Buying in USA

Da[]San

Da[]San

Da[]San

Associate
Joined
20 Oct 2002
Posts
1,616
Location
North West
I'm off to work in the states for a couple of months, was thinking that it might be cheaper to buy a Macbook over there instead of here? Has anyone had any experience of buying a Mac from the USA? What about warranty etc?
 
Warranty is worldwide, you'll have a US keyboard rather than a UK one, that's the only downside. I don't know how the prices compare once you take tax into account (bear in mind that all the prices on apple.com don't include local taxes).
 
Thanks Feek, thats sounds good I can live with a US keyboard.
Oh I've just found out my company also has a discount with Apple. This is getting better :)
 
I bought my black Macbook in 2006 in Toronto. I got AppleCare and apart from the Canadian keyboard its been great. The warranty here has been excellent, within the first 3 years Apple changed my battery 3 times, new DVD drive, new keyboard (they asked whether I wanted a UK one) - as the plastic around the trim cracked and new heatsink and fan.

I think its worth getting AppleCare as its so much cheaper across the pond and you really get looked after well by Apple with it!
 
I got a MacBook Pro 15" (Core i7) in January this year from the USA, it was nearly £500 cheaper than the same model in the UK ($2199 = £1351 vs £1799).

The MacBook itself has only one difference, the keyboard layout is US rather then UK, which at first is frustrating but after a while actually feels more natural to use. You will have to get the UK adapter for the charger, as well as the metre extension cable. I got both from eBay for £15 which after a saving of nearly £500 is really worth the hassle.

Just be aware, if your caught with the MacBook at customs on your return flight in its packaging, you will get done, the tax you have to pay is huge. I ended up using Fed-Ex to send the box back for $40 and took the laptop through as if I had had it before. No problems :D

As for warranty, world wide so no worries their either.
 
The tax differs from state to state, so it'll depend where you buy it.

A friend recently got me an Apple TV from an Apple store in West Virginia (about 20 miles from Washington DC) and they have 5% state tax. It cost about £70 instead of the £101 in an Apple store in the UK.
 
Buy at the airport. Instant 20% saving, UK keyboard, UK power adaptor, no need to sneak it through customs and you can ring ahead to reserve.
 
What about iPad2 in the USA? I'm over there soon, only thing that worries me is the warranty...
 
Lowe said:
What about iPad2 in the USA? I'm over there soon, only thing that worries me is the warranty...
Click to expand...

You'll be lucky to find one. They are like rocking horse poo at the moment.

A couple of months.. sure.
 
MrLOL said:
why ? somebody has already explained the warranty is valid world wide :)
Click to expand...

For laptops, yes. Other products don't have the same guarantee and I've not had time to dig through the T's and C's on the site.
 
the ipad and ipod warranty is fine also. I got it clarified by the apple store people when i was over there last. Nearly bought an ipad wifi over there as it was a good chunk cheaper at the time :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom