buying a Macbook in the States

madscone

I'm off to america over christmas and am seriously thinking bout getting a macbook while i'm there. i just have two questions, will i be entitled to a student discount if i'm not in an american university and has anyone bought a refurbished macbook (was there any issue with it like?)?

Chardee MacDennis

i have an american refurb - no problems at all with it. you can't use your student discount in the stores in america.

savemejebus

Although you can't use your regular student card you can use an ISIC (did it 3 weeks ago in boston). The only problem is I don't think stores sell refurb machines, you've to order online and that may ask for a US based credit card, not to mention a US delivery address.

<snip> Also applecare is really cheap there compared to here.

grumpypaddy

i bought one earlier on in the year, they are not classed the same as the refurbs as you would get here in the refurb store. they are shop demo models - (current models) thats what they told me when i asked for one anyway!! discount was about ten percent off the list price if i remember. <snip>

the only differences are that you will have to buy a 3 pin plug/adapter to use it at home as it is supplied with the american two pin variety but that will only cost a few euros. Also the return key on the keyboard is smaller than on a european model and there is no euro button pre assaigned.

DadaKopf

By far the best thing to do. But with current exchange rates, the Euro is so strong that I wouldn't feel I was missing out too much on the student discount if i was already saving on exchange rates and buying a refurb.

savemejebus

personally, having gotten a dodgy refurb from apple before I'd prefer to get the student discount and forego the refurb part:o

Chardee MacDennis

you don't get a real box from the refurb store - just a brown box - which meant it was ideal to take home for me but may not look great as a present.

madscone

<snip>

how much of a discount did you get with the ISIC card savemejebus?

440Hz

I've snipped some posts for the following reason:

We have had threads like this before and like I pointed out in those ones -

440Hz wrote: »

-No discussion of purchasing illegal goods or products or of illegal purchasing of legitimate products, including evading tax/customs.

Read the charter please.

Anymore discussion of how to get machines from the states past customs will result in this thread being locked and infractions or bannings.

oneofakind32

grumpypaddy wrote: »

the only differences are that you will have to buy a 3 pin plug/adapter to use it at home as it is supplied with the american two pin variety but that will only cost a few euros. Also the return key on the keyboard is smaller than on a european model and there is no euro button pre assaigned.

No issues with voltage conversion?

savemejebus

madscone wrote: »

<snip>

how much of a discount did you get with the ISIC card savemejebus?

10% had to demand it though. Just pointed them to http://www.isic.org/sisp/index.htm?fx=discount&location.gid=L0165007339&country.code=US&discount.gid=D0165001912 and they gave it to me.

grumpypaddy

oneofakind32 wrote: »

No issues with voltage conversion?

universal power supply, no problems

Cabaal

Another "buying in america" thread, bloody hell can't people use the search option?

440Hz

Cabaal wrote: »

Another "buying in america" thread, bloody hell can't people use the search option?

I concur. However, its not like im going to make a sticky outta this kind of thread

Google/Search guys!!

Ham'nd'egger

440Hz wrote: »

I concur. However, its not like im going to make a sticky outta this kind of thread

Google/Search guys!!

See, I told you to make one and look what happens when you don't listen to me!

440Hz

Somehow, I don't think aiding illegal customs dodging warrants a sticky

Ham'nd'egger

440Hz wrote: »

Somehow, I don't think aiding illegal customs dodging warrants a sticky

But it's for my Grannie!!!:D

Fenster

I bought mine here in Las Vegas and had no problems bringing it home - just make sure you don't have it in it's original packaging.

SouperComputer

440Hz wrote: »

Somehow, I don't think aiding illegal customs dodging warrants a sticky

If people evade taxes thats their own deal. As long as you don't endorse it you're fine.

You could have an FAQ that just covers the frequently asked questions about using a US based laptop in Europe/Ireland. Voltages, keyboard differences, warranty situation etc. You could also mention in the thread that by law you must pay VAT when you arrive in ireland, maybe with a link to the appropriate government/revenue article. Sorts al potiental legal-spceegal.

TBH it drives me nuts when people ask about power supply/voltage, its a laptop, its meant to travel with you!

lee_baby_simms

I bought a macbook in the apple store NYC last week. The salesman said i'd be stupid to buy anything without warranty cos the 12 month macbook warranty only covers it in the country it was bought in.

I got the feeling he was instructed to either try and push applecare to customers or advise against people buying them on holidays.

I took it home as hand luggage and bought applecare on ebay for 110. I saved around 500 euro.

savemejebus

That was scummy of the guy as the macbook has a 12month world wide warranty. As soupercomputer said

its a laptop, its meant to travel with you!

OP I saw an article in the paper yesterday about a new clampdown on people buying equipment in the us and not declaring (which is wrong and naughty and not endorsed even with the savings involved) so be warned.

440Hz

SouperComputer wrote: »

You could have an FAQ that just covers the frequently asked questions about using a US based laptop in Europe/Ireland. Voltages, keyboard differences, warranty situation etc. You could also mention in the thread that by law you must pay VAT when you arrive in ireland, maybe with a link to the appropriate government/revenue article. Sorts al potiental legal-spceegal.

Yeah was thinking that but just didn't have time/energy last night. If anyone fancies adding to the notice I put up yesterday, with this kind of information, feel free, twould be much appreciated, otherwise, ill get to it eventually.

savemejebus wrote: »

OP I saw an article in the paper yesterday about a new clampdown on people buying equipment in the us and not declaring (which is wrong and naughty and not endorsed even with the savings involved) so be warned.

That was the guy with the iPhones right? Twas that article that made me write the notice

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055188068

savemejebus

no I didn't even know about that until now. I read an article in the independent about how greedy irish bargain hunters were costing the taxman 1 billion on shopping trips abroad. Ouch for the iphone guy

Cabaal

lee_baby_simms wrote: »

I bought a macbook in the apple store NYC last week. The salesman said i'd be stupid to buy anything without warranty cos the 12 month macbook warranty only covers it in the country it was bought in.

I got the feeling he was instructed to either try and push applecare to customers or advise against people buying them on holidays.

The sales rep lied, MacBook and MacBook Pro's have a worldwide warrenty as there laptops, iMacs however are limited to the country you buy them in afaik.

I've confirmed this with Apple in cork twice and also the sales rep in Las Vegas confirmed it with me

Apple in Cork were more then happy to help me and didn't seem to care that I was planning on buying in the US

zAbbo

I'll be getting a MBP early next year.

Good time to buy with the dollar falling through the floor atm.

If you buy in NYC, add 8% tax on top...

lee_baby_simms

zabbo wrote: »

If you buy in NYC, add 8% tax on top...

True but they still work out at around €800.

Cabaal wrote: »

The sales rep lied, MacBook and MacBook Pro's have a worldwide warrenty as there laptops, iMacs however are limited to the country you buy them in afaik.

I've confirmed this with Apple in cork twice and also the sales rep in Las Vegas confirmed it with me

Apple in Cork were more then happy to help me and didn't seem to care that I was planning on buying in the US

Interesting...good thing i didn't listen to him so. All worked out well.

The applecare he tried to sell me was around $250 as far as i remember.

SouperComputer

FWIW although laptops are ment to travel with you, and they will work in any country, they are not all warrantied worldwide.

Sony were ba$tards for this, which was one reason, amongst many that I couldn't recommend them to customer. If you bought the laptop in the US, you may ship it back to the US. I had to go through this farce a number of times.

This may have changed tho.......

Anyway, my point is, read the small print and make sure you get somthing in writing.

Luckily, all Apple portables, IME have have a worldwide warranty.