Wwdc '07

I have a quick question.

I heard, and see on Apple's website that WWDC '07 is from the 11th to the 15th of June.

I'm in the market for a Macbook Pro, but can wait until then, so am deferring the purchase. However, I'm on a pretty tight schedule because I'm going to need a laptop mid-June for sure. Say Apple announces the new revision of the Macbook Pro on the 12th of June, would it be available straight away from the online store from the 12th onwards? What about at a retail store in Chicago?

Again, I'll be starting work in summer around the first week of June and really need a laptop around then.

All help appreciated.

Cheers.

 

Usually when Apple announces a product, it's available immediately. Not always, but usually.

 

In their retail locations too?

 

Keep in mind that even though the new laptop may be available to order online, it may not ship for several weeks. In which case I couldn't imagine you seeing one for sale in a retail store either.

 

That just makes my decision harder. I certainly, most definitely need the laptop mid June, and if announced during the conference and doesn't ship until several weeks later, that doesn't work.

Does anyone remember how it went for the last macbook and macbook pro announcements? announcement vs. ship date?

Thanks.

 

The last versions of both machines were not even announced. They just appeared.

 

The new models might not be available immediately, but refurbs of the older models would be. So, if you don't mind getting a refurb, it might be worth waiting to see whether a new product is announced and then getting a heavily discounted discontinued refurb.

 

I've never seen the first part with Apple before. Usually when they announce a new product, you can buy it from the online store within an hour. Of course, demand might be so high that it sells out, but technically you CAN buy it.

As for the brick&mortar stores, they probably don't receive early shipments because Apple doesn't want them selling it ahead of time.

 

Yes, when the MacBook first came out I went to the store the next day and bought it. If there's a rush on buying a product they could run out. But where I was in Cincinnati was no problem. New York would be a different story I bet. One way rumors get stoked for new products is when mysterious shipments are seen arriving or Apple retail locations start pushing "old" products for sale to prepare for the new shipments to go on sale that are sitting in the basement storage area.

 

After todays release of the new Mac Pros, I would not expect an announcement about new MBP at WWDC unless there is a major overhaul. More likely than not they will just show up sometime after Santa Rosa is released.

 

Really?
So are you saying after Santa Rosa is released meaning before WWDC? or way after in August or something?

 

Agreed. If Woodcrest didn't make a big enough splash to deserve a press release or anything, neither will Santa Rosa.

 

Santa Rosa is slated for a 5/9/2007 release, so expect Apple to have parts within a week after.

 

Why don't you buy a temporary laptop that you like at costco or walmart where you can use it within the 30 day money back period, should give you a bit more time to wait for a macbook pro, don't you think? If it comes out then you can just return it, get your money and buy a new macbook pro. Might be a good solution...

 

I've actually thought about that. Actually, with a Macbook Pro. Buy it around beginning June and return it as and when the newer version comes out.

Does Apple also have a 30 day return policy?

 

I'm not sure, but I think if you want to go ahead with this plan, it would probably be better to get the macbook pro somewhere else, then get your money back, then buy a new mbp at an apple retail location, mainly because it would be a little sketchy if you returned it after the new mbp's are released... I'm assuming most employees at apple locations are apple nuts, so they would kinda know your evil plan... maybe that wouldn't be a problem, I dunno.

I think somewhere like walmart where you get no questions asked and money back guarantee would be best. I have a feeling the mac geniuses would be on your case and try to convince you to keep it because macs are teh kewl...lol.

I'm in the same boat as you are, except I can wait until august so hopefully by then the new mbp's with led backlit screens, leopard, and santa rosa chipset will be out by then.

Best of luck man

 

I think it will just show up unless there are more changes than just Santa Rosa. I think the MacBook Pro needs an overhaul, that same design has been used for quite a while and it's getting boring. They need to do the magnetic latch, like the MacBook, maybe something with the keyboard, and something just special to the MBP besides the back lit keyboard.