I've been buying Macs for over 20 years. That's a lot of Mac-buying experience. I'll try to share what I've learned, on and off-line, so you can go Mac shopping armed with the information you need to know ahead of time–before it’s too late–and find exactly the right deal for you.

This exercise is all about saving you time and money, and it might even turn you into you a Mac buying expert in the process. This discussion not necessarily about which Mac is right for you, however you will find information about making that choice in this whitepaper. Saving money and where and when to buy is the focus.

 Matthew’s Savvy Buyer Tip: If you want to skip right to the dessert portion, how to save money, I’ve summarized everything I’ve written that touches on the subject of finding a deal in the section titled “Macs For Bargain Hunters.” Feel free to jump there now.

If you work for the government (including the military) or are involved in education make sure you skip to the “Buying A Macintosh: Education, Government and Developers” section before reading the rest of this white paper. Apple has some substantial savings waiting for you.

From buying at retail to bargain hunting, we’ll cover it all.

I’ve divided this document into several essential sections. First we’ll talk about the experience of opening a new in box (NIB) Macintosh. It’s a special event, and if you’ve never experienced it for yourself, you’ll see why it has become an “event” in just a little bit. The main point here is that although it’s entirely worth the expense, a NIB Mac does cost more than other “new” Macs and I’ll explain why.

Next I’ll briefly talk about Apple’s product cycle. Notoriously secretive about new products, it's possible to research anticipated or expected revisions to Apple’s product line. This can be helpful if you must have the newest of the new, or you plan to sell one or your Macs with the expectation of upgrading to something new. It can also tip you off to the right time to shop for discontinued Macs that are often available at significant discounts. Timing can be everything when buying or selling, so if you’d like get the very best deal on an Apple Mac you’ll want to explore this topic a bit further.

Warranties. We’re going to tackle the often dreaded and misunderstood product warranty as it relates to your new Mac. This is a very important topic and I hope to cover it in a way that will help you to cut through the baloney and walk away with a better understanding warranties and your new Apple Mac.

Next, we’ll explore the different types of “new” Macintoshes available to you. Not the different models of Apple Computer products, rather the different “new” Macs being sold in the marketplace. From New In Box to Open Box, from Factory Refurbished to Reseller Refurbished, you’ve got a lot to choose from out there. This is perhaps the most confusing and often overlooked aspect of buying a Mac; you might not actually need a New In Box Mac, instead you might find a less expensive Factory Refurbished model fits the bill perfectly. I’ll sort it all out and provide you with the information you need to make an intelligent buying decision.

After we outline the different kinds of “new” Apple Macs, we’ll look at the Mac marketplace. There are obvious places to buy your new Mac, such as an Apple Retail Store, but there are several reasons to look elsewhere depending on your experience with the platform. If you’re all about saving money, or you’re looking for a competitive price but you’d like added support to go along with your new Mac, I’ll point you in the right direction.

Next we’ll talk about what you might need to go along with your new Mac right out of the box. Because this is about buying an Apple Mac and not accessories we’ll limit our conversation a quite bit, but I think you’ll gain enough information to make a solid decision when the sales pressure is on.

Don’t forget to check out the “Right before you buy” section. I’ll tip you off to a few last-minute things you should do before you hand over your credit card. We’ll discuss upgrades and peripherals briefly with the idea that there are often better ways to buy these products than at the same time you buy your Apple Mac.

Special bonus sections:

Apple’s Best Kept Secret, and Matthew’s Best Kept Secret, two bonus sections I’ve included to help you get more out of your Macintosh experience. The high resale value of Macs is a best-kept-secret held by Apple users. And if you’re into the latest-greatest, I’ll show you how you can “turn” your Macintoshes regularly without taking too much out of your pocket. Some call it the “free Apple upgrade program.” Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

I’ve also included a simple grid designed to give you an overview of Apple’s products and their capabilities. If you’re a shopping for a basic home computer, start by looking at Apple’s iMac and iBook. If you’re a power user, or a professional, consider Apple’s MacBook Pro or Mac Pro. That said, many “Pro” users, depending on the tasks they work out on their Macs, can get by quite nicely with Apple’s Flat Panel iMac and they’ll save quite a bit in the process. Check out the grid for more info.

The Macintosh Experience

Apple Computer not only knows how to build some of the best computer products in the world, they know how to package them better than anyone in the industry. The attention to detail is remarkable, and rare among computer manufacturers.

Your own Macintosh Experience begins when get your new Mac home and you start to unpack the box. Opening your first New In Box Macintosh is a unique experience, and it can be a lot of fun.

When you open your new Macintosh, you’ll find that Apple has thought of everything from the box itself and the molded foam, right down to the cable twist-ties. Everything’s first class all the way.

Some Mac fans enjoy the process, or ritual, of unpacking their new Macs so much that they document the experience online with photos and descriptions. I’ve even heard of dinner parties being arranged around the opening of a the latest Macintosh release. No kidding.

Documenting the opening of a new Apple product is becoming rather legendary among Mac users, in fact. Tech writers even write articles about the experience. Here’s a great Wired online article about the subject:

http://www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,50384,00.html

 Matthew’s Savvy Buyer Tip:
All of the glamor and attention to detail found in Apple’s New In Box packaging is insanely great. But it comes at a price. If you’re all about saving money, consider holding off on a New In Box Mac and opt for a Factory Refurbished Mac instead. There’s more on this in the “Shopping For A New Macintosh” section below.

Keep your Mac’s original packaging materials around for two reasons. First, if you need to transport your Mac (for service or relocation) there’s no better way to protect your computer and keep it looking great. Secondly, you’ll get more for your Mac at resale if you have the original packaging materials at hand.

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Next Week: Check back next week for another installment. Go ahead and bookmark this page, I'll update this static page with a link to the second installment when it posts. As always, please feel free to link back to the page and to share it with your friends.

All How To Buy A Mac! installments can be found here.

Matthew

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