Mac's

[NaKoRuRu]

Hey guys and gals, I wanna buy my gf a Mac mini since she's into graphics and what not. Does anyone know where I can get the best deal on one? So far the best place I have found is the Apple Student Store (student discount and free shipping). I also tried Mac Mall but they weren't as cheap as the Student Store... does anyone know if I walk into a Apple store I can get the same price? We have one local here in the IE. And ugh I can't believe ima buy a Mac hehehhe:drama:

[bugzy]

college/university stores usually have best prices

[creanium]

Why the Mac Mini? Is it because of budget constraints?

I wouldn't recommend you get a Mini if she plans on doing any serious work; especially with graphics. The Mini still is on the older 32-bit Intel Core Duo processors and not the new 64-bit Core 2 Duo processors like all the other computers in the Mac lineup.

Also, the Mini uses integrated graphics instead of a dedicated graphics.

Being the owner of a Mini, I can tell you that it frustrates me at times because another major bottleneck is the hard drive. If there are things going on that are really using the hard drive, it will slow things down to a crawl at times.

If you can, I would highly recommend you step up and get an iMac at least. You can get a 17" iMac, with 1GB memory, 2.0Ghz Core 2 Duo processor, 160GB hard drive, and the ATI Radeon X1600 video card. The education price is $1,099.00 for the 17".

If you step up to the 20", you get a faster processor (2.16Ghz) and bigger hard drive (250GB) compared to the 17" (not to mention the bigger screen, heh). But that one runs $1,399.00 with education discount.

To answer your second question, yes you can walk in there and get the discount in the store as long as she has her student ID.

[oc-audica]

thats quite the gift for a gal pal

[gest24]

The Apple store is just like the online store. You'll be able to get a student discount there. Plus the people there know their shit.

[NaKoRuRu]

Why the Mac Mini? Is it because of budget constraints?

I wouldn't recommend you get a Mini if she plans on doing any serious work; especially with graphics. The Mini still is on the older 32-bit Intel Core Duo processors and not the new 64-bit Core 2 Duo processors like all the other computers in the Mac lineup.

Also, the Mini uses integrated graphics instead of a dedicated graphics.

Being the owner of a Mini, I can tell you that it frustrates me at times because another major bottleneck is the hard drive. If there are things going on that are really using the hard drive, it will slow things down to a crawl at times.

If you can, I would highly recommend you step up and get an iMac at least. You can get a 17" iMac, with 1GB memory, 2.0Ghz Core 2 Duo processor, 160GB hard drive, and the ATI Radeon X1600 video card. The education price is $1,099.00 for the 17".

If you step up to the 20", you get a faster processor (2.16Ghz) and bigger hard drive (250GB) compared to the 17" (not to mention the bigger screen, heh). But that one runs $1,399.00 with education discount.

To answer your second question, yes you can walk in there and get the discount in the store as long as she has her student ID.


Thanks a lot for the information. Yea, she is gonna be doing lots of graphics work being that she is a graphic designer. But we were thinking that because at work she has the "latest" mac stuff that a small Mac Mini should be sufficient at catching up on work and or just leisure graphic stuff at home... But, I want CS3 to run well on the Machine... and I guess the Mini won't cut it. Budget is a concern but that computer you priced is only 300$ more so its not that much for expensive. What if I just upgraded the Ram and HD on the Mac Mini? Would it still be use less?

[NaKoRuRu]

thats quite the gift for a gal pal

She's been my gf for 5 years... engaged and all that ish...

[NaKoRuRu]

The Apple store is just like the online store. You'll be able to get a student discount there. Plus the people there know their shit.

I think I might just stop by and pick it up, since I HATE waiting for things in the mail.

[NaKoRuRu]

Also, do they sell the iMac's without all the accessories? Thats another thing that attracted us to the Mini. We already have big monitors and keyboards and mouses and all that good stuff. I would hate to bring home another one that is just gonna collect dust. Thanks again guys :)


*Edit* Oops I'm soo retarded, its all built in! Sorry, yea I don't use Mac's at all lol

Blah!

[creanium]

Also, do they sell the iMac's without all the accessories? Thats another thing that attracted us to the Mini. We already have big monitors and keyboards and mouses and all that good stuff. I would hate to bring home another one that is just gonna collect dust. Thanks again guys :)


*Edit* Oops I'm soo retarded, its all built in! Sorry, yea I don't use Mac's at all lol

Blah!

iMacs are all-in-one computers. They come with everything you need in the box. That isn't to say you couldn't still use your keyboard and mouse. And they support dual monitors so you could either mirror your desktop or have a dual monitor setup if you want.

The iMac is actually a pretty good deal and overall the better computer. It's not that the Mini is useless, it's just that it's definitely not up to the level it should be anymore.

[Streamline]

My friend works at an apple store in LA, he took $500 off for me (clicked the student discount and some others a few times :)). Let me know what you want and I will see what he can do.

[JETTAone420]

apple warrants military discounts up to 15% i think

[bronfufu]

My friend works at an apple store in LA, he took $500 off for me (clicked the student discount and some others a few times :)). Let me know what you want and I will see what he can do.

hey can you help me too? i'm going to buy the imac 24" when the new version releases. i woudl greatly appreciate it!!!! i will hook u up with some of my goods :tup:

[NaKoRuRu]

My friend works at an apple store in LA, he took $500 off for me (clicked the student discount and some others a few times :)). Let me know what you want and I will see what he can do.

Really? Woohoo!!! All I want is that basic $1,099 (student priced) iMac. Whatever he can do for me and my gf is and will be greatly appreciated :D
I will be paying by Debit if it matters.:tup2: Maybe me and Tony can make the trek out there and possibly do an OC meet while were there :)

[bronfufu]

i will pay full cash =)
:tup::tup:

[Streamline]

Really? Woohoo!!! All I want is that basic $1,099 (student priced) iMac. Whatever he can do for me and my gf is and will be greatly appreciated :D
I will be paying by Debit if it matters.:tup2: Maybe me and Tony can make the trek out there and possibly do an OC meet while were there :)
I'll talk to him tonight and see what he can do. I will try to let you know asap.

[NaKoRuRu]

I'll talk to him tonight and see what he can do. I will try to let you know asap.

Thank you sir!

[bronfufu]

now that new IMAC is out any news from your friend? i am willing to put down tonight =)

[RavinJetta]

The new IMac looks pretty sick.

[Bimmer Pilot]

So what did you end up going with?

I am in the market right now, but unfortunately my wife needs to replace a Wintel machine before I get another Mac.

I was looking at a refurb...

Refurbished iMac 17-inch 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SuperDrive (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nplm=FA590LL/A)
Item Price (Shipped, with tax included): $914.80

This is looking particularly more interesting with BootCamp coming in OSX - Leo-pard...

[NaKoRuRu]

So what did you end up going with?

I am in the market right now, but unfortunately my wife needs to replace a Wintel machine before I get another Mac.

I was looking at a refurb...

Refurbished iMac 17-inch 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SuperDrive (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nplm=FA590LL/A)
Item Price (Shipped, with tax included): $914.80


Hey, I haven't bought anything yet but I'm leaning towards refurbished myself. I am still leaning towards an iMac Mini. Yea, I know it won't run CS3 well but I was talking to some other people and they were telling me that I will run CS2/CS fine. So probably gonna get that... I will probably pick it up in about a month or two.

[br14n22]

cs/cs2 will not run fine on a mac mini, it will run worse than cs3. cs3 runs native on the intel processor, cs2/cs does not.

[NaKoRuRu]

cs/cs2 will not run fine on a mac mini, it will run worse than cs3. cs3 runs native on the intel processor, cs2/cs does not.

yea... i dunno i keep hearing different things... its really just a $$$ issue...

:(:o