How to buy a mac in the US?
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- rafalski0
1. Don't buy from online Apple Store, even if you live in the US - they're expensive and sales sax applies (at least in CA). Only thing worth buying there are refurbs, which I recommend. They only take US credit cards and ship to US only anyway.
2. Amazon usually has better prices and rebates. You can pay with any EU card and have it shipped for free to an US address. No sales tax afaik.
3. US Keyboard layout is different, actually I prefer that one as it's the same that's used in Poland. US enter key is "_" shaped, UK is "L" shaped. Don't worry about the power plugs, you'll get them cheap on ebay.
4. VAT + VATting service charges will likely be applied if the item is shipped to the EU. USPS is less prone to that than commercial carriers - FedEx, UPS and so on. It might be good to insure it for a small amount, so it doesn't get lost on the way.
5. Have a friend travelling from the US bring it to you on the plane, you can buy them a small iPod as a motivational bonus :) (the laptop is heavy enough to stretch an old friendship).
6. Wait with buying applecare until the unit is about 10 months old. This way if it's i.e. stolen before that you have more dough left in your pocket. US applecare applies to US sold computers only - numbers must fit (unless something has changed). Don't buy applecare from Apple - there are good deals on Amazon!
Applecare works worldwide.