MacBook Apple support in NZ

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tdgeek

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#139368 6-Feb-2014 15:53

In my quest to migrate from Win 7 to OSX on my coffee table laptop, I just seem to see many issues with MBP retina and MBA. I'm not looking for issues, I research threads on what is best, etc, etc to get a feel for what will fit me best. But in these threads I see continual references to screen retention, etc.

If I buy a MBP or MBA at Youbee or Apple, where am I at if I get any issues? Send it away for weeks and wait? Or will Youbee act like an Apple store and check on the spot and replace? Will Apple NZ act quick and do they do express replacement as happened with my iPhone 5?

TBH I don't want a Mac, I want. OSX. hackintosh is easy enough for a desktop I can build, but my need is laptop.

I could take a punt and hope, I could buy a refurb in the hope the extra testing circumvents any issues,I could buy a 2011/2012 and upgrade ram and storage to modernise, so any help or advice is appreciated

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#981292 6-Feb-2014 15:58

Keep in mind that you see "lots of issues" because the people with problems post complaints and questions ... the millions of people happily using their MacBook don't post anything. :)

As for Yoobee looking at problems, it depends what's wrong with it. Simple things they sometimes look at immediately, other problems mean leaving it at the store for repair. They used to also do an "urgent service", but it costs more.

dclegg

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#981293 6-Feb-2014 15:58

I am onto my second Macbook Pro, after migrating from Windows based laptops back in 2010.

My first MBP (15" inch non-retina) was purchased from Noel Leeming. It had a stuck pixel. so I took it back to them and they replaced it for me without question. They didn't have my model in stock, so I did have to wait a few days. The replacement also had a stuck pixel (different location). This took a bit more of chasing up to get a replacement, as they tried to make their problem my problem (they were stuck with an unsellable laptop that they didn't know what to do with). My second replacement was fine.

My second MBP (15" Retina) was purchased from JB Hifi, and touch wood has been going well so far, with no known issues.

Not sure this fully answers your questions, but will hopefully add a little bit of insight for you.

surfisup1000

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#981294 6-Feb-2014 16:02

i'm onto my 2nd retina model and it also developed new stuck pixels.

i don't think they're too reliable over time.

tdgeek

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#981310 6-Feb-2014 16:17

Thanks guys. Stuck pixels, have not seen that mentioned

I fully understand the squeaky wheel syndrome and that you only hear from them. The threads I watch are info threads, not issue threads, but the number of posters raising issues was concerning. Screen retention relates to lg not samsung screens which I cannot test before purchase, as it's a command line input. Maybe I could?

Noel Leemings, etc I had not considered.

I'm keen on a new MBA 1.7 but the SSD is not replaceable, in case of a down the track out of warranty issue, or a voluntary future upgrade. Actually it is, but Apple uses a proprietary PCIe connector . These can be available and may be more common later, probablY OCZ online

I may go for Apple NZ online purchase with AppleCare, but that annoys me as while all laptops share the same tech, what Apple adds in, such as retina seems to fall short of the expected Apple design and quality.

If I found a low use 2011/2012 somewhere is that recommended ?

Buzz Bumble

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#981362 6-Feb-2014 17:10

Unless you are a student or teacher who qualifies for an Educational Discount, then JB Hi-Fi is often has the best regular price. Also remember to check for "price matching" if you have a preferred store to buy from. Plus of course Apple's online refurb store (as you mentioned), but you need to be in the right place at the right time there.

I see in today's NZ Herald that The Good Guys has a 13" MacBook Pro on sale at $1578 (advertised, but they have the "pay cash", including credit cards and cheques, "get it cheaper" policy), but I haven't checked to see exactly what model it is (it may be old stock or the model that still has the DVD drive in it).

PBTech also sometimes have a good sale price on MacBook models.

As well as Yoobee and those already mentioned, you can also buy Apple Macs at Noel Leemings, Harvey Norman, Dick Smith (and Bond 'n' Bond if there's still one around), and depending on where you are a small group of independant resellers.

Most, if not all, of the authorised resellers can do education prices or order you a build-to-order model, but it won't be at any sale price (and you will have to pay for it when you order since they can't send it back or easily sell it to anyone else).

Also, as per the another topic, if you need 100% Microsoft Office compatibility, then don't forget to include the price of Mac Office in your budgeting (unless you can find someone with a current bundle deal). :-)

nathan

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#981390 6-Feb-2014 17:44

If you are buying this as a personal purchase (not for business use) AppleCare is just throwing money away in my humble opinion. You have the CGA to fall back on as an extended warranty. Apple used to be obfuscate this issue on their support website, but they now do mention your existing rights as a consumer.

dclegg

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#981427 6-Feb-2014 18:29

Buzz Bumble: Unless you are a student or teacher who qualifies for an Educational Discount, then JB Hi-Fi is often has the best regular price.

Yep. I got my last MBP with a $500 discount, because it was about to be superseded by a new refresh (its an early 2013 model). This meant I was able to get a much higher specced machine than I thought I'd be able to afford (512GB SSD, 16GB RAM).

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alasta

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#981487 6-Feb-2014 19:54

nathan: If you are buying this as a personal purchase (not for business use) AppleCare is just throwing money away in my humble opinion. You have the CGA to fall back on as an extended warranty. Apple used to be obfuscate this issue on their support website, but they now do mention your existing rights as a consumer.

CGA won't give you express replacement, phone support, or international coverage.

nathan

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#981489 6-Feb-2014 20:10

This is true. But I suspect that most people buying this addon use any of those features. Much like my mum who bought a TV the other day and got talked into buying an extended warranty by the salesperson.

tdgeek

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#981510 6-Feb-2014 20:44

What is required for an education discount? My wife arranges Asian and others into schools/university education in NZ

alasta

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#981514 6-Feb-2014 20:47

nathan: This is true. But I suspect that most people buying this addon use any of those features. Much like my mum who bought a TV the other day and got talked into buying an extended warranty by the salesperson.

I use the phone support all the time. It would be better if I didn't have to, but a lot of people struggle to cope with the daily glitches and annoyances that go along with owning a computer so having ongoing support is essential.

tdgeek

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#981519 6-Feb-2014 20:57

alasta:
nathan: This is true. But I suspect that most people buying this addon use any of those features. Much like my mum who bought a TV the other day and got talked into buying an extended warranty by the salesperson.

I use the phone support all the time. It would be better if I didn't have to, but a lot of people struggle to cope with the daily glitches and annoyances that go along with owning a computer so having ongoing support is essential.

Not withstanding the CGA, Applecare does give you more than the extended warranty time period. My iPhone 5 home button got sticky. Called Apple at 9am, was a guy in Texas, new phone arrived at work next day 2-30pm, ex Sydney. Pretty damn good

nathan

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#981534 6-Feb-2014 21:25

my point is don't waste money thinking without it you only have a 1 year warranty

mikerussellnz

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#981536 6-Feb-2014 21:32

I bought a refurb previous model 15 inch MBPR just after the hardware revision bump and saved about $800. It's a great machine and I can recommend the refurb products, apart from the plain packaging everything looked like new.

I have a LG panel, no issues with image retention. You might want to check the dates of the posts about retention issues, there were issues with the first generation LG panels, but that may have been fixed in the SJA2 panels that started shipping last Jan. My panel is a SJA2.

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#981554 6-Feb-2014 22:19

If you are fine with none-retina and a smaller screen - the Air is actually quite a nice machine. Used to have the MBP 2010 and updated to a 13" Macbook Air with top specs in 2013. Could not have been happier.

The MBPRetina does have 16GB of RAM as an option, but if that is outside of your price range then you really should take a good long look at the Air.

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