Best Deal on MBP Core2 15" 2.33GHz w. Parallels?

[mrlynn]

MacMall: $2,344 after $150 mail-in rebate, plus $10 for Parallels after two (!) rebates. Free shipping, no tax. Total $2,354.

Best deal? Amazon is essentially the same ($2,350 after rebate), but they want $72 for Parallels, total $2,412.

Saw an Apple refurb at the Apple Store for $1,999, which with tax would be $2,099, plus Parallels from somewhere else ($70 or so) would total $2,169, plus shipping (?), but a couple of hours later it was gone (he who hesitates. . .).

Any other deals out there?

/Mr Lynn

[jardster]

McMall- pray you get your rebates. Nothing like giving them tons of money just to get it back. Also make sure that you can "stack" rebates- I wrote them an email and they never wrote back.

Personally, I'd spend an extra $50 to avoid rebates all together.

[OWC Jamie]

I tend to watch this page:
http://www.pcprices.net/macbookpro.shtml

The macresource page, and click the link to Apple's refurb page.
(and of course, here.)
I was rubbing finger on chin on that $1999. deal last night, too.

(I don't know why I keep checking laptop prices when I'm ready to pull the trigger on a $18K tractor) :-)

[rgG]

Unless you need it today, I'll bet those refurbs will be back at the Apple Store soon, but you never know. I have had good luck with Amazon rebates, Apple rebates, Staples and Costco rebates. I hate that at some places like MacMall and others, you have to send in a rebate even to get the "free" shipping cost back.

[mattkime]

I'd wait for the Apple refurbs to show up again. maybe someone here knows what time they're posted. check everyday and POUNCE when you see one!

[Racer X]

They seem to post them about 4-5am PST. But it is early AFAIK.

[mrlynn]

[quote mattkime]I'd wait for the Apple refurbs to show up again. maybe someone here knows what time they're posted. check everyday and POUNCE when you see one!
I just logged on an hour ago, and there was another one—so I POUNCED! -D

Had to buy a modem, dang it all, for the occasional fax (why'd they take it out?).

Now I see on the order confirmation,"Your items will ship as they become available. . ." What does that mean? That one of you has to return your MBP so I can get my refurb?

The family says, "What do you need a new computer for?" "So I can run Windoze programs at native speed," I tell them. "it's a business expense."

As if 'need' were really the issue. My TiBook G4/667/DVI/30GB is really just fine. . .

Speaking of which, still have to buy Parallels. Anyone know of a good deal on that?

/Mr Lynn