I decided to get another computer, because (get this!) I wanted to give my daughter my older MacBook. So what to do other than going to the Apple store in The Fashion Mall next to our hotel and getting:
1. Apple MacBook 2.4GHz, 2GB, 250GB, 13″
2. 1TB Time Capsule
3. 500GB Time Capsule
4. Apple TV
5. Firewire cable
6. Replacement battery for the old laptop.
I came back to the room, hooked the new laptop up to power and within 2 minutes connected the two laptops together with the firewire cable and clicked the “continue” button to copy the data from the old to the new and off I went to a meeting.
I came back later in the day and everything was copied, down to the cookies of the browser. I shut down the other computer, restarted the new one and logged in and just started working, with all the applications and their settings loaded, there wasn’t a single moment that was wasted!
I’m looking forward to connecting the Time Capsules; one for the office (the 1TB) and the other for home where movies and music and other good stuff will be on it ready to be shared to the Apple TV to enjoy the digital media on our TV.
This is a leap year day to remember!
Me happy!
Comments
What, you weren’t tempted by the MacBook Air?
Just out of interest, what was the percentage saving of buying all the kit in the US rather than in Bahrain? That presupposes that it is all available in Bahrain in the first place.
I decided that the compromises were too many in the Air for me. I think after seeing it, playing with it and thinking more about it that in my particular case it would have been a secondary computer. I need a primary one and with my job, I need the power and the various I/O ports provided by the MacBook 2.4GHz than what the Air offered.
As to the savings, I have no idea. The lure of Apple Store and the atmosphere in there and of course the instant availability made my choice easier.
Apple Store was the first store I ever visited that had a queue waiting for it open, and once I revisited an hour after its opening has a “waiting list” displayed in their in-store screens of customers to be served and they were not accepting any further appointments for that day as they were full!
The idea of the Genius Bar is simply genius too!
Stop Stop stop! you are making me homesick! How could you have hoped to find what you needed without the ever helpful Indian salesman???
😀
Well done! See you in NYC later today!
PS… the Ninjas are waiting.
Ah! Excellent! We’re about to check out and head for the station.. see you (and them) in a few.
hey, well done on not getting the air, good chice and congrats 🙂 you were getting me a gift right?
For the question comparing US with Bahrain:
1. Its cheaper by 30% atleast.
2. Newer stuff available (r there any penryn MacBooks in Bahrain??)
3. Older stuff in Bahrain (products feels dusty and old. I can order online and get Apple products faster than local stores at times)
4. No added value when buying local. (ie no good support which the genius bar has and the personal attention in the apple store)
that’s why I’ve been shopping through apple.com and amazon.com for all my Apple needs for years 🙂
Mahmood,
It’s odd to see you in front of the Apple Store in the Fashion City Mall where I have been many, many times. It’s a small world, isn’t it?
It was interesting to meet you and your wife. I’m glad you made time for drinks and especially glad you left your cricket bat at home.
#1 Apple fan in Bahrain: Mahmood Alyousef
hmmm.. my earlier post seems to have disappeared into the php ether. So here’s a repeat:
I’m sooo jealous, i’m an apple nut since in 1984 (apple IIe) and i’ve never actually had the chance to buy anything from an apple store. It must be great to be able to buy Apple stuff at reasonable prices.
—-
I – as far as percentage saving goes; I recently asked for a quote for the highest spec macPro with mid range graphics card. The price a supplier quoted for me here was over 1000 USD more than the price from apple.com. 20% percent more! Granted this was a built-to-order machine but still!!!
2 – how would you got about ordering a 5 ton MacPro from the US??? Tell me!!
2 – 30% is a bit harsh. standard items can be as low as 10%
Loki,
Order it online and get it shipped by ‘Shop ‘n’ Ship’ from Aramex. They set up an account in New York so that goods are shipped to a continental US address. This overcomes many company’s reservations about shipping outside US. Check their rates, I think it’s $8 for first kilo and then $5 per kilo after that.
Good luck
I
I, Appreciate the info. I already have an aramex account, but it didn’t occur to me to use it for this! – not sure why!?. according to those rates it would be a probably be around 150BD to ship it over.
The standard spec 3.2Mhz Harpertown MacPro’s in Bahrain are about 200BD more expensive than the amazon price. With shipping included it doesn’t make much sense to order it from there.
I initially asked for a built-to-order MacPro (with Nvidia 5500) and the price of that machine was BD560 more than apple.com. So as far as savings go it very much depends on what your ordering.
Thanks again.
WoW .. Congrats Apple guy 🙂
One point, is that the new MacBook with the all new track pad or it’s just the ordinary one ??
If it was the one without the renovated track pad that would be bad cause the new MacBook has just been out and it would feel bad to buy a device to discover in the early morning that the line has got a refresh.
Anywayz, great device and the time capsule is all tempting as well .. Good luck with them
You are gonna LOVE your Apple TV! Especially now – you can watch YouTube, watch your flickr photos float by and download and store loads of TV Shows. There are some things I could suggest to Apple to make it better, but I LOVE MY APPLE TV!
Man do I just! Arif and I have been downloading vidcasts from all over the place and I have already filled in the form cancelling our subscription to ShowTime.
I’m going to use the budget released there to pay (bloody) Batelco to upgrade the connection to 2GB (and 25GB per month capacity, although I am sure we will bust even that “generous” limit in no time.)