Question about iBook upgrade

[Island Dog]

I just received my quote from the "Business Manager" at the local Apple store. I have to purchase through my wife's company so the quote is just for the 12" iBook without any upgrades.

However, I would like to upgrade to the 60gb drive. When I bring them the company check do you think I can just add the upgrade then and pay the difference myself. I think it's only $50 for the upgrade.

Also, if I am able to upgrade, do I have to wait long for the upgrade?

Thanks for your help. I am getting ready to purchase my first iBook and I'm not very familiar with dealing with Apple.

 

[jsw]

If you're buying at an actual Apple Store, then, sadly, you can't upgrade anything for the PBs (except buy very overpriced RAM). If the deal you're getting is a good one, I'd just accept the smaller drive and maybe buy an external.

However, are you sure you can't order online?

 

[Island Dog]

No, I called Apple and they said I can only buy at the store using a company check.

 

[Le Big Mac]

No, I called Apple and they said I can only buy at the store using a company check.

Can you take the check to the company store and have them do a special/bto order, so you pay there but get it sent to you from the factory?

 

[jsw]

I'm sorry to hear that - but at least you get (hopefully) a good price. However, it is possible to replace the internal drive - although that's a tedious task. Your best bets are:

(1) Just buy online and pay full retail but get the system you want.
(2) Buy a 14" iBook, which comes with the 60GB drive (and DVD burner).
(3) Buy the iBook you mentioned, and spend ~$120 or so on an external portable drive like a LaCie 40GB (or spend more on a larger drive).

Best of luck, any way you decide.

 

[Island Dog]

Can you take the check to the company store and have them do a special/bto order, so you pay there but get it sent to you from the factory?

I have to take the check to the store. I'm just not sure what their policy is on upgrades. I read on the forums that sometimes they keep iBooks with bigger HD's in stock because it's a popular upgrade.

Thanks again for the advice. I have been wanting to buy an iBook for a long time.

 

[jsw]

I read on the forums that sometimes they keep iBooks with bigger HD's in stock because it's a popular upgrade.

I hope that they have one for you. Best of luck!

 

[Island Dog]

Thanks for your help.

If I can't get the upgrade I'm just going to buy an external HD and make it a network drive.

 

[jsw]

Thanks for your help.

If I can't get the upgrade I'm just going to buy an external HD and make it a network drive.

That would work quite well. If you don't mind a non-portable drive (and it sounds like you don't), you'll get a lot more for your money (vs a portable drive).

 

[Island Dog]

I have a Dell laptop now with a 30gb drive and have barely 5gb filled. I don't think having a 40gb in my iBook will be a big problem.

An external drive would be nice because I would like to share files between computers.

 

[Lucky8]

I have a Dell laptop now with a 30gb drive and have barely 5gb filled. I don't think having a 40gb in my iBook will be a big problem.

My iBook's 37GB (40GB before format) fills up really quick.
OSX Tiger alone takes up approximately 10GB unless you do a custom install and leave off the language packs and printer drivers.

An external drive would be nice because I would like to share files between computers.

Internal drives can also share files between computers.