Powerbook 867 for $1999 or 1 Ghz for $2599???

jpp1cd

I can get the Powerbook 867 with 3 years of apple care for $1999. How good a deal is this? Is this something that I should jump on immediately. After Christmas, I may be able to get the Superdrive 1 Ghz for 2599 about or something like that. Is that a better deal for me to go with or should I get the 867? Any advice would be great.



[ 12-17-2002: Message edited by: jpp1cd ]</p>

airsluf

gyc

Sounds like he's buying it from his university. I know my school is offering 'books at those kinds of prices w/ 3 years of applecare.

jpp1cd

Exactly. I am getting this from my school.

shawnpatrickjoyce

You're very lucky. I say go for the cheaper 867mhz model because I'm on a 3-month old 667mhz model and still loving it.

wrong robot

a friend of mine got a powerbook g4 for like 2599

1 ghz w/ superdrive she got a free printer and 80 gig firewire HD to boot!

don't even ask me how, she lucked out. no education discounts, she was just in the right place at the right time.

eliahu

With a laptop, certain parts cannot be upgraded. The key is to make sure these parts are as good as you can get. Specifically, this means the processor and video card. The GHz PB has 64MB VRAM, whereas the 867 has 32MB VRAM. The GHz PB has a processor that is clocked about 20% higher than the 867.



If you need to save moeny, just downgrade replaceable parts on a high-end powerbook, like the HD and the Superdrive. You can always upgrade those parts later and eBay will fetch a healthy price for used PB parts. Your upgrade cost should be minimal.



With an edu discount, you'll be stuck paying sales tax. That makes your $2599 laptop actually cost around $2800.



I did a TON of research before making my PB purchase. Here's the results of my research:



APPLE DEVELOPER CONNECTION

--------------------------

For $100 you can buy a "student developer" membership. This will get you one hardware purchase from the ADC Apple store at developer pricing. You may have to prove you're taking qualifying computer science classes to qualify. Not sure they always check.



Specs: GHz PB, Combo Drive, 40 GB HD, 512 MB RAM

Total Price: $2442

(price includes $100 ADC membership and tax)



EDUCATION

---------

Specs: GHz PB, Combo Drive, 40 GB HD, 512 MB RAM

Total Price: $2752

(price includes tax -- your edu base price may vary)



E-TAIL

------

Because tax adds substantial cost, I looked high and low for an e-tailer that offered discounted pricing on the PB. Not easy to find. Then I stumbled across a mention of "J.U.M.P. Systems" on dealsontheweb.com. Because J.U.M.P. is only in NY, I avoid sales tax.



Specs: GHz PB, Combo Drive, 40 GB HD, 512 MB RAM

Total Price: $2540

(price includes shipping)



You can find J.U.M.P. Systems at <a href="http://www.macsupportstore.com."; target="_blank">www.macsupportstore.com.</a> You need a user/pass to enter their site:



User: client

Pass: jump

bodhi

Sounds like a UCLA Compuer Store deal....

splinemodel

I have the 1GHz that I bought with a Dev discount. The cool thing is that with the RAM promotion and the dev discount together, you actually save 40 bucks by going with the Gig.



Anyway, I'd recommend the 1Ghz. It has 64MB of RAM on the GPU, which make Electric Image rock, and that's always a plus.





On a different note:

I just got my copy of Universe 5 in the mail. I Come from apps like LW, C4D, 3DSMAX and all I have to say is that I LOVE EI! It leaves the rest behind.

jpp1cd

I ended up getting the 867 because I am not going to be able to get the 1 Ghz until after Christmas and then it may be tricky because I am graduating Sunday. Technically I could still get it until the new semester starts but why mess around I figured. I haven't opened it yet because I am debating selling it on ebay and then using the money I get for 867 with Applecare unopened (I'd say I can get $2500 but I don't know) I can buy the 1 ghz model still. I can also get a dual 867 powermac with a 17" Studio LCD for $1699. I am probably going to try and sell a few of these as it is not an edu discount. My bookstore got a bunch of great deals because they didn't send back any of the 667 or 800 Powerbooks and then they didn't really take price protection either I think. They said I can buy as many as I think I will need since they know I work for the computer science department too. This way I can buy the 1 ghz model for nothing or keep the money I make off of them. I think the dual 867 with LCD should go for like $2200 at least don't you think?

applenut

isn't that illegal?

paul

the store can probably get in trouble with apple for selling more then one portable to the student per year...and he is probable in violation of the store's policy... but i dont see how his actions would be illegal... what law is he breaking?



unethical...yes. But unlawful?..i dont think so...

jpp1cd

I don't even see how it is unethical. Because this has nothing to do with educational discount, I can buy as many as I want. It is a deal where Apple gave them to them and they are selling them at cost. They include the applecare because that is where they make money. I have not broken any store policy rules because I specifically asked them if I decided I wanted the 1 ghz could I get it and sell the 867 to a friend or my girlfriend. I am just going off of what the apple rep at the store has told me.