Where is the best place to buy a Mac?
 

At the Mac shop in the corner of the local Comp USA? Directly from Apple? Or are all of the machines essentially the same price everywhere?

TIA

Very tough to get a discount on a MAC. Bought my laptop through my friend who is VP of tech for a big advertising agency...he buys 100s of computers and was only able to get about $250 off list price...that was considered a crazy good deal... I'd just buy it from the corner MAC store or online...

Try here. Same warranty as a "new" Mac.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&mco=3929D548&node=home/specialdeals/mac

hint...anyone can get the student discount.

You are best off getting them from a the Apple store, retail or online or a major like Comp USA.

Some of the no name places don't sell thru as fast so the have older inventory so you may not get one with the most up to date OS. Not a big deal, you call Apple and they send you the update disc if required but annoying.

Buy your memory upgrades from newegg or crucial, you'll save 50%.

CompUSA's are all closing down here in MI...

Care to elaborate??? :D

If you buy online, I think you just "pick a school", no proof required...
I got a corporate discount from the apple store, same result ! Ask them if your employer is on the list !!!

Note that you can custom configure your Mac through the online store at Apple.com

Correct. Anyone can get the educational discount.

Configure everthing but HD's and RAM online. Much better deals at other places. Goes for Desktops and Laptops.

Bought 4 GB of RAM for my tower, got it from Memorex, 1/2 the price of the Apple site. RAM showed up in an Apple box labeled "Service Parts".

Scott

Are your talking a Mac10 or a Mac11?

I usually buy my Macs from PowerMax
Fantastic service, great staff - and no sales tax!.
They are an authorized Apple reseller.

Another authorized reseller with no sales tax is Small Dog Electronics.

Also, take a look over at MacPrices.net to see who is bundling the best free stuff to get your business.