Fear of change is probably the biggest reason holding PC users back from trying a Mac, but my observation after talking to few PC user friends, apparently cost seems to be another big factor too. In Malaysia, you’ll get a fairly good laptop at the price of RM $2000 (USD $600+) but for a Macbook, it will cost about RM4000 (USD $1200). I think it’s fair to say under a same-spec-PC-to-Mac compare, Mac will eventually cost 40% more. It might varies from country to country but I argue they are similar.
However, for those who are really interested in experiencing Mac but hold back because of the price, here’s some recommendations. What I intend to suggest is not installing Hackintosh on your PC, nor attempting to convert your Windows XP/Vista theme to Mac look-alike. Instead, it’s a more economic way to own a legit copy of Mac that we’ve tend to missed. Content after jump.
Mac Mini
The Mac Mini not only shrink in terms of the size, but also it’s cost. Mac mini is the cheapest and most affordable among the Mac line-ups but still maintaining the integrity. It has got what a normal CPU would have, yet in such small portable size. The latest Mac Mini in Apple store comes with these following specification:
The specifications
- 1.83GHz or 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
- Up to 2GB memory
- Intel GMA 950 graphics processor
- Up to 160GB hard drive
- Slot-loading optical drive
- Expansion via USB and FireWire
- iLife ’08, Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard
The Cost
Referring the specs mentioned above, it should cost no more than RM2500 (USD $600). The only additional expenses are probably monitors, keyboards and mouse, where they don’t come along with the Mac Mini. Assuming you agree that Mac mini is cheap, and purchase the additional LCD monitors, keyboard, mouse, etc, your total expense will should not exceed RM3200 (USD $940). Isn’t that the price of a new Desktop. Did I mention Mac Mini came with full iLife and Mac OS X Leopard.
Refurbished Mac
Buying refurbished Mac is actually a great idea but it often slipped through one’s mind because they don’t appear in catalogues or displayed in Mac stores. So what exactly are these refurbished Macs? When there are new products on the line-up, people trade in their old so their new Mac so it will not cost them a fortune. These old Macs go back to factory, get checked, re-polished and stamped with brand new warranty so you don’t have to worry about second-hand wear and tear drama. And yes, they are always cheaper, usually 10-30% cheaper than the new ones. But they are brand new too, with warranty, so what’s the problem?
Where to buy refurbished Mac
The online apple store. Under the Store tab, inside ‘Special Deal’ panel, look for Refurbished Mac. Check with your country’s online Mac store because some product don’t ship internationally. Refurbished Mac product in each country store varies, and they come and go very fast, especially the good deals. So if you are really into getting one, make sure you stay alert.
Tips to grab fast on Mac refurbished page
When a good deal (especially the Macbook series) hit the refurbish page, it stays for couple of days and it’ll be purchased. To catch the good deals, you need to stay alert. The page has got no RSS feeds, but still there’s way to get around it so you get the first hand information on product releases. Here’s what I did to snatch one of the good Macbook deal.
- .Mac account ready – Make sure you have a .Mac account, with your credit card information, shipping addresses properly filled in.
- Use Firefox browser – Install Update scanner in your Firefox browser. Use it monitor any content changes on the refurbished page so you get first hand alert whenever there’s updates to the page.
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Posted by hongkiat in Mac Tips , at 05.28.08 |
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Comments
Fachia May 28th, 2008
I think it is a clever trick to have a Leopard OS on a PC. Tricky nice tips Hongkiat..
ReplyRamy May 28th, 2008
Can’t I use my current monitor, keyboard and mouse with a Mac Mini?
Replya May 30th, 2008
your current mouse & monitor (as long as it’s DVI) should work, but you will need a MAC keyboard. your alt & ctl keys have different functions & placement as well as your windows key is useless (oh wait, it is anyways)
ReplyRice Blogger May 30th, 2008
i was wondering if the hack would work if computer have lower specs…
ReplyShoovi June 3rd, 2008
Hi,
Hongkiat can you put a little light on the refurbished mac?
I mean how about casing do they change it or not? Simply speaking is it possible that if I buy refurbished mac it will have for an instance scratches or any other “signatures” of previous owner?
Thanks
Replyhongkiat June 3rd, 2008
@Shoovi Refurbished are as good as new. They don’t add additional charges unless you add something extra in your shopping cart. My reburfished Macbook still have the new machine smell, if you know what I mean :-)
ReplyShoovi June 3rd, 2008
Hongkiat: Thanks for info. New machine’s smell is like drug for real geek ;) any way how about software. Have you received your macbook with install CD/DVDs or with preinstalled OS and other applications?
Replyhongkiat June 3rd, 2008
@Shoovi It comes with Mac OS X preinstalled, the DVD too but you don’t really need to use it.
ReplyShoovi June 3rd, 2008
Hongkiat: Thanks mate and keep doing good with your site. Cheers
ReplyShoovi June 4th, 2008
Hongkiat: I do not wanna be arduous ;) but is there any “movie making” software on the board? I am linux/XP user … so far ;)
Replyhongkiat June 4th, 2008
@Shoovi When I was still using Windows XP, I use Adobe Premier for movies.
Replysamuel October 14th, 2008
Dear HongKiat,
Just wonder, im from KL, let’s say i wanna buy refurbished iMac from SG. iMac is destop, carries Local Warranty that only can be claimed in SG?
Samuel
Replyhongkiat October 14th, 2008
@Samuel Here’s how it works based on my understanding. You buy a mac, regardlessly refurbished or new, as long as warranty stays, you can bring it into any authorized mac store to get it fixed.
I’m not sure if Malaysia has got a authorized mac store that do fixings? If there is, you can perhaps ask them if they accept global warranty. In the mean time, I’ll drop in and ask for you when I approach Mac stores or be nearby.
Replycomsue January 23rd, 2009
samuel
Replykelvinlam March 2nd, 2009
Hi Bro,
unfortunately msia’s apple store has no refurbished mac at the moment! and should i get it in Sing’s store? do they ship to Msia?
1 more thing…is there any differences between a new mac with a refurbished ones? in a sense of looking and also the serial?? how do we differentiate the new ones and the refurbished..just to make sure we buy a new cheap macbook in those unauthorized store in msia!
thank you!
Reply