At the rate Apple refreshes its products ... Would it make sense to keep waiting for the 'next best thing'?

Here's the deal, I want a laptop and I've decided it will be a 13 inch MBP. Now my only dilemma is the waiting game.

I really hate this part. I've consulted with several people. Some tell me I can't keep chasing technology and that I should just go ahead and buy it if I need it, and besides Apple will just update again in another 200 days anyway.

However others are telling me that this new line might include significant updates, such as USB 3.0 etc and it's worth waiting for.

The MBP as it stands is an ideal machine for me. I really have nothing I would change about it (Ok I just wish OSX allowed the displayport to carry audio, but that's an OS issue).

What do I do? I'm considering the 2.53 GHz/4 GB RAM model. I will be getting it for 1400 with education discount.

 

if you are considering waiting, then you don't *need* it.

so, buy it when you need it.

 

I'd normally agree with the buy when you need it sentiment. But as it stands TODAY, I'd wait if you can.

The 13" MBP isn't that old, but the 15" & 17" are getting long in the tooth. That being said, Apple traditionally updates an entire lineup all at the same time and there is a lot of mounting evidence pointing to an impending update. The lastest being Best Buy having dummy SKU placeholders in their inventory system for new MBPs!

 

if you *can* wait, then you don't *need* it, and you shouldn't buy it until you need it.

the system works.

 

I've heard horror stories where people would buy a laptop after waiting for as long as they can only for the very next week one 10 times better would come out.

That would suck if that happened to you.

As for the MBP line, I won't purchasing anything with core 2 now...I'm sorry, it's all about the Core i Line now. You must wait.

 

this.

and this.

and finally, this.

when a major spec update/chasis change is weeks away, you don't do something stupid like buy a formfactor that will be worth 2/3 what you paid for it in 7 days. that's just dumb.

wait. next week might be the refresh launch. probably the week after at the latest.

unless you don't have a working computer right now, wait.

the only time you don't "chase technology" is when you don't have an idea of which a major change is happening (like USB 3.0, cheap SSDs, or a finalized wireless N over the last couple of years). but on the doorstep of a major processor revision coming to the platform...something that only happens once every 4 years or so...why wouldn't you wait the extra week or 2?

 

you should wait for this next coming update. its a biggie

 

Yeah. Core2Duo is dead now. If you want something futureproof, try the new i series. The rumor is that there may be an update on the 23rd of this month. A little patience will do no harm.

 

You also have to consider what you'll be using it for. If the current specs will be fast enough for you, then waiting for a refresh might not be worth it

 

If the current specs are good enough for him, then he should wait til the new stuff is released and then the current stuff will be half the price.

There is no point to this guy paying full price for outdated technology.

Dude, use a computer in the library if you have to, updates and reduced prices are very close.

 

Well the current specs are fast enough for me, what I use right now is much slower than the MBP spec wise. Still, there is sense in waiting a week or so

 

Do you have a computer you can currently use that is working fine and dandy? If so, not waiting would be nothing short of stupid.

 

Sources tell me, nevermind.

 

Where's the source? xD
Macrumors's member said it was March 2nd.. but I don't know.. I'm waiting..

 

damn. we've gone from mid February all the way out to mid March?

competition only gets stiffer for Apple in March. It would make sense to get the product out this month. Lots of manufacturers launching their new i5's and i7's next month.

 

meh.

if the difference in competition is so big between late february and mid march, then how much does it really matter?

march is coming whether apple releases in february or not.

---

 

Do not buy, i processors are drastic leap in technology, wait until the end of March then buy a laptop. the i generation will really have taken off then.

 

sometimes, timing is everything. maybe not for you...but you're not everybody.

getting out sooner means less direct competition for those who impulse-buy to consider. March is going to see the introduction of new models and lines from Dell, Sony, HP, Asus, and others.

I understand if none of those options could influence you with their presence...but again, you're not everyone.

So your "meh" is for you and it works for you and that's cool...but for me and many others just like me...timing is everything. Just as it was for Sony when I happened by chance along the AW around this time last year. Just as it was for my Dell before then. My money can be had. To the first that truly impresses me goes the spoils.

 

I agree, the timing could be the difference between the new MacBook being seen as amazing and innovative, verses a "said company came out with that last week..." reaction.

For the op, apple usually updates their comps slower than most other companies, which is why you should be aware when buying a Mac that apple frequently upgrades their line significantly with out warning. While most other computer manufacturers upgrade their lines slightly, almost every month or 2 so its not worth waiting.

 

so, you are saying that you might impulse buy a laptop if it is released in late february, but not likely in early/mid march?

ok.

i guess you are right- i don't take much consideration for impulse buyers.

 

Well also that your more likely to think it was new and innovative if it came out earlier, than a couple weeks after two other companies come out with same thing.

 

They are wrong. I can't say anything more. Likely already in trouble.

 

Well I don't know anymore. I might just go ahead and do it.

Thinking of buying the 2.267 GHz + 4GB RAM 13" model. Wondering how fluently Parallels would run a copy of Vista should I need to launch MS Visio.

 

Lol Monk I can totally tell you are just itching to let it out. Heheh...

 

People have been saying 'next week' for around 11 months now. There is no evidence pointing to a definitive refresh date, or even month at this point in time. Everything that is currently being mentioned as potential indicators for a up and coming refresh may be true, but many have been dis-proven so far.

The key is that everything presented before you is entirely speculation. Also if you are getting the MBP13" you probably aren't using it with the intention of it being a powerhouse in gaming and processing performance. As such you might as well just go out and take advantage of the reduced price in a few of the MBP sales that are going on.

My personal speculation based off of following this situation for the past few months is that we will see a release at WWDC. If Apple is forced to wait to begin mass production on their models in March, and have them shipped in April, they might as well wait for a few of the new emerging technologies and release one complete package.

 

I agree with this wholeheartedly. I've had early-mid March set in stone as my purchase date (for a 13" MBP) and despite the fact a current spec machine would pretty much work for my purposes, I'll wait, if only to save some dough in the end perhaps

 

That's my reasoning exactly.

That aside though, I'm even considering the MB over the MBP ... Same specs for the most part, and it'll be less than $1,000 after the educational discount.

I mean, I'm searching forums day and night for a definitive date on when these mysterious new MBPs are coming out. So far, all I see is conjecture and speculation.

And honestly, all I want is a computer that runs OSX and has decent build quality. I'm not one to update my computer every 6 months because something new has come out. After all, I only want it for multimedia, email + web browsing, IMing and then the engineering applications (MATLAB/Simulink, and LabView).

I just hate spending so much time endlessly researching the MB/MBP while waiting because of speculation.

 

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

done.

 

^Doesn't say much. The buyers guide hasn't changed much in the last 1-2 months. There is anything "done" about it. Wish there was though. I'm waiting to buy a laptop as well. Probably not Apple though.

 

To be honest I've long contemplated purchasing myself a macintosh, I recently bought an old iBook from a friend and even that works wonderfully.

Apple does release products all the time making many customers feel that they've missed out and that their technology is always becoming redundant.

At the same time, even though Apple is always releasing new things to offer its customers, you have the peace of mind that your mac will probably outlast any other hardware you have lying around (in my opnion)

 

I would go for the theory of them waiting with the release of new MacBook Pros. Apple has gone from being in the frontline, to simply be late with updating their hardware to the latest. The time now, and for a couple of months ahead, is probably reserved for the iPad. I don't think they want any other hardware to ''disturb'' the release of the iPad.

 

Yea with MAC it's kind of funny you don't have to worry so much about something better coming out next week they have product lifecycles and pretty much stick to them making it easy to sell your old and upgrade to the new.

I certainly wouldn't buy anything with C2D right now though that is like 3 years old technology and the i-series is a pretty big upgrade. Next month pretty much everyones laptops will be coming out with i-series and C2D will be dead so your going to take a rather significant hit on resale value in just a months time period if you go out and buy a C2D tommorow.

Definitely worth it to wait IMO.

 

But what about the new MBP SKUs appearing on Best Buy's website? And how about the MBP v6_1 /v6_2 that appeared on some compatibility list a while back?

I do agree with you though, it wouldn't make marketing sense to upgrade their MBP line with the release of the iPad coming so soon. However, the two products are geared towards different crowds, I don't really think the release of a new MBP is going to stop anyone from buying an iPad.

 

iPad isn't going to be the major sale.... sounds more like an attraction to Apple Store... more people to come in. To see new stuff which includes, iPhone 4G, Macbook Pro Core i series and etc...

 

people will totally walk in to the store to see what is up with the ipad and walk out with more expensive stuff. that is true.