Decision time

[danaeris]

ugh. So, time to make a decision.

Carbon Computing will buy my computer and pay me a check if I don't order through them, so the whole trade in thing is a moot point; no matter where I buy, I can get some value from my computer.

The Kitchener Best Buy has the following laptop:

• G4, 1.25 GHz, 30 gigs, 256 mb DDR, Tiger


• $1000 for computer + $300 for three year Best Buy warranty (covers power surges but not self-done upgrades)


• If I want to upgrade memory, I can provide the memory but they have to install it for a $40 fee


• Hard disk space would be too much hassle to upgrade

Total cost, upgrading to 1 gig + 256 mb memory: $1460

A new full price laptop from any Best Buy:

• G4, 1.33 GHz, 40 gigs, 512 mb DDR, Tiger


• $1250 for computer + $320 for three year Best Buy warranty (covers power surges but not self-done upgrades)


• If I want to upgrade memory, I can provide the memory but they have to install it for a $40 fee


• Hard disk space would be too much hassle to upgrade

Total cost, upgrading to 512mb+512mb: $1670

Any Apple seller can order me:

• G4, 1.33 GHz, 40 gigs, 512 mb DDR, Tiger


• $1250 for computer + $389 for three year AppleCare warranty (does not cover power surges but self-done upgrades do not void the warranty)


• Can order extra hard disk space but I'll have to wait for it to ship

Total cost, upgrading to 512mb+512mb and leaving hard disk space as is: $1700

Edit I can also buy a number of refurbished iBooks or PowerBooks, with AppleCare. The catch is that I'd have to buy them in US dollars, with a US credit card with a US billing and shipping address. You can view those options here.
Thanks to hopeforyou for pointing this one out to me, although I'm not sure I could make it work given that I'd need to ship it somewhere in the US and then go pick it up. ugh.

My thrifty side is warring with my "get the best of everything side", and both are warring with my impatient side. *sigh*

What would you do?

Comments

[hopeforyou.livejournal.com]

I have been considering the same issues as you as I'm looking to buy a Powerbook.

Based on my reseller and eBay research, I've come to the conclusion my best bet is to go to the Apple Store's refurbish sales section and buy a refurbished unit with the full AppleCare and warranty for about 30-40% off the price of a non-refurbished unit.

[laura47.livejournal.com]

i'd say go for apple + apple care.

too bad you're not a teacher right now, they have a nice educational discount (5% in general and like 40% off apple care or something sweet)

[random-vamp.livejournal.com]

Have you tried looking on Amazon.com? I just got my new iBook from them, and they regularly have substantial mail-in rebates (and you can get AppleCare even if you don't buy straight from Apple).

As for the memory, you can easily add it yourself and save the $40. The instructions for doing so are even in the manual.

[johno.livejournal.com]

Best Buy is strictly send it back to the shop for repair place. You add the time it take them to send it to/from BB repair, the the send to/from time the manufacturer's repair center. They will also argue the fix more.

Apple (from what I hear) unless it's really obvious you broke it, they'll fix it.

So I recomend paying extra for the peace of mind.