NObodE wrote:
I am wondering where I would be best to go if I wanted to purchase a new MBP
If you want a stock machine then you can certainly shop on price and sales tax (like none if they don't have a presence in your neck of the woods)
Just make sure you add everything up, like free shipping and any other goodies like a free printer.
http://appleinsider.com/mac_price_guide/
I understand the 15" MBP has recently been updated, but that the retina display is not available in this size yet. If I am wrong with this information would you please correct me and let me know when the MPB was last updated.
Yes you can get both a regular glossy 15", a high res glosy and anti-glare and a Retina 15", however you won't get this selection or your choice of customization from resellers, only online Apple or in a Apple Store perhaps.
The high res antiglare is the best functional use model, you can add RAM and a new storage drive yourself and there is no glare on the screen, use it just about anywhere.
https://www.apple.com/why-mac/compare/notebooks.html
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#MacBook_Pro
I am also wanting to configure several hardware items like adding more RAM (I do not feel comfortable adding it myslef, even if it does not void the warranty), add the SS hard drive (I heard that the Apple Stores do not carry this drive),
Then you want to order it online at Apple to get exactly what you want.
The Retina 15" has only SSD, the machine is locked up, so you can't add more RAM or a larger storage later. You want it now you better special order what you want in advance.
The regular 15" you can do it yourself later or have someone or even Apple do it. (it's easy really!)
Install/upgrade RAM or storage drive in Mac's
hopefully I wil be allowed to add iLife
Comes installed on all new Mac's, you'll get it unless you buy used or "open box" where the drive was wiped.
if the MPB does not already have a dedicated graphics card/drive,
The 13" doesn't, the 15" (any of them) do and is highly recommneded if you want the machine to last or play 3D games.
I am curious to know if it is possible to make this change when configuring the MBP.
You can only choose 13" or 15", so choose the 15" for the more powerful (and cooler machine) dedicated graphics.
Is the website the best place to go?
For your needs the Apple website store is the best to configure the machine you want.
If you so happen to want the stock model, then shop online anywhere else, Apple charges sales tax so that adds to the cost.
Don't forget AppleCare, you will need that.
I am in grad school, so I understand that I can put in the name of the school I go to and some machines will come up, but I am not even sure if the discount will apply to a configured machine.
Call Apple if there is problems accessing the educational discount and you can't get a custom configured machine on that site.
Any feedback on the current MacBook Pro and even the current operating system & version would be appreciated.
Current operating system is 10.8, it's a bit of a change... 😢
Mac buying and maintenance advice