Buy Macbook now or in August?

[Zinthar]

I'm looking to replace my 4-year old Dell Inspiron 8200 with its cracked low quality hinges with a new Macbook 1.83 (I fell in love with Tiger after using Final Cut Pro on the Power Macs at school).

With my education discount I can get the low-end Macbook for $1049, plus the free 2gig ipod nano ($179 value), plus a free printer ($99 value).

If I wait till August 4th though, I can still get it for $1049 with the free nano and can take advantage of the tax free weekend in my state (North Carolina), which would save me $73.

So, my question is, how often does Apple run the free printer promotion (the current one ends on July 17th). I'm trying to assess the likelihood that I'll be able to get that promotion again in August along with the tax free weekend.

Also, any rumors of a new sized version of the Macbook being added to the lineup? 13.3" feels a little small for me...ideally I'd love the Macbook hardware in a 14" WXGA or a 15.4" package, as the MBP is quite a bit out of my price range and I don't need the dedicated graphics card.

 

[iBookG4user]

I don't know how often apple runs it's free printer promotion but I can help you with the screen size issue. What is your price range? You can get a 1.83GHz MacBook Pro refurb from apple for $1549. Or a 15" 1.67GHz PowerBook G4 for $1349. The only difference between a refurb and a new is the box is brown for the refurb and I've heard that the refurbs are usually better than the new. Or you can get a refurbed 14" iBook G4 1.42GHz for $1049, there is also a refurbed 14" iBook G4 1.33GHz for $999.

 

[ricgnzlzcr]

I'm sure that Apple won't get the macbook a bigger screensize. They try to differentiate their consumer and pro lineups and screensize is one way to do it

 

[dmw007]

I would buy the MacBook now Zinthar- I don't know if Apple's printer/iPod deal will last that long.

 

[Zinthar]

I don't know how often apple runs it's free printer promotion but I can help you with the screen size issue. What is your price range? You can get a 1.83GHz MacBook Pro refurb from apple for $1549. Or a 15" 1.67GHz PowerBook G4 for $1349. The only difference between a refurb and a new is the box is brown for the refurb and I've heard that the refurbs are usually better than the new. Or you can get a refurbed 14" iBook G4 1.42GHz for $1049, there is also a refurbed 14" iBook G4 1.33GHz for $999.

I've ruled out the G4 notebooks because I want an Intel for the speed and in case I need to install XP for any Windows-only apps I may encounter in the future. I want a lot of CPU power and RAM because I enjoy working with multimedia and want to be able to do heavy multitasking and stream 720p video content with no hiccups.

The MBP at $1549 is appealing, but I can get the Macbook at $1049 plus the ipod and printer deals, which brings the true cost down to around $900 + 1 printer/scanner (I'll sell the nano for likely around $150+). Considering that I don't need the other benefits of the MBP, I can't justify spending $650 for a bigger screen. I would get some benefit out of the MBP's superdrive, but I'll probably buy a Lacie external with dual-layer write and lightscribe for about $130, and that's faster and more functional than the superdrive anyway (assuming I don't need to burn DVD's while on the go, which is very unlikely).

I'm probably going to buy the 1.83 MB this Friday. Presently I'm scouting out the best deals on 120gb SATA 2.5" HDD's and 1gig RAM sticks so that the MB can really fly.

 

[panoz7]

I'd buy it now... I think the deals will probably still be the same on Aug 4th, but personally i'd be willing to spend an extra $73 to avoid the crowds at the apple store on the tax free weekend. It really gets quite insane.

I don't think apple's going to introduce any higher-res macbooks. They've got the range pretty well covered. I wouldn't be too concerned. Expose really makes working at lower resolutions much easier. If you're set on intel, go with the macbook. I've got one now. I'm selling it for a powerbook, but that's a different story.

On a side note... where in NC are you located? I live outside Chapel Hill and its always exciting to see fellow MR members near by.

EDIT: I'm pretty sure that the ipod and printer deals are by rebate. So you probably have to pay tax on the whole thing, which would be $103. Not sure if that changes much, but figured I'd let you know.

 

[Some_Big_Spoon]

Both! :-D I bought the MB and love it (except for the heat), and if Apple releases an actual "Laptop" (small, battery-lasts, doesn't fry eggs) then I'll buy that too.

My advice is to wait for anything. The MB is definitely a 1.0 / Rev A. product that needs lots of internal refinement.

 

[bigrell486]

Just Remember, the iPod and the Printer aren't "free" you actually have to pay for them at the time of purchase making your tax more than $73 and then you send away for rebates. The only thing is that you aren't refunded for sales tax.

 

[Zinthar]

I'd buy it now... I think the deals will probably still be the same on Aug 4th, but personally i'd be willing to spend an extra $73 to avoid the crowds at the apple store on the tax free weekend. It really gets quite insane.

I don't think apple's going to introduce any higher-res macbooks. They've got the range pretty well covered. I wouldn't be too concerned. Expose really makes working at lower resolutions much easier. If you're set on intel, go with the macbook. I've got one now. I'm selling it for a powerbook, but that's a different story.

On a side note... where in NC are you located? I live outside Chapel Hill and its always exciting to see fellow MR members near by.

EDIT: I'm pretty sure that the ipod and printer deals are by rebate. So you probably have to pay tax on the whole thing, which would be $103. Not sure if that changes much, but figured I'd let you know.

I'm in Chapel Hill too, actually...or near it, that is. I'm a UNC undergrad and am living in an apt complex near the Streets of Southpoint mall now...very convenient since there's an apple store literally 2 mins away from me.

 

[panoz7]

I'm in Chapel Hill too, actually...or near it, that is. I'm a UNC undergrad and am living in an apt complex near the Streets of Southpoint mall now...very convenient since there's an apple store literally 2 mins away from me.

Convenient... i'd call that dangerous for an apple fanatic. Thank goodness its more like 25 minutes from my house or I'd be over there buying stuff all the time. I was a UNC undergrad too... but I'll be finishing up my eduction down in raleigh at NCSU next year. Have you taken a look at the RAM shop at carolina to see if they have a better deal then the apple store? I've never bought anything there but they've got really good IBM prices so maybe the apple ones are aswell.

 

[Zinthar]

Convenient... i'd call that dangerous for an apple fanatic. Thank goodness its more like 25 minutes from my house or I'd be over there buying stuff all the time. I was a UNC undergrad too... but I'll be finishing up my eduction down in raleigh at NCSU next year. Have you taken a look at the RAM shop at carolina to see if they have a better deal then the apple store? I've never bought anything there but they've got really good IBM prices so maybe the apple ones are aswell.

I'm pretty sure the RAM shop at UNC has the same exact Education discount as the Apple store.

I try to contain myself as far as Apple purchases is concerned. Bought a nano first, then sold it on ebay and upped to an ipod video. And now this will be my first Mac computer purchase...