Cheapest Place to buy new MacBooks?

June 29, 2013 9:25 AM

Looking to purchase a new, non-refurbished 13.3" MacBook Air with the following specifications: 128 gb flash storage 1.7 ghz Intel Core i7 processor 8 GB RAM Apple store for education has it for $1279. Any website that would have it any cheaper? I've checked amazon and new egg and neither have the exact model I want. Probably can't get it any cheaper, but just wanted to check. Thanks for your help!
posted by sunshine37 to Shopping (9 answers total)

You wont' find much price variation, unless you're willing to consider used or refurb.

Two options:

1. find a way to buy with an edu discount (if Apple still offers this, and if this model is eligible)

2. find a way to escape sales tax (i.e. ship from out of state).

Other than that, a MacBook's not like a toaster oven. Closeouts and refurbs aside, the price is pretty much the price.
posted by Quisp Lover at 10:02 AM on June 29, 2013 [1 favorite]

Yeah, in my experience, you only get about a $50 price differential at most by shopping around for new Macbooks. The effort to price shop isn't really worth it, to be honest. The educational price is almost certainly the best you're going to get.

A refurbished Macbook through Apple will give you the most savings, though whether that exact model is available refurbished is a crapshoot. Going through eBay might also get you a cheaper price, but obviously, there's no guarantee that it's new or in good condition.
posted by yasaman at 10:09 AM on June 29, 2013

Best answer: http://appleinsider.com/mac_price_guide/

$1304 at MacMall with 3% AppleInsider coupon code. Unlike Apple, MacMall may not assess sales tax, depending on your shipping location. (Insert proviso about how it's your responsibility to pay your own sales tax, etc.)
posted by thejoshu at 10:24 AM on June 29, 2013

FWIW,there's no real downside to Apple's refurbs. The units are like-new, priced right, and carry the full warranty. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any 13" MBAs in the refurb store.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:37 PM on June 29, 2013

I only buy Apple refurbs. I just got a 13" rMBP yesterday. Their stock changes all the time so you have to keep an eye on what on offer.
posted by humboldt32 at 4:12 PM on June 29, 2013

Best answer: "there's no real downside to Apple's refurbs"

For the most part, yes. Except for two cases:

1. Intermittent Problems

Apple does a diligent job of repairing/addressing obvious problems (cracked screen, bad battery, etc), but errant, intermittent problems are as hard to catch/diagnose/address for refurbers as for any repair person.


2. Problems Apple Doesn't Deem Problems

E.g. a screen with a few dead pixels is acceptable to Apple. And your odds are worse on refurbs, due to the discontent filter.


[Also, speaking of discontent filter, I'm not sure you get the same 30 day no-questions return period on refurbs as you do with new systems....maybe somebody here knows the answer to that]
posted by Quisp Lover at 4:35 PM on June 29, 2013

Buying through a college bookstore may give you the educational price PLUS some kind of an extended warranty.
posted by papayaninja at 7:03 PM on June 29, 2013

Do you know anyone with a business account at an Apple store? If you can't get the edu discount, it might be worth asking friends who have their own businesses if they have or could set up a biz account there, and you can get a discount if you buy as part of their business. I do this all the time, it's saved me a little here and there.
posted by emcat8 at 7:16 PM on June 29, 2013

Yes, I believe Apple requires vendors to sell their items for a certain price (I think so as not to "water down" their brand--the same reason why Apple used to forbid places from giving away their items in contests). I think the only real difference in pricing you're going to see (other than refurb or educational pricing--the latter of which is usually either $50-off or $100-off depending on unit price) is around $5-10.
posted by blueberry at 2:56 AM on June 30, 2013