[natalie_aussie]

sorry if this is repetitive, but the threads i could find were circa 2005 so thought some updated advice might be the way to go! also, i've only just arrived in hong kong this week, so bear with me if i ask something completely obvious...

well - my good old iBook is on it's last legs (shoddy battery, screen blacking out) and being away from my boyfriend while i'm working in HK i want a new mac with a webcam instead of dealing with the hassle of setting that up on here... so it seems like a macbook air will be my next purchase.

so, i'm after advice on where to go... the online apple store is an obvious choice, but am i going to save money by going to a computer mall or electronics store? i'm based in causeway bay...

also, any opinions on the mac book air in general would be of interest... cheers!

[paul9]

Not sure if on-line is cheaper, but if you decide to buy local I recommend sticking with authorized resellers:
Apple Hong Kong - Partners - Reseller

[dropdedfwed]

agree with Paul, likely not cheaper online, but then again you won't get a bargain with Macs - the prices are pretty uniform. But if you buy local, do go to an authorised dealer, there are quite a few around.

As far as MacBook Air.. i think you'd get better verstility with a MacBook or MacBook pro... the Air doesn't have an optical drive - you have to carry one seperate, and it has limited number of USB and other ports. That's the trade off for decreased weight and size. I'd go a basic MacBook or Pro, personally...

How old is your iBook? my 12" G4 iBook is going on 5yo, just bumped the RAM up to 1.25GB, and it is still going strong

DDF

PS just looked at apple site - for the Air you need adaptors even for ethernet cables etc. So if you can rely on wireless internet, and don't need a DVD/CD drive, it would be ok, but otherwise I'd go a MacBook/Pro, especially seeing as though you probably don't want to stuff around too much and you want it to work out of the box... just my 2c worth..

[miaoux]

It really depends on how many applications you use on your iMac. The Air is _significantly lighter than the Pro or the Macbooks, it doesn't have an optical drive, and it only has one USB connector (which you will be buying an adapter for if you need wired net).

If you don't mind carrying around the adapter, and don't need a CD/DVD drive and you aren't someone that requires a lot of processing power AND you need to carry it around a lot - get the Air.

Be warned that watching lots of high quality streaming vids also stresses the Air somewhat

[ontheroad]

I just wanted to add that it IS cheaper online, if you use the "education discount".
I wouldn't buy it though. I would buy a macbook or a macbook pro.

[Jon.E.Kong]

I just bought a Macbook Pro online using the education discount. They didn't even ask to see my proof?!

There are quite a few authorized dealers in Windsor House right across from IKEA in Causeway Bay if you want to have a look. They're on the 10-11th floor I think. Exact same prices as online, but they do not offer education discounts, sometimes they will throw in free mouse etc.

[gilleshk]

Agree that Macbook Air isn't a good buy... You sacrifice too much for the portability and lightness... Much better to have Macbook Pro or even a Macbook.