Newb questions... I'm interested in a mac.

[Imagination]

Hello,

I have the need for a Mac Pro. I do audio/video work and want to get rid of my pc.

Here are some newb questions.

1. I live near tampa. Anyone have any good stories about the Apple Store there? Would i be better off buying my mac from apple.com?

2. If i buy my mac from apple.com, what carrier do they use to ship the mac? Some carriers are better then others (more respectful of the contents they are delivering) where i live.

3. If i buy a "stock" mac w' a ATI 2600XT video card, and i want to add another video card later, can i just by another ATI 2600XT from NewEgg or do i have to bring in the mac pro to a apple store and let them add it for me?

Thanks.

 

[Kmax82]

1. Every Apple store I've been to has been good to me. They've been knowledgeable and friendly. This is in Orlando.

2. They ship via FedEx, which is better than UPS in my area.

3. Yes, you can upgrade the video card in the MacPro yourself. Actually you can service everything, but in order to get completely compatible parts, you'll probably have to consult Apple support. You can find a lot of info at http://www.apple.com/support/macpro/

If I'm wrong on any of this anyone can correct me.

 

[keeleysam]

1. If you want a custom order AT ALL, order online. It's cheaper and faster. (You might want to buy from Amazon because of no tax.)

2. FedEx is used most of the time, sometimes DHL.

3. If you buy a non-Mac card, you'll probably have to flash the firmware to an EFI compatible one or it'll only work in Boot Camp.

 

[KeithP]

A video card intended for the XP/Vista hardware market will not work in a Mac Pro for OS X. However, I believe it will work under bootcamp for XP/VIsta (check on that).

-KeithP

 

[swbsam]

I'm no expert but I recently bought an Imac.

Buy from the online store and be sure to check out the clearance/refurbs. $1,799 for the mac pro. Not bad!

 

[swbsam]

p.s. They used Fedex. Right now I'm waiting for the free printer they also shipped with my computer, also shipped via fedex.

 

[bearxor]

Make sure you check to see if a CompUSA is still open around your area. They will have discounted MacPro's. The last one in Charlotte just closed last weekend.

 

[OptimisTech]

I can't speak to the first Q, as I line in NC, but I buy a lot of macs.

Apple will ship from whoever gives them the best rate. You don't get to choose. You might want to check out MacMall, they have multiple shipping methods and there is almost always something you can get for free with MIR like extra RAM, printers, software. It's worthwhile if you actually need something.


To upgrade the video you will either need to get a card specifically for Macs or flash the ROM on a PC card. I would recommend the first option as the second is more art then science and would void you apple warranty.

 

[Imagination]

Thanks everyone....

The carrier i'd like to stay away from is DHL. They have the poorest workers in Tampa. I've only delt with them 6 or 7 times and every time they always dropped off the package at a neighbors house. I've called them repeatedly yelling at them. I get home, no package. I call them up, the drivers swear they left it on my porch and next thing i know i get a knock on my door from a neighbor down the street saying DHL left my package over at there house and they accidently opened the box and then noticed it wasn't for them. Luckily all those times it was a DVD or a book. I don't want them doing the same thing w/ a $3500-4000 mac pro.

Once I even caught the driver get out of his truck and walk to the nearest driveway, dropped the package right there and then then tried to pull out.

I hate them!

FedEx or UPS would be my preference.

One of the posters said that its quicker to get a MacPro via Apple.com rather then the store. Do the walk-in Apple Stores not carry any instock?

Thanks for all your help guys.

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: Imagination

One of the posters said that its quicker to get a MacPro via Apple.com rather then the store. Do the walk-in Apple Stores not carry any instock?

Thanks for all your help guys.

It's kind of to chance whether you'll get FedEx or DHL, but if you are worried about them leaving it with your neighbor you can have instructions to keep it at the distribution center and pick it up. (Which, for anything over $100 I'd personally prefer.)

Apple Stores keep most things in stock, but it is often limited stock on the things they don't sell a lot of. You can always call, or if you go there and they don't have it, you can order it right at the store.

As far as the upgrade thing, I'm pretty sure Macs are still picky about what hardware they accept, so you might not be able to just pick up any card that's on sale.