Should I wait on a MacBook?

I'm going to college and I'm pretty sure I want to get the MacBook (especially with the iPod Touch rebate!).

I am so eager to get the notebook, but I've been told to hold off on it because of...updates? I want to get the notebook before the iPod/MacBook deal is over, but more importantly, before I go off to college! This first day of classes start August 15th or so and I would like to have it a little bit before then.

What should I do? Thanks!

 

Just buy it. The iPod deal is a good one. With Apple or any other computer for that matter, better stuff is always in the pipeline. Get it now so you can start enjoying both the notebook and iPod right away. It'll also give you time to familiarize yourself with OS X if you've never used it before.

 

Thanks for the quick response!

I'm just afraid that I will have bought something and then a WEEK later the upgrade will come up.

 

The Montevina update has been delayed, and as saturnotaku said, there's always something better around the corner.

 

What exactly is the update that everyone is talking about?

Also, something about the date June 9th sticks out in my head.

 

Computers are ALWAYS updated. If a system is out, the specs fit your need, the price and deal is right, then go for it.

 

When it comes to technology you are always in the dangerous cycle of just waiting and waiting as greater and greater things come. As far I'm concerned you should just bite the bullet and buy what you need when you need it.

 

Even if it updates you can save by getting the last version. They usually drop by $100+.

 

So...can anybody still answer...

What exactly is the update that everyone is talking about?

Also, something about the date June 9th sticks out in my head.

 

The update should consist of a design change, perhaps to a metallic casing; and and update to the Monteniva platform. Although those are all rumors.

 

What exactly is Monteniva platform?

I actually kind of LIKE the white casing. ahah

 

Spend five minutes using the search engine that starts with a "G" and you'll have your answer.

 

The Monteniva platform consists of a 45 Intel Peryn CPU, 1066Mhz FSB, Mobile Intel 4 series Express chipset with Intel X4500 graphics, support for DDR2 1066 and DDR2 1333 modules, and some other wireless and networking stuff.

 

If I were you and you could wait I would, but only because theres a chance they might redesign the case. But if you need it now, or soon, then get it.

 

ya im in the same boat, but i have an hp right now that works fine just the battery life is dismal, i decided to make the jump to apple, but have decided to wait, but what everyone is saying is true, u could end up waiting and waiting, but i feel since this has had so much rumor of not just being a specs upgrade but possibly a new gen or at least a new design that i can wait, im going to have it for at least 2 years so...might as well get the newest design

 

Wait a while and see. Apparently it will be known in the next few weeks if an update is planned.

 

wait atleast until the WWDC conference this coming week, is it likely for there to be a chance in Macbooks, MBPs, etc.? honestly, who really knows, they can do whatever they please, but again, it is atleast worth the wait until then if possible. if not, even if it is just due to wanting the machine now, I would just go for it, there is a 14 day return policy, with a restocking fee unless unopened, and if you would like to keep your machine that you have purchased right after a new model has come out, you will likely be refunded a small amount to balance out the difference in price of new hardware.

 

Honestly, I like the white casing better than the metal finish. So if that's going to be the only difference, then I would want the older one. haha. I guess I'll wait a couple weeks.

 

45 nanometer*

And it's DDR3, not DDR2.

Well, with Montevina delayed to July 14th, it may be too late to get a MacBook before your university classes start August 15th, but I suggest waiting just a bit more.

Montevina will bring much better battery life, a stronger integrated graphics core, new wireless, and WiMAX (not sure if Apple will use that card, though), so it's at least worth waiting to see what will come out.

 

So what exactly is the "new wireless" and "WiMax"? Doesn't the MacBook ship in 1-3 business days? Also, will they introduce the new MacBook and then wait a couple weeks before selling it OR will they introduce it and immediately get rid of the old and start selling the new?

 

What JM said. I was about to say that, but he beat me to it!
What I'm most looking forward to is the better IGP.

 

WiMAX is a new wireless standard that's being developed by Sprint-Clearwire, with unified support from with Asus, Agilent Technologies, Alcatel-Lucent, AT&T, Bell Canada, Cisco, Comcast, Deutsche Telekom, Google, Hughes Network Systems, Intel, Lenovo, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, Netgear, Nokia, Nortel, Panasonic, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Vodafone, and some 400 other companies, with Intel, Google, AT&T, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, and Comcast being some of the largest supporters of this collation for the technology.

WiMAX is based off the 802 standard, which is the same family that WiFi falls into, however, this is known as "WiFi on steroids." You're looking at broadband speeds with the possibility of national, if not international, coverage.

It's very similar to the services offered from Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T today, however, it's optimized for data, not voice.

It'd like having your WiFi network expanded to anywhere you go.

However, we don't know, yet, if Apple will be supporting the chips in their notebooks, but considering Intel will have a WiFi-WiMAX combo card, it'd only make sense for Apple to support it.

And Apple tends to announce product updates the day they're ready for customers to buy, so I'm suspecting we'll see in August an announcement for it and new MacBooks to follow, but we might see them announce new models, and set a release date, however, that'd be rare and unlikely, knowing Apple.

 

Thanks for that explanation.

Do you also know about.. if they will introduce the new MacBook and then wait a couple weeks before selling it OR will they introduce it and immediately get rid of the old and start selling the new?

 

As stated in my previous post, Apple generally announces a product update once it's actually ready to be bought (ie, it's already in the store warehouse, they just need to announce it), and doesn't usually announce an update to a line and then set the release date.