If you are currently shopping for a computer, you might be wondering if it is better to purchase a computer outright, or if it is more advantageous to rent a computer. Although you generally pay more over time when you rent or lease, because of the rental fees and interest rates, there are also reasons why renting or leasing can also be a good option.

If you are looking at Mac computers, you have a few options as far as purchase or lease agreements go. Of course, Apple makes it easy for you to purchase their computers, regardless of what type of computer or model you are interested in. Apple even has some of their own leasing programs available, geared towards business and education, which you can explore by talking with the business representative at your local Apple Store.

Apple has also joined forces with Juniper to provide a same-as-cash financing offer for a year, when you use the new Barclaycard Financing Visa card to purchase your Mac. Although this is not a rental or leasing program, it does provide a cost-effective and convenient means by which to purchase your Apple computer. You will have the advantage of not paying finance charges, as long as your purchase price is equal to $900 or more. Those who purchase an Apple computer that costs less than $900 can also use the Barclaycard Financing Visa card in the same fashion, with six months of same-as-case financing.

Businesses can deal with Apple directly to receive a leasing program, which gives them the flexibility of not actually purchasing the computers outright. This often has tax advantages for businesses, as well as letting them continually provide their employees with the most up-to-date computers, instead of being locked into the models that they purchase. Instead, they can simply return the Apple equipment, and upgrade to the latest computer model. There are also purchase option leases available, which allows a company to purchase the equipment at the end of the leasing term.

Because of the fact that Apple sells their computers primarily directly through the Apple stores and online, you will not find “rent to own MacBook Pro” advertisements like you will with many of the other computer manufacturers. As a rule, the sites that are designed to offer leasing options for laptops and computers are primarily going to be offering brands and models of computers that use the Windows operating system. Since the Apple site only offers leasing options for businesses and schools, and instead provides the same-as-cash financing options for the home consumer, if you are looking to rent to own an Apple computer, you are going to have to do a bit more investigation and research online to find an option that will fit your leasing needs.

This post is tagged with: apple, apple computers, interest rates, juniper, macbook pro, pay over time, rent a computer, rental fees, same-as-cash financing, visa