availability of new albook and ibook

[right_stuff]

i just got a flyer from ynzal this afternoon from a trade show somewhere megamall. i noticed that the new price list includes the new albook (1.33ghz-1.5ghz) and ibook (1ghz-1.2ghz) w/c means that they have stocks... the bad news is, there are no rebates being offered coz the old ibook G4 800 is still priced at Php 67, xxx. and the new 1Ghz 12" is priced at Php 75, xxx.

i also passed Powermac (apple center) and saw the new albook in their stock room.... they havn't updated their price list yet, but according to Gina, the price would be + 12,000 Php from their current pricing (that already includes the apple care w/c were already bundled w/ their new albooks, so you'll have 3 yrs extended warranty) i am not sure why these new portables from Powermac includes apple care already... what if i don't want to get an apple care? hmmmm......

[directX]

Powerbooks and iBooks distributed in SEAsia all have 3 years warranty now. I think it is an added reason to buy legit than getting it from the grey market.

Anyway, anybody bought the new powerbooks locally? If so, where and what model?

[extremyks]

Originally posted by right_stuff
... what if i don't want to get an apple care? hmmmm......

Too bad... if you don't want to get an apple care. This may save you $$$ in the long run.

[danieldy]

Since Powermac included Applecare with their portables, did their prices also increase respectively? Or is this some type of promo where they include Applecare for free with portables for a certain time?

[cutiepanda]

hmmm.... that's weird, I got my new AlBook here in HK for a cheaper price than previous versions and they still came with 1 yr warranty only (ofcourse I had the option to purchase Applecare at 50% off together with the machine).

So all-in-all, the new PBs are actually cheaper if you don't purchase Applecare (for the 17" version it's about HKD2k cheaper).

Are the Philippines resellers bundling Applecare together as one package instead?

[penmanila]

in effect, the bundled applecare is about P5,000 cheaper. not a bad deal, and less hassle to explain applecare and extended warranty to newbies. we tend not to think about applecare until we really need it, anyway

[cutiepanda]

But Applecare is cheaper from purchasing it alone if bought together with the Mac anyways right? (up to 50% discount most of the time)... but I guess bundling it with the Mac purchase allows the buyer instant warranty for 3 yrs right away, which is a good thing.

I was just confused that HK would sell them independently and in the Philippines they gave 3 years out of the box, didn't realize it was a bundled Applecare into the machine price... my fault.

:blush:

[penmanila]

depends on where you buy applecare. if you buy it from apple itself, it's $249 for the ibook and $349 for the powerbook (that's about P14,000 and P19,500, respectively). you could get it cheaper from places like ebay (i got a valid powerbook applecare policy for $99 there once) or from special deals, but most ordinary buyers are stuck with the list prices. that makes bundled applecare--if it indeed comes out to just P12K--a steal.

[NiX]

is apple care a really good investment?...if so when's the best time to get it?

[pipoyg]

I think Applecare IS a good investment. I would have had second thoughts of getting it if my unit was a stationary desktop but for portables where the chances of something happening is exponentially bigger then I think its a necessity. I'd look at it just like insurance. You get it and then you forget it.

As for when to get it I would suggest to do so as soon as you can afford it. Apple gives you a year of coverage and 3 months of telephone support. You'll need to get it before that year is over.

Another good thing about it is that Applecare for portables has worldwide/ global coverage. Just in case you intend to travel then you can rely on getting help wherever you as long as there is a certified Apple service center in the area.