Where would you buy a new computer?

[keyslover]

We priced out the same computer at HP and Costco. Costco came out $10 more, but I have heard great things about their warranties and customer service.

What would you do?

[expatpumpkin]

I would buy it at the Apple store, so clearly I'm no help

[aspentosh]

Aug 16, 2012 8:34:37 GMT -5 pennypenny said:

Aug 16, 2012 8:31:39 GMT -5 expatpumpkin said:

I would buy it at the Apple store, so clearly I'm no help

Me too. This is what I was coming to post.

Add me to this group

[dexteroni]

Aug 16, 2012 8:35:18 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

Aug 16, 2012 8:34:37 GMT -5 pennypenny said:

Me too. This is what I was coming to post.

Add me to this group

::raises hand::

Me too. Not helpful, I know. Did you check Amazon's price? Before we switched to Apple, every computer that DH didn't build himself came from Amazon.

If you definitely want to buy from one of the two sources you listed, $10 isn't significant enough to make a difference if one seller has a better warranty and service. I recommend finding out for sure, in writing, what the warranty / customer service situation is from each seller and then decide. Going by what you've heard is a great way to get screwed.

Seriously though, Apple.

[expatpumpkin]

APPLE!!!

Once you go Mac, you'll never go back!

[Deleted]

sorry, Team Apple

[Deleted]

Costco is awesome with electronics.

I had an iMac years ago and was so glad to get rid of that thing.

[Deleted]

Aug 16, 2012 8:35:18 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

Aug 16, 2012 8:34:37 GMT -5 pennypenny said:

Me too. This is what I was coming to post.

Add me to this group

Me too. I'd never again buy a PC, ever never. But that's my preference and YMMV.

[mrssandro]

I like the performance of my Dell. Not that I don't like Apple products but I think they are a little expensive.

[Deleted]

Aug 16, 2012 9:27:47 GMT -5 mrssandro said:

I like the performance of my Dell. Not that I don't like Apple products but I think they are a little expensive.

They are, no question. But then again, I've had my MacBook since 2006 and my iMac since 2007 (or so) and neither of them have given me a day's trouble, nor are either of them even close to needing to be replaced. If I can get 10 years out of each of them, I figure in the end, over time they're actually cheaper than their PC equivalents (and more reliable, too, considering my longest-lasting PC lasted maybe 5 years at most). Just my long-term math kind of thinking.

[LoveTrains]

I would do costco. I bought a computer from costco once and it had some problems. I returned it a week later, no questions asked, full refund.

[rugbywife]

I would never buy anything other than a Mac now...I just don't know how I would go back. I do agree that Costco has a great returns policy though.

[Deleted]

Aug 16, 2012 9:31:02 GMT -5 @joesther said:

Aug 16, 2012 9:27:47 GMT -5 mrssandro said:

I like the performance of my Dell. Not that I don't like Apple products but I think they are a little expensive.

They are, no question. But then again, I've had my MacBook since 2006 and my iMac since 2007 (or so) and neither of them have given me a day's trouble, nor are either of them even close to needing to be replaced. If I can get 10 years out of each of them, I figure in the end, over time they're actually cheaper than their PC equivalents (and more reliable, too, considering my longest-lasting PC lasted maybe 5 years at most). Just my long-term math kind of thinking.

ditto, I spent a lot on my macbook, but I've had it for 18 months without an issue and dont foresee needing a new one anytime soon.

Every PC laptop I've ever had has never lasted more than 2-3 yrs. My last Toshiba completely died around 18 months, in the middle of writing a brief while I was working from home when my back went out-- and I seriously threw a fit. I switched to my macbook that week.

[Deleted]

My next laptop will be a Dell. Ordered from Dell.

[Deleted]

Aug 16, 2012 9:33:35 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

I would do costco. I bought a computer from costco once and it had some problems. I returned it a week later, no questions asked, full refund.

This. I returned it a few months later and they gave me the full amount on a costco GC.

[Roc A Bee]

The last computer we bought was from Costco.

[mrssandro]

I think another issue I have with Apple is that there is always that one person who buys them and they do not understand how compatibility works. Or they think everyone has a Apple so therefore its should be easy to troubleshoot issues. This is not the case for most businesses. I think they are great if you are knowledgeable with the platform but I kinda side eye the people who buy them because they are "in" trendy computer. Sorta like bubble necklaces.

[Deleted]

Aug 16, 2012 9:37:51 GMT -5 @iheartcosmos said:

Aug 16, 2012 9:31:02 GMT -5 @joesther said:

They are, no question. But then again, I've had my MacBook since 2006 and my iMac since 2007 (or so) and neither of them have given me a day's trouble, nor are either of them even close to needing to be replaced. If I can get 10 years out of each of them, I figure in the end, over time they're actually cheaper than their PC equivalents (and more reliable, too, considering my longest-lasting PC lasted maybe 5 years at most). Just my long-term math kind of thinking.

ditto, I spent a lot on my macbook, but I've had it for 18 months without an issue and dont foresee needing a new one anytime soon.

Every PC laptop I've ever had has never lasted more than 2-3 yrs. My last Toshiba completely died around 18 months, in the middle of writing a brief while I was working from home when my back went out-- and I seriously threw a fit. I switched to my macbook that week.

Something similar happened to me when I was in grad school working on my thesis. Completely lost it due to my HP giving up the ghost halfway through. Verrry maddening, but I got my MacBook that week, started over, and still have it (the thesis and the MacBook) six years later. I'm a Mac girl all the way.

[dooneese]

Costco. I recently purchased a laptop and was having a small issue, so I called the Costco customer support number and was directly connected to an actual human who resolved my issue over the phone. Costco customer support is included for the life of your product with any electronics purchase. That alone is worth it to me. (And I realize this, combined with my total of two posts, makes me sound like a Costco employee haha)

[80sjunkie]

I am shopping for a laptop right now and would definitely buy it at Costco if macs were out. We are still on the fence.

[dexteroni]

Aug 16, 2012 9:51:17 GMT -5 mrssandro said:

I think another issue I have with Apple is that there is always that one person who buys them and they do not understand how compatibility works. Or they think everyone has a Apple so therefore its should be easy to troubleshoot issues. This is not the case for most businesses.

What? Obviously if this is your work computer, you have to buy what your company supports. I don't think that's the case for the OP.

Aug 16, 2012 9:51:17 GMT -5 mrssandro said:

I kinda side eye the people who buy them because they are "in" trendy computer. Sorta like bubble necklaces.

Also, what? I don't know anyone like this. Everyone I know who has them buys them because they're designed, built, and operate better than PCs.

I side eye people who dislike Apple without really knowing anything about their products. It makes them sound old and crochety and afraid of current technology.

[agnes]

Costco.

Today is the start of a Costco sale on computers. I'm contemplating getting an Acer ultra thin for $500 something or a Dell ultrabook for $700 something.

My current Dell just died. I've had that thing for, I think, 7 years. It had one issue before because I had 2 antivirus programs installed at the same time. Other than that, I've had no problems. I;m leaning towards the Dell because of this.

I have been wanting a Mac for a looooong time, though. But H keeps nixing it. I think I may just ignore him.