> I chose the maxed out “standard” model for $2,799 at the local Apple store: 15" i7/2.7/16gb/512gb

I might be nit picking, but maxed out normally means you've picked the very best config (2.9/2T/Radeon 460), not that you picked one of the standard configuration.

PS: Also, they are selling better configuration than the author's at local Apple stores, no need to order necessarily online.