apply for applecare as long as I can register it to a US address, the address doesn't have to match the credit card your buying with.

If I bring the laptop back to Ireland and it breaks then applecare will cover it and I'll be able to get it sorted, so basically do you have any cousins in the states that will allow you to use their address for this?

su_dios

I don't understand why you're buying applecare over in the US. Why not just buy applecare just before the end of your first year warranty?? It doesn't give additional coverage over the first year..just extends it for another two years.

I'm hoping to pick one up fairly soon in NY. Mate of mine picked up a refurb for much much cheaper. If you go to the american store, you can select the store from the list and see the list of refurbs available. Very handy

Cabaal

su_dios wrote:

I don't understand why you're buying applecare over in the US. Why not just buy applecare just before the end of your first year warranty?? It doesn't give additional coverage over the first year..just extends it for another two years.

This is true, however it works out cheaper to buy it in the states

smcelhinney

surely an excuse to go back for a holiday at that stage then?

"Sorry hunny, I would love to go to your mothers for that family gathering where all your siblings and relations scrutinise our relationship, but the fact is, my warranty is up, and I simply HAVE to renew it in the States.."

Im not bitter.

rymus

just bought a 17" mbp in new york a few days ago. loving the saving anyway

Fenster

Pay in cash just for the looks on their faces.