<p>I've already accepted the UM offer and will be going down in 2 weeks to Ann Arbor for campus day! Am really excited!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Would like to buy a laptop at that time though from the UM Computer showcase - they give pretty good discounts. Anyone knows if incoming students without Mcards are eligible?</p>
<p>Eligibility Requirements
Students</p>
<pre><code>* Degree-seeking U-M students may purchase from the Showcase provided they are registered for courses, entering, or returning for a future term. The official registration status required is known as "active in program," which means that a student is currently enrolled in classes, is enrolled for a future term (as with incoming students), or retaining active status between terms while pursuing a degree program.
</code></pre>
<p>I'm guessing you'd have to wait until orientation at the earliest to be eligible. And from their FAQ:</p>
<p>When is the best time to buy?
The best time to buy is when you need the product. Prices often go down or features go up over time, but waiting too long when you need to start using a product does not make sense. We do offer special promotions throughout the year. Discounts during the summer and back-to-school time periods are typically highest due to the high sales volume.</p>
<p>IIRC, back-to-school time is the start of August. </p>
<p>Also, you're not limited to the setups they have on the website. In the middle of their mainpage at <a href="http://showcase.itcs.umich.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://showcase.itcs.umich.edu/</a> , they have links to special sections of the Apple, Dell, and Lenovo stores where you can customize your own laptop, and still get a U of M student discount.</p>
<p>If price is a big consideration, take a look at the PC deals listed at:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.techbargains.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.techbargains.com/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.dealcatcher.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.dealcatcher.com/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.dell.com/outlet%5B/url%5D">http://www.dell.com/outlet</a></p>
<p>Techbargains and DealCatcher frequently have listing for 10-15% discounts off the listed prices at the Dell Outlet.</p>
<p>Then load it with software from
<a href="http://showcase.itcs.umich.edu/category.php?cat=71%5B/url%5D">http://showcase.itcs.umich.edu/category.php?cat=71</a></p>
<p>You can save hundreds of dollars over buying from <a href="http://showcase.itcs.umich.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://showcase.itcs.umich.edu/</a> </p>
<p>I bought a Dell that is listed as ~$1,100 on the showcase site, for ~$585 from the Dell Outlet site after a 15% off coupon.</p>
<p>Unless you truely need the computer NOW, wait until late summer to make your purchase. That time there will be a lot of discounts and the technology will have been upgraded atleast once from now to then.</p>
<p>edit- WOW, those dell outlet prices are really good. I think thats where I'm getting my laptop from!</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>I want to get an Apple laptop: the new Macbook Air no less! I will be all over Europe in summer!!! So yeah. Would like to get a laptop first. The apple prices for the computer showcase are way too crazy!!! Lots cheaper, especially with the applecare thrown in.</p>
<p>Apple has an outlet site too.</p>
<p>If the URL is too long and doesn't work, try Googling "Apple Outlet".</p>
<p>BTW, prices on computers tend to get cheaper about one week before the end of a month. </p>
<p>Companies/salespeople who have a sales quota to meet are more concerned with meeting their sales target than they are about profit so they will cut prices to move boxes out the door. (The "half a loaf is better than none" theory.) </p>
<p>The key is to buy just before their deadline to be able ship the box out the door to count for the current sales period.</p>