Buying a macbook pro - strange question =)

Hello

I have a question not exactly related to the notebook itself but oh well since I am lurking here I might as well ask you guys, avid mac fans

I will be flying into Newark OR JFK Airport and staying 2 nights (On a round trip) and while there I was planning on purchasing a Macbook Pro, since I am from europe I was thinking of making a bargain since here it's very expensive.

Now, where is the closest place possible for me to go, if I arrive at Newark Airport or JFK to get to an apple retail store? I wont be getting a rental car but I will probably stick to taxi/ some other means of transportation if that is possible.

So what would be best, to fly in via JFK or Newark? Which place is closest/easiest for me to reach an apple store from?

One more question, the apple retail store do they have the same prices as the online store, and do they usually have macbooks in stock etc or do you have to call to confirm or is there a way to "book" one and pick it up at a retail store?

I tried to find it via google earth but the NY/NJ areas are a complete mess to me, I have never been there before =P

 

Best bet would probably be to fly to Newark, as there are a few Apple retail stores in the surrounding area (Bridgewater, Rockaway, Paramus). Sales tax is likely to be cheaper as well versus purchasing in New York City. Complete Apple retail store list with links, maps, etc is here.

Also, the prices in the retail stores are the same as they are online, and most have a fair amount of stock. Since there are a few Apple stores in the Newark area, if one doesn't have the model you're looking for, odds are another will. Probably best to call the store when you arrive to make sure what you want is available, then take a cab straight there.

 

Don't mean to hijack this thread...I too am flying to the states next week and have a similar idea to the OP. I will be staying a couple of days though so I was thinking about buying a used macbook by checking out local classifieds. For example I have seen a Macbook Pro advertised (with photos) in my area with really good specs - 2.5Ghz, 4GB RAM etc. for $1300. Sound too good to be true?

 

Yeah that sounds way to good to be true. Is that $1300 US. J

 

Yup $1300 US - I'm awaiting a reply from the seller/perhaps scammer, should be interesting ;-)

Edit: Turns out to be a scam - the photos were lifted from another ad on craigslist.

I'd still consider new - a new Macbook Pro will cost about $2900 in Ireland so the savings are massive stateside!

 

I've been to Bridgewater's Apple Store before. Solid store.

Not sure how far it actually is from Newark though.

 

BestBuy carries MBPs, too, you'll see a lot of them in the area if you can't find an Apple Store. There's a lot of Apple Stores in NJ, though.

 

Actually I've been looking around and it seems like the absolutely closest one is in fact on Staten Island right to the south of newark intl airport, on richmond ave. I would guess taxi fares will rise a lot if I choose to go to some other place like bestbuy which would be quite a bit longer.

 

Again, call the store prior to going. You won't want to waste cab fare going to a store only to find out they don't have what you want. If you're arriving during the day, you can just call from the airport.

 

Isn't it about time airports started housing Apple Stores for this very reason?

 

I called an Apple store yesterday, asked them if they had what I wanted. And sure enough they had just what I wanted. And that saves me from having to order online ot get what I wanted. Sad thing was I am still offshore and won't be able ot pick it up. I was willing to pay for it right there and then over the phone. The gentlemen I was speaking too said no problem give me your email address and we will hold it for you till you arrive onshore. So the system is there ready to be picked up and paid for. I thought that was quite nice of them to do for me. Everyone else you would speak too would be asking for a deposit of some kind, I like the fact that believed me that I will be picking it up. Now I just want off this platform. Come on chopper get here already!!!!!

 

flying into jfk/newark... where r u staying? if ur probably taking a taxi/cab, it might be cheaper to browse the Apple stores in NYC, seeing that taxi fares in NJ are expensive(low demand, high prices, prepare to pay > $30 for one trip)...

 

Seriously! And then they could call their store... Airport Express.

 

I was thinking of staying around Newark somewhere because NYC seems expensive when it comes to hotels. People have also told me that taxi fares to manhattan or whereever that Apple store is, would be very expensive especially in rush hour. There is also the thing with sales tax, which I have no idea how it affects the prices... hence my decision to purchase it on Staten Island, which seems to be closer.

But like I said, I have never been there so if anyone have a better solution in mind, enlighten me =)

 

Don't forget that you should (technically) pay VAT and duty on that Macbook when you bring it back into Europe. If you walk back through Customs with a shiny Macbook box balanced on top of your luggage don't be surprised if you get your collar felt.

VAT and duty wipe out most of the savings you can make in the States. As a UK buyer I find the cheapest place to buy electronics is Dixons duty free when travelling within the EU.

 

Yes obviously I plan to keep it in it's original packaging and show them the receit when I pass eu customs aherrm =)

 

just get a ride to the apple store on the airport express.

(bad train joke?)

 

I wasn't suggesting that you would be mad enough to brazenly march through Customs with your purchase held high.

However I travel with work a great deal and Customs will raise an eyebrow at non-UK spec items and could technically ask to see a proof of purchase at a later date. It just isn't worth the risk for me, especially since I could lose my airside pass and my job if I get "done" by HM's finest.

Good luck with your purchase.

PS

While on the subject of duty, isn't sales tax a lot lower in NJ than in Manhattan?

PPS

As an example, Macbook Black in LHR Dixons £807. Macbook Black from Apple US with NJ tax $1603.