[Blankity]

I've been looking for a new laptop for the last 6 months. A longtime Windows user, I initially searched for tried and true options (Fujitsu, Toshiba). I started by searching for the highest end GPU (128 meg) in the smallest possible notebook. Budget was about $3k. I tested the Dell 8600 and the Acer Ferrari, but both were too big and too loud for my purposes. I looked at a Panasonic import from Japan, but at over $4k, couldn't justify it.

Thinking that considering notebooks with 64 meg ram in the GPU would open up more options, I scaled down to that criteria and found myself in a world of mediocre budget machines... too big and ugly to be portable and too cheap to have other decent components. Frustration was setting in. A trip around the CES floor revealed nothing. My family life was suffering as I trolled nightly on forums, blogs and reseller sites.

Finally, I looked into the Powerbooks. Sweet! A 64 meg NVIDIA GPU in a 12" computer! That's by far the smallest form factor with that GPU available. Much discussion. Much hand-wringing. Would WIN-Apple MS Office support be good enough? Tried it. Are there any decent games available? World of Warcraft (Gamespot's Game of the Year) runs no problem on the 12". Light? Check. Small? Check. Incredibly sexy looking compared to everything available on the PC side? Check.

So I take the plunge and order. $2800 for a maxed out 12" Powerbook. Rather lengthy ship time I say to myself, but whatever, it's Apple. The shipping guys are probably all out back on an extended break or getting a company-sponsored massage. My new notebook is due to arrive February 1.

This morning I get an email from Apple.

"Because you ordered a 12-inch PowerBook, we would like to offer you the following:

1. ___ Please ship me the NEW 1.5 GHz 12-inch PowerBook at the same price I was originally quoted. Any parts I upgraded when I ordered are included. The estimated ship time is 3 - 5 business days.

2. ___ Please ship me the ORIGINAL 12-inch I PowerBook I ordered at a new, lower price. My estimated ship time will remain the same."

Whoa. I can't imagine this happening from a PC vendor. More like "Psyche! We just sold you an outdated machine! LOLZ!"

So I call Apple, respect growing in my heart.

"How much would I save if I kept my old order?"
"$50"
"NP. I'll go with the new one. How much to upgrade to the previously unavailable 100 gig harddrive?"
"$100"
"I'll take it. And instead of the free shipping you offered on the web, could you overnight it?"
"Sure, that's an extra $20."
"Great"
"You're total is... $2400"

So I got a better machine (faster processor, bigger harddrive, cool new PB features) for $400 less, overnighted.

I've been buying PCs (and a Mac or two) since 1986. My company has bought tons of PCs, cell phones, TVs, videogame consoles and more. This is by far the best experience I have ever had in dealing with a technology company.

Thanks to the folks at Apple for creating a company as cool as their products. As long as the Powerbook works as well as everyone says it will, you have earned a lifelong fan.

Blankity

[Michael1980]

Nice!
That is called good management. Looking forward to seeing some photos when the pb arrives

[f1000]

Originally posted by Blankity:
So I got a better machine (faster processor, bigger harddrive, cool new PB features) for $400 less, overnighted.

Beginner's luck.

[wuzup101]

Originally posted by f1000:
Beginner's luck.

Man... I was gonna say it Have fun with it I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Apple's customer service rocks... just had to send in my 15" to get a new LCD. Sent it off Wed and it was back on Sat from Pa to Tx and back...

[ibook_steve]

How in the world did you get a 12" Powerbook up to $2800? Maybe you're not mentioning an external display or something else that you ordered.

Steve

[wuzup101]

I hope you didn't order like a gig of ram from apple too... that's a definitely no no unless you have money to burn (IE: there is several different vintage ferraris in your garrage). I didn't even think about that, but yeah that's expensive (though totally possible). You can rack up the money w/ peripherals (IE wireless keyboards, mice, speakers, iPod, monitors, etc...). That or you're Canadian which is also cool....