I’ve been toying with the idea of making a complete switch to Mac after using Windows for the past 16 years. I’ve owned a 13″ MacBook Pro since 2009 and shortly after buying it, I decided I’m never buying a non-Apple laptop ever again because MacBook Pros are completely awesome.
I’ve never really used it for much other than basic computer use, however, so I was still essentially a Windows user. The thing is, in my field of work, web development, Windows simply doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. I digress, that’s not what you care about, right?
Long story short, I pulled the trigger on the 3.1 GHz 27″ iMac, but not without a ton of research and some decision-making. Here’s the gist of that:
First off, there will be a refresh on the iMac line in a few months around the release of Ivy Bridge chips, so initally I planned on waiting for the refresh so I could be sure to have the latest and greatest hardware.
I noticed that Amazon, a site I (and everyone ever) shop(s) at all the time, has some of the best prices on the current iMac (and tax-free!).
- 21.5″ 2.5 GHz iMac for $1132 ($1199 + tax from Apple)
- 21.5″ 2.7 GHz iMac for $1419 ($1499 + tax from Apple)
- 27″ 2.7GHz iMac for $1597 ($1699 + tax from Apple)
- 27″ 3.1 GHz iMac for $1894 ($1999 + tax from Apple)
So right off the bat there’s some really good savings to be had. Then it dawned on me that my Chase Freedom credit card also happens to be offering 5% cashback from Amazon for the first quarter of 2012. That was enough to convince me to pull the trigger now, rather than waiting for the update.
Total savings? For me, it was roughly $2150 after tax minus Amazon’s $1894 price – $75 cashback = $331 in savings. Not too shabby.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, the 27″ iMac is ridiculously amazing and I will officially never buy a non-Apple computer ever again. Seriously.
Cliff notes version:
1. Hopefully you happen to have a Chase Freedom card. If not, apply for one. It’s a really good card to have regardless for when the 5% rewards of the quarter are useful ones (gas, Amazon, etc.)
2. Order an iMac through Amazon before March 31 so you get 5% back from Chase. I recommend being a baller like me and getting the 27″ 3.1 GHz iMac model. If you have Amazon Prime, you can spend the most obvious $3.99 ever for overnight delivery.
3. Enjoy your awesome computer after the friendly person driving a big brown truck struggles to carry it up to your doorstep tomorrow. Be sure to give him/her a high five after signing for the package.