[besson3c]

Now that Apple uses commodity parts across the board pretty much, does anybody still shop at a dedicated Mac shop online anymore? NewEgg seems to absolutely own the online computer stuff market these days, I'm wondering if they are getting swarms of Mac users in addition to PC users?

[zro]

I definitely do.

Surely you, who seems to cultivate a community driven image, would understand.

[besson3c]

No, actually I don't... I've been completely impressed with NewEgg's prices, services, customer reviews, return policy, etc. Whenever I do a Google search for stuff when I'm in the market for something, they always come up at the top of my search results list. So, I see absolutely no reason to go with anybody else if you are looking to beat them based on these criteria.

I have this perception that they've basically become a monopoly of online computer sales, at least among knowledgeable computer users/geeks.

[jonasmac]

I do. Newegg doesn't ship to Guam.

[Randman]

I used the Apple online store quite often while living in Singapore. Not so much while back in the US but it really depends on what you're buying. For big purchases, I'd rather do it in person. For smaller items, the online store is convenient.

[Rumor]

I shop and buy from OWC.

[Shaddim]

I buy PC parts from Newegg and Mac stuff from the local Apple retailer.

[besson3c]

So what compels you guys to buy Mac stuff online from a Mac specific retailer like OWC?

[turtle777]

What the hell are you talking about, "Mac stuff" ?

It's either stuff that works on both Macs and PCs, then you buy it at any online computer retailer, whoever has the best price. If it's absolutely Mac specific, chances are that most general computer retailer don't have it.

Now all that's common sense.

-t

[Rumor]

The prices are good and I've been shopping with them for a couple years now. If I have any questions, I call and always get someone that knows what they are talking about.

[besson3c]

turtle: that's essentially my thought process, except I'm assuming that the vast majority of stuff that people buy at a place like OWC is not Mac specific.

[turtle777]

Well, I don't get what the problem is.

I buy where it's the cheapest. Most stuff is generic (works for Macs and PCs), so you have a fairly broad choice of dealers. If it's very Mac specific, I'd probably have to chose a Mac retailer.

For me, I don't buy specific stuff, so I buy where I get the best price.

-t

[Rumor]

The most specific thing I bought from OWC was a processor upgrade for a G4. Recently, I bought a ram upgrade for my MBP, 4 gigs for about $100.

[angelmb]

Originally Posted by jonasmac 

I do. Newegg doesn't ship to Guam.

Same here, AKAIK NewEgg doesn't ship to Europe so I buy from Apple Store and OWC --> prices are better than over here and I mostly know the stuff is going to work flawlessly with the Mac.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

The prices are good and I've been shopping with them for a couple years now. If I have any questions, I call and always get someone that knows what they are talking about.

Do you trust these particular sales guys more than the customer reviews and your own research?

[Randman]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

I don't buy specific stuff

You just buy random stuff??

[Shaddim]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

What the hell are you talking about, "Mac stuff" ?

It's either stuff that works on both Macs and PCs, then you buy it at any online computer retailer, whoever has the best price. If it's absolutely Mac specific, chances are that most general computer retailer don't have it.

Now all that's common sense.

-t

I do my own Mac repairs and sometimes I need a logic board, modem, inverter, fan, etc.. Also, I buy all Apple retail products from there; Macs, iPods, Airport base stations, keyboards, etc.. Why?

1. Because they're good people and I want them to stay open. I'm a loyal customer.
2. If I need tools for a repair I can borrow anything I want from them.
3. Their return policy is better than any I've found online.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Randman 

You just buy random stuff??

Yes, I get ALL my stuff out of Bags Of Crap from Woot!

-t

[Chuckit]

EDIT: I think I may have misunderstood the question. What specifically are you thinking of? Buying hard drives? RAM? Whole computers?

[Rumor]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

Do you trust these particular sales guys more than the customer reviews and your own research?

Have you checked their customer feedback?

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

EDIT: I think I may have misunderstood the question. What specifically are you thinking of? Buying hard drives? RAM? Whole computers?

Hard drives, RAM, video cards, CPUs, printers, scanners, keyboard, mice, displays, etc.

[Gankdawg]

Newegg for pretty much everything. Sometimes OWC. Very rare will I ever even set foot in my local Mac store. Prices suck but they do offer help (which I don't need). Sometimes store.apple.com for refurb items (Macbook and 2 shuffles so far).

[MacosNerd]

I shop almost exclusively online.
newegg, crucial, apple.com,amazon

[64stang06]

newegg, crucial, and amazon here.

[besson3c]

Some people really swear by Corsair RAM over Crucial, FWIW...

[osiris]

For the big purchases I call my Apple rep.
For small stuff OWC and Newegg.

[besson3c]

How often Is OWC cheaper than NewEgg? It seems like NewEgg has sort of come the Walmart of pricing - it is very rare that I find somebody with lower prices, and that even includes the bigger players such as Best Buy or Amazon.

[mduell]

NewEgg for almost everything, Amazon (not sub-stores, Amazon stocked items only) for a few other things.

I cringe every time people here posts links to OWC they've marked it up ~20-33% more than NewEgg for the same thing.

[besson3c]

mduell: yeah, but I think OWC probably counts on some ignorance... You know, the type of user that thinks they need a special Mac printer from a Mac store to use with their Mac, ya know?

[residentEvil]

for me: crucial, tiger direct and amazon. for all my mac and pc needs. if i need something that second, microcenter is the local store of choice.

for work: the above plus CDWG