Creative Communities of the World Forums

The peer to peer support community for media production professionals.

Activity Forums Apple OS X Buying a Mac Book Pro

  • Buying a Mac Book Pro

    Posted by Bob Cole on February 2, 2014 at 10:54 pm

    Where do you recommend buying a MacBook Pro? A lot of retail outlets seem to offer a $50 discount. But I found a much bigger discount ($699) for a MacBook Pro with Retina display, at Mac Mall. But that model isn’t in the Apple Store online, so I’m wondering what is happening. Does Mac Mall sell obsolete models? The graphics card is different, and the Mac Mall model has a 768 gb solid state drive, which I don’t find on the Apple Store.

    Mac Mall also offers a configuration that closely corresponds to a current Apple Store model at a $50 discount.

    Advice?

    Thanks.

    Bob C

    Bob Cole replied 12 years, 5 months ago 3 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • Steve Kownacki

    February 3, 2014 at 3:27 am

    I’ve always been a fan of the refurbs on apple.com
    https://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals

    And if you go to your local apple store, ask to talk to a business specialist – gotten good deals that way too.

    Steve

  • Bob Cole

    February 3, 2014 at 2:16 pm

    Thanks Steve. I had been checking the refurbs, finding nothing recent
    (and I wanted the Oct 2013 MBP). And then when I got your reply and the link I checked again and there it was, exactly what I wanted, and at a much bigger savings than the usual refurb. Very good timing on your reply! Problem solved.

    Bob C

  • Craig Alan

    February 6, 2014 at 9:18 pm

    They’ve been around a long time. Authorized and so forth. Ask them if its refurb or a custom installation if its protected by apple care which you should always get the 3 year plan anyway. I’ve bought mine from BHphoto and a local retailer that has decent deals. With a laptop getting apple care for 3 years is a must have.

    Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

  • Bob Cole

    March 14, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    Well…. I was very happy with my refurbished MBP Retina, until it simply didn’t power up one day. Eventually it did, but that was enough. (It probably heard me bragging to my client about it just before I hit the power button.)

    Apple was very good about the return, and now that I know how terrific the computer is, I’m going to buy a new one. In this business, failure is not a good option, and I need reliability WAY more than I need a good deal.

    I’d love to know which types (iMacs vs. laptops) of computers are most reliable in the Refurb Store. For laptops, I’m going to stick to new from now on.

    Bob C

We use anonymous cookies to give you the best experience we can.
Our Privacy policy | GDPR Policy