Notes on options for when I buy a new laptop (which will probably be Summer 2005)
For what I want, it seems the main options are an IBM Thinkpad T42p or an Apple Powerbook 15"
Well its too late to change anything now - it's bought. Stuff on configuration of new laptop is now at NewLaptop
Apple Powerbook Notebook 15.2" M9676LL/A (1.5 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive)
$1,969.99 from amazon - similar everywhere else in the US.
On the other hand, Apple have the following for Mexico:
M9422LZ/A Powerbook G4 15.2" TFT/1.5GHz/512MB/80GB/DVD-R/CD-RW Superdrive/Gig Enet/56K/Bluetooth/Airport Extreme/Backlit Keyboard
at US$2.649,00 + IVA, giving a whopping $3046.35
This is a slightly different model but seems very similar. The price difference is 50%!
In the UK, amazon have another similar model (M9422B/A) for £1,819.99, which is $3505.35 - even more expensive!
It looks like the cheapest option is to fly to the US to pick one up! For instance, in June I can get a return flight to Houston with Aviacsa via Monterrey for $287.30 including all taxes.
UPDATE (02 Apr 2005) Apple Mexico now have reduced price to USD2454 + IVA but I can't see if this is exactly the same model since they have reorganized their website.
Maybe I should get a mac-mini first to try out migrating to MacOS. The Mexico list prices are 599 and 699 USD + IVA (= 688.85 and 803.85 USD) for the 1.25GHz/256MB/40GB and 1.42GHz/256MB/80GB models.
On ebay we have
IBM Thinkpad T42p 2374 7XU P M 745, 1024MB Total RAM Upgrade Free, 80GB 5400rpm HDD, 15 UXGA(1600x1200) TFT LCD, 128MB ATI FireGL T2, CD-RW/DVD-R Multi-Burner(slim), Intel 802.11b/g wireless(MPCI), Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), Ultranav, Secure Chip, 6c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro
for $2,599.00, plus some lesser models for less money. This seller claims to offer international shipping.
There is also the possibility of www.borderfree.net, except that they only accept Visa.
IBM Mexico only have the bog standard T42, for instance
2373 M51
· Intel® Pentium® M 735 a 1,70 GHz (L2Cache:2MB) · Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional · 512 MB (333MHz)/2 GB · 40GB (5400rpm) · LCD 14.1" XGA (1024x768) TFT · Combo CD-RW/DVD 24x24x24x/8x · Data fax/modem · Tres años en partes y mano de obra (batería del sistema 1 año)
for $2,282.00 + IVA = $2624.30
So this is half the disk, half the RAM and a smaller and lower resolution screen for the same price.
There are a couple of T42p on mercadolibre for very low prices:
1.6Ghz/512MB/40GB/14"-1024x768-32MB/802.11b/DVDROM for 15900
1.6Ghz/1GB/80GB/14"-1024x768-32MB/802.11b/DVD-CDRW for 21000
with the second one also including leather bag, external floppy, dockstation and second charger.
Unfortunately, these aren't quite what I want.
The first of those has been sold. The second one has the price down to $17900.00 but only has 512MB now and the leather bag+external floppy are an extra $800.
T43 2687DDU looks like a nice model (15" screen @1400x1050, Pentium M 750 1.86GHz, 60GB, 512Mb, DVD-Multiburner, Ethernet 10/100/1000 802.11a/b/g) - but is 64MB enough for graphics card? and will the Radeon X300 work OK?
This is on offer for $1,998.00 at http://www.euclidcomputers.com/frameset.cgi?special+laptop+none+none+0 or there are a few more expensive ones with 2GHz chips
There are very few sites on the web with successful reports of working T43 setups. Maybe I should go for a T42 or T42p.
Successful reports:
I'm now inclining more towards a Mac Powerbook. I could even get the 17" model. For example, on Amazon
Apple PowerBook Notebook 17" M9689LL/A (1.67 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) at price of $2699
More details: the display is 1440x900, videocard is a 128 MB ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 - plenty powerful enough really.
Weight is 6.9 pounds. Dimensions are 15.4x10.2x1 in inches. Compared with 5.19 pounds and 12x9.8x1.3 for my thinkpad. So it is thinner but a lot wider (30%) and quite a bit heavier (30%).
Apparently the memory comes as a single DIMM
Need to get it shipped to Stan by 30 May
Apple's RRP is $2699, or $2849 with 1GB of memory (free 2-day shipping). Presumably this would come with 10.4.
For $9.95 I can get an upgrade to 10.4 through http://www.apple.com/macosx/uptodate/ but only if I buy it through an "Apple Retail Store or an Apple authorized reseller" and only in the continental USA. I have to fill in the serial number (can be found by running an software tool) and send a photocopy of the invoice. This should not be too difficult with Stan's help. They send a CD with OS/X 10.4 and XCode2. Deadline is July 9.
On offer for $2201.00 + $39.99 shipping from inoax.com but it only comes with OS/X 10.3. Apparently comes with a free upgrade to 3-day delivery. Question is, would I qualify for the upgrade to 10.4.
Unfortunately, it says "Inoax.com does not ship internationally, and does not accept international credit cards" so that pretty much rules it out.
Or for $2,345.00 from infinity micro. They don't say which version of OS/X. 3-day shipping is $32.00. They say "NOTE: (All International and non Continental US orders must be paid by either American Express or wire transfer.)" which sounds promising.
Going the infinity micro route and buying the RAM separately would be 2345 + 32 + 9.95 + 109.98 + 10 = $2506.93, so I would save $350 but get a lot of hassle. Alternatively, I can buy 10.4 separately for $129, which would still be a saving of $230.
Turns out that
What do I do? My choices are:
Is this worth it? According to the Apple rep who I spoke to on the phone, the standard 12 month hardware warranty is only valid in the country of purchase. On the other hand, the 3 yr extended care plan is valid worldwide for laptops (and mac minis). This seems to be confirmed by the following clause in the terms and conditions:
1 a. ... Apple’s obligation to repair or replace shall extend only to Covered Equipment located in the United States of America or Canada except for (A) portable computers, meaning those that can operate independently without a power cord, and (B) Mac mini, for which Apple will provide global repair and replacement service.
On the other hand, this seems in conflict with another clause:
10 d. This Plan is offered and valid only in the fifty states of the United States of America, the District of Columbia and Canada. This Plan is not valid in any other country or United States territory. ...
In what sense is it "not valid in any other country" if they will provide global repair?
Also, there is the problem of this clause:
1 c. Date Coverage Begins. Your coverage for defects begins on the date your Covered Equipment’s Apple hardware warranty expires.
Given that (apparently) the hardware warranty is only valid in the US, does this mean that there is no global service in the first year?
I need to phone them up again about this. I can ask whether it would ship with 10.4.
Also, does installing memory invalidate the warranty. What about 3rd party memory.
The woman on the phone said that it was possible to get a temporary billing address on the credit card in the US, but in the website it says:
Buying in the US using non-US credit cards
The online Apple Store (US) currently cannot process credit cards issued by banks outside the US for US-bound shipments. Please contact Apple at 1-800-MY-APPLE to pay using an another method.
So, here are the questions I want to ask:
This looks quite promising: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
They have customised 15" powerbook (1.67, 100GB disk, 128 graphics, superdrive) with only 512MB ram for $2,489.00 but they sell another 512 ram upgrade for $99.00 and the apple care plan for $339.00, with 3-day shipping costing $4.45 giving a grand total of $2931.45, which is slightly cheaper than apple. For another $23 I can do 2-day air. I can even get an apple backpack for another $174.95.
They have it in stock and they will take international orders, although I have to fax them a copy of my credit card.
International Orders
If you are a first time "mail order or on-line" customer, or if you are using a new or different credit card for the first time at B&H, upon completing your on-line order, you must fax or e-mail a copy of both sides of your credit card to 212-239-7549. Our Email address is verification@bhphotovideo.com, (Does NOT apply to customers from Canada).
Please include the invoice number (that you will get when completing your order) along with the copy of your card. Your card will be charged & the merchandise committed upon submission of your order. If you have previously ordered online or by phone/fax with this credit card and it is already on file, no fax is required. (Note: If you have ordered before, the only way the web site system can recognize you as a repeat customer is if you use exactly the same name, address and phone number information. Any variation will cause the web site to conclude that you're a first time customer and hold the order pending receipt of the fax.)
I've bought it from B&H
Order number is 1003415706
I still have to fax them a copy of my credit card
Hours of Operation: Sunday: 10:00 am to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday: 9:00 am to 7:00 p.m. Friday: 9:00 am to 2:00 p.m. Saturday: Closed Our Time Zone (GMT -05:00) Eastern Time
Keyboard covers http://www.welovemacs.com/xpbice.html @ $16.49 or http://www.welovemacs.com/unibboskpr.html @ 19.99. These are translucent plastic skins that go on the keyboard while you are typing and then you take them off before closing the lid.
or
Keyboard and mouse pad covers http://www.welovemacs.com/ikibpokeco.html @ $14.49, which are "micro-chamois" covers that presumably just go on when you shut the lid. These sit on the keyboard and mouse pad.
or
Micro Suede Screen & KeyBoard Protectors http://www.welovemacs.com/ibiclescpr.html @ $24.99, which are similar to the previous but are a sleeve that goes over the screen part. Available in slate, pink, blue, or lime!
Bought from https://www.shaggymac.com/ - order #3883
Shipped to Stan's and using his address as a billing address - see if that works. Cost $12.95 + $3.85 shipping - should ship on Tuesday.
Titanium PowerBook 17" Case http://www.welovemacs.com/5899sfex.html @ $55.49 (P/N 5899-SFEX). This is a slimline portfolio-type case with carry handle and shoulder strap. Mor details at the manufacturer's site.
PK-12: Garibaldi 17" Powerbook Backpack http://www.willowdesign.com/PK-12.html @ $181 + $21 3-day shipping
Timbuk2 Commute Bag XL http://www.irvs.com/image.php?itemno=TB220993 @ $130.00
Brenthaven Professional 17 Backpack Case http://store.yahoo.com/chicagodigital/brpr17bacapo.html @ $164
512MB Apple Original/Samsung 17" PowerBook PC2700 DDR333 SODIMM http://www.welovemacs.com/m8995ga.html @ $109.98
1GB Apple PowerBook G4 PC2700 DDR333 SODIMM http://www.welovemacs.com/mxm9284ga.html @ $208.98
Apple shop has upgrade to 1GB for $150