Buying a Macbook in the US

[Alan Duggan]

Hi All,

Anyone got first hand experience of buying a Macbook in the US? Pros & Cons would be appreciated. Some questions for example: 

Does the power block handle Irish AC or do I have to get another block here? 

Is the warranty good here if something goes amiss? What about extended warranty?

Are there any other issues I've not considered?

Regards,

Alan

[Denis Hennessy]

I bought one in the States (not my current MBP, the one before it). Overall, no real issues whatsoever (although the savings are not as big as you might think - depending on the state, you'll have to pay sales tax in the US, whereas here the VAT is already included (and recoverable).

Anyway, the two physical differences are:

It has a US layout keyboard (I actually prefer that one).
The power transformer will work anywhere, although you'll have to get your own plug (or use a standard figure-8 lead with it).

The warranty is worldwide (and you can buy the extended warranty a year later anyway).

Make sure you've discarded all the packaging in case Irish customs nab you on the way back - they normally ignore laptops unless it's still in its packaging.

[Alan Duggan]

Very fair point regarding taxes - Only €70 in the difference at the moment based on the online store Vs Ex VAT price here which isn't appealing for the added hassle.

Similarly - savings out of the UK have disappeared as well, damn Euro receding!

At the risk of opening a religious war/discussion, what's on everyone's must have list:-

With or without Anti-glare?
Magic Mouse?
7200RPM HDD?

This is likely to be my workhorse for at least a year so I'm keen to make sure I don't miss the obvious upgrades that really 'should' be included. That said, every Euro spent has to earn it's keep!

Like many others, I am also watching for the imminent Apple MacBook Pro announcement whenever thats likely to happen.

Thanks,

Alan

[Colm Doyle]

I went with a glossy screen and bumped up the revs on the HDD.

In an ideal world, i'd go to SSD, but i'm not a dotcom millionaire just yet. As for a mouse, I don't like the profile of the Magic Mouse. Bit too low to the ground for me. I've a Logitech MX Revolution and i'd be lost without it. Needs a logitech reciever to work though, which is irritating. Obviously Bluetooth would be the ideal.

Alan Duggan said:

At the risk of opening a religious war/discussion, what's on everyone's must have list:-
With or without Anti-glare?
Magic Mouse?
7200RPM HDD?

[Alan Duggan]

Cheers Colm. Appreciate the opinion.

[Vinny Coyne]

I've been running a MacBook Pro 15" (late 2008 unibody model) that I bought in the US. Maxed out the hardware specs on it (RAM, HD) at the time too. Still rock solid, have no need for a new machine, unfortunately ;)

Never use a mouse with mine, so I haven't picked up the Magic Mouse. Multi-touch trackpad is so intuitive to use.

I'd love to get anti-glare on the screen, as the glossy can be a PITA, especially when outdoors. SSD would be nice too, but I'm happy enough with the current HD (5400, I think).

If you can hang on for the new models, it'd be worth picking one up I'd say.

Vinny.

[Alan Duggan]

Thanks Vinny. There was a lot of noise about the new models in the last couple of weeks - any news on that front that anyone has seen? I could hang on if it's not too far away.

Alan

[Colm Doyle]

Surely at this point they'll hold off until either (A) the release of the iPad or (B) WWDC ?

Alan Duggan said:

Thanks Vinny. There was a lot of noise about the new models in the last couple of weeks - any news on that front that anyone has seen? I could hang on if it's not too far away.

Alan

[LiangMa]

I bought a Mac Book Pro 15' Screen 2.66GHz , 9400+9600GT graphic card from China. The power block does handle IrishAC for my case. There are 2 socket adpter, you could change the configuration for your power block. Extened warranty mybe useful. Good Luck