Please, help me understand the difference in these deals from MacMall

Halp!

I'm getting close to pulling the trigger and needed some help in figuring out the differences in these three deals I found on MacMall. #3 Below is on "closeout", but it's priced better than #2 with twice the video ram and twice the vram, plus it has a rebate. Seems like a sweet deal, but why is it priced this way?

If there is merit to #2 not being on closeout, it is also more expensive than #1, which has more processor and twice the vram. So, this pricing is making me think there is a clerical error on #2.

What are your thoughts?

1) http://www.macmall.com/macmall/families/new_promo~dp~7405735~family~macbookpro~promo~7.asp
$2,644
2.6 GHz
512 MB vid
2 GB DDR2
7200 RPM
$150 rebate

2) http://www.macmall.com/macmall/families/new_promo~dp~7356030~family~macbookpro~promo~18.asp
$2,694
2.4 GHz
256 MB vid
2 GB DDR2
7200 RPM

3) http://www.macmall.com/macmall/families/new_promo~dp~7405161~family~macbookpro~promo~37.asp
$2,344
2.4 GHz
256 MV vid
4 GB DDR2
7200 RPM
$150 rebate

 

Yea there is an error on number 2. The price shouldn't be that high at all. In my opinoin go for number 3. Most mac users don't need 512mb of Vram and the extra 2GB will help if you are into HEAVY photoshop work.

 

To me the only thing great about macmall compared straight from apple is availability and preferred/bill me later account.

I ordered over 6k stuff from macmall and had no problems whatsoever, I just got out of debt and paid off the rest of the bills just today and closed my preferred account!

Apple+macmall=Crack/Cocaine

 

and no taxes

 

I find it same thing

apple store= student discount walk in + taxes

pretty much macmall's price is = apple's student discount + tax added to it + shipping fees

for example:

macmall 17" 2.5ghz hi res = $2894 + shipping

Apple store online = same 17" 2.5ghz hi res $2899- student discount ($2689 + tax + shipping)

 

I think the choice really is about #1 and #3. #2 can't be correct it is more expensive as the top model #1 is. You could call them and ask if they forgot the rebate on #2. If the revision is the same for #2 and#3 then the machines are identical except the cheaper #3 has more memory??? Which make me think:
to also check if the feb. revision options are on all of your choices (like the multi-touch pad and Penryn CPU cause I don't know if the models before the feb. revision have one...So maybe there is an over expensive end of line product between choices #2 and #3. Doubtful maybe, but better check to be sure on this.
#1 is a safe choice.

 

Like I said, macmall is pretty much good for if apple store takes too long to ship whatever you want (availability) and if you cant afford it right now (bill me later/preferred account no payments for 6 months).