Buying a Mac

shopbot

I want to buy myself a Mac for the first time. I'm looking to get one of the desktop models. There seems to be less price competition on Macs than on PC's so what is the MSE way to get the best deal on a Mac?

Thanks
SB

BillScarab

Refurb, or students can get a discount I believe. But generally there aren't many offers on Macs, Apple control the market vey well.

LardyCake

You can probably shave a bit off the price by going thru a "cashback site" like TopCashBack or Quidco.

Pssst

Any reason why you want a mac?

shopbot

I'm hoping this doesn't become the inevitable PC Vs Mac thread!

I want one for photographic editing. I've had the chance to use an Imac and really like the way it handles photos.

Swans1912

shopbot wrote: »

I'm hoping this doesn't become the inevitable PC Vs Mac thread!

I want one for photographic editing. I've had the chance to use an Imac and really like the way it handles photos.

I use the new Alu Macbook and I love it, I too don't fancy getting into the MAC vs PC argument however I love my Macs!!!

Can you get any student discounts or discount via your employer?

You will generally have to pay full price for a new current model Mac.

Look at the MacRumors buyer guide for any advice or help: http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

cazziebo

You can get a 5% cashback from macwarehouse through Quidco.. Macwarehouse seem a bit cheaper than John Lewis and Apple store. I got my last one from John Lewis because of the two year warranty, but after the touchpad failed to work, they said it would take three weeks to fix. Couldn't do without it for that length of time so been using a USB mouse for the past year.

Just about to buy one myself so will watch to see if anyone can come up with better suggestions.

Swans1912

Cash-Back Creditcard to MAX saving!

Marty_J

My first port of call would be the Apple Refurb Store. The offers they have there change daily.

Instead of getting an iMac, you might consider getting a Mac Mini and a nice monitor.

trcooke

You'll get ~15% discount if you are/know someone who is a student at or works at a University.

Unfortunately you just missed a sale at the Apple store on Friday.

shopbot

Thanks everyone for your replies!
iKennett - my employer has an Apple discount scheme but on hardware the saving is only about the same as a cash back site.
Marty J - Have been looking at the mini but I think I will wait until Jan as reports on the net suggest new models will be announced.
trcooke - I saw the sale of Friday but it didn't seem like the discounts were that high or across much of their range.