Mac Advice in India

sunbean815 · May 12th, 2009, 02:51

Hi All,

I am moving to India in August for 10 months to conduct my dissertation research. I am buying a new Mac before I go and wanted opinions/advice on whether the plastic or aluminum computer body is preferable -- The reason I ask is that, while the aluminum Macs are more durable, I had friends who used them in Pakistan and found that the computer body was transmitting low-grade electrical current because of the ungrounded electricity there. Has anyone else had this experience? Any other advice on Macs in the subcontinent?

I know that servicing them in India is more difficult than for PCs, but I strongly prefer Macs and will want to be using a Mac rather than a PC when I come home.

Many thanks.

nycank · May 12th, 2009, 16:48

Quote:

I am buying a new Mac before I go and wanted opinions/advice on whether the plastic or aluminum computer body is preferable

Non-issue, since the new macbooks and macbook pros are all aluminium casing. Buy a one year Apple Care before you go.

Since you have not mentioned where in India, make sure you have the details of the nearest Apple Authorized dealer handy.

sunbean815 · May 12th, 2009, 19:38

Thanks for the advice, but it's not a non-issue yet. At least where I'm living right now (Pittsburgh, PA), one can still buy a plastic-cased MacBook. My understanding is that they are less durable, but of course I'm less likely to encounter the particular problem with ungrounded electricity that I mentioned before. If anyone has experience with that issue, let me know; trying to get a sense of how common it might be.

nycank · May 12th, 2009, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunbean815

Thanks for the advice, but it's not a non-issue yet. At least where I'm living right now (Pittsburgh, PA), one can still buy a plastic-cased MacBook. My understanding is that they are less durable, but of course I'm less likely to encounter the particular problem with ungrounded electricity that I mentioned before. If anyone has experience with that issue, let me know; trying to get a sense of how common it might be.

I have an early macbook (plastic) and I also had an ibook (plastic) - no problem. The plastic are prone to scratches. The low-grade current you mention could be static electricity; which can occur even in a plastic bodied PC. Most mac users personalize their ibook/ipod/iphone/macbook with skins and shells anyway - Apple store or ilounge will sell you a cover for the aluminium mac.

PS: plastic cased macbook you mention would probably be old clearance inventory with slower CPU and other hardware internals.

pravman · May 12th, 2009, 21:14

I've been using my macbook (bought in NY) in India since 2 years. My house has proper grounded electricity and have no power issues with the mac. There was a problem with the battery for that batch of macbooks and the local Chennai Apple reseller was able to source and replace the battery in 2 days under warranty. The full range of macs are available here thru resellers. The competence of the authorized repair center is less of a worry, the delay in sourcing of parts could be the issue.

Dust can be a issue if you leave it outside the case when not in use, we find the macbook plastic to be lower quality than earlier macs like the ibook. Had to tape the area where the palm rests in order to prevent the plastic from chipping away.

Better to get the macbook pro if $$ is not a concern and also buy the applecare.

shashank.aggarwal · May 12th, 2009, 23:31

I was reading about macs on another forum, and experience of people who have already experienced their service in west is quite bad when they try to get something done in India.

The primary concern is that they have outsourced their service to Reliance, and they are not known form their competence in customer service. its a decision of apple that is bound to give its users some jitters.

mitzijanell · May 13th, 2009, 01:14

We have been using the old polycarbonate macbook since Sept '07 in Calcutta (bought in Houston) and have had friends bring over and used aluminum macs. They have not encountered the problem you mentioned. The white plastic does not do well here since dust/dirt just seem to be everywhere. If we were to get another mac, we'd get an aluminum one. Yeah, we just saw the new plastic macbooks priced at $1000, but are way better than what we have.

My advice? Buy the mac you want to use long-term. You are here for only 10 months anyway.

pravman · May 13th, 2009, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.aggarwal

The primary concern is that they have outsourced their service to Reliance, and they are not known form their competence in customer service.

Atleast in Chennai, there are resellers (and authorized service centers) other than Reliance. They have been servicing macs for many years now. Reliance is the most prominent retailer though.

SPACEBUM · May 13th, 2009, 10:15

Sunbean, get an aluminum MacBook, of course. Servicing a Mac is not difficult because unless something very unfortunate happens, you don't need to service a Mac, they are high-quality machines. And I don't know what you should do in order to break a full-metal MacBook.

My plastic MacBook accompanied me to India and I really have nothing to say. It worked fine. As you know, Macs come with MacOS, an operating system designed by Apple which is based on Unix, an industry standard for reliability. They don't come with Windows, you know...

I have never heard about problems with the ungrounded electricity. In Russia we do not have grounded electricity except for large machines, like refrigerators or electric stoves. The only problem in India is quality of electricity and power failures, but laptops are pretty much secure with respect to electricity in every regard.

JamesW · May 14th, 2009, 02:27

I've got a 17" Santa Rosa MBP. I have experienced mild electric tingling from the case. that was when I was using cheap Indian strip adaptors. Now that I am using a rather better socket/adaptor/extension set up I haven't experienced this problem.

You should get one year of AppleCare included when you buy the laptop. You have the option to extend this to three years for a fee. I think it's worth it for laptops, as they are tricky to service yourself. I have had a few issues dealt with in Pune by an independent Authorised Service Provider (Rahul Commerce, Pune). They have always provided excellent service.

livin-in-india · May 17th, 2009, 16:14

Apple service in India is not so great. The technicians told me that they studied and had to pass tests to work on the Macs, but I had to travel from Chennai to B'lore to get the correct diagnosis on my laptop.

Aluminium shells tend to dent. Plastic holds shape better. Mine got jostled to death on the back of my motorcycle. So, take it easy.

White wasn't the best for India. I now have a black one.

Save any important data before you leave your home country.

And yes, I'd frequently get little shocks from touching any metal piece on my laptop- which I think included the thing you push to open it.

aritra_m · May 21st, 2009, 21:58

Get the aluminum one. There is absolutely no issue with regards to the flow of electric current. Buy it without any fear.

Servicing of Apple products takes time here in India. This is one *important* issue for many buyers. I never had any problem with my MB, but read about it in many forums.

~ Mac Addict

If you have any mac related issues, feel free to contact me.

viruss · May 22nd, 2009, 16:17

I have installed Mac Leopard 10.5.4 on Intel PC.

EmpressGinger · May 25th, 2009, 22:23

I don't know much about computers at all, so forgive the lack of geek-speak BUT ...I wasn't planning to take a Laptop on my trip to India in Feb and March...however I was considering borrowing my husbands iphone, so I could update my facebook status, email pics, use the money exchange and translator apps...ya know just basic stuff...not like I would want to be online for hours on vacation.

I know (think

) the apps work without innernet but would the emailing and updating facebook and my email such things be doable there..I mean is there wi-fi around Delhi or would I have to go to an innernet cafe anyway.

Basically what I'm asking is it worth the trouble and risk of carrying around his costly iphone or would I never be able to use it anyway?

Blessings
Ginger

storm9 · Jun 11th, 2009, 11:16

I know exactly what you are talking about, I took my aluminum macbook pro last year and it has the electricity pass over the metal parts. Nothing big and you dont need to worry about it. As far as servicing I dunno, I know there are some reliance iStores open now, which have apple authorized products.

May 12th, 2009, 02:51	#1
sunbean815 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5	Mac Advice in India Hi All, I am moving to India in August for 10 months to conduct my dissertation research. I am buying a new Mac before I go and wanted opinions/advice on whether the plastic or aluminum computer body is preferable -- The reason I ask is that, while the aluminum Macs are more durable, I had friends who used them in Pakistan and found that the computer body was transmitting low-grade electrical current because of the ungrounded electricity there. Has anyone else had this experience? Any other advice on Macs in the subcontinent? I know that servicing them in India is more difficult than for PCs, but I strongly prefer Macs and will want to be using a Mac rather than a PC when I come home. Many thanks.

May 12th, 2009, 23:31	#6
shashank.aggarwal The Fortunate One Join Date: May 2007 Location: Road Posts: 6,820	I was reading about macs on another forum, and experience of people who have already experienced their service in west is quite bad when they try to get something done in India. The primary concern is that they have outsourced their service to Reliance, and they are not known form their competence in customer service. its a decision of apple that is bound to give its users some jitters. __________________ Spineless Travelogue - Around India

May 17th, 2009, 16:14	#11
livin-in-india V-VIP Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: nomadic Posts: 188	Apple service in India is not so great. The technicians told me that they studied and had to pass tests to work on the Macs, but I had to travel from Chennai to B'lore to get the correct diagnosis on my laptop. Aluminium shells tend to dent. Plastic holds shape better. Mine got jostled to death on the back of my motorcycle. So, take it easy. White wasn't the best for India. I now have a black one. Save any important data before you leave your home country. And yes, I'd frequently get little shocks from touching any metal piece on my laptop- which I think included the thing you push to open it. __________________ India is the great Yin-Yang. Amazing lightness, equally amazing darkness. Wrapped up to make one complete whole.

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May 12th, 2009, 19:38	#3
sunbean815 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5	Thanks for the advice, but it's not a non-issue yet. At least where I'm living right now (Pittsburgh, PA), one can still buy a plastic-cased MacBook. My understanding is that they are less durable, but of course I'm less likely to encounter the particular problem with ungrounded electricity that I mentioned before. If anyone has experience with that issue, let me know; trying to get a sense of how common it might be.

May 12th, 2009, 21:14	#5
pravman Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 76	I've been using my macbook (bought in NY) in India since 2 years. My house has proper grounded electricity and have no power issues with the mac. There was a problem with the battery for that batch of macbooks and the local Chennai Apple reseller was able to source and replace the battery in 2 days under warranty. The full range of macs are available here thru resellers. The competence of the authorized repair center is less of a worry, the delay in sourcing of parts could be the issue. Dust can be a issue if you leave it outside the case when not in use, we find the macbook plastic to be lower quality than earlier macs like the ibook. Had to tape the area where the palm rests in order to prevent the plastic from chipping away. Better to get the macbook pro if $$ is not a concern and also buy the applecare.

May 13th, 2009, 01:14	#7
mitzijanell Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Calcutta Posts: 107	We have been using the old polycarbonate macbook since Sept '07 in Calcutta (bought in Houston) and have had friends bring over and used aluminum macs. They have not encountered the problem you mentioned. The white plastic does not do well here since dust/dirt just seem to be everywhere. If we were to get another mac, we'd get an aluminum one. Yeah, we just saw the new plastic macbooks priced at $1000, but are way better than what we have. My advice? Buy the mac you want to use long-term. You are here for only 10 months anyway.

May 13th, 2009, 10:15	#9
SPACEBUM Account Closed Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Russia Posts: 117	Sunbean, get an aluminum MacBook, of course. Servicing a Mac is not difficult because unless something very unfortunate happens, you don't need to service a Mac, they are high-quality machines. And I don't know what you should do in order to break a full-metal MacBook. My plastic MacBook accompanied me to India and I really have nothing to say. It worked fine. As you know, Macs come with MacOS, an operating system designed by Apple which is based on Unix, an industry standard for reliability. They don't come with Windows, you know... I have never heard about problems with the ungrounded electricity. In Russia we do not have grounded electricity except for large machines, like refrigerators or electric stoves. The only problem in India is quality of electricity and power failures, but laptops are pretty much secure with respect to electricity in every regard.

May 14th, 2009, 02:27	#10
JamesW Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 166	I've got a 17" Santa Rosa MBP. I have experienced mild electric tingling from the case. that was when I was using cheap Indian strip adaptors. Now that I am using a rather better socket/adaptor/extension set up I haven't experienced this problem. You should get one year of AppleCare included when you buy the laptop. You have the option to extend this to three years for a fee. I think it's worth it for laptops, as they are tricky to service yourself. I have had a few issues dealt with in Pune by an independent Authorised Service Provider (Rahul Commerce, Pune). They have always provided excellent service.

May 21st, 2009, 21:58	#12
aritra_m Mac Addict Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kolkata Posts: 2	Get the aluminum one. There is absolutely no issue with regards to the flow of electric current. Buy it without any fear. Servicing of Apple products takes time here in India. This is one important issue for many buyers. I never had any problem with my MB, but read about it in many forums. ~ Mac Addict If you have any mac related issues, feel free to contact me.

May 22nd, 2009, 16:17	#13
viruss Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 6	I have installed Mac Leopard 10.5.4 on Intel PC.

May 25th, 2009, 22:23	#14
EmpressGinger Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Carolina, USA Posts: 104	I don't know much about computers at all, so forgive the lack of geek-speak BUT ...I wasn't planning to take a Laptop on my trip to India in Feb and March...however I was considering borrowing my husbands iphone, so I could update my facebook status, email pics, use the money exchange and translator apps...ya know just basic stuff...not like I would want to be online for hours on vacation. I know (think ) the apps work without innernet but would the emailing and updating facebook and my email such things be doable there..I mean is there wi-fi around Delhi or would I have to go to an innernet cafe anyway. Basically what I'm asking is it worth the trouble and risk of carrying around his costly iphone or would I never be able to use it anyway? Blessings Ginger

Jun 11th, 2009, 11:16	#15
storm9 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 12	I know exactly what you are talking about, I took my aluminum macbook pro last year and it has the electricity pass over the metal parts. Nothing big and you dont need to worry about it. As far as servicing I dunno, I know there are some reliance iStores open now, which have apple authorized products.