When to buy a MacBook
January 20, 2007 4:08 AM Subscribe
When will the next MacBook update happen? I know Apple doesn't tell, but could someone give me an educated guess based on product lifecycle? I'm about to upgrade, but I always buy right right before they update.
I would personally worry more about buying after the OSX upgrade to Leopard, rather than the hardware upgrade -- you don't want to have to cough up the $$ for the software a month after you buy.
posted by olinerd at 5:16 AM on January 20, 2007
posted by olinerd at 5:16 AM on January 20, 2007
most likely you will get a free os upgrade if it comes out a month later
posted by fumbducker at 6:05 AM on January 20, 2007
posted by fumbducker at 6:05 AM on January 20, 2007
most likely you will get a free os upgrade if it comes out a month later
The Tiger up-to-date period was 17 days and Panther 16 days. And it only applies if you buy after the release date is announced. If you buy a Mac today (when it hasn't been), there's zero chance of getting a cheap upgrade.
posted by cillit bang at 6:15 AM on January 20, 2007
The Tiger up-to-date period was 17 days and Panther 16 days. And it only applies if you buy after the release date is announced. If you buy a Mac today (when it hasn't been), there's zero chance of getting a cheap upgrade.
posted by cillit bang at 6:15 AM on January 20, 2007
I've fought this battle since my first Mac Plus, and you will never win it! My advice to folks now is as follows:
if you need a new computer because there is a critical functionality you'll gain through the purchase, than buy it now. If you're buying it 'cuz it is a "shiny new thing", then wait. Either way, within weeks of making the purchase, Apple will announce a new computer and you'll kick yourself in the butt!
posted by HuronBob at 6:29 AM on January 20, 2007
if you need a new computer because there is a critical functionality you'll gain through the purchase, than buy it now. If you're buying it 'cuz it is a "shiny new thing", then wait. Either way, within weeks of making the purchase, Apple will announce a new computer and you'll kick yourself in the butt!
posted by HuronBob at 6:29 AM on January 20, 2007
If you always buy right before they update, and this bothers you, why not just commit to holding off your upgrade until the next update has just happened? I mean, upgrades are nice and all, but you've already had this computer for a while, yes? And it still works, yes? So why rush?
posted by flabdablet at 6:42 AM on January 20, 2007
posted by flabdablet at 6:42 AM on January 20, 2007
Following the rumor mill to time your purchase is a fool's game. The rumor mongers will never cease to believe that the new revolutionary product (MacTablet, hydrogen-powered MacBook, flying iPonies) will be announced Any Day Now.
As for timing, I've watched Apple and the Apple rumor mill for over a decade. Broadly speaking, Apple announces new consumer-level products (iMac, iBook MacBook, PowerBook MacBook Pro) at the MacWorld show in January, and their pro-level products (PowerMac Mac Pro) at the summer World Wide Developer Conference. But product line changes can occur at other times, such as the Paris MacWorld show, or whenever (the iPod was announced at a private event in October).
Apple's already got two new laptop lines that are barely a year old. Forthcoming updates are likely to be comparatively minor, mostly processor and video upgrades. Current Macs already have 802.11n networking capability, requiring a pending firmware update.
If you wait, you might get a little more speed and capability for the same price you'd pay now, but that means going without an upgrade at all now, and possibly for weeks or months more.
posted by ardgedee at 7:15 AM on January 20, 2007
As for timing, I've watched Apple and the Apple rumor mill for over a decade. Broadly speaking, Apple announces new consumer-level products (iMac,
Apple's already got two new laptop lines that are barely a year old. Forthcoming updates are likely to be comparatively minor, mostly processor and video upgrades. Current Macs already have 802.11n networking capability, requiring a pending firmware update.
If you wait, you might get a little more speed and capability for the same price you'd pay now, but that means going without an upgrade at all now, and possibly for weeks or months more.
posted by ardgedee at 7:15 AM on January 20, 2007
Shorter version: Your computer will always be superseded within nine months. Don't obsess over this.
posted by ardgedee at 7:29 AM on January 20, 2007
posted by ardgedee at 7:29 AM on January 20, 2007
I agree with olinerd. With the Core 2 Duo just out recently, the only reason I'm waiting, (other than for my overtime check to come in), is for Leopard.
posted by monkeymadness at 7:53 AM on January 20, 2007
posted by monkeymadness at 7:53 AM on January 20, 2007
Also, early rumours speculated that Leopard would be available at the end of Q1 2007. Based on some of the recent development rumours, I have a hard time believing that Q1 is still feasible.
With a new OS so close to release, I would be very surprised if there were any upcoming hardware refreshes (except maybe the Mac Pro Quad, but that's purely speculation). I doubt anything will happen within the next 4 months.
posted by purephase at 9:30 AM on January 20, 2007
With a new OS so close to release, I would be very surprised if there were any upcoming hardware refreshes (except maybe the Mac Pro Quad, but that's purely speculation). I doubt anything will happen within the next 4 months.
posted by purephase at 9:30 AM on January 20, 2007
Shorter version: Your computer will always be superseded within nine months. Don't obsess over this.
Seconding this with a hammer.
Also, early rumours speculated that Leopard would be available at the end of Q1 2007. Based on some of the recent development rumours, I have a hard time believing that Q1 is still feasible.
Apple has consistently stated "Spring 2007". They announced it at WWDC and it's still on the Leopard site. So far, there has been no evidence to contradict this. (Rumour sites != evidence of anything.)
posted by secret about box at 11:49 AM on January 20, 2007
Seconding this with a hammer.
Also, early rumours speculated that Leopard would be available at the end of Q1 2007. Based on some of the recent development rumours, I have a hard time believing that Q1 is still feasible.
Apple has consistently stated "Spring 2007". They announced it at WWDC and it's still on the Leopard site. So far, there has been no evidence to contradict this. (Rumour sites != evidence of anything.)
posted by secret about box at 11:49 AM on January 20, 2007
No need to wait. My Powerbook will be six years old next month and, except for recent games, does everything just fine.
posted by neuron at 5:18 PM on January 20, 2007
posted by neuron at 5:18 PM on January 20, 2007
I would personally worry more about buying after the OSX upgrade to Leopard, rather than the hardware upgrade -- you don't want to have to cough up the $$ for the software a month after you buy.
Ding, ding, ding. This is the correct answer. Unless you absolutely need the functionality of an upgraded computer right now, you're best off waiting for Leopard.
posted by alidarbac at 9:14 PM on January 20, 2007
Ding, ding, ding. This is the correct answer. Unless you absolutely need the functionality of an upgraded computer right now, you're best off waiting for Leopard.
posted by alidarbac at 9:14 PM on January 20, 2007
Regarding this question of when to buy, I see that the Mac Buyers guide:http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#iMac
says "Buy only if you need it - Approaching the end of a cycle"
How could that be given it was a new model in August?
posted by dougiedd at 11:53 AM on January 5, 2008
says "Buy only if you need it - Approaching the end of a cycle"
How could that be given it was a new model in August?
posted by dougiedd at 11:53 AM on January 5, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by zamboni at 4:24 AM on January 20, 2007