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Wander
Joined: 30 Jun 2005
Posts: 34
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 Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2005 5:26 pm Post subject: Buy or not to buy...not so quick! |
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I know that the "Buy or not to buy?" thread is locked but I actually have something constructive to add!
It is quite possible that you might regret buying an Apple computer in the U.S. and taking it with you to Dubai.
I shall be buying a 20" iMac when I go to Oman and I have been checking out prices etc.
If I purchase such a system in the U.S. and add a wireless keyboard and mouse then, including taxes, it will cost me $2,175. The same hardware at Dubai Media City (www.evo.ae -- click 'The week of bundles') will cost Dhs9,200 which is equivalent to $2,505. Hence, a Dubai purchase puts me out of pocket by $330.
Not so fast, though! I may well have to pay excess baggage on my iMac. It is too big to be carried as hand luggage so it will have to be checked. As we all know, baggage handlers have been specially selected from the dregs of human scum so I would be running a huge risk of my plastic iMac being damaged or even stolen. I could shell out extra dough for insurance but not only do I not want the extra cost of that, I don't want the hassle either of making a claim either. What's more, I won't be able to get after-sales support for my iMac since it's a gray import. I'm guessing that an iMac would cost about the same in Muscat as it does in Dubai but if not then I don't mind driving to Dubai from Muscat for service.
So, all in all, I'm going to bite the bullet and pay the extra dough to be sure that I get an iMac in good working condition plus after-sales service. What's more, I'm going to point out to the sales people that I can get the machine cheaper in the U.S. and act like I shall be doing just that so I expect that that ploy will get me a free memory upgrade or some other discount!
Wander |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2005 9:40 pm Post subject: |
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| That makes sense. But I have always used only a laptop so I didn't have to bother with shipping. |
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globalnomad2
Joined: 23 Jul 2005
Posts: 562
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| Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2005 10:40 pm Post subject: to buy |
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As for PCs, I can get a full HP , 512 mb memory, at least a 80ghz hard drive, monitor included, for under $500 at Sam's Club here in Houston. New, not reconditioned. Gosh-o, VS, you must really like them Macs  |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 2:03 am Post subject: |
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Never owned a MAC actually... always have Toshiba laptops...
Wander seems to be the MAC person here. 
VS |
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Wander
Joined: 30 Jun 2005
Posts: 34
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| Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 2:11 pm Post subject: |
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Certainly, if you want a laptop, it's a no-brainer: buy it where it's cheapest.
PCs are so ubiquitous that you can get parts anywhere. Years ago, I ordered a Zeos PC from the U.S. and it arrived in Dubai without incident, although, much to my surprise, I did have to pay some sort of import duty when I collected it from the airport.
The original question was about Apple Macs though. Macs will need to go back to the supplier for repairs. Furthermore, purchasers are not entitled to repairs under warranty for gray imports.
Wander |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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Really? I have never had to take a computer in for parts (I have returned ones that I bought that didn't work properly... and they just gave a new one - usually software probs tho...).
Are Macs more prone to this than other brands? Does buying Macs mean that you are exchanging hardward problems for the usual Windows software problems.
VS |
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Wander
Joined: 30 Jun 2005
Posts: 34
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| Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| Really? I have never had to take a computer in for partsVS |
Macs are no more prone to hardware problems than PCs. As with all computers, it is possible to experience hardware failures, especially after moving them large distances. Whenever we transport a PC, my husband always opens up the case and check for cards that might have become dislodged, etc. during transit.
You can get PCs repaired pretty much anywhere and parts are easy to come by. My husband does things like replacing power supplies and hard disks when they fail. For Macs though, they tend to have Apple-specific parts that need to be replaced by authorized dealers, though parts can be had from specialist suppliers. Things like memory/disk upgrades you can do yourself, of course.
I have no qualms whatsoever about buying Apple hardware.
On the software side, Macs are much less prone to viruses and problems in general.
We intend to take a lot of photographs in Oman and Apple Macs are turnkey, stable systems for multi-media in general. I want a computer that just works and my husband doesn't have to mess around with from time to time. What's more, have you see the iMacs? They're great and they're more powerful and much less expensive than PowerMac laptops (though not much good for commuting!):
www.apple.com/imac
Wander |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2005 10:40 am Post subject: |
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MAC in the Middle East is for rich folks and is a minority taste.
You cas use MAC here but expect to pay more than you would back in Kansas. |
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