[gadget]

Hi everyone! My girlfriend is about to begin her Apple experience - but she doesn't know it yet....

Her birthday is on April 16th and she starts a graphics design course on the 20th - so I thought the best present in the world I could get her is a mac! I don't suppose there will be much disagreement here Money is an object to us so I'm looking at the 12" ibook - she has already said she thinks they're gorgeous so I can't really go wrong.

Of course, the timing is a little awkward, rumours abound that Mr Jobs will be making an announcement in early April that might really affect the purchase, the ibooks are due a bump and Tiger might even surface.... I haven't noticed any upgrade protection when you order Apple kit and they've hardly got a rep for acts of wild generosity either so I doubt it is available.

The other factor is a £70 ($130 US) voucher that I have but can only use until 31st March! Gaaah!

So please help, what can I do? Do I wait for April and maybe (only maybe) get a better ibook with Tiger - but risk the shipment missing her b/day.... or just buy the damn thing now with my £70 off and risk being physically sick when they announce the next gen ibook with dual-core PPC, 8G RAM, superdrive and a case that's lighter than air?

Thanks!

Gadget.

[deaglecat]

Personally, I would wait and see. If no new announcements, then I would use John Lewis as a backup (check they have stock) - because they offer a 2 year warranty that is probably worth the extra £70 that you would be short by forgoing the voucher.

BTW - Dixons (arrrgh!) had the old 12 powerbooks for £899 - not sure if they still have stock but a much nicer machine IMHO.

Deag

[deaglecat]

oops - double post. Thats what a dodgy airport connection will do for you !

Deag

[sminch]

ohhh, a difficult decision if ever there were one...

one consideration might be the power she'll need to run her design apps - does the current ibook do a decent job? if there's a speed bump with the new release then it might be worth waiting, but your discount voucher would perhaps allow you to spend some extra money on ram which would be good as well.

£70 isn't something to be sniffed at (but then, i'm a cheap and selfish bastard who is in awe of you spending this much on someone other than yourself). then again, if you waited then you could get an education discount if she bought it under her name once she's studying, right? this would poss be more than £70 (maybe?) and would also mean she'd get the newer model. it'd spoil the surprise which would doubtless be spectacular but may be far more sensible.

i'm such a romantic.

how about spending the voucher on something at the apple store that'll make her post-birthday ibook that much groovier - "happy birthday, sweety, here's a stick of ram for the ibook i haven't bought you yet (er, actually you'll be buying it cos then you'll get the education discount). yay!"

okay, so i've confirmed that i am very cheap. could be a plan, though

sminch

[pat++]

Wait for the updated iBooks. They will most probably get faster CPUs, 512Mb standard and more importantly an improved video chip which wil support Tiger's Core Image.

[Chito]

I'm not sure waiting will be such a good idea dude. Try to explain to the little GF that she didn't get a present on the day of her birthday because you wanted to save a few $$$. Not a good idea. Anyway if you get caught in the should i buy now - should I wait cycle you'll never buy a Mac. Just buy what you want when you want and rest assured that within a few months at best something better will be out. Don't miss the little lady's birthday.

[iDaver]

Give her a check, tell her what you're thinking and let her make the decision.

[The Godfather]

What's Apple's return policy in Europe?

In the US, you can return the computer and get a full refund, in the first 10 days, and with the box unopened. Otherwise, they charge 10% restocking fee.

If refunds are still valid with the use of the coupon (voucher), you could buy the iBook on March 31st, keep the iBook box intact until you hear about new iBooks, and make your decision there.

[gadget]

Originally posted by The Godfather:
What's Apple's return policy in Europe?

Hmm, not exactly sure - but I'll definately look into that, it could be a life saver. At least then I'd have a safety net

Chito makes a very valid point - in fact, even if I do manage to get the updated version, I don't think I'll mention that it was a "bargain"... I'm sure she'd rather beleive that I robbed a bank to afford it than saved a few quid.

Thanks for your help!