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n8sco

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 17, 2011
60
0
Hey guys, I've finally decided on the newest macbook air being my next laptop and it will be my first mac. Does apple always make an official announcement like a week or so in advance or is it possible that it just shows up in stores without much warning? Also, I'm pretty sure I'd be getting mine at bestbuy, would I be wise to reserve it if the release date is announced in advance or will it be less hectic than the ipad 2 release?
 

Hellhammer

Moderator emeritus
Dec 10, 2008
22,164
582
Finland
Usually Mac updates are silent, which means one day the online store just goes down and new Macs are added. Apple Stores usually have them on the same day though it may take a few days for resellers to get them.
 

n8sco

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 17, 2011
60
0
Ahh ok. Thank you. That's good actually, it will give me a bit of time for my payment to be applied to my bestbuy card lol.
 

peskaa

macrumors 68020
Mar 13, 2008
2,104
5
London, UK
There will probably be a leak the night before on the usual sites (MacRumors, BGR etc), with a last minute tipster saying the MBAs will launch tomorrow, sometimes with Best Buy SKU entries, model numbers etc. That's pretty much the entire warning you get, with the online store going down the following day for several hours, and when it's back up it will have new models.

Releases of computers won't be hectic like the iPad/iPhone - no queues or anything silly like that. Stores may only have limited stock though for the first few weeks, and resellers will only get a handful as the new models hit supply chains.

If you want a new MBA at launch, best bet is to go to an Apple Store as soon as they're announced. Ring them beforehand to check stock, and if you have to buy from BB, always call first (not sure if BB will reserve for you?).
 

n8sco

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 17, 2011
60
0
Thank you. I don't necessarily have to buy it at best buy, I have money earmarked for a mac in the bank. I'd just prefer to so I can finance it and free up my mac money for other things this summer (like the elusive droid bionic). But I know myself so if I have to go to the mac store and pay cash to get it at launch I will. Technology is my mistress lol.
 

peskaa

macrumors 68020
Mar 13, 2008
2,104
5
London, UK
Thank you. I don't necessarily have to buy it at best buy, I have money earmarked for a mac in the bank. I'd just prefer to so I can finance it and free up my mac money for other things this summer (like the elusive droid bionic). But I know myself so if I have to go to the mac store and pay cash to get it at launch I will. Technology is my mistress lol.

I think for the sake of a couple of days, if it helps your finances, get it from BB. Ring them in the mornings to see if they have stock, and when they do, run!
 

n8sco

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 17, 2011
60
0
I think for the sake of a couple of days, if it helps your finances, get it from BB. Ring them in the mornings to see if they have stock, and when they do, run!

I can assure you I will. Once I identify a product I want I have to have it lol. Thanks very much for the tips.
 

Young Spade

macrumors 68020
Mar 31, 2011
2,156
3
Tallahassee, Florida
I can assure you I will. Once I identify a product I want I have to have it lol. Thanks very much for the tips.

Lol sounds like me. I find something I want and end up watching numerous youtube videos on it: comparisons, benchmarks, the works. I fell that way about the MBA right now.

The problem is that I have to sell my current MacBook to fund for the Air. I'm hoping to sell it as soon as possible (obviously) but I don't want to sell it, say tomorrow, and the Air not come out until the end of July. This is my only computer T_T
 

satkin2

macrumors regular
Mar 31, 2010
169
0
Lol sounds like me. I find something I want and end up watching numerous youtube videos on it: comparisons, benchmarks, the works. I fell that way about the MBA right now.

The problem is that I have to sell my current MacBook to fund for the Air. I'm hoping to sell it as soon as possible (obviously) but I don't want to sell it, say tomorrow, and the Air not come out until the end of July. This is my only computer T_T

I know what you mean, I'd have to sell my MacBook to help fund it, but I don't want to be without a computer in the mean time, I think if I do take the plunge I'll probably have to wait until I've got an Air and then get some money back by selling the MacBook after.
 

Duke15

macrumors 6502
May 18, 2011
332
0
Canada
Does BB carry 4 gig ram 1.86ghz models or just the std models, and from what ive heard it depends on the apple store
 

Young Spade

macrumors 68020
Mar 31, 2011
2,156
3
Tallahassee, Florida
I know what you mean, I'd have to sell my MacBook to help fund it, but I don't want to be without a computer in the mean time, I think if I do take the plunge I'll probably have to wait until I've got an Air and then get some money back by selling the MacBook after.

Yea, just make sure you have the funds if it doesn't work out. I would love to just get it when it comes out and sell the BB whenever but A) I just can't do that lol) and B) I don't mind waiting; there isn't anything I don't currently like about the BB right now.

Does BB carry 4 gig ram 1.86ghz models or just the std models, and from what ive heard it depends on the apple store

It's 4 gigs of ram but a 2.2ghz model. Upgraded 5200 rpm drive. Runs just as fast as my friend's 2010 MBP and "just" as fast as the new iCore machines (of course, I opened programs like iTunes, Safari, Photobooth, etc.)
 

drewyboy

macrumors 65816
Jan 27, 2005
1,385
1,467
To the OP, as far as I know, BB never has them in stock on the day of announcement. They deplete what they have in stock then push new ones. It's actually really a scum bag move, because I've been there a day or two after new ones announced wanting to see them in person. I get there, and they don't have them and someone else is there to buy and asks the bb sales person, the apple guy wasn't there, if these are the new ones released a few days ago, and the sales guy said yeah. Person buys computer and I'm sure didn't know it wasn't the new one. BB sucks. Worked there for 3 months as GeekSquad, so I know. Though I will say, most geeksquad members (who were actually up with the times) were really nice and considerate. We always pointed ppl to Newegg :), and told them about upcoming technology, rumors, etc so the customer was educated in their decision. I don't know how many times I told ppl to hold off, new macs were on their way, new intel proc. for windows were coming, hold off till you get free win7 upgrade, etc.

But, I really do think we were one of the exceptions because every other BB i've been too, they screw ppl over and treat them horribly.

So in closing, go to your local Apple store.
 
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