[Project]

I want to purchase a Mac In Store... should I open it up in the mall and check it out before going home? (I'm in Toronto...)

I've been reading about all the associated issues (heat, build, etc etc) and I understand clearly that 99% of MacBook purchasers will never see these forums or experience the majority of these problems. I really don't care... I was always fiddling with my friend's Macs on and off (Shakespeare for university filesharing, getting VLC etc for noobies) and I got bit by the bug. Also I am used to hot laptops and some small glitches. Building PCs for several years has numbed me to hardware problems... **** happens basically.

By the way this will be my first Mac and it will replace an Asus V6V (1.86ghz Pentium M, 1GB RAM, 60GB 5400RPM HD, ATI x600, 15 inch screen) I need this notebook for lectures and as a computer for school during the day (I'm living off-campus) Also I will utilize my student discount obviously.

I am also contemplating which model to get... I was thinking of a base machine and then stopping by my local PC Shop for 2GB of RAM and a 7200RPM HD. Is 2GHz and Superdrive worth it? Sorry for the long winded post... I have been lurking for a little while.

Cliffs Notes:
1. Should I try out the laptop I purchase either in-store or in the mall and check for problems?
2. Is a base MacBook good enough (with aftermarket upgrades) as a notebook for school all day?
3. What notebook should I go for? Keep in mind I have a powerful PC desktop for usenet, gaming...

[icruise]

Originally Posted by Arju

Cliffs Notes:
1. Should I try out the laptop I purchase either in-store or in the mall and check for problems?

Why not? Seems like a good idea. I don't think they'll let you do it before purchase, but you can at least check that it's not DOA after you buy it.

2. Is a base MacBook good enough (with aftermarket upgrades) as a notebook for school all day?

Absolutely.

3. What notebook should I go for? Keep in mind I have a powerful PC desktop for usenet, gaming...

I see no reason to get anything but the base model in your case, assuming you can live without the internal Superdrive.

[Project]

I think a base model is good enough... on top of that I need Applecare. And Taxes...

I calculated for 2GB of 667mhz RAM and an 80GB Seagate Momentus HD I'd pay $410 CDN and 15% tax on top of that... ouch

Saturday is going to be expensive me thinks. For this much money I will definately try out the unit I purchase instore after I pay for it!

[Jawbone54]

Everything Icruise said =

[Neo.cmg]

Geezum...Canadians pay upwards of 15% in sales taxes on purchases? Sorry, this is news to me...chalk it up to another ignorant American.

[cornwallstone]

I agree with the 1.83 for student use since you have the PC. I don't think the $45 educational pricing for the 80GB hard drive is too bad, and I prefer the cooler 5400 rpm for notebooks. Nor is the $90 for 1GB of memory (compared to the aftermarket) too shameful, if you're not going to run MS Office bloatware or other PPC apps under Rosetta. If you are, or otherwise want 2GB, Apple's $450 for 2GB is just absurd compared to the aftermarket, much less their $270 (educational) price for it in the Mini.

Given what I hear of exchange rates these days, it doesn't seem like Canadian prices should be that much higher (taxes aside).