Apple Business Server Package

[Doug Stormforce]

The next RIB purchase is going to be delayed slightly to make way for some IT stuff. Having gone for the Mac Airbook myself last May its now time to begin the conversion of the office over to Apple.

Looking for advice from anyone who is lucky enough to run a MAC server and has bought a small business package.

Im initially after 4 Imacs, a Mac Pro Server, a 2TB Time Capsule and a few other odds and ends.

I was in the apple store today but there was very little room for discount for what is (I think) a pretty big package. Their service is also pretty crap.

Had a look around online and have found several companies who will beat the Apple Shop Imac price before I even ask for a discount, however the server is not so common.

Any ideas of where to go, I am also looking to buy into a set up and service contract of some sort. Ideally I would tie in the capital purchase and ongoing agreement with the same company for some continuity.

Please reply or PM if you have previously bought something similar, don't bother if you are going to try and convince me PCs and Microsoft are better suited.

[JSP]

Just a thought, do you work with any kind of youth organization or similar? Or have anything to do with education? May sound a silly question but it's worth asking if you are.
If you can think away round any of the above there is a massive discount to be gained straight from apple.

[br1anuk]

Give Apple a ring direct and ask about any refurbished Mac's. The people on the phone used to be quite willing to help and talk discounts.
Brian.

[Doug Stormforce]

JSP

Thanks for the idea, I have explored the education side a little and Apple have a scheme running but it is only any use to Universities, schools and government funded establishments.

It seems that as a government funding (tax paying) establishment we are not eligible regardless of what we do.

May be this week when everyone is back at work I might find another angle.

Brian
Im kind of put of the idea of re-furbs. The idea of switching from PC to Apple is that everything should work. I many be wrong but I just have an idea that re-furbs can have problems.

[Nasher]

Doug

My experiance with refurbished electronic equipment, plus working in marine/aviation electronics companies over the last 4 years, has shown that purchasing refurbished gear can be a better thing to do, especially if a full but slightly shorter warranty is offered. Most 'built-in' faults will appear reasonably soon if the equipment is used regularly anyway.

This may not be true for all companies, but the refurbished gear is normally rebuilt and tested by proper trained service technicians on a one to one basis, rather than mass produced and tested on a production line by semi-skilled line operatives who are following a set instructions and don't really have a clue about what they are doing.

Nasher.

[Chris]

Call GE Capital and ask what lease returns / reposessions they have

[ashbypower]

Doug, As an electronics engineer I would advise you need to consider The bathtub curve more info here

Regards Brian

[Doug Stormforce]

Brian

Am i right in saying that you are suggesting re-furb gear avoids early failure as that part of the curve has passed but suffers wear out failure sooner as you start part way through the curve?

[ashbypower]

Spot on mate. thought it would help you make an informed dicission