OS X Lion and 2011 Macbook Pro's.. What's the story?

So what is the story with the new line-up of Macbook Pro's and the new OS X Lion operating system slated for release this summer? I've never had a Mac before, so I don't know how it will all pan out. Will they charge you to update? If so, roughly how much (does anyone know)?

I'm thinking of purchasing a Macbook Pro 13" and I'm a little worried Apple might decided to re-vamp the line-up again before the Lion release. I may be wrong, but what are the chances they will? I don't want to buy a laptop and find it being out-dated a few months down the line.

Sorry if these sound like stupid questions. It seems to me that Lion won't be much more demanding that Snow Leopard is now (judged by the features its adding) and I can't imagine Apple catching us all out and asking for big money for updates having just bought a new system, but better safe than sorry.

 

Of course Apple will change you for Mac OS X Lion, but you have the ability to just get the upgrade disc which is usually around $50 dollars. I doubt they will do a major refresh (a revamp as you stated) of the macbook pro line but possibly minor refresh might occur with higher ghz processors. Usually Apple only does one major refresh per year with Macbook Pro line.

 

Apple usually only allows free upgrades to the OS within 30 days of a release. Rumors are it may release in June at WWDC along with iPhone 5. With regard to being outdated you have no worries and this latest release is a major update by Apple's standards. The MBP's, going by the historical schedule, aren't scheduled to update until the end of 2011. I actually think there's a possibility that it may go 12+ months this time so they can use Ivy Bridge.

 

Unfortunately that's not correct. Apple has never offered an upgrade disc for sale. The upgrades are only given when you buy a new Mac within 30 days of the new operating system release and you still have to pay $10 for shipping as they don't offer them in the stores for pickup.

 

Snow leopard is currently available as an upgrade from 10.5 Leopard for $29. Technically, the disc will install no matter what, but you are supposed to only use it as an upgrade.

 

No worries. It's a big 2011 was big upgrade. And Lion should be cheap to upgrade to. No need to wait.

 

The $29 Snow Leopard disc is not an upgrade DVD, it's the full version that does not require any previous installation of OS X as the upgrade DVD's do. Correct, Apple does mention that it's for Leopard users and not Tiger users although it can be installed on any capable Mac but what I'm talking about are actual "upgrade" OS X DVD's which do require a previous installation of OS X and the disc checks your system to sure it's on there before it allows any installation.

 

The cost of Snow Leopard was also lower than previous releases as most of the changes were "under the hood." It could have easily been a service pack and not a major OS release. In light of that, Apple may have reduced the price simply because of those reasons and they could go back to charging $100+ for Lion. It would be a shame if Apple started doing this again but their is nothing holding them back.

 

Basically, no one knows what Lion pricing is going to be.

I wouldn't be surprised at any price between $0 and $100.