Where to Shop for a Mac Computer

Apple makes wonderful computers, and there are many great things about them. They are easy to use, modify settings, get used to, productivity, and create or work on movies and photos. While there are many wonderful things about Macs that makes them different from PC's, one of the biggest flaws is that there are very few places that can sell, or work on Macintosh computers. Apple has very strict policies for who can sell or open the case of a Mac and perform services. This article will tell you various locations where you may buy a Mac, as well as how to get one repaired if it is needed.

Best Buy is a registered Mac seller, and most Best Buy locations will have several Mac laptops and desktops available for sale. Of course, they do not have a great selection, but they typically carry the most high-end Macbook Pro's and iMacs. Price wise, I think the Mac products at Best Buy are appropriately price tagged, however, you may not get the same support at Best Buy that you may at other vendors when it comes to purchasing, returning, or working on your Mac desktop or laptop.

Newegg.com is one of the best places to shop for Mac computers online, for both prices, availability, and selection. There are many computers to choose from, and you can view all of the needed information online. While I personally prefer to buy a computer in a store, Newegg is a decent place to order from. One problem I have had with Newegg in the past dealt with shipping though - They took several days to even package and send out the desktop that someone I know had ordered, and once they got it, still required CD/DVD drive installation, thankfully I knew how to install this for him.

Apple.com is another way to go. Sometimes buying direct is the best way, because you know who you are ordering from, and the company that you are ordering from also is the manufacturer of the product. You will (likely) have the best support, as well as insurance/warranty policies. The prices are pretty set in stone when it comes to buying from the Apple website.

Apple Stores are another way to buy direct, as well as get the chance to speak with a Mac Genius. These are trained professionals that deal with Macs and people who are interested in purchasing them every day. This is a great way to go, especially if you have never owned a Mac computer or experienced the operating system prior to your first purchase. The problem with Apple Stores is that they are few. In the Grand Rapids area (a major city in Michigan) I believe that there is only one store available, and that is in a mall that is cross-county for me. Apple would probably make a major improvement to sales if they were to make Apple stores more accessible.

There are many other small vendors that may sell Mac and Mac products, and there is always the option to buy these on websites like Craigslist (meet the seller in person), eBay, and Amazon. I do believe that you can get Applecare/extended insurance coverage on your Macbook or iMac upon purchase if you ask for it, regardless of where you go. Depending on what you get insurance wise, you may be covered for any and all damages that may occur to the computer. Again I do recommend going to an Apple Store for questions concerning this most of all.

When it comes to getting your Mac repaired (it will probably never be needed if you take care of it) there are several options. The most obvious and easy solution is to take it to the Mac store. If it is covered by AppleCare, this service will likely be free. They will probably have to ship it out and get it back to you when they can. I have never done this and I am not sure how long it takes. Another option is to find a nearby certified Mac company that can work on your computer at a price. There are several of these in Grand Rapids where I live, for instance "Low end Mac Service" and Compuserve. Various small computer stores may be license to service Macs. I recommend doing a search in your area or calling around before sending into the Apple Store if you are not covered by Apple Care and cannot be without a computer for a long time.

Of course, the above options are merely for comfort reasons. The chances of you needing to have your Mac serviced under normal conditions within the first 5 years of owning it are slim. Macs are built tough, and meant to last. Have fun with it! Read my other articles for information on Mac Software, using Macs, and much more.