Apple - MAC Computer Deals

[Muddy Rivers]

We are looking into purchasing a MAC desktop computer. Does anyone know of any deals or discounts I should look for. I know my son is eligible for $100 off (offered through his University) of a new one if we purchase it online. Just figured if they offered $100 off for college students there might be something else out there that I don't want to overlook.

Thanks!

 

[DawnM]

I get the educators' discount as well, but we still found it was less expensive to order from Amazon.com when we got our laptop two years ago.

Our state has no tax in Aug. and I learned this past year that you can do the no-tax online as well! After listening to people waiting in line at our ONE Apple store in town for hours to get their no-tax deals I was thrilled to only have to make a phone call! This was for our desktop purchase.

In the summer they also offer students some sort of huge incentive. For a couple of years it was the iPod touch, last year it was a $100 iTunes gift card.

Dawn

 

[ssawka]

If you have an Apple store near you, I would reccomend ordering online from apple, especially if you are going to purchase AppleCare. It is so convenient to just walk into the store for help, or if you need repairs.

In answer to your original question, Apple usually does not offer discounts or incentives other than through the education program. (They don't have to!)

 

[auralia]

They have a military/government discount too. Also I believe if you have any kind of school age child you can get the education discount.

 

[Muddy Rivers]

Thanks for your help. I sort of figured Apple doesn't offer any big discounts but I always like to check. I feel better about paying near full price if there is no alternative deal I am missing.

Thanks!

 

[Rynosaur]

as long as you have apple care, the apple store will take care of it for you with the same benefits. and if you do decide to purchase apple care make sure your son purchases it with his discount. it sounds obvious but if you purchase the desktop at another retailer he may get the equipment discount but not the warranty discount.

if you have a micro center or even a frys close to you they often have the entry level imacs on sale near or even cheaper than the student discount.

what about refurbs/openbox? the apple store online has them available and you can often find good deals at best buy on their open box. they still carry the same warranty and are able to still have applecare added on.

http://www.appleinsider.com/mac_price_guide/

check out this link and it will list prices form several retailers. also check slickdeals.net and skip the mac vs pc debate in the deal threads and you can have a good idea of what you can pay

 

[JB2K]

Also, for those of you with access to Army and Air Force bases, AAFES Base/Post Exchanges sell the full line of Apple products, to include Macs.

While Apple promotions are few and far between, you won't have to pay sales tax at these stores...

 

[PlutoPony]

Sometimes your company will have a discount, the only way to find out is ask Apple. It's usually not a whole lot (<10%) and the discount may vary by product like software, monitors, etc.

 

[englishteacha]

My new MacBook Pro is a refurb. I love it and it seems like "brand new" to me. My DH got it online. I guess there's a refurb link on the Apple store.

 

[hauntedcity]

MacMall.com and MacConnection.com usually have some decent details, and are worth checking out. They definitely don't have the service of Apple. For example, I think one of them won't accept any returns on computers. However, if if you have any problems with the computer, they will still take care of it at an Apple Store.

 

[Muddy Rivers]

Thanks for the help. We are up in the air trying to decide between an iMac and Mac mini.

 

[luvdisney00]

This might not help you OP but for future reference, they have good discounts on black Friday. We bought our iMac the Saturday AFTER BF and found our we would have saved a few hundred dollars the day before. Oh well you live and learn, and I love love, love my iMac.