Buying an Apple MAC from the US - problems?

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onekeano

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Thinking of buying a Powerbook G4 in the US, just wondering what the likely pitfalls are?

Roy
 
onekeano said:
Thinking of buying a Powerbook G4 in the US, just wondering what the likely pitfalls are?

Roy
Click to expand...

None that i can think of other than it being a damn site cheaper than here.

We bought an ibook in New York a few months ago with no problems whatsoever. Ended up a convert myself and am typing this on a G5 imac!
 
You might want to check if whatever warranty applies extends to the EU. I would guess not.
 
Also note the keyboard layout will probably be different to what you are used to here in Ireland.

C
 
If I remember correctly the warranty on Apple laptops is worldwide, its just desktop machines that are region specific. Its expected that laptops will wander around the world so the warranty has to also. A quick call to Apple on 1800 88 20 29 will provide a definite answer though.

Don't think the keyboard layout is any different either, mine was bought in Europe and has dollar and Euro symbol keys etc .

Of course if you bring it back to Ireland you'll have to declare it to those nice customs men and VAT and Duty on it!
 
I'm not sure if its relevant or not but theres a new range of mac laptops coming out next month which are significantly faster than current offerings. Check out apple.ie for more info. I think they advertise them as being 4-5 times faster than the powerbook?

They are also intel processors so there is the possibility of putting more than just mac osx on them (but thats for the techies among you).

They are also expensive but if you can get them from the states it might be worth your while.
 
Onekeano, you should certainly wait for the new processor that machalla mentioned. The difference in performance will be particularly noticeable in the machine you're looking at, the Powerbook. Next month's one will be several times faster than the one in stores now. One other thing – if you're buying it in the US, be sure to pick up a European PowerBook charger. Otherwise you'll have to lug an extra adaptor around everywhere you go.
 
I know its Macs we're talking about, but one problem I encountered with Sony VAIO products:

I have a European VAIO laptop and bought a Sony Visual Camera (webcam) at the Sony Centre in SFrancisco over the Xmas. Was assured it would work on the European laptop. No such luck. The drivers don't work on the European model.

So just be sure, from an accessory point of view, that your US Mac will be capable of having European accessories attached.
 
Folks, thanks a million for all the feedback - would have been lost without it. And especially thanks for letting me know about the new product next month - think I will wait for that. Much appreciated all the responses.

Roy
 
I can confirm that Apple warranties are indeed worldwide, or at least have been to date - whether you buy a laptop, desktop, iPod or any accessories.

Don't worry about the power supply - like most machines these days it will be variable voltage and all you need is a plug adaptor which you can pick up in Peat's or the airport for a few euro.

c1aro, not a windows expert but I can't think of any good reason why that webcam won't work with your european laptop. I'm sure someone else can help.

Just beware that the new Intel macs may have problems running older Mac software, (slow), although as a new user this may not be an issue for you.
 
I brought a G4 ibook from the States. The included power supply cord is rated 100-240v, and more importantly 50-60 Hz, so you can plug it in in Ireland and the States. The plug shape is different though; do as I did, buy a plug in Ireland, cut the US one off, and its a simple DIY switch.

-DeliaQuad
 
Of course the specific coding of applications for mac's processors means even on the newer, faster machines it still fails to bring any performance advantage to already exisiting applications, and with reports from the likes of Adobe saying they will not have a new mac version ready for least a year, theres not much hope for other software companies. So maybe waiting is not such a great idea.
 
You may get caught for VAT / import duty.
You may also find that Apple Ireland will not support it if something breaks.
 
blacknight said:
You may get caught for VAT / import duty.
You may also find that Apple Ireland will not support it if something breaks.
Click to expand...

There was a scaremongering article in last Sunday's Business Post - can't seem to find it online - giving a number of reasons not to buy from the US. I would say the article was motivated by protecting the interests of Irish suppliers.

Some interesting reasons given:

  • Potential problem with support e.g with Apple iPods or Macs
  • Warranty (e.g. on digital cameras) not typically honoured outside the country of purchase
  • This is a new one to me - supposedly, if the device does not come with a 110 - 240V universal power supply / transformer, if you have to buy an external transformer, this can over time make the device less reliable than if it natively supports 240V. Sounds suspect to me, but perhaps someone out there knows better?
 
MonsieurBond said:
There was a scaremongering article in last Sunday's Business Post - can't seem to find it online - giving a number of reasons not to buy from the US. I would say the article was motivated by protecting the interests of Irish suppliers.
Click to expand...
That would be a first! The editor isn't exactly pro-Irish business

MonsieurBond said:
Some interesting reasons given:
  • Potential problem with support e.g with Apple iPods or Macs
  • Warranty (e.g. on digital cameras) not typically honoured outside the country of purchase
Click to expand...
Both of those are true (to a point).
I've got technical support on imported equipment in the past, but it's not something you can always manage.

It makes sense to a point. A 110 - 220 transformer will heat up quite a bit. If you don't have proper cooling things tend to break ..
 
You do NOT need any transformer for an apple ipod, ibook, or powerbook. Apple items bought in the States will work fine here. The only difference is the shape of the plugs- either use a cheap plug adapter (as mentioned by someone earlier), or change the plug yourself.

I walked into the Apple store in SoHo last August; straight off the plane, and with some luggage. The Apple salesman gave me a knowing look, and asked if I was an "Apple round-tripper". Appartently they have a load of Europeans who make the NY trip primarily to stock up on cheaper Apples. Lots of Italians in the store when I was there.

-DeliaQuad
 
DeliaQuad said:
You do NOT need any transformer for an apple ipod, ibook, or powerbook. Apple items bought in the States will work fine here. The only difference is the shape of the plugs- either use a cheap plug adapter
Click to expand...

Yup i can confirm this, have been using an ibook purchased in the US like this for some months now with no problems.
 
Yeah, the SoHo store is fabulous. And so are the prices - and the exchange rate!
 
Great info.anyone got a online site for the SoHo shop or similar,also any feedback apppreciated on how better they are over PC's as I'm thinking of getting one..
 
Apple Store SoHo.

Got [broken link removed]? Enter "103 Prince Street New York, NY 10012" into the "Fly to" field.

Prices are the same as the , plus NYC sales tax which is, I believe, 8.375%.
 
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