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Mac questions

 
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sokocanuck21



Joined: 16 Mar 2009
Location: Ansan

PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:35 pm    Post subject: Mac questions Reply with quote

I have intentions on buying a Mac in the coming future (March 2010).
I have 3 questions and any help would be great.

1. Given the Won vs Dollar, it's safe to assuming buying a Mac in Korea isn't a good idea?

2. Thoughts on iWork '09 vs Office '09.

3. Do you know if we qualify for the free itouch for students and teachers. (the deal is on currently)

thanks.
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cj1976



Joined: 26 Oct 2005

PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have both Iwork 09 and Office 2008 and I prefer the Microsoft program. Mainly because I'm more familiar with the interface, but also because the majority of businesses, schools etc all use it too so there's no compatibility issues.
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Chokse



Joined: 22 May 2009

PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Answers to your questions:

1. It can be a good deal and it can be a terrible deal. It really just depends. Three years ago, I bought a MacBook Pro in the US because it would have been about $400 more to buy it here. On the other hand, just the other day I picked up a MacBook Pro from the Refurb Store and got a great deal on it. It was advertised as a 2.66Ghz with a 320GB hard drive, but they sent me a 2.93Ghz with a 500GB hard drive at no extra cost. I checked in the US, and I would have paid about $200 more in the US for the same (2.93) refurb computer. So, it really depends. This is the second time Apple has sent me a better than advertised computer from the refurb store, but it is not a guarantee that you will get something better than what is advertised. Check around, do the math, and you can figure out if you are going to get a good deal or not.

2. Each person will have his or her opinion on this and most will conflict. There is no right answer. If you do a lot of presentations, I would go with iWork because Keynote blows away PowerPoint. Also, if you do a lot of template based documents (news letters, etc), you might also look at iWork. However, if you are looking for a standard word processor that is more compatible, then go with Office. However, there is no such thing as Office 2009 for Mac. The most recent version is 2008. My advice is to get both. We're not talking about a huge amount of money here, and each has its merits. Up to you.

3. Apple Korea does do a back to school promotion, but it is usually done in March (beginning of the school year in Korea). However, it is not as good as the US version. In Korea, you get different amounts off the price of an iPod, but the amount you get depends on which computer you buy. Last March, I think the Mac Mini, MacBook, and iMac received 100,000 won off the price of an iPod, and the MacBook Pro and Mac Pro got something like 150,000 or 200,000 off the price. Also, I think there was a rule that certain iPods were not eligible for the promotion (maybe shuffle and one other model). At any rate, there is no hope of a promotion right now as it is not the beginning of the school year in Korea (notice how the US Apple Store does not do this promotion in the winter).
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sokocanuck21



Joined: 16 Mar 2009
Location: Ansan

PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks to both of you for your responses. very helpful.
Where is the refurb store?


And one more question...

SSD are really pricey right now, as well as not proven... Thoughts on getting one, or keep the traditionally HDD.
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ThingsComeAround



Joined: 07 Nov 2008

PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am also planning on purchasing a new Macbook pro
There are HUGE differences between America & Korea. You may check from the website www.apple.com

I have found that the education discount for America and Korea has a difference of about $200 for thesame model specs (Korea is higher) If you really want the Hangul font on your mac, by all means purchase it in Korea. But you could save about $198 of that and buy keyboard stickers to place over your keys (if you care to go that route).
Mac has no issue with Kor / Eng fonts, it is possible to ready the Korean font shortly (no need to download, insert Leopard CD).
Also, the US site has better promotions for their customers. You may get a greater deal on an iPod Touch (which I believe Korea does not offer)

I would opt to purchase the machine in the US until the Won gets stronger.
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Chokse



Joined: 22 May 2009

PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:57 pm    Post subject: Not really. Reply with quote

Remember that you will need to add sales tax to the price you see on the Apple Store in the US (average 8%). The Apple Store Korea already has all taxes included in the price shown on the store.

Yes, it is most often cheaper to buy in the US, but keep in mind that there is cost involved in buying in the US unless you are already there, and if you plan to sell it in Korea, it will be much harder to sell to Koreans if it does not have a Korean keyboard. You can always sell it to foreigners here in Dave's, but it limits how many people might be willing to buy it.

The refurb store is on the main Apple Store online. Just look around for something that says "Save".
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pmkiii



Joined: 21 Jul 2009
Location: Incheon

PostPosted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is there any import tax on shipping a Mac Book Pro from the States? I am thinking about purchasing one after I arrive in Korea. Any advice on shipping electronics would be greatly appreciated.
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ThingsComeAround



Joined: 07 Nov 2008

PostPosted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

pmkiii wrote:
Is there any import tax on shipping a Mac Book Pro from the States? I am thinking about purchasing one after I arrive in Korea. Any advice on shipping electronics would be greatly appreciated.


Take the product out of the box, (keep the styrofoam packing if any) but don't let Customs get the idea that it is 'new'. Ask a friend to wrap it in clothes or something, and don't forget to declare it on the invoice form. Customs won't tax you for something you have "used".
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cj1976



Joined: 26 Oct 2005

PostPosted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 5:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

-Take the product out of the box, (keep the styrofoam packing if any) but don't let Customs get the idea that it is 'new'. Ask a friend to wrap it in clothes or something, and don't forget to declare it on the invoice form. Customs won't tax you for something you have "used".

My girlfriend did exactly this when she bought a bag in Paris. She just put it over her shoulder with all her gear inside it. They can't prove anything.
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taiwan_girl



Joined: 13 Oct 2008

PostPosted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:23 am    Post subject: Re: Mac questions Reply with quote

sokocanuck21 wrote:

2. Thoughts on iWork '09 vs Office '09.


thanks.


Get Neo Office. It is free and does pretty much most things that iwork or Office will do. It will also read/write files to those applications.

www.neooffice.org
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classydame



Joined: 03 Aug 2009
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is Apple Care available in Korea? My husband just bought a laptop and hasn't invested in the extended warranty (yet) because he is unsure whether or not it will be worth it if he has to mail his computer back to the US to get it fixed.
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Chokse



Joined: 22 May 2009

PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:31 pm    Post subject: Yes. Reply with quote

Yes, AppleCare is international for all Apple laptops (MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air) and for the Mac Mini. International coverage also applies to any Airport Base Station, Time Capsule, or iPod you have. The only items not covered under the international AppleCare Warranty are the desktop computers (iMac and Mac Pro), and Apple displays.

In addition, you can buy the AppleCare plan in Korea even if you bought your computer outside of Korea. As a bonus, the AppleCare price in Korea is cheaper than the AppleCare price in the US, so it is actually a better deal to get it here.
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tatertot



Joined: 21 Oct 2008

PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 5:44 pm    Post subject: Re: Yes. Reply with quote

Chokse wrote:
Yes, AppleCare is international for all Apple laptops (MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air) and for the Mac Mini. International coverage also applies to any Airport Base Station, Time Capsule, or iPod you have. The only items not covered under the international AppleCare Warranty are the desktop computers (iMac and Mac Pro), and Apple displays.

In addition, you can buy the AppleCare plan in Korea even if you bought your computer outside of Korea. As a bonus, the AppleCare price in Korea is cheaper than the AppleCare price in the US, so it is actually a better deal to get it here.


Retail pricing is cheaper, but it is cheaper still to buy it on eBay. If you find a reputable seller, it is a safe deal. They just e-mail you the serial number so you don't have to worry about shipping either. That is what I'm planning to do.
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