OSX on a Mac Mini

[TheMagicM]

So I took my son (10) and my little girl (5) to the Apple store.  My son wants a Mac Mini (Core 2 Duo version) so I decided I'll give it a shot.  When I arrived, we found the mini and my son started playing around with Garageband and somewhat knew his way around and was using it.  So I left him playing while I took my daughter to the center of the store where they had a circular desk area w/a few Mac's with kids games.  While she was playing I noticed the "buzz" in the store and it seemed like Apple had got it right.  OSX is a pretty cool operating system from what little I saw.  Their systems are eye appealing and even the kids games were great for my little girl.  I ended up ordering a Mini from BestBuy.com but its a Xmas gift for my son so he cant use it just yet.

At any rate, in the store it felt like the old Amiga days.  There was enough hardware there for anyone to use with a variety of cool apps to check out.  Now I'm a linux user so I wouldnt go run out and get a MacMini for myself but I'm sure my son is going to love his gift.

-Alex

[mauidj]

So why didn't you get it from the store that you were in?
I don't understand how some people can go and use the facilities, expertise and investment of a store only to turn round and purchase from someone else.
Apple do not sell at discounts anywhere so what was your reason for not buying from the Apple Store?
I used to work in HiFi and the same thing always happened where I would spend hours demonstrating a pice of equipment to a buyer then have him go purchase it from another store or the internet.
:-(

[Trev]

@mauidj

Were you upset that the person didn't say thank you or that you didn't make your commission? Best Buy's high-end subsidiary Magnolia Hi-Fi has decent service (not always technically savvy--just helpful), but they sell everything at MSRP. Why would anyone in their right mind pay that when they know they can do better somewhere else? Apple's the exception, as you noted, since their stuff retails for the same price pretty much everywhere (gotta love Costco or Sam's Club for iPods). Perhaps our friendly moderator had a Best Buy gift card floating around?

[beller]

Actually, there are lots of ways to get a discount on Apple products.  I never pay full retail by using Apple's store for government employees.  You can choose a different Apple store from the menu on the website.  They also offer discounts to students and teachers.

The other place for discounts, the Apple refurb store!  Fully warranty and a much better price than MSRP.

Bob

[mauidj]

Trev wrote:
@mauidj

Were you upset that the person didn't say thank you or that you didn't make your commission? Best Buy's high-end subsidiary Magnolia Hi-Fi has decent service (not always technically savvy--just helpful), but they sell everything at MSRP. Why would anyone in their right mind pay that when they know they can do better somewhere else? Apple's the exception, as you noted, since their stuff retails for the same price pretty much everywhere (gotta love Costco or Sam's Club for iPods). Perhaps our friendly moderator had a Best Buy gift card floating around?

I was not upset by this behavior.  I just feel it is somewhat dishonest. A person goes into a store and takes up a salesman's time and obviously does not say "by the way I'm not gonna buy this item from you".
All the while knowing that they are using this experience for their gain only. That's dishonest.  But it does not upset me or I would be upset all the time as we are surrounded by dishonesty.

As you mentioned.....It's all about service.
You want it you should expect to pay for it.

My question was why did he not go to Best Buy to start with.
That's all.

[mauidj]

beller wrote:
The other place for discounts, the Apple refurb store!  Fully warranty and a much better price than MSRP.

Bob

Absolutely.  It's a great place to save big bucks and still get a like new product fully checked out by Apple.
My new Mac Mini will come from there I hope.

[InTheSand]

Bah, should have gone for a "dumpster drive" and picked up a machine to run a lightweight Linux, saving the $$$ for the upcoming recession instead!  :-D

[justthatgood]

All my poor machines are just about falling apart.

I can't even afford to replace some of the components on some of them. The Amigas still work. Just don't have time to play.

The Newer Macs seem cool and fresh. As before to broke to come close to affording, newest Mac I have is a Beige G3 (333 MHz I think)

[TheMagicM]

@mauidj:

Your argument makes me laugh.

Who do you think you are criticizing my purchasing habits?  

Is there some sort of rule that states that I must buy something from a certain store if someone talks to me?  When I buy something, its a-hole salesmen that I brush off.  I'm very tech savvy and know what I'm looking at.  I dont need a high school dropout, teenager or salesman to explain the details of a system I know more about than they do.  Yea its like that.  I'm the buyer who interrupts you in mid-sentence and shoo's you away before you can ask me how I'm doing.  They are there one minute, next minute they're waiting tables at a restaurant (I've seen that a few times).

I may not have sat and used it for x amount of minutes but I have read up on it and am very thorough before I make a purchase.

Now, the reason I didnt buy from Apple was because I have a Best Buy card that I can put the Mini on and have I think 90 days or whatever it is to pay it off no interest.  Also, Best Buy doesnt have any Mini's I can see first hand, just laptops.  Since I had $400 I put the rest on the card and will have it paid off next month.  Does that work for you?  Are there any further questions you have about my spending habits?

[Trev]

@mauidj

If I went to a car dealership with the intention to buy every time I test drove a car, I'd be a very poor man. ;-) I do inform polite and outwardly well-meaning salespeople of my intentions. The pushy ones get a stiff "I'm just browsing."

@TheMagicM

You go.

[stefcep2]

You know what? YOU are the sort of buyer who should not be allowed to walk into a store.  Why do you walk in there? You know enough about the goods any way.  Ah but you like to look at the merchandise, see it hear it touch it feel its operation.  Why don't you just go online, sight unseen and buy it?  Or go to the el cheapo wharehouse and get it there?  Oh but you wanna see it working, you wanna try it out,or because you like the convenience and comfort of the shop.  YOU might know this but YOU have just USED a SERVICE, taken up someones time who needs to earn a living from providing that service. It costs them MONEY to provide you with that shop front service. Next time you go to work to your job go in there without taking any pay for your time say half an hour each day for the next year, and explain to your family why you didn't get paid as much this year

[weirdami]

I think that Apple gets money either way.

[Andeda]

TheMagicM wrote:
At any rate, in the store it felt like the old Amiga days.

-Alex

Thats just how i felt too when i got my new Macbook a couple of months ago.
 :-)

[TheMagicM]

@stefcep2:

So basically like you and mauidj want uninformed idiots who are easily scammed from their money to walk into your stores that way you can swindle them of their hard earned dollar?  Unfortunately it doesnt work like that.  
If someone chooses the life of a salesman, their inability to provide for themselves or whomever isnt my problem.  With my hard earned dollar I have the freedom to choose where I spend it and how I spend it.  If a local store wants my $, it'll take more than peon salesman to get it.  So save the drama for yo' mamma.  You'll get no sympathy from me.

As a matter of fact I need to go to the Apple store, view some more hardware, then buy online  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:


EDIT:
Now if any of you two feel like talking more trash about how I spend my money, you'll find your post deleted.  That will be the first warning.  (I only give 2, the second puts you on vacation).


Stay on topic.  To jog everyone's memory its:

Apple and OSX got something right.
Ambiance at the store.
Reminds me of old Amiga days.

[clint]

@ TheMagicM

Go for it mate. I to like to have a look at gear in stores before I decide were I will buy stuff from at the best deal offered.

clint