In the market to buy a 15" Macbook Pro - trying to save money - need advice

[Mira]

My PC laptop is in it's last throes, and I looked at my other family members Macs over
Christmas, and am thinking I want to join them and become a Mac owner.
I have chosen to flirt with buying the 15" Pro with a 250 GB hard drive and the cost is a very scary $ 1999.

I found one on ebay, and wonder if you see anything wrong with me trying to get it !

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160306612235&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:us

I would make a tiny url but then I would lose all I've typed, and maybe not have the nerve to come back and ask this question.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for looking if you will.

edit: typo

[Lost-in-FL]

1. You can get a refurbished one...

from apple directly. Buying refurbished machines is a great way to save some bucks specially from an apple certified dealer. Here's a link.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro

I noticed they only carry the prior model and not the new ones but their older models are still great machines. My hubby bought a boxed, brand new (but prior generation) Macbook Pro at Best Buy the week the new ones were released for only $1500 (from $1999!!!). He got very lucky cause when I went back to get one they tried to sell me an open item for $1700. For that price I was better off just getting a brand new 13 inch macbook but happens that bigger was better for my eyes.

I would also suggest checking out macmall.com for more refurbished machines but I heard bad reviews of their store from a friend (too pushy trying to upgrade and get you to buy more stuff, slow shipping, etc.). They also offer full warranty since they are apple certified machines.

http://www.macmall.com/macmall/families/macbookpro/

[MagickMuffin]

2. Refurbs are the way to go, just as Lost-in-FL suggested

My hubby bought a refurb'd 17" G4 back in March '06 from Small Dog and he hasn't had a problem with it. Although, he got one delivered and the screen was messed up. They sent him another one and he shipped the other one back to them. So, they are a reliable company.

here's a link to one MacBook 2.0GHz 2GB RAM, 160GB hard drive, Aluminum, Free Isis Sleeve, Free 3-day Shipping for $1,299.99

http://www.smalldog.com/wag18532

Good Luck:hi:

[Mira]

3. Thanks ! Guess what / I found one on ebay that I think will be perfect.

Naturally I found it before I saw the replies about the refurbs. I look forward to communing with you on this forum in the future. I'm a little nervous about the learning curve.
:)

[mt13]

7. do not fear the MAC

the learning curve is small. MACs are so easy to use and really are the best operating system around.

[awoke_in_2003]

4. Well, we are once again...

at a time when there is not much to differentiate the Pro from the Book. Yeah, the Pro is 2 inches bigger (not a plus for me) and has those digital input/outputs and can run a PC card, but if it were me at this time, I would go for the Macbook. A lot of bang for the buck, and they have the aluminum enclosure now.

[Pierre.Suave]

5. Do you need the latest one?

Or a previous gen one that is brand new and deeply discounted?

http://www.macconnection.com/IPA/Home.htm

http://www.macmall.com/macmall/default.asp

http://www.mac-pro.com/

http://dealmac.com/

etc...

There are ways to get one a bit cheaper.

[Pierre.Suave]

8. I cant edit my post above, but...

DO NOT DEAL WITH MAC-PRO.COM

[crimsonblue]

6. The last gen MBP are excellent computers

In fact, mine is actually more powerful than the newest ones available from Apple (I ran tests on it and compared to Gizmodo's tests of the newest ones). I highly recommend the last generation MBP. I've only ever had one problem with it; the F9 key popped off after 5 days of owning it, and the 't' key is a bit sticky right now for some reason.