the difference of buying iMac on AMAZON and APPLE: Except saving on tax, any benefit of buying iMac on Amazon?
1516064
N. Bird, you are correct, according to an Apple rep who I spoke with on 12/2 after posting my reply to the original post. The other thing is, my customer sales person from Apple was able to offer me a 6% discount on the spot when I told them of the $50 differential between Amazon's price and theirs. I know!! Her response: "Yeah, not enough people ask for a discount when they call, but they should!" All told, with tax (from both the Apple store AND Amazon), I'd have saved $2 by buying from Amazon... Not worth it! I'm buying my iMac direct from Apple for peace of mind.
224566
I checked a number of other resellers' sites last night and they are all still shipping iLife '06 as well (and apparently trying to deplete the stock since there are so many special offers on them). So I wouldn't be surprised if Amazon's stock is still loaded with iLife '06. If you get tired of waiting, I just found this morning that if the machine comes from Amazon with iLife '06 now, it would qualify for Apple's iLife '08 Up-To-Date program where you can get the upgrade for 9.95 plus tax. Ten dollars more is still a great deal on this machine so I might go that route even though it will take a little longer to have the computer with iLife '08 on it. I checked a number of other resellers' sites last night and they are all still shipping iLife '06 as well (and apparently trying to deplete the stock since there are so many special offers on them). So I wouldn't be surprised if Amazon's stock is still loaded with iLife '06. If you get tired of waiting, I just found this morning that if the machine comes from Amazon with iLife '06 now, it would qualify for Apple's iLife '08 Up-To-Date program where you can get the upgrade for 9.95 plus tax. Ten dollars more is still a great deal on this machine so I might go that route even though it will... » Read More I checked a number of other resellers' sites last night and they are all still shipping iLife '06 as well (and apparently trying to deplete the stock since there are so many special offers on them). So I wouldn't be surprised if Amazon's stock is still loaded with iLife '06. If you get tired of waiting, I just found this morning that if the machine comes from Amazon with iLife '06 now, it would qualify for Apple's iLife '08 Up-To-Date program where you can get the upgrade for 9.95 plus tax. Ten dollars more is still a great deal on this machine so I might go that route even though it will take a little longer to have the computer with iLife '08 on it. « Show Less
1559894
Keep in mind that there is no fee of any kind to engage Apple's 1-year warranty, whether you buy from Apple or from Amazon. So if there's something wrong with the keyboard or anything else, as long as you didn't cause that problem, then you should be fine. As an Apple customer for over a decade, they've always treated me fairly. So if you know you're gonna like as long as nothing is broken or defective, it really doesn't matter where you buy it from as long you as buy from a reputable source that includes the Apple 1-year warranty.
1909398
Unless they have made change you have to purchase AppleCare at the same time as you purchase the computer. You could check on Apples Website, I have not checked in a while, so I am not certain of the exact rules.
2209236
Amazon has the advantage of "No Sales Tax" but shipping is free also from Apple. 13" MacBook Pro is slightly cheaper at Amazon. If you have a Costco AmExp card, they will double the Apple 1 year warranty when you use their card. If you want AppleCare, Amazon sells that plan cheaper than Apple also. Go direct to Amazon, not one of their sellers. If they say new, I would believe them.
838650
I have AppleCare from Amazon that is the exact same warranty you will end up buying at the Apple store. To my knowledge Apple is pretty strict with their products they would never allow AppleCare to be something that is not their own. Sorry for the late reply.
119508
WOW i just noticed that, its the only reason I didn't go ahead and place my order, can anyone confirm this? i get free shipping here and no tax, but apple wants to charge me tax, so i came to amazon, but i don't want to wait a month.
1827419
There is a site called Appleinsider.com that compares all the online sources, including the apple site itself, and prices for apple products. It is quite amazing the difference in prices, and they also tell you if the shipping is free and if taxes apply. Some of the sources even spread your payments out over a year. Good site for keeping up to date with all apple products.
1344507
I bought the 20inch 2.0 ghz iMac last week. I dont think an upgrade of the CPU is required but wont hurt. I went with a RAM upgrade as I am a developer (100 bucks only for 4GB). It gives good performance with 2.0 ghz CPU.
1610080
I think you have to buy it at the same time as the computer, check Apple's Web Site or Check at an Apple Store if you have one near you. They keep changing the rules, so I am not sure what the rules now.
574894
It really seems to depend on where your iMac is shipped from. I ordered mine on January 29, 2007 and it arrived with Tiger installed. No Leopard disc was included. I contacted Amazon and they referred me to Apple. In the end, Amazon refunded me the money to purchase Leopard and iLife '08.My order shipped from Cincinnati, OH.
1827420
It's worth calling 1-800-MY-APPLE and asking for a price match. I told the representative about the lower prices on both iMac and Applecare on Amazon. The total price difference on iMac and Applecare was about $80 (as of March 6, 2010). The rep said that he could do better than that. The total he gave me was $20 less than the Amazon's. I'm glad I tried.
70231
Glenn Levy, you are INCORRECT. Unlike older iMacs, the RAM in Intel iMacs is a user installable part and does NOT void the warranty. I would recommend upgrading to at least 2 GB (1 GB is bare minimum these days). Anything you can do to reduce the amount of reading/writing to the hard drive will boost overall system performance.
577684
Yeah, but they just lowered the price $5 here on Amazon for the Family Pack. I ordered mine from Apple and although it will be nice to get it on Friday so I can do a clean install on my main computer over the weekend, I might have been willing to wait a few days to get it and save almost $10 (since Apple pops you for sales tax as well). Sounds like the classic "trade-off".
1266271
There is no difference. I decided to purchase from Amazon because it is cheaper.
1386550
DAB, just read your reply, I've been debating the same issue. My plan is for video and photo editing, along with music recording. I think I'll need the extra HD space and the GPU would be handy. I think you just convinced me. But I'm waiting until after August 2010 to see if there are new iMacs being announced.
543697
I think it falls under Amazon's plan since you're not buying it from Apple: "Amazon.com Return Policy: You may return any new computer purchased from Amazon.com that is "dead on arrival," arrives in damaged condition, or is still in unopened boxes, for a full refund within 30 days of purchase. Amazon.com reserves the right to test "dead on arrival" returns and impose a customer fee equal to 15 percent of the product sales price if the customer misrepresents the condition of the product. Any returned computer that is damaged through customer misuse, is missing parts, or is in unsellable condition due to customer tampering will result in the customer being charged a higher restocking fee based on the condition of the product. Amazon.com will not accept returns of any desktop or notebook computer more than 30 days after you receive the shipment. New, used, and refurbished products purchased from Marketplace vendors are subject to the returns policy of the individual vendor."