:) I'm visiting in a few days and will arrive with no laptop, I'll need one, just a regular laptop, decent, but not the high end gaming laptop (I have one already, so this will likely be a second laptop or for a family member). I even might consider a refurbished one but not used.
I'm looking for a Windows 7 based laptop (not Mac) and brick and mortar store. Right now and since I've never been to Miami, I'm thinking of Best Buy.
Store locator says these are the stores near my area. But I won't have much time, so I'd like to know which one is the largest one in the area, or if you can help or suggest another store/location. :confused:
BEST BUY STORES near my zip code in Miami:
Tropicaire FL (Store 553)
7751 Bird Rd
Tropicaire Shopping Center
Miami, FL 33155
Phone: 305-267-9913
W Kendall FL (Store 552)
12495 Sw 88th St
Miami, FL 33186
Phone: 305-275-8338
Miami Beach FL (Store 1498)
1131 5th St
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone: 305-535-8539
Cutler Ridge FL (Store 556)
19191 S Dixie Hwy
Point Royale Plaza
Miami, FL 33157
Phone: 305-256-9552
Fort Lauderdale FL (Store 543)
2829 N Federal Hwy
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306-1425
Phone: 954-564-7733
Non-NonRev
May 8, 10, 7:56 pm
First things first - the last entry, which is actually north of where I live, is by far the farthest store away from MIA (your message doesn't make clear whether you'll have a car, or will be using a taxi).
the two closest ones to the airport are the first two listed, and are relatively easy to reach via car or cab. The first is at the intersection of the Palmetto Freeway and Bird Road; the second is adjacent to the International Mall.
Of the two, I might be inclined to use the second, as the location can be reached via Perimeter Road, which runs along the airport's south border (this is handy if you are going to and from the store during commute hours).
Having said all of that, since you mention that you might consider a refurbished unit, the one non-Best Buy place that you might also consider is CompUSA (now owned by Tiger Direct, a large internet technology vendor). Their closest retail store to the airport is located in the Mall of the Americas, which is on the Palmetto Freeway at Flagler Road (this is about 4 miles closer that the first Best Buy store in your original list). CompUSA (Tiger) carries a mix of new merchandise (both current and discontinued models), and refurbs. prices are usually very competitive, as compared to other retailers.
You do need to carefully check the specs to ensure that you are getting what you really want. Be sure to check applicable warranty information, especially if the laptop will eventually "reside" outside the U.S.
First things first - the last entry, which is actually north of where I live, is by far the farthest store away from MIA (your message doesn't make clear whether you'll have a car, or will be using a taxi).
the two closest ones to the airport are the first two listed, and are relatively easy to reach via car or cab. The first is at the intersection of the Palmetto Freeway and Bird Road; the second is adjacent to the International Mall.
Of the two, I might be inclined to use the second, as the location can be reached via Perimeter Road, which runs along the airport's south border (this is handy if you are going to and from the store during commute hours).
Having said all of that, since you mention that you might consider a refurbished unit, the one non-Best Buy place that you might also consider is CompUSA (now owned by Tiger Direct, a large internet technology vendor). Their closest retail store to the airport is located in the Mall of the Americas, which is on the Palmetto Freeway at Flagler Road (this is about 4 miles closer that the first Best Buy store in your original list). CompUSA (Tiger) carries a mix of new merchandise (both current and discontinued models), and refurbs. prices are usually very competitive, as compared to other retailers.
You do need to carefully check the specs to ensure that you are getting what you really want. Be sure to check applicable warranty information, especially if the laptop will eventually "reside" outside the U.S.
^ Thank you very much, very useful and interesting information.
I have a GPS and I'm renting a car.
Since I'm arriving very early in the morning, I'll have a few hours before check-in time so my plans are: first to do a little shopping, the laptop is my priority, I'm planning on using it during the whole trip (5 days in Miami). Other plans are hitting the malls. Dadeland I think, because of Macy's but I'll do some additional research on this later. And though I'm thinking of visiting Fort Lauderdale at some point (Google maps says it is about 35 mins from MIA), it doesn't make sense to go to the farthest store away from MIA just for the laptop. I want to focus on the sights and wonders of the city after all.
sonofzeus
May 9, 10, 9:39 am
wonders of the city
Have visited dozens of time...the only wonders I remember are the ancients residing on Collins Ave. :D
jbcarioca
May 9, 10, 10:37 am
Since you want to spend time at Dadeland the Dadeland Station Best Buy is right adjacent to Dadeland Mall. Dadeland Station is on your right as you drive south on US1 and the Best Buy sign is visible. that store tends to be well stocked and failry quiet at early hours.
The CompUSA http://www.compusa.com/retailstores/compusaStores/dadeland.asp store is nearly across the street from Dadeland Mall.
There are quite a few other choices but I tend to go to best Buy unless I have a specific reason to do otherwise.
Since you mentioned Macys. Keep in mind that there are two Macys stores in Dadeland Mall. The one at the west end of the Mall, adjacent to the freeway, is for furniture and such. The other one has everything else. That is also my Favorite Macys. if you park next to the Macys one floor above ground level you can walk right into the ladies clothing department. Arriving just at opening time tends to get parking right by that door.
As for the sights and wonders, have fun!
Non-NonRev
May 9, 10, 11:37 am
Since you want to spend time at Dadeland the Dadeland Station Best Buy is right adjacent to Dadeland Mall. Dadeland Station is on your right as you drive south on US1 and the Best Buy sign is visible. that store tends to be well stocked and failry quiet at early hours. Dadeland Station is a big-box store "vertical mall" (essentially, the stores are "stacked" on top of the parking garage). As jbcarioca states, there is a Best Buy there, also a big Target (IIRC).
The CompUSA http://www.compusa.com/retailstores/compusaStores/dadeland.asp store is nearly across the street from Dadeland Mall. This is a branch store - the store that I mentioned above is the flagship - it used to be Tiger Direct's only bricks and mortar store, before they (Tiger Direct) purchased the name and assets of the bankrupt CompUSA. Still, the branch probably does have a good selection - it is on the opposite side of Kendall Drive from the Dadeland Mall proper.
There is one other vendor that I should mention - BrandsMart. I hesitate to give it an outright recommendation, because the stores are inconveniently located, the store interiors are chaotic (sort of a "bizarre bazaar") , and the salespeople are on commission and resemble hungry wolves whose last meal was a week ago. However, there are certainly deals to be had. Linked below is some customer commentary from Yelp:
I share the apprehension for BrandsMart but there is one not too far south of Dadeland, about twenty minutes or so in typical traffic. It has lots of assorted appliances and TV's etc, but no person there knows anything if you want advice. if you don't it does have, as Non-NonRev points out, some good deals. I have purchased things like vacuum cleaners there. You're 100% on your own for making certain what you buy there has warranty, correct voltage etc because they're clueless. If you have the time and are so inclined a visit there can be interesting.
starlanet
May 11, 10, 9:12 am
^ :) Thanks for the above comments. I learned a lot and got some great hints. I'm checking out the weather now, as I head there on Wednesday next week arriving on Thursday! :cool: