[shadybirdstan]

I'm looking to assist a friend in purchasing a 12" PowerBook. She is converting from the dark side even though I constantly have to do battle with people telling her "You don't want to do that" and using arguments from like '93.

Anyway, I see that some vendors (like MacMall) offer deals where they give you a printer, carry case and some other things for a little cheaper but also through in "free" ram after rebate.

This brought up a few questions that I have and I hope that people can help me with:

• Has anybody taken advantage of this offer?
• If you have gotten the "free" RAM would you say it was worth it?
• Does anybody reccommend one vendor over another?

Many thanks in advance. I searched around and found a few threads that offered somewhat similar commentary but nothing speicfic to the free RAM offer.

Thanks!

[iREZ]

From what I remember when my cousin bought from them is that the ram is indeed free but there's an installation fee that costs an arm and a leg.

[-Q-]

I think you're better off upgrading the RAM yourself after purchase.

In addition to the oftentimes exhorbitant 'installation fee' you have to watch out for places taking out the original, Apple-provided chip and replacing in with no-name, lesser quality RAM. Never experienced it personally, but I've read posts here that have complained about the free RAM causing all sorts of issues (remember, OS X is rather picking about RAM quality now).

I'd say get the free printer and carrying case, but leave the RAM alone.

[shadybirdstan]

Yes the RAM sounds shady indeed.

I guess if she wants a printer and carrying case she can order from these people. Might just be better off going through Apple though.

Thanks.

[all2ofme]

I got a 15" Ti from Macconnection while they had an "upgrade to 1GB" offer on. No extra fees or faffing around with rebates. I even got the two original 256MB DIMMs in an anti-static bag when I got the machine. I'd deal with them again.