macball,
Y don't U call Citibank and check with them? It's probably different for every customer based on individual credit ratings and records with them. Enjoy your new Mac

goldfries,
Will you consider loaning this 'stranger' some $ for my MBP? PleaaSssee please pleeaaassssseeee.....

macball,
Have U called Citibank oredi or not?! I wanna know what their policies are. Then again, I don't think I even have sufficient credit limit to get the MBP

Nah, I'm not a CRAZY MBP fan - I was in the market scouting around for a new notebook and just like the majority, am a Windows user. Haven't exactly bought the new notebook yet but should've done so earlier so I could've used this week to reconfigure everything. It's gonna be a bz week next week... but ah well, it's too late now isn't it?

Plus, goldfries hasn't released my loan

macball,
If you don't have any credit cards with any of those 3 banks mentioned, may I suggest you just apply for one just for this purchase. It's not that difficult to get a credit card approved these days, right?! *shrugs*

azxel,
That's why we told macball to give Citibank a call. From my monthly bills, I understand there's a separate credit limit under the 'Installment Plans' so I suppose they just look at that and go through a couple more of their credit risk checks before they give final approval.

However, if MacAsia's oredi got schemes with the banks you mentioned, won't it be easier to just use that Credit Card?

macball,
Yes Citiphone Banking is available 24/7 so you can call them anytime that's convenient to you. Yes, I think the scheme offered by MacAsia is 0% monthly instalment but I've no idea for how long.

goldfries,
Wanna share what else is in the queue?! Oklah, I'll just continue standing at the ATM machines hoping people drop their $ when they withdraw them at the machine

azxel,
Ask nicely lah...

This post has been edited by tinkerbel: Dec 29 2006, 05:41 PM

macball,
Y don't you try applying for one of the banks' credit card? Processing of the card may not be *that* long if your credit records are good.

Other options I can think of would be:-
1) Check with Public Bank - no harm since you're an existing Credit Cardholder there.

2) I know Citibank's got this other scheme where they'll 'loan' you some cash - I believe there will be interest charged to it but i doubt it's anywhere near 9.88% p/month but please confirm details when you call them - i'd never used this facility before hence ain't able to provide you with more details. Btw, are you sure interest chargeable is 9.88% per month and not per annum?

3) What about 'lending' the $ from your parents/relatives? (just don't ask goldfries! )

4) Hold off your purchase until you've sufficient cash?

macball,
azxel's advise's pretty solid. Tell you what - i promised sis and mom to take them shopping today. If any of the 3 banks are having roadshows to promote their Credit Cards at the mall, I'll check to see how long the application processing period takes k?

Also, since I'm gonna probably end up at Mid Valley, I'll go to machines and check if they've any installment plans.

Hope to give you good news in this great New Year

macball,
I don't think you need a referral for a Stan Chart credit card. Just give them a call and tell them you'll like to apply and they ought to be able to help you. Or maybe they allow online application. Can possibly check their website out.

2) Didn't come across any Credit Card roadshows whilst I was out - sorry *gulps*

3) Machines @ Mid Valley also has instalment schemes. They're affiliated to Maybank, CIMB Bank (formerly known as Southern Bank) & HSBC - none of which would be of any benefits to you at this point I was also informed there's an additional 4% surcharge for those who purchase under this scheme (hence, in reality, eventhough the bank's offering 0% interest for 12 months, if you include the 4% surcharge, you're actually paying a 4% interest over the 12 months - you get where I'm coming from?)

4) Machine's also currently having a promotion on the 20" & 24" iMac where they're giving a RM250 rebate/discount. It is apparently valid till 14 Jan 2007.

5) Anyhow, if you want more info, you can call them up at 03.2282.3996. Their sales enquiry email is sales@machines.com.my

I hope you manage to find funding for your iMac soon enough - btw, if you're already working and if you've sufficient $ in your EPF, I think you can take some $ out from it to purchase a new computer [i'm not too sure about the details but you can check around]

macball,
I'm sure you are still paid a fixed monthly salary despite working for your dad hence the pay slips shouldn't be a problem. Alternatively, if the bank know you're involved in the family business, they may query the genuine-nity if your pay slip and request for some other documentations to proof (a good documentation to provide can be your EPF slip the department sends to you) - that way, they know you haven't put in a 'fake' salary figure in your credit card application.

I'm unsure if there's any processing fees or surcharge for the instalment schemes offered by MacAsia but if i do go over or speak to them soon enough, I'll check and let you know.

Maybe you can also try applying for a Maybank credit card since both MacAsia and Machines accept that under their installment scheme. You can cancel the card when it's approve, and just use whichever that's approved earlier - maybe request with the bank to expedite the processing of your Credit Card. Just convince them you need the Credit Card urgently, etc etc etc....

Maybe you can check out the other Apple Centres around - MacStudio at Ikano. There's also an Apple shop at Plaza Damas (opposite Sony Centre, next to Ogawa) which you can try contacting.

Hope you get your iMac soon

macball,
As you probably can tell, I'm unable to provide much opinion/thoughts when it comes to use of software/easy-bility/gaming for Apple systems (As of this moment, I'm still on a PC system)

Now, using price as a factor in comparing the 2 models you mentioned, I *think* the MacBook's probably cheaper. Main diff is in the additional 20GB HDD space on the Vaio. I think the Vaio's graphic card and the MB's one is probably ~about~ the same but I'm no biggie when it comes to graphic cards as I'm not a heavy graphics user hence i'm pretty ok with the bare basics

For me, I'm more concerned when it comes to RAM hence my min requirement would be 1GB RAM, etc. If you're using the notebook mainly for emails, surfing, chatting, and the likes of Microsoft Office (mainly Words & Excel), be assured there are other compatible programs on a Mac platform

I know how you must be feeling at the moment, I was once in your shoes . Check out "Windows to MAC - Should I?" thread and you'll know where I'm coming from

macball,
R u saying you've decided on a Mac except now price is the main issue? If so, why then did you shortlist it with the Vaio which is also as pricey?

Ah, I get it now. It's the 'GAYA-ness' that you want!

goldfries,
I jeawous

goldfries,
If it's helped you generate more business, then it's become an asset more than a liability. Plus, I'm sure you've oredi made the additional $$$k's back from the new business it's generated.

macball,
Wait a minute - are you looking at a MacBook or an iMac now? Or, any Mac for that matter? *confused* Ah well, think hard about it and who knows? You may just win yourself a lottery

goldfries,
How I wish my clients make their decision based on the kinda notebook I carry for presentation purposes - i wouldn't need to go on standing at the ATM machines waiting and hoping for people to drop their cash *grins* But I'm pretty much sure, as a designer the Mac's serving you well

wei,
You've a very valid point - just dat most people are impatient these days and with easy accessibility to credit facilities and instalment plans, many spend their future $ today, and end up with loadsa debts

macball,
Another suggestion is ask ur folks for a subsidy for your new pc. You just top up the difference. And if so, ask them for RM5k - that should be more than sufficient to get u an iMac or the MacBook, even the Vaio

goldfries,

Not fair to do a comparison with an ancient old pc with your spanking new MacBook - the technology of the screens have also changed - so obviously the newer or the later the product, the better quality it should be

macball,
Ask your bro to loan you his MacBook until you've sufficient savings for the iMac? Sounds like a good plan to me ! And I seriously think you should consider what goldfries said - it's true - there's no point in getting a 'cheap' desktop now when u've intentions of getting an iMac - u'll be spending the additional $ for no reason

goldfries,
Ok Ok. Your old notebook isn't as OLD as mine. Ah and since i'm on this good 'ol dinosaur of mine I can check the specs...

I'm on a Pentium M Processor 1400 MHz with 512MB RAM (8 MB shared graphics I think) since it says here I've 504MB RAM. Dang, I thought I'd upgraded to 1GB RAM - must have muAhahahh just upgraded it from 256MB to 512MB.....

As to screen... well, all other screen beats this dino screen of mine so I'll hafta shaddup there!! hEHehehehe........ And btw, if you're using a MacMini and plug it onto some other screen, am sure the effect is lost too? *shrugs*

goldfries,
Ok Ok. You've lost me somewhere along the lines. I know whatever you said can be done but I haven't done it before - as u probably can tell I'm not too much of a 'techie'

And uh, I think we've really gone off topic on this thread. As moderator, shouldn't U be uhm, showing good example?! kEKekkekekeke

macball,
I sure hope u aren't irritated by us YET *grins* If so, blame it on goldfries *grins* Also, we hope we've given you sufficient guide in helping you make your decision [then again, if it's based merely on $, i doubt we helped in many ways].... SorrEeee........

My advise to you is still to go ahead with the Credit Card application and once approve, use it to purchase the MacBook/iMac you'd been dreaming about

Oh, I forgot to check if there's any service fee if you use MacAsia's instalment scheme. Er, u go check urself lah `k?

goldfries,
At the very least I swung back to original topic! Dang, I sure am beginning to love the Mac community - so ever fwenly...

This post has been edited by tinkerbel: Jan 3 2007, 07:27 PM

cywings,
macball wants the MacBook as soon as possible. Up to now, we have no idea when Leopard's gonna be released. Let's hope there'll be some sort of news/announcement at next week's uhm, MacWorld... *grins*