Mac computer questions

[shuki]

A couple quick questions for all you mac users out there.

I am thinking about getting a mac.

For starters are there any places that have macs at a slightly better price than direct from apple?

Second has to do with the processor speed. Lets say I go ahead and buy a mac pro with dual 2.8 GHz processors but in lets say 3 months I realize I need more power can I upgrade to a faster chip or am I stuck with what I have from the get go?

Third question has to do with monitors. Do I need to buy an apple monitor or can I use my dual 24 inch screens from dell on a mac?

Thanks

[payd2purv]

Apple controls pricing on Macs the price is the same wherever you go.

I've seen the prices drop as the product gets older.. Go to small apple dealers they will have specials.. Stay away from the apple store..

You can upgrade the mac pro.

You can use any DVI/RGB monitors... Apple just makes really sweet ones

[Evil E]

You can get refurbs from the mac website.

[OTerror]

you can get apple refurbished products which are the same thing for about $400 cheaper

and a student discount gets you a discount as well.

I paid $2k flat for a iMac 24" 2.8 ghz which retails for $2400 with tax

[shuki]

how do you get the student discount...I am not a student so......

[shuki]

I assume it is wise to get the extra apple care when buying a refurb correct?

[shuki]

What do you guys think about Mac Mall when buying new? They have some rebates going on now.

[Dvae]

What do you guys think about Mac Mall when buying new? They have some rebates going on now.

Yup thats what I usually do, either MacMall or MacConnection. Right now MacMall has the rebate plus free shipping.

[corbu]

the refurbs are just as good as the new in my opinion.

[brandonstills]

Memory and hard drives are marked up dramatically. They are off the shelf components. Get the minimum and swap out the HD and memory yourself to save a lot of money. I'm not sure how easy it is to swap out the CPU's. Memory and HD are even easier than the PC equivalent to swap though.

[mrkris]

You can uh ... order your mac online straight from apple, but go to the edu discount page, enter the zipcode for a college and select the college. No verification needed.

[DateDoc]

What do you guys think about Mac Mall when buying new? They have some rebates going on now.

I got my last iMac from MacMall. They have better pricing plus give a rebate and no tax helps too. If you need extra RAM etc get it from crucial as you will save $$.

[peedy]

I been buying mac refurbs and all work like a champ. Highly recommend. As Brandon said memory and hard drives are cheaper 3rd party.

[candyflip]

how do you get the student discount...I am not a student so......

My girlfriend works on a university campus, and she gets an educational discount. It's the same discount the students get. I don't remember the percentage, but it basically covered any taxes.

[candyflip]

Swapping memory on any of the Macs takes all of 30 seconds.

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

ADG

[shuki]

Is this

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...nplm=G0454LL/A


the same as this?

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...85cMEft/2.?p=0

The only diff is less ram ( will add my own cheaper)

smaller hard drive (will upgrade on my own)

and a worse vid card?

[shuki]

What memory do I need to get from crucial.com?

http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...=Apple&cat=RAM


or


http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...=Apple&cat=RAM

one says xeon 5400 series....the other does not

[crockett]

Unless you really like the Apple OS, Mac's are way over priced for the hardware you get IMHO. Don't believe the hype that they are so much better than a PC.. The OS might be better than windows, but the hardware is always outdated compared to building your own PC. You can build a PC with better specs than that Mac Pro for probably a at least 700 to 800 less.

I have to buy an Apple myself to work on a new project, so I've been doing research one them and I'm honestly not impressed with their hardware specs vs pricing. If I could get away with building a Apple clone I would.. but the program I need to use has problems on them.

On the monitor side yea you can use after market monitors.. (assuming the vid card has capacity for dual displays.. (not sure all the mac pro's have that)


If you are going ahead with it, it's likely safe to buy the Mac Pro because it was just refreshed but the new iMac are expected this Tuesday, according to the rumour mills. If you do buy the pro, just get a refurb. They come with a 1 year warranty and you can add longer if you want it.