2011 MacBook Pro Refresh?

Hey all.

I was wondering what Apple would probably include in the late 2011 refresh for the MacBook Pro. I know there's no saying for sure, but just some educated guesses.

The reason I ask is that I'm about to purchase a MBP, but am hesitant to buy. I don't want to put down $1600 on a laptop that will be subpar to one released in 3 months.

Should I just get the MBP regardless?


Thanks

 

I'd expect a small bump in processor speeds. If you need it now, buy it now. Because by the time the refresh comes out, you'll be asking if you should wait until the real refresh next spring, which will only be a few months away at that point.

 

If there are any updates in the fall, they will be minimal. A MBP now won't be subpar in 3 months. Just buy one now.

As ajreynol said, the REAL refresh will come in spring of 2012. I think "Chief River" is the name for the 3rd gen CPU's... or Huron River... idk.

 

I thought Ivy Bridge is the codename for the upcoming processors. Considering that Intel will release the series early next year, I think Apple will probably release new MacBook Pro notebooks either in late spring or early summer of next year since Apple is usually late to processor updates.

 

If you're the type that wants the latest and greatest, every laptop will be "subpar" by 3 months. If you're a normal consumer, your laptop will be sufficient for at least 3 years or more (Core 2 Duos are still more than sufficient for 99% of basic tasks, games, and multitasking).

 

Wasn't 2008 the last time Apple did a MBP refresh in the same year?

Why do you expect one now?

Also, Apple has a history of keeping their processors a year longer (2009 MBPs still ran on C2D), and is generally late to party with these things. This year was different, they were the first notebooks to get SB, and was one of the few times where they actually only kept the previous processor for a year. I wouldn't be surprised if the 2012 MBP came out with IB, but at the same time, I wouldn't put any money on it either. There's a chance they'll stick to SB even with the next generation of MBP, and give users a minor GPU bump (let's be fair... this year's GPUs were lackluster until you shelled out 2gs), and a redesign. Hopefully better screens for the 13 inch and for the love of God, more than 2 USB ports on a 15 inch. People who want to buy apple products will still buy apple products, regardless of what they come out with. You know this, they know this, why bother?