Buying Mac Book Pro in the US

mfield · 26-01-2011 06:25PM #1

I'm taking the plunge and getting a Mac Book Pro, I have a mate in the states and he is going to pick me up one.

The problem I have is that I was going to get the 15-inch: 2.4GHz model and add the Hi-Res Anti-Glare Display but they don't have them in the store.

Am I missing much by not getting this?

They have this on the 15-inch: 2.4GHz model, but that is a little out of my budget.

Also, do I need to buy an adapter for the power unit?

Any help would be great!

thecommander · 26-01-2011 06:52PM

Check any stores nearby, some cities have a few. Might have in stock

A regular figure of 8 cable will do

Figure%20of%208%20to%20UK%20mains%20power%20cable%20BLACK%201.8m.jpg

Figure%20of%208%20to%20UK%20mains%20power%20cable%20BLACK%201.8m.jpg

barryj · 26-01-2011 07:19PM

Be aware that the keyboard layout of US models is slightly different - you may or may not find it a problem.

I've lived with the glossy version for the last couple of years and it's not bothered me too much - though I think if I had the choice i'd pick the matt, but I don't think it's a dealbreaker unless you need to use it outside much.

Also, if you declare the machine coming through customs or get caught not declaring, it'll likely cost you more than it would have here.

- barry

Funky G · 26-01-2011 07:25PM

mfield wrote: »

I'm taking the plunge and getting a Mac Book Pro, I have a mate in the states and he is going to pick me up one.

The problem I have is that I was going to get the 15-inch: 2.4GHz model and add the Hi-Res Anti-Glare Display but they don't have them in the store.

Am I missing much by not getting this?

They have this on the 15-inch: 2.4GHz model, but that is a little out of my budget.

Also, do I need to buy an adapter for the power unit?

Any help would be great!

Just bought a refurb MBP from apple and got it delivered today. never used a mac before but so far so good. looks like new and had no marks what so ever. you wouldn't even know it was a refurb other than the box is not the same as one you get from the shop new or apple themselves new. had all the bits you need - charger, boot discs etc.

the antiglare i doubt a shop would do and most likely have to be pre-ordered directly from apple themselves. when looking here i never seen a bricks n mortar place sell anything customable other than the standard spec

Was gonna go down the import route but i think the american keyboard is different than the a standard one everyone uses. plus if you had a problem what would you do?

If you do go down the yankee route possibly get the applecare protection. its worldwide afaik

barryj · 26-01-2011 07:26PM

Regarding the power adapter - that will work here voltage-wise, but the plug end will be US rather than Irish/UK.

But the plug end is interchangeable on all the apple power supplies, so if you have any spare iPhone/iPod/iPad etc. chargers, you can just change the plug bit from that. Alternatively you can buy them online pretty easily for small money.

Something like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Standard-connector-Adapter-Charger-Classic/dp/B0047SR1DK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1296069909&sr=8-3

The figure of 8 lead already mentioned should fit I think, but will be a bit unwieldy.

- barry

jwcurtin · 26-01-2011 07:47PM

barryj wrote: »

Be aware that the keyboard layout of US models is slightly different - you may or may not find it a problem.

I've lived with the glossy version for the last couple of years and it's not bothered me too much - though I think if I had the choice i'd pick the matt, but I don't think it's a dealbreaker unless you need to use it outside much.

Also, if you declare the machine coming through customs or get caught not declaring, it'll likely cost you more than it would have here.

- barry

But if you take over a laptop bag (an oldish one) and use it on the plane over, would that possibly get away with it?

mfield · 26-01-2011 08:05PM

Many thanks for all the replies lads!

I would like to get the Hi-Res Screen though, which is not as standard.

Regarding the keyboard layout, could I just replace the keys with some UK/IRE layout keys off eBay?

Do Apple not offer worldwide cover on their laptops like they do on iPods etc?

pogsick · 26-01-2011 08:15PM

I got mine the the US and had to get the power cable replaced as it was damaged and apple replaced it no probs here in Ireland, they even gave me the choice of getting a US or UK adaptor

im...LOST · 26-01-2011 08:54PM

I've a US Mac and I just use a regular 2 pin to 3 pin converter. No problems here.

barryj · 26-01-2011 09:04PM

mfield wrote: »

Regarding the keyboard layout, could I just replace the keys with some UK/IRE layout keys off eBay?

No. The aluminium macs have the spaces for the keys already cut out - so a whole new case would be needed.

mfield wrote: »

Do Apple not offer worldwide cover on their laptops like they do on iPods etc?

To the best of my knowledge, cover is global.

- barry

thecommander · 27-01-2011 08:32AM

barryj wrote: »

To the best of my knowledge, cover is global.

- barry

Confirmed as global, have it on my US bought MBP.

milltown · 27-01-2011 08:37AM

Re: US Keyboards.

I'll ask here rather than starting a new thread, seeing as you're sort of on the subject already.

I bought a refurb iMac a few weeks ago from Apple, which came with the wireless keyboard. I'm coming from Windows so don't know if it's the norm but the @ and " symbols are swapped, like on an american keyboard (although it does have the € symbol). Is this normal?

And does it bother anyone else that Apple's M looks like they just turned a W upside down? Any other keyboard has the M with vertical sides. On my Apple they're at an angle.
/Pettiness

r3nu4l · 27-01-2011 08:40AM

I bought my MBP in the US.

Firstly power supply. I bought one of these (in a camera shop in New York). It cost me under $2 and works perfectly.

Keyboard. It's not that different. You can also change the layout in your preferences so that it's more closely mirrored to UK/Ireland specs too. However I find it really simple to switch between my MBP and my work laptop (UK spec) really easily. No difficulties.

Packaging. The MBP package is quite bulky, so I bought myself a laptop bag over there and threw away all packaging. The only thing I kept was the receipt. I would recommend doing this, not to avoid paying revenue of course, (that would be very, very wrong, a heinous crime!!) but simply to make transport of the MBP much more comfortable.

stimpson · 27-01-2011 10:29AM

milltown wrote: »

I bought a refurb iMac a few weeks ago from Apple, which came with the wireless keyboard. I'm coming from Windows so don't know if it's the norm but the @ and " symbols are swapped, like on an american keyboard (although it does have the € symbol). Is this normal?

That's normal on a Mac keyboard

And does it bother anyone else that Apple's M looks like they just turned a W upside down? Any other keyboard has the M with vertical sides. On my Apple they're at an angle.
/Pettiness

I think you're probably the first person to notice it.

who_ru · 29-01-2011 04:22PM

regarding applecare i would strongly advise buying it for a 3 year period. gives great piece of mind.

i have had the mother board replaced twice in my macbook, bought late 2008. i think i paid approx 180 euro for the applecare cover, it could have been slightly more or less, but has paid for itself probably 4/5 times over getting the motherboard replaced twice. and yes i bought the macbook in the US of A.

mfield · 29-01-2011 09:30PM

who_ru wrote: »

regarding applecare i would strongly advise buying it for a 3 year period. gives great piece of mind.

i have had the mother board replaced twice in my macbook, bought late 2008. i think i paid approx 180 euro for the applecare cover, it could have been slightly more or less, but has paid for itself probably 4/5 times over getting the motherboard replaced twice. and yes i bought the macbook in the US of A.

Did you buy the cover for you Mac in Ireland or the states?

jack presley · 29-01-2011 10:23PM

r3nu4l wrote: »

not to avoid paying revenue of course, (that would be very, very wrong, a heinous crime!!)

I believe you, many wouldn't!

who_ru · 30-01-2011 02:23PM

mfield wrote: »

Did you buy the cover for you Mac in Ireland or the states?

bought applecare in the US.

mfield · 30-01-2011 03:31PM

who_ru wrote: »

bought applecare in the US.

Mine was bought in Best Buy can I buy AppleCare online or does it have to be got in the Apple store?

stimpson · 30-01-2011 05:17PM

mfield wrote: »

Mine was bought in Best Buy can I buy AppleCare online or does it have to be got in the Apple store?

You can buy it online while your mac is within it's one year guarantee.

who_ru · 30-01-2011 08:31PM

you can buy it from the applestore online, or i have also heard of people buying it on ebay perfectly legitimately.

photolady · 30-01-2011 08:41PM

If you buy the MBP in the US, do you have to take Applecare at time of purchase or can you do it a later stage from home? Am thinking of doing the same.
Thanks

jwcurtin · 30-01-2011 08:50PM

photolady wrote: »

If you buy the MBP in the US, do you have to take Applecare at time of purchase or can you do it a later stage from home? Am thinking of doing the same.
Thanks

Look 2 posts above yours!

mfield · 30-01-2011 10:08PM

Thanks for all the great info lads!

photolady · 31-01-2011 04:43PM

Thanks JWcurtain - sorry hadn't noticed that!!

Losty Dublin · 01-02-2011 12:00AM

r3nu4l wrote: »

Packaging. The MBP package is quite bulky, so I bought myself a laptop bag over there and threw away all packaging. The only thing I kept was the receipt. I would recommend doing this, not to avoid paying revenue of course, (that would be very, very wrong, a heinous crime!!) but simply to make transport of the MBP much more comfortable.

If Mister Customs inspector stops you and finds any goodies the onus is on you to prove that it isn't imported and not the other way around.

thecommander · 01-02-2011 11:08AM

Losty Dublin wrote: »

If Mister Customs inspector stops you and finds any goodies the onus is on you to prove that it isn't imported and not the other way around.

Heard loads of hearsay about people being stopped with a laptop, in a laptop bag. But nothing more than hearsay.

Has anyone here ever been stopped about their laptop by customs in Dublin

Edit: Fly to the States a good bit, and been stopped about the contents of my bag once, but never about the laptop.

barryj · 01-02-2011 11:37AM

I've never been stopped myself.

I'd say given the current financial hole the country is in there'll be pressure on customs to increase their income. Also, be aware that it's not just the first time, but you could be stopped at any point in the future. Having a non-local keyboard is a good starting point for customs to dig further.

In my opinion, I'd rather go buy something from the refurb store - you'll be saving 2-300 on an MBP, which probably negates any saving of buying abroad and getting the correct keyboard and no worries.

You'll also be contributing 2-300 euro in VAT to your own country, which means a reduction in borrowing to the same amount. Given that the country needs every euro it can get it's hands on, and that we all have to pay for that borrowing anyway, that's another saving.

- barry

Johnmb · 01-02-2011 11:45AM

Losty Dublin wrote: »

If Mister Customs inspector stops you and finds any goodies the onus is on you to prove that it isn't imported and not the other way around.

That's a load of crap. Customs would like people to believe that, and will give that impression, but they are the ones who have the onus of proof. They are making the accusation that you are doing something wrong, and under Irish principles of law you are innocent until proven guilty. The Law Lords (or was it their new Supreme court?) in the UK have already established this principle applies to customs officials too, and I am not aware of the Irish courts ever ignoring a precedent on principle of law that was set by the top UK courts (both systems are common law based and therefore use the same principles).

whiterebel · 01-02-2011 11:53AM

Johnmb wrote: »

That's a load of crap. Customs would like people to believe that, and will give that impression, but they are the ones who have the onus of proof. They are making the accusation that you are doing something wrong, and under Irish principles of law you are innocent until proven guilty. The Law Lords (or was it their new Supreme court?) in the UK have already established this principle applies to customs officials too, and I am not aware of the Irish courts ever ignoring a precedent on principle of law that was set by the top UK courts (both systems are common law based and therefore use the same principles).

It is not crap. It is easily checked where a machine was purchased. If it was brought in from outside the EU, and you have paid VAT and duty, they will have a record of it. If they don't, you prove it......

And please don't use the UK examples from Law, we broke free of that a long, long time ago. We set our own laws in this country, or at least the EU does. They started off as common law, but its not like we changed ours as the UK did.

Johnmb · 01-02-2011 12:00PM

whiterebel wrote: »

It is not crap. It is easily checked where a machine was purchased. If it was brought in from outside the EU, and you have paid VAT and duty, they will have a record of it. If they don't, you prove it......

And please don't use the UK examples from Law, we broke free of that a long, long time ago. We set our own laws in this country, or at least the EU does. They started off as common law, but its not like we changed ours as the UK did.

I'm sure it is easily checked where a machine is purchased. I didn't comment on that. The onus is on customs to check where it was purchased and prove it wasn't purchased within the EU. That is what I said, nothing about how easy it is for them to get that proof. And as for breaking free of the UK, that is completely irrelevant. As I said, the Irish courts have never ignored a precedent of principle as set by the top UK courts. It doesn't matter whether you are happy about that or not, it is fact. The systems are the same, the Irish courts are smart enough to know that, and while UK precedents are not binding, the reality is that they are followed.

Buying Mac Book Pro in the US

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