Wow, this surprised me! It wasn't so much *what* was said that was surprising, but rather that *so much* was said in response to my request for assistance! Thanks!
After reading all the responses, I'm about 90% decided in favor of a 14.1" iBook. Here's the configuration I'd want to start out with, adding more as finances allow:
iBook 14.1" 700 MHz
384 MB RAM
30 GB HD
DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo
Extra Battery
Apple Protection Plan
--------------------------------------
$2,252 ($50/mo. on Apple Loan)
Now, there's another decision to be made, though: Should I order from Apple (above configuration was done on Apple's Website) or, should I order from someone like Mac Zone? The prices are lower in the catalog, but that's due mainly to what Apple charges for its extra RAM and the absence of the cost of the Apple Protection Plan. Adding the RAM to get it to 384 MB and adding the APP leaves a $150 difference, in favor of the catalog iBook (Mac Zone catalog only... I need to see how other catalogs compare, too.)
I look forward to your continuing and appreciated opinions and recommendations.
<strong>Now, there's another decision to be made, though: Should I order from Apple (above configuration was done on Apple's Website) or, should I order from someone like Mac Zone?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Absolutely check out Amazon.com on this one. No tax and no shipping charges. Apple charges both tax and shipping.
And, right now, until 8/25, you get a free Airport Card and $100 Amazon.com promotional certificate (good for a future purchase of anything from Amazon.com) with your purchase. Actually, there's more you get... here, have a look (the "special offers" are above the product "features"):
Find your RAM off dealram.com. I'd max it out to 640MB. Also, you don't have to buy Apple Care when you purchase your iBook, as long as you get it before your regular warranty runs out, you're fine. Then it adds two years on, so it's the same result as buying it right away.
By the way, I probably don't really need to mention this, but I'm not affiliated with Amazon.com in any way. I'm just a very happy Amazon.com iBook purchaser.
Absolutely check out Amazon.com on this one. No tax and no shipping charges. Apple charges both tax and shipping.
And, right now, until 8/25, you get a free Airport Card and $100 Amazon.com promotional certificate (good for a future purchase of anything from Amazon.com) with your purchase. Actually, there's more you get... here, have a look (the "special offers" are above the product "features"):
Find your RAM off dealram.com. I'd max it out to 640MB. Also, you don't have to buy Apple Care when you purchase your iBook, as long as you get it before your regular warranty runs out, you're fine. Then it adds two years on, so it's the same result as buying it right away.
By the way, I probably don't really need to mention this, but I'm not affiliated with Amazon.com in any way. I'm just a very happy Amazon.com iBook purchaser.
Apple charges nothing for ground shipping and $15 for 2nd day. That's not too steep. Second, Apple only charges tax if they have an Apple Store in your state.
<strong>Apple charges nothing for ground shipping and $15 for 2nd day. That's not too steep. Second, Apple only charges tax if they have an Apple Store in your state.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Oh. I stand corrected, then. I guess they changed their policy from when I bought my G3 back in 1998.
Are you sure they only charge sales tax if there's an Apple Store in your state? They charged me tax in '98 (obviously before there were any Apple Retail Stores anywhere). The tax was based on your mailing address (you paid Apple your local sales tax).
In any case, Amazon still seems like a better deal to me. Free Airport Card and $100 certificate = $200 less.
Oh. I stand corrected, then. I guess they changed their policy from when I bought my G3 back in 1998.
Are you sure they only charge sales tax if there's an Apple Store in your state? They charged me tax in '98 (obviously before there were any Apple Retail Stores anywhere). The tax was based on your mailing address (you paid Apple your local sales tax).
In any case, Amazon still seems like a better deal to me. Free Airport Card and $100 certificate = $200 less.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I hope that's not that case, but for me it's cheapest through Apple even with the sales tax. But I don't want to have to pay the extra $100.
Apple charges nothing for ground shipping and $15 for 2nd day. That's not too steep. Second, Apple only charges tax if they have an Apple Store in your state.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I thought they charged tax if there were any Mac dealers or stores in your state. Like if there's a CompUSA in your state they still charged tax. Did they change that after the retail stores opened?
The only thing that bother's me about Apple's notebook line-up (besides the prices) is the huge gaping hole between the top iBook and the Ti667. It's begging for an iBookSE.
I think I could live with an iBook if they upped the supported external res. I can live without spanning support, but I won't go back to using anything less than 1152x864 (on my 17"CRT).
Apple, give me a 1999 DuoBook. Basically an iBook/Ti hybrid that supports higher DVI-out resolutions in closed book mode. A modern duo, without the dock!
PS, use the 12" iBook shell (for portability)
Blue-tooth will be there in a few months, but it's gonna be onthe airport card, not on the MoBo.
I thought they charged tax if there were any Mac dealers or stores in your state. Like if there's a CompUSA in your state they still charged tax. Did they change that after the retail stores opened?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yeah, this a strange part of buying from Apple online. I bought my iBook from the Apple.com store and was charged tax. When I bought my VGA adapter, a couple weeks later, they didn't charge me tax. Very strange. <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />
When do they add the tax to the cost? I've gotten al the way to the shipping method/enter CCard page, but haven't since I haven't ordered, but they don't say anything about taxes before that point or even on that page. When do they add it? I would think that they would add it BEFORE I had to dole out my credit card number.
They already have my address and stuff from my account.
Yeah, this a strange part of buying from Apple online. I bought my iBook from the Apple.com store and was charged tax. When I bought my VGA adapter, a couple weeks later, they didn't charge me tax. Very strange. <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>
I wasn't taxed on the ADC membership, but I *just* bought my TiBook and they did tax me. But they didn't put up the tax figures until AFTER they charged me. =( I still got the TiBook 667DVI for $2200 after tax though. Not that bad. (with Airport)
Comments
After reading all the responses, I'm about 90% decided in favor of a 14.1" iBook. Here's the configuration I'd want to start out with, adding more as finances allow:
iBook 14.1" 700 MHz
384 MB RAM
30 GB HD
DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo
Extra Battery
Apple Protection Plan
--------------------------------------
$2,252 ($50/mo. on Apple Loan)
Now, there's another decision to be made, though: Should I order from Apple (above configuration was done on Apple's Website) or, should I order from someone like Mac Zone? The prices are lower in the catalog, but that's due mainly to what Apple charges for its extra RAM and the absence of the cost of the Apple Protection Plan. Adding the RAM to get it to 384 MB and adding the APP leaves a $150 difference, in favor of the catalog iBook (Mac Zone catalog only... I need to see how other catalogs compare, too.)
I look forward to your continuing and appreciated opinions and recommendations.
<strong>Now, there's another decision to be made, though: Should I order from Apple (above configuration was done on Apple's Website) or, should I order from someone like Mac Zone?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Absolutely check out Amazon.com on this one. No tax and no shipping charges. Apple charges both tax and shipping.
And, right now, until 8/25, you get a free Airport Card and $100 Amazon.com promotional certificate (good for a future purchase of anything from Amazon.com) with your purchase. Actually, there's more you get... here, have a look (the "special offers" are above the product "features"):
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000068IE7/qid=1028636568/sr=1-8/ref=sr_1_8/102-7791236-8397761"; target="_blank">14" iBook at Amazon.com</a>
Find your RAM off dealram.com. I'd max it out to 640MB. Also, you don't have to buy Apple Care when you purchase your iBook, as long as you get it before your regular warranty runs out, you're fine. Then it adds two years on, so it's the same result as buying it right away.
By the way, I probably don't really need to mention this, but I'm not affiliated with Amazon.com in any way. I'm just a very happy Amazon.com iBook purchaser.
[ 08-06-2002: Message edited by: spotbug ]
[ 08-06-2002: Message edited by: spotbug ]</p>
<strong>
Absolutely check out Amazon.com on this one. No tax and no shipping charges. Apple charges both tax and shipping.
And, right now, until 8/25, you get a free Airport Card and $100 Amazon.com promotional certificate (good for a future purchase of anything from Amazon.com) with your purchase. Actually, there's more you get... here, have a look (the "special offers" are above the product "features"):
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000068IE7/qid=1028636568/sr=1-8/ref=sr_1_8/102-7791236-8397761"; target="_blank">14" iBook at Amazon.com</a>
Find your RAM off dealram.com. I'd max it out to 640MB. Also, you don't have to buy Apple Care when you purchase your iBook, as long as you get it before your regular warranty runs out, you're fine. Then it adds two years on, so it's the same result as buying it right away.
By the way, I probably don't really need to mention this, but I'm not affiliated with Amazon.com in any way. I'm just a very happy Amazon.com iBook purchaser.
[ 08-06-2002: Message edited by: spotbug ]
[ 08-06-2002: Message edited by: spotbug ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
Apple charges nothing for ground shipping and $15 for 2nd day. That's not too steep. Second, Apple only charges tax if they have an Apple Store in your state.
<strong>Apple charges nothing for ground shipping and $15 for 2nd day. That's not too steep. Second, Apple only charges tax if they have an Apple Store in your state.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Oh. I stand corrected, then. I guess they changed their policy from when I bought my G3 back in 1998.
Are you sure they only charge sales tax if there's an Apple Store in your state? They charged me tax in '98 (obviously before there were any Apple Retail Stores anywhere). The tax was based on your mailing address (you paid Apple your local sales tax).
In any case, Amazon still seems like a better deal to me. Free Airport Card and $100 certificate = $200 less.
<strong>
Oh. I stand corrected, then. I guess they changed their policy from when I bought my G3 back in 1998.
Are you sure they only charge sales tax if there's an Apple Store in your state? They charged me tax in '98 (obviously before there were any Apple Retail Stores anywhere). The tax was based on your mailing address (you paid Apple your local sales tax).
In any case, Amazon still seems like a better deal to me. Free Airport Card and $100 certificate = $200 less.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I hope that's not that case, but for me it's cheapest through Apple even with the sales tax. But I don't want to have to pay the extra $100.
<strong>
Apple charges nothing for ground shipping and $15 for 2nd day. That's not too steep. Second, Apple only charges tax if they have an Apple Store in your state.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I thought they charged tax if there were any Mac dealers or stores in your state. Like if there's a CompUSA in your state they still charged tax. Did they change that after the retail stores opened?
I think I could live with an iBook if they upped the supported external res. I can live without spanning support, but I won't go back to using anything less than 1152x864 (on my 17"CRT).
Apple, give me a 1999 DuoBook. Basically an iBook/Ti hybrid that supports higher DVI-out resolutions in closed book mode. A modern duo, without the dock!
PS, use the 12" iBook shell (for portability)
Blue-tooth will be there in a few months, but it's gonna be onthe airport card, not on the MoBo.
<strong>
I thought they charged tax if there were any Mac dealers or stores in your state. Like if there's a CompUSA in your state they still charged tax. Did they change that after the retail stores opened?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yeah, this a strange part of buying from Apple online. I bought my iBook from the Apple.com store and was charged tax. When I bought my VGA adapter, a couple weeks later, they didn't charge me tax. Very strange. <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />
They already have my address and stuff from my account.
[ 08-07-2002: Message edited by: pyr3 ]</p>
i had about the same problem in the beginning.
but with a windows running 356 mhz 256 mb 13" 4,6 g hd laptop ... and ??? mac ????
in the end i have put the kde redhat and killed windows completely...
and chose 12" ibook.
the best portability. that was the najor criterion.
also the powerbooks are a bit (read: a lot) more pricy ...
<strong>
Yeah, this a strange part of buying from Apple online. I bought my iBook from the Apple.com store and was charged tax. When I bought my VGA adapter, a couple weeks later, they didn't charge me tax. Very strange. <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>
I wasn't taxed on the ADC membership, but I *just* bought my TiBook and they did tax me. But they didn't put up the tax figures until AFTER they charged me. =( I still got the TiBook 667DVI for $2200 after tax though. Not that bad. (with Airport)
<strong>Just curious... What's the likelihood that a 15-inch iBook will be announced in September?</strong><hr></blockquote>
I think that you would get better results on the question in future hardware. Start a new thread there with that question.
<strong>Just curious... What's the likelihood that a 15-inch iBook will be announced in September?</strong><hr></blockquote>
I doubt there'll be one.