Advice on buying from PC World?

[Campfire]

Hi you guys and girls out there. I'm thinking of replacing my iBook G4 for which batteries are getting very hard to find with an iMac, which I would unplug when not in use.

I've seen one inn PC world, 20" screen, reduced, probably because they don't do that size now. It's got a reasonable spec but have also seen a 21" one in MCC which is a local Apple retailer, where it's quiet with none of the sales pitch like PCW or Apple Shops, where you can't hear yourself think. It's also closer to home than the Apple Shop but similar to PCW.

In the MCC the spec for 21" is much better than the 20" screen but it would work out about £100 more expensive. He was prepared to do a deal to make it that. They offered to transfer stuff over from my G4 too.

Do you experts think I'd be better paying more and getting service rather than going to the vast PCW empire?

Incidentally the small retailer would have been happy to sell me a lovely MacBook, black, reconditioned with new keyboard, front etc, virtually a new machine, so gut feeling is to go with them.

Also, I have read somewhere "the wireless keyboard and mouse eat up the battery" Do iMacs have batteries?
Advice please? Thank you - and a happy new year!

 

[D4VOW]

Personally I would avoid PC World like the plague, had nothing but bad experiences with them. They even had my mum in tears over a purchase she made that went wrong until I sorted it our for her

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Avoid PC World and go with the small retailer chances are you will get a better service, I can recommend the Macbook Black as I have one here that I have had for the last 3.5 years and it is excellent. The only thing I would mention a warranty as apples are very expensive to repair when they go wrong.

 

[gaz]

As others have said, skip PCWorld.

you will get a better professional and more personal service at the smaller certified store.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Oh yes while I remember have you looked at the Apple refurb online store here -> http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/specialdeals/mac?mco=MTM3NDY2NTI

 

[Campfire]

Well, you've all just echoed my own thoughts but I thought I was being too picky. I did have Applecare with this G4 and they replaced the keypad when two or three of the letters wore off.

I did love the black Macbook Phil HQ and am still sorely tempted but would love the large screen for looking at iPlayer etc as we never seem to watch the same TV programmes & I always give in.

I have looked on the Apple refurb site but the prices are no cheaper than MCC are offering me. Thanks for the suggestion though.

It's a very large purchase but my Mum gave me some cash and as I usually just stick it away somewhere I feel I might just spend it. I feel very guilty about doing so though.

Thanks for all your help and advice. Oh, did anyone know about the wireless keyboard etc?

 

[Mr Pig]

The only thing I would mention a warranty as apples are very expensive to repair when they go wrong.

Seconded. Unlike a PC, when your Mac goes wrong just about the only place that will fix it is an Apple approved repair centre and their charges are astronomical! One place wanted £100 just to look at our iMac!

I wouldn't touch another iMac for that reason. Being an all in one unit the whole thing is down if one part fails so you're either looking at an expensive repair or a pile of scrap.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I have no idea about the apple wireless keyboard and mouse but the Logitech Bluetooth mouse I use with my Macbook the batteries last about 6 months and the microsoft wireless Keyboard I use with my PC get about 6 months use from the batteries also.

 

[BigSteev]

Seconded. Unlike a PC, when your Mac goes wrong just about the only place that will fix it is an Apple approved repair centre and their charges are astronomical! One place wanted £100 just to look at our iMac!

I wouldn't touch another iMac for that reason. Being an all in one unit the whole thing is down if one part fails so you're either looking at an expensive repair or a pile of scrap.

I guess that would depend upon your own abilities computer-wise but your last statement is an exaggeration. The hard disc failed on my iMac and it was easy enough to fit a replacement myself. There are plenty of instructions available online so you can see what is involved beforehand.

As to wireless keyboards and mice, I found that batteries were lasting about a month or so but decided in the end not to bother as any typing I'm doing is done in front of the screen and not from the other side of the room.

 

[gaz]

I guess that would depend upon your own abilities computer-wise but your last statement is an exaggeration. The hard disc failed on my iMac and it was easy enough to fit a replacement myself. There are plenty of instructions available online so you can see what is involved beforehand.

As to wireless keyboards and mice, I found that batteries were lasting about a month or so but decided in the end not to bother as any typing I'm doing is done in front of the screen and not from the other side of the room.

With the alu iMacs to get to the inerds you have to take the glass panel and then the screen off, not something you would want to do without an special equipment. So what you said about replacing your own parts is only useful on the old models where it was easy to access the inside.

I've only used the old style apple wireless keyboard. no issues with batteries, easily lasted +6 months.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

I have rarely succeeded in purchasing anything from PC World. The only stock they seem to carry is that which has been on dislay and running for who knows how long? It is therefore second-hand in my book. They nevertheless still want new money for it.

 

[Campfire]

I did buy a TV which was a good price before Christmas but there's a whole world of difference between a TV and a computer! That was brought out of the back unsealed.

 

[Mr Pig]

The hard disc failed on my iMac and it was easy enough to fit a replacement myself.

Where did you get the hard disk and how much was it? New Apple parts are very hard to get outside of the dealer/approved repair network and they are not cheap relative to the equivalent PC part. In my opinion you're paying for the name and style with modern Apple products. The quality is no better than average now.

 

[Danny]

PC World is the Halfords of the IT trade.

 

[Danny]

Also, I have read somewhere "the wireless keyboard and mouse eat up the battery" Do iMacs have batteries?
Advice please? Thank you - and a happy new year!

Our iMac has a wireless keyboard and mouse and they do go through batteries quickly.

You can switch them off, which helps, but it is easy to forget to do so.

Rechargeable batteries seem to work fine in the keyboard and mouse, so the trick is to have some spare ones ready charged.