iMac, MBPr, Mac Mini - What do you think?

[[)roi(]]

Thanks I will do that. I'll keep you guys updated. I appreciate your trouble.

No worries! good luck, I hope the process goes smoothly (and you get your education discount).

 

[Space_Chief]

Thanks I will do that. I'll keep you guys updated. I appreciate your trouble.

In your place I'd probably go for a refurbished Mac Pro. Macsales (OWC) has some nice deals.

I don't know what type of software you run, but in multi-core/multi-cpu configs the old Xeon Mac Pros still beat everything out there, with the exception of the latest i7 iMac for the 2009 models. Still you don't get any expandibility with that.

http://browser.primatelabs.com/mac-benchmarks

Your Mac Pro can take new GPUs, new internal PCIE SSDs running at over 800GB/sec, USB3/eSata3/ThunderBolt PCIE adapters, 4 stock HDDs/SSDs which can be configured in RAID 0 or 1, but you can up that to 6 SATA devices with a kit, a second BD burner, memory upgrades and even CPU upgrades. You also don't always need an Apple GPU, some Mac Pros run well with flashed and in some cases non-flashed or "Mac" versions of gamer GPUs.

For screens consider one of these cheap Korean 27 or 30 inch displays from Ebay. If not, I'd go for a 30 inch Dell, NEC or HP. The screen is the best investment because 30 inch screens from 7 years ago are still going strong and once you work on 30 inches, even a 15 inch retina Mac Book Pro sucks.

Something like this:
27 inch:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Achieva-Shi...7973?pt=Computer_Monitors&hash=item1e829bcec5
30 inch:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1PLUS-Best-...2161?pt=Computer_Monitors&hash=item1c38eeb481

 

[Beavcoon]

That's crap, Apple has a specific education store from which you can order CTO machines with discounts. If was you I'd argue this point, and insist on the discount, or at least confirmation from Apple (not the local thieves on why it's not possible for SA)
http://store.apple.com/us-hed/mac

I did email the core group and they also confirmed that discounts on CTO machines in SA is not possible. I know it is in the US though. Did you manage to get a discount on one?

 

[Beavcoon]

Once again thank you guys, this is making the whole process much easier.

Beavcoon, that's a raw deal man. Try to speak to somebody higher up in the food chain, maybe they can give you discount by means of store credit. Where are you studying?

I will be getting quotes in a week or two. They better give me discount, as I'll be spending 40k or more(wife wants an iPad air). I'm busy with postgrad studies hopefully that counts.

So is MS Office for mac any good? Is the excel package on the same standard as the PC version? What software would you guys recommend I get? Parallels seems like a must after I read up on it - thanks roi.

I also thought it was, but I will now try to get in contact with someone higher up. I'm studying at UKZN.

BUt at least the special order prices are very reasonable. A 4gb ram upgrade was exactly the same price as the US price if I did a direct conversion. Not too bad hey.

I'm also deciding on what software to get. I'm planning on getting windows 8.1 and running boot camp or parallels since I use a lot of software not available for Mac. I already have office 2010 that I bought, so I'm not going to get office for Mac. It's too expensive for me anyway.

 

[Cassady]

In your place I'd probably go for a refurbished Mac Pro. Macsales (OWC) has some nice deals.

I regularly find myself visiting the OWC store - some really good deals to be had there. Have you [or anyone else on MyBB] brought one in? With the additional import levies(?) and shipping costs etc. - was it still worth it?

SO tempting.... :twisted:

 

[Cassady]

I ordered a custom MacBook Air recently and was told that they take 6-8 weeks to configure and arrive here. I've got another month left

What setup did you go for?

 

[[)roi(]]

I did email the core group and they also confirmed that discounts on CTO machines in SA is not possible. I know it is in the US though. Did you manage to get a discount on one?

I wouldn't accept this. If I was you I'd phone Apple support in the US to push for answers.

Also press Core for the reason why it's not supported; Core has never been known to do anything for its customers: I bet it could be done, but they're either too lazy to bother, or by offering it would cut into their profits.

 

[Cassady]

I wouldn't accept this. If I was you I'd phone Apple support in the US to push for answers.

Core has never been known to do anything for its customers: I bet it could be done, but they're either too lazy to bother, or by offering it would cut into their profits.

^^ This!!

 

[Beavcoon]

What setup did you go for?

Nothing fancy, just an 8gb ram upgrade. It's the 13" 128gb. I did it only because of parallels and bootcamp which uses resources of both OSs at the same time, and for futureproofing.

I wouldn't accept this. If I was you I'd phone Apple support in the US to push for answers.

Also press Core for the reason why it's not supported; Core has never been known to do anything for its customers: I bet it could be done, but they're either too lazy to bother, or by offering it would cut into their profits.

Yeah I think I will press them. I'll let you know what they say. I bet it's got to do with their profits.

 

[[)roi(]]

Nothing fancy, just an 8gb ram upgrade. It's the 13" 128gb. I did it only because of parallels and bootcamp which uses resources of both OSs at the same time, and for futureproofing.



Yeah I think I will press them. I'll let you know what they say. I bet it's got to do with their profits.

Either way you should contact Apple Support in the US; they've been a lot of help to me; I personally don't bother speaking to core.

https://getsupport.apple.com/ServiceOptionAction.action
They also offer a chat session, that could be an easy way to identify the correct channel to address this.

 

[Beavcoon]

Either way you should contact Apple Support in the US; they've been a lot of help to me; I personally don't bother speaking to core.

https://getsupport.apple.com/ServiceOptionAction.action
They also offer a chat session, that could be an easy way to identify the correct channel to address this.

Awesome. Thank you so much!

 

[Space_Chief]

I regularly find myself visiting the OWC store - some really good deals to be had there. Have you [or anyone else on MyBB] brought one in? With the additional import levies(?) and shipping costs etc. - was it still worth it?

SO tempting.... :twisted:

You can get a shipping estimate on the site. Computer probably will mean 14% VAT on 110% of VALUE with a brokerage fee if using FedEx (I think R150 or so, R35 for EMS). OWC's FedEx shipping is usually competitive.

I've purchased hardware - RAM, eSata and USB3 controller for Mac Pro, a RAID unit, spare HDD and a OWC Mercury Pro SSD from OWC. Their online support is very good. They've given me several software freebies too.

Ebay has some nice deals too. For example there is this (it's scratched a bit, but so what):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Mac-P...8033847?pt=Apple_Desktops&hash=item1c392868b7



Buy it now: R13,100.
Shipping: $96
Customs fee and courier (Pitney and Bowes Inc): $210

So you pay about R16K for a Mac discontinued in June 2012.

AFAIK PBI ship by FedEx and prepay all customs duties.

 

[Beavcoon]

Either way you should contact Apple Support in the US; they've been a lot of help to me; I personally don't bother speaking to core.

https://getsupport.apple.com/ServiceOptionAction.action
They also offer a chat session, that could be an easy way to identify the correct channel to address this.

So I did what you told me to do and I contacted US support. As soon as I mentioned that I'm from South Africa, they cut the conversion lol

Anyway I decided to try my luck again and emailed the 'talk2me' customer help service with my query. I mentioned that iStore gateway told me that it's not possible to obtain any discount. About an hour ago, I received a call from the iStore manager saying that I qualify for an educational discount despite it being a CTO order and that they will be in close contact with me regarding the status of my laptop order!

Can't believe it worked! So thank you very much for suggesting that I should not accept what they previously said.

Once again thank you guys, this is making the whole process much easier.

Beavcoon, that's a raw deal man. Try to speak to somebody higher up in the food chain, maybe they can give you discount by means of store credit. Where are you studying?

I will be getting quotes in a week or two. They better give me discount, as I'll be spending 40k or more(wife wants an iPad air). I'm busy with postgrad studies hopefully that counts.

So is MS Office for mac any good? Is the excel package on the same standard as the PC version? What software would you guys recommend I get? Parallels seems like a must after I read up on it - thanks roi.

So it seems that educational discounts are available for special orders! It's only 5% which seems a little but is actually not. That's R2000+ on a R40K+ order!
You only require your student card and ID when you're picking up your order. Good luck!

 

[[)roi(]]

So I did what you told me to do and I contacted US support. As soon as I mentioned that I'm from South Africa, they cut the conversion lol

Anyway I decided to try my luck again and emailed the 'talk2me' customer help service with my query. I mentioned that iStore gateway told me that it's not possible to obtain any discount. About an hour ago, I received a call from the iStore manager saying that I qualify for an educational discount despite it being a CTO order and that they will be in close contact with me regarding the status of my laptop order!

Can't believe it worked! So thank you very much for suggesting that I should not accept what they previously said.



So it seems that educational discounts are available for special orders! It's only 5% which seems a little but is actually not. That's R2000+ on a R40K+ order!
You only require your student card and ID when you're picking up your order. Good luck!

Hahaha well done, I had a sneaky suspicion a little pressure would work.

 

[Trubore]

So, Due to a change in job responsibilities, portability became critical. So i ordered a MBPr 15" through FNB. Will probably get a refurbished macbook pro in January to do the heaviest lifting.

Im excited but with the festive season in swing, ill probably wait a while...

 

[krono9]

After initially wanting to get myself a macbook pro a month ago.. i decided against it because of the high price for what you get. This morning I went to istore and the 27" imac caught my eye.... ended buying this thing with the 12% student discount... when i got home.. it looked REALLY big... but been using it now for about 2 hours.. already getting used to the size.. and WOW.... photo's...video and everything just looks super awesome on this size screen... and the auto scaling has supprised me completely... My first mac "computer".... and very impressed.... Imac is much better value for money than the macbook pro... IF you dont need the mobility now just to figure out who this OS works....

 

[[)roi(]]

After initially wanting to get myself a macbook pro a month ago.. i decided against it because of the high price for what you get. This morning I went to istore and the 27" imac caught my eye.... ended buying this thing with the 12% student discount... when i got home.. it looked REALLY big... but been using it now for about 2 hours.. already getting used to the size.. and WOW.... photo's...video and everything just looks super awesome on this size screen... and the auto scaling has supprised me completely... My first mac "computer".... and very impressed.... Imac is much better value for money than the macbook pro... IF you dont need the mobility now just to figure out who this OS works....

Congrats on your purchase... Let's us know if you need help.

 

[GillyTV]

Any luck with your mbp? I'm still waiting for mine, ordered it 2 weeks ago and have been receiving the occasional sms that they are waiting for stock. Was hoping to receive it before xmas but it's looking more and more unlikely

So, Due to a change in job responsibilities, portability became critical. So i ordered a MBPr 15" through FNB. Will probably get a refurbished macbook pro in January to do the heaviest lifting.

Im excited but with the festive season in swing, ill probably wait a while...

 

[Trubore]

Any luck with your mbp? I'm still waiting for mine, ordered it 2 weeks ago and have been receiving the occasional sms that they are waiting for stock. Was hoping to receive it before xmas but it's looking more and more unlikely

I had the same issue, so I cancelled my order and rather paid for it in cold hard cash. The lady at the dotFNB store told me to try getting one trough an iStore if possible.

Good luck hope you come right. I am extremely happy with my purchase. Should have done it years ago.

 

[GillyTV]

Got mine today from fnb and it is totally worth the wait! Coming from a 17inch dell I was worried the screen would be too small but its perfect for what I need it to do. I'm keen to get an imac aswell to complement the macbook, will see how it goes

I had the same issue, so I cancelled my order and rather paid for it in cold hard cash. The lady at the dotFNB store told me to try getting one trough an iStore if possible.

Good luck hope you come right. I am extremely happy with my purchase. Should have done it years ago.