Purchase Online or In-Store: Pros/Cons

Probably the only difference in getting it online from Apple is that 95% the stock is fresh. Stores can keep their inventory for days, weeks or months, while if you order "CTO" or "Stock" from Apple you may get it off the assembly line with possibly the latest parts or revision.

Good point...

It also depends on what configuration you want. If you're only looking for additional memory, it can be done when ordered or at the store. If you want a different hard drive, you would have to order on line.

Another issue is when and how many each store gets. I live in Baltimore where I can drive to about 7 different Apple Stores in about 90 minutes. Only two of them have received shipments so far. I was waiting for the 15" glossy and so far the stores have only received matte. Had I ordered on line when they were introduced on Tuesday, there is a good change I would have received it by now (people are reporting getting their orders from Apple).

Just me $.02

I would buy from online because then you are covered by Apple's rules regarding, say, returns within the 14-day period and, I suspect, repairs.
If, on the other hand, you buy from a store, you are at the mercy of their own rules. For instance, I bought a 4G iPod from an Apple store exactly 13 days before the 5G model came out. I tried to return it for exchange to the store according to the 14-day return Apple policy but the store had their own policy, so they would not take it back.
The short of it is, that if you are 100% sure and happy about your store, if you dealt with them before, then go with them. Otherwise, I believe that you are more protected by buying online. But don't forget, this was my personal experience...Others' might be different.

Ant

If the store has exactly what you want...get it. If you want to tweak it by adding memory, different screen, larger hard drive, etc., order on line and it will be built to order.

Whenever there is a new product, wait times are a little longer. So if you can wait and want to build it for your needs, use the online store and have it delivered to you. My experience has been that the estimated delivery time once you place your order is a little longer than when it will actually ship and be delivered.

You dont even need to worry about parking.

-Any difference in getting future repairs
done/problems resolved (quality/speed of service)

No. You are entitled to bring your computer in to a store for repair, or call apple care so that they can ship you a box.

-Speed of delivery (ordered online, will my MBP
arrive days after my Apple Store gets their
shipment?)

You would most likely have a better shot of receiving a product online then in store.


Keep in mind this big thing: returns - you can only return "in store" to "in store" but to ANY apple store. You can only return online to online. So if you have a defective computer that you are fighting to be replaced or returned, you would need to call apple if you ordered online, or deal with in store if you purchased in store.