Why Wait 'til the Holidays to "Shop Victoriously" and Save Cash?
| by Joe Leo, Columnist |
continued... from: previous page
Two years later, September 2006 to be exact, after a month or so of debating on that same purchase again... 12-inch or 15-inch (I felt it was now time again), it was down to buying new, Apple refurbished, or? Open box discounts at CompUSA.
If you read the story on how I acquired my current love, the new modern-day Pismo, the ultra-compact 12-inch PowerBook G4, you'll know that I paid only $749.98 from a sticker price of $1099.98. (You'll have to read that story to find out how that happened). How could I resist?
I even had the choice of the first-generation MacBook Pro which was brand new at the time. But I didn't yet want or have the need for an Intel-based Mac. I still don't, with the current software suites I use that are PowerPC-based in OS X, and even OS 9 holdovers running in Classic mode. (And when I am ready for an Intel-based Mac? Back to eBay. Or not).
The moral of this story is billfold, er, tenfold. First, you can save a lot of money on a Mac by buying it used or refurbished (whether it be Apple refurbished or "reseller refurbished" which isn't new like Apple classifies it as... it's really used). Second, buying new only translates to your new becoming old in an instant, and you paying more than you really should.
And before you leave to prepare for your Thanksgiving feast, let's not forget the "stuffing."
When you buy a new Mac, it comes with "bare bones" specs. If you want it maxed out, you have the option to pay for upgrades in areas of RAM, hard drive capacity, and anything else OEM like an extra battery, or third-party like a bag, a slipcase, and maybe a PCMCIA card. What does that all amount to? More money out of your pocket!
Factoring that in to the equation, in my case, my new 15-inch PowerBook in 2004 would have come standard with only 512MB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, and a non-upgradeable LCD screen. (Unlike today's MacBook Pros which come matte or glossy). To upgrade beyond that, like I plan to do now with this one acquired from eBay, would have cost a lot back then.
Or, in some cases, the upgrade path not available during that point in time.
I've since bought a new second battery on eBay for $36.00, a nice Vyper M case from Booq bags for $24.95--would've cost three times as much two years ago--and two PNY brand PC2700 1GB RAM modules from Best Buy which are on sale this week for only $54.99 each!
Current batch of upgrades? Approximately $116. Two years ago? Would've cost $129.99 for a new extra battery, $69.99 for the Vyper M case, and who knows how much PC2700 RAM went for two years ago. (This is starting to sound like a MasterCard commercial again).
I also have the option today of upgrading to a 250GB notebook drive (100GB was the max then, I think), and replacing the matte LCD with a glossy one from TechRestore.com. I can even have Daystar Technology upgrade my processor from 1.5GHz to 1.83GHz. Not to mention, don't forget about Leopard!! Make my "new" Mac, literally, a new Mac twice over!
In the end, I got the best deal. It took three years, but the savings are what really counts.
So, if you're looking for some great Black Friday deals this week, don't go to the Apple Store and buy a new Mac because you can save a $100. Get yourself a "new" Mac--just make sure it's better and faster than what you currently have, even if just a step up by a hair (use Grandpa's lack of it as a measurement tool)--by going online to eBay and save a $1,000!
"Shop Victoriously," stay safe, don't stuff yourself silly, and have a Happy Thanksgiving. (See you at 5:00a at the mall on Friday for the big savings. Non-Apple items, remember?).
Find the lowest price on a new or refurbished Mac at MacPrices.