iBook Price Difference

I would basically agree with gen. If you do happen to have a good friend or relative who is already making the trip to the UK, go for it - but if you don't, it's probably not worth it. Don't even consider shipping it over as a parcel or whatever, even if you do try and pretend that it's not new - UK customs will charge you a bunch of money and generally cause you lots of hassle.

*cough* repair *cough* If you get your mole to open the box, move stuff around, put in a fake repair invoice, put a big "repair" sticker on the box etc, you'll be fine. They don't charge VAT on repairs. But like adrianhon says, don't try otherwise. The Post Office will do the charging for you -- and even if you convince them it shouldn't be charged, you still pay their £10 fee. Still, with the dollar like it is, you should be able to save even if you do pay the VAT.

Are you or do you have any friends at university? Apple give out big discounts (sometimes up to one-third) for educational purchases... You might be able to find some prices http://www.apple.com/uk/education/.

I've been telling people to hold off on buying macs in canada now until the meteoric slide in the US dollar actually starts to reflect on Apple Canada's prices. That, or the trusty mailbox just across the border ;)

I just today got hit up for a massive amount of money on two digital cameras being sent from the US. Irritatingly, I've had one for over a year, and had accidentally left it with my parents in California; the other is new. Nevertheless, they charged me £71, which is over half the combined cost of the cameras. (Although *cough* not their standard retail prices.)

Buy the computer in your country of residence. I've had tremendous problems with Apple laptops over the past few years and I've thanked my lucky stars that I have the extended warranty. You should get it too. So sadly you need to buy the laptop in the country in which you plan to get it repaired.

That's not true, skylar. My American girlfriend has been staying with me for a few months, and when her iBook logic board died she called Apple and they told her to take to an Apple dealer nearby in Glasgow. They fixed it under warranty, no hassles whatsoever.

1. Apple may not have to honor some of the provisions of the warranty if the unit's primary "home" is outside the US. Not sure about that though. 2. Do not have it shipped. There is an overwhelming likelihood of a nasty Customs bill if you do. They keep a special eye out for electronics, cameras and other stuff like that. 3. I wouldn't ship a computer unless I were willing to pay considerable extra ££ for overnight or 2-day delivery. I've not shipped a computer a long distance, but I have shipped musical instruments and these are the only methods which have proven trustworthy. By the time you get finished paying for the overnight, and insuring the thing, you might find that it's only a little bit more expensive, and a lot more fun, to take a weekend trip to New York.

Tholian, Weekend trip had crossed my mind! I could fly there and buy the thing cheaper than I could get it here, but I'd spend so much money in NY in 2 days it'd be self-defeating. Still, might do it.. Thanks for all the help so far, much appreciated.