Unknown... Except that you know, or at least reasonably so, that if it comes from an authorized reseller that they are not units that 'fell off the truck' so to speak. The same with buying memory from a company that has a posted policy about memory. I had a little problem with the upgrade I picked up over the weekend, but was able to get it all ironed out yesterday. The salesman sold me the incorrect chip for the upper slot. They took back that one, and I was able to get the correct one. No restocking fee, just the difference in price ($21 to be exact). 
With the authorized reseller, you have a valid paper trail to follow. I believe that if you purchase it from one of them, and they go under, you can still get support. This might be true either way, but it gives you the security feeling (that warm fuzzy that comes with getting a new Mac system) that just can't be matched from getting a peecee.
I want a terraflop system next.. I wonder how long before Apple has those.
With the authorized reseller, you have a valid paper trail to follow. I believe that if you purchase it from one of them, and they go under, you can still get support. This might be true either way, but it gives you the security feeling (that warm fuzzy that comes with getting a new Mac system
) that just can't be matched from getting a peecee. I want a terraflop system next..
I wonder how long before Apple has those.