I'm not what you call a Mac-head. I own an Apple iPod, but that's as far as I've ever gone into Apple's product line. But Apple fans have probably visited the Apple Store or shopped at Apple's online store at least once.
When you buy things from the Apple Store, you're probably not getting the lowest price on an item; it's just "cool" to shop there. So it's safe to assume that you can find that iPod or pair of headphones cheaper somewhere else. But I decided to give Apple a fighting chance anyway, by challenging the company to my TechSaver Test.
Today's picks include the Wacom Bamboo, the MacBook 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo - Aluminum, the iHome iP9 Dual Alarm Clock Radio for iPhone and iPod, and Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac (Home and Student Edition).
Find out the results, after the jump.
Wacom Bamboo
($79 MSRP; Now $69.95)--Bad Deal!
Free shipping
With this pen and tablet, you can handwrite notes, mark up digital documents, make quick sketches, and sign your name right from your computer. The Apple Store is selling the Bamboo for $69.95, but Buy.com and Amazon.com are offering the same device for $54.99 and $54.49, respectively.
MacBook 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo - Aluminum
($1,599 list; Now $1,299)--Bad Deal!
Free shipping
PCMag Editor Rating: 3.5/5 stars
When PCMag first reviewed this model last October, Laptop Analyst Cisco Cheng touted the MacBook's gorgeous aluminum design, portability, gesture capabilities, better 3D graphics, and its excellent typing experience. However, it was expensive at launch. Nine months later, Apple has dropped the MacBook's price by $300. Of course, that doesn't seem like much when you can get cheaper systems with larger hard drives and more memory from other manufacturers. Luckily, there are two stores offering the system for less. The first is Abe's of Maine with an incredible price of $1,195 (free shipping). The store has scored lots of positive reviews, according to ResellerRatings.com, if you're wary of shopping at a place you've never heard of. The second store is Amazon.com, with a higher but still reasonable price of $1,237, with free shipping.
iHome iP9 Dual Alarm Clock Radio for iPhone and iPod
($99)--Bad Deal!
Free shipping
Wake up to your favorite tunes (instead of that annoying buzzer) with iHome's radio alarm clock for iPhone and iPod. This clock also lets you charge your iPhone or iPod and comes with an infrared remote to control volume, equalizer, alarm functions, radio, and player functions. Most stores, including the Apple Store, aren't slashing the price of this gadget, but if you shop at Buy.com you can score this cool alarm clock for $82.
Office 2008 for Mac (Home and Student Edition)
(Regularly $149.95; Now $129.95)--Bad Deal!
Free shipping
For the student or home user, you can enjoy Microsoft's Office program designed for Mac users. Office 2008 comes with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Entourage, and Messenger for Mac. Thanks to Amazon and NewEgg, though, you can score this student-friendly program for $99.99 with free shipping.
Is a store running a sale that you want me to put to the TechSaver Test? Or maybe you found even better deals than these? Send me an e-mail at TechSaver@pcmag.com, and I'll investigate.
Follow TechSaver on Twitter, at http://www.twitter.com/techsaver.
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July 27, 2009 10:27 PM
But wait! There are plenty of really great deals to be had at the Apple Refurb store, which can be found at the Apple Store online, just scroll down - if you're willing to buy refurb (which is still eligible for AppleCare Protection Plans) you can pick up really good hardware at some pretty good price cuts you might not be able to find elsewhere! :D
July 27, 2009 10:49 PM
Look for a post on the best refurb deals from around the Web soon!