Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Macbook: Buy now or wait?
- Thread starter hansoffate
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
i'd hold your tongue before assuming that those of us who told the OP to do a search are "rude" and not "nice". perhaps you don't come around as often as we do - but i'm *so* sick of reading the "buy now or wait" threads - they are all the same. no one knows the answers. and yet people come to the forums and post expecting that because we're a mac forum, then we must have some inside knowledge. if it ain't out yet, we don't know about it. plain and simple. stop asking.appleintelrock said:
to those who ask legitimate questions or need genuine advice about something we CAN help with, we're very nice. but i and many other members are gagging on these wait or buy threads and we're a bit sick of newbies posting without reading a few lines down.
honestly, a mod needs to put a sticky at the top with the motto "if you need it now, buy, if not, wait" and let that be the end of it!
xfiftyfour said:
+1+1+1+1+1+1!!!!!!
appleintelrock said:
Get a clue dude...how many of these threads do we need? The only people who can determine whether they should buy now or wait are the thread starters themselves...why do they even bother. Oh, and see my sig...
the funny thing is we all have NO CLUE when these new macbook pros are going to come out.
steve and co. are the only ones who KNOW.
rule of thumb: if you are asking if you should wait. then NO you shouldnt! if you are not absolutely sure you want the merom processor. then dont wait, the current MBPs are NOT SLOW
steve and co. are the only ones who KNOW.
rule of thumb: if you are asking if you should wait. then NO you shouldnt! if you are not absolutely sure you want the merom processor. then dont wait, the current MBPs are NOT SLOW
I see nothing wrong with helping people make a well informed decision.
If you don't want to help someone, don't respond to the thread.
There's no need to post at all if all you're going to do is complain.
These are important decisions for a whole lot of people.
This is major money too for most of them and they just want to buy with a bit
of confidence.
When someone is buying less than 3 weeks before a major event, it's prudent to wait till you can buy knowing all your most current options.
Personally, I waited 10 month before buying because I wanted a specific machine at it's best possible price.
That wait saved me $600.00 allowing me to buy other things I needed.
If you don't want to help someone, don't respond to the thread.
There's no need to post at all if all you're going to do is complain.
These are important decisions for a whole lot of people.
This is major money too for most of them and they just want to buy with a bit
of confidence.
When someone is buying less than 3 weeks before a major event, it's prudent to wait till you can buy knowing all your most current options.
Personally, I waited 10 month before buying because I wanted a specific machine at it's best possible price.
That wait saved me $600.00 allowing me to buy other things I needed.
xfiftyfour said:
MovieCutter said:
MovieCutter said:
viccles said:
Guys, please, please. Stop scaring a n00bie away, really. I've been talking to some people about this thread - and it's just rediculous the way some of you are behaving.bep207 said:
Rediculous. Do we have to go back to "If you don't have to say anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." ~Mommy
EDIT:
And, this is not usually MR. MR is one of the friendliest communites out on the Internet, and you guys are bashing it and mistreating it.
Mac Rules said:
It's a possibility, but so is a 23" iMac one day maybe???
A 2.0 Core Duo MacBook covers a huge majority of people's true portable needs.
Unless you are a traveling professional who MUST have as close to a full desktop replacement as possible, you're better off with a reasonable portable and a serious desktop.
But don't you see? No one here can ACTUALLY help anyone else decide whether to wait or not. It depends on so many personal preferences, finances, and needs. We do NOT know when the next revision will come, what that revision will be, or whether it's worth the wait. It's all speculation that really shouldn't be considered when someone ELSE is making a decision for THEMSELF.FFTT said:
Furthermore, if they DO want to know the speculations and take those into consideration, then they ought to be able to do the work themselves and read the 90138437 other threads already posted to on the same subject. Or read the front page.
The bottom line is that these noobs coming in and posting these twin threads have us repeating ourselves because they are just too lazy to utilize the forum's tools (the buying guide, the main page, the search feature). All the information we could possibly have is already out there - they just need to go find it.
here is how i look at the whole "when to buy" question.
you want product X. you know for a fact that eventually apple will update product X to something faster/better/cooler/yummyer/etc. when will they do this? theoretically, as soon as tomorrow. and as late as, lets say, a year. so between 1 and 365 days from now, product X will be updated. guaranteed.
if you need a machine right now, buy right now and don't look back.
but, if you do not need a machine this second, and if you knew for a fact that it would be updated in 10 days, would you buy a new machine now? probably not. if you knew for a fact that it would be updated in 360 days, would you buy it right now? probably yes, because 360 days is a long way off. where in the middle of 10 and 360 is your tipping point for a purchase? 20 days? 80 days? 200 days? decide this first.
if you do not need a machine right now, then you need to do your research and play the odds: any apple events coming up? any major announcements by 3rd party suppliers to apple? any "invite only" apple press events soon? based on that info, make a guess. my guess is that product x will get an update between 21 and 60 days from now.
then look at your decision of how long you are willing to wait, factor that in with your best guess, and do the math. if you are only willing to wait 20 days for an update, and your best guess is that its going to be longer than that before the update happens, then buy now.
you want product X. you know for a fact that eventually apple will update product X to something faster/better/cooler/yummyer/etc. when will they do this? theoretically, as soon as tomorrow. and as late as, lets say, a year. so between 1 and 365 days from now, product X will be updated. guaranteed.
if you need a machine right now, buy right now and don't look back.
but, if you do not need a machine this second, and if you knew for a fact that it would be updated in 10 days, would you buy a new machine now? probably not. if you knew for a fact that it would be updated in 360 days, would you buy it right now? probably yes, because 360 days is a long way off. where in the middle of 10 and 360 is your tipping point for a purchase? 20 days? 80 days? 200 days? decide this first.
if you do not need a machine right now, then you need to do your research and play the odds: any apple events coming up? any major announcements by 3rd party suppliers to apple? any "invite only" apple press events soon? based on that info, make a guess. my guess is that product x will get an update between 21 and 60 days from now.
then look at your decision of how long you are willing to wait, factor that in with your best guess, and do the math. if you are only willing to wait 20 days for an update, and your best guess is that its going to be longer than that before the update happens, then buy now.
I change my mind about the sticky motto I'd suggested. This is better. Lets make this the sticky. Mods...?shecky said:
I was going to post this in a thread of my own but why make another semi-useless thread....
Ok - i want to buy a macbook for university. I go back to university at the end of september so I need to have it a little before then. Also, taking into account the numerous problems with macbooks, i'm guessing I might have to exchange it once or twice before I'm happy (but hopefully not).
Should I just go ahead and order now? When is the paris expo and should I wait til then? If i do wait til then, will i have enough time to order a macbook and get it in time for when I go university and maybe still have enough time to deal with exchanges? Will they release a new revision by then so that it'll all be fixed and I wont need to exchange?
(The whole "if you can wait then wait" thing doesnt apply to me cos I cant really wait - if i take into account any exchanges that need to be made then I know i should be ordering now)
Any advice? Thanks
Ok - i want to buy a macbook for university. I go back to university at the end of september so I need to have it a little before then. Also, taking into account the numerous problems with macbooks, i'm guessing I might have to exchange it once or twice before I'm happy (but hopefully not).
Should I just go ahead and order now? When is the paris expo and should I wait til then? If i do wait til then, will i have enough time to order a macbook and get it in time for when I go university and maybe still have enough time to deal with exchanges? Will they release a new revision by then so that it'll all be fixed and I wont need to exchange?
(The whole "if you can wait then wait" thing doesnt apply to me cos I cant really wait - if i take into account any exchanges that need to be made then I know i should be ordering now)
Any advice? Thanks
I say buy now Deepy most likely the updates (however substantial they are/are not) will be for the MBPs. The current MB would suit you fine and I say you could order now with no probs Just my opinion
Just my opinionviccles said:I say buy now Deepy most likely the updates (however substantial they are/are not) will be for the MBPs. The current MB would suit you fine and I say you could order now with no probs
Wow quick response! Yeah i'm thinking along the same lines as you. I think I over-think too many things
deepy said:Wow quick response! Yeah i'm thinking along the same lines as you. I think I over-think too many things
Dont worry I over-think things too especially when I have to wait
But I say a MB would be fine to buy now.
Any Major Apple Event usually gives us a new product or an update.
With those product releases, current models and refurbs go on sale.
If you buy knowing the latest updates available, it makes your decision much easier.
Yes they willl get EVEN BETTER in 6-12 months.
We all know that Rev A machines have issues.
You need to know if the current model you're considering has any major issues.
Do your homework.
You have to be honest about your real needs and expectations.
If you really won't be happy with a lesser machine, save for the upgrade.
Buy Third Party RAM and take advantage of Education pricing if you qualify.
With those product releases, current models and refurbs go on sale.
If you buy knowing the latest updates available, it makes your decision much easier.
Yes they willl get EVEN BETTER in 6-12 months.
We all know that Rev A machines have issues.
You need to know if the current model you're considering has any major issues.
Do your homework.
You have to be honest about your real needs and expectations.
If you really won't be happy with a lesser machine, save for the upgrade.
Buy Third Party RAM and take advantage of Education pricing if you qualify.
lilstewart said:Guys, please, please. Stop scaring a n00bie away, really. I've been talking to some people about this thread - and it's just rediculous the way some of you are behaving.
Rediculous. Do we have to go back to "If you don't have to say anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." ~Mommy
EDIT:
And, this is not usually MR. MR is one of the friendliest communites out on the Internet, and you guys are bashing it and mistreating it.
I also propose people learn how to use the spellcheck feature built into some browsers. Anyway, I don't know about MR being one of the friendliest communities out there, but it's certainly one of the most tolerant, and sadly so. So many communities out there with so many repetetive threads would have those threads locked immediately and the user would be instructed to use the tools available to them to get the answers they desire since it is most likely located in an already-existing thread.
At least we're past the buy PPC or Wait for Intel phase.
This has been and will continue to be a bumpy ride over the next few years.
I think it's great that new people know they can get straight answers to their questions coming to MacRumors.
If someone really gets out on line, we'll let them know, but otherwise I try to keep in mind that all of us were noobies at one time or another.
If you would rather spend your time consulting professionals only, then by all means do so.
This has been and will continue to be a bumpy ride over the next few years.
I think it's great that new people know they can get straight answers to their questions coming to MacRumors.
If someone really gets out on line, we'll let them know, but otherwise I try to keep in mind that all of us were noobies at one time or another.
If you would rather spend your time consulting professionals only, then by all means do so.
xfiftyfour said:
Actually, I think the problem here is you and the echo chamber you've got going.
No one is going to say "oh yea, new machine on August 24th, don't buy yet"
We can, however, law out what is known (if you know anything) so that the person asking can make an INFORMED DECISION.* I know that's asking a lot.. for the pissy moaners here to know stuff.
Here's what I know, I hope it's of help.
Merom is the 64bit moble Core processor that everyone is waiting on.* Merom will be a better processor in more than just 64bit integer math.* Unfortunately, if you had been following the news you'd have been able to let everyone know that Merom's max wattage WILL be nearly the same as the current Core Duo (Yonah variety) but the minimum Wattage will be quite a bit more.* This is according to Intel's specs.**
What this means is, if you were considering waiting for a new MacBook Pro to get the better processor.. you should know that the Merom chip will not be as efficient in low power mode.**
In short, it will be faster [computationally] but it will have less battery life since it can't 'spin down' as much, thermally speaking.
Gee, look at that.* I don't know when Apple will rev the laptop either but I had something constructive to offer.* I'm waiting too but I have less reason to wait now.* Sure a MacBook Pro will be more powerful when it eventually revs to Merom but I like to use my laptop as a laptop so I'm not willing wait for Merom.* If I were to require native 64bit math I'd wait but Merom is off the table for me now.
The Core Duo chips are wonderful machines.* I've set up quite a few and we've got a Core Duo iMac in the office and they are great machines.* I don't need a Merom, not even to play games on since the CPU already outstrips the video chip.
How about that.. I had something constructive to say.
P.S.* HMN.. wonder why Leopard's Safari puts asteriks in all over....
We have. Over and over and over and over. The problem is not me or the other members that are sick of repeating ourselves, the problem is that no one goes back and reads older threads. It's easier to create your own and make people bring the information TO you rather than go find it on your own.ffakr said: