[samiller99]

I am a college student who is feed up with my Gateway and windows 2000. I am going to buy a 12" powerbook before i go back to school. I get an educational discount, but my question is should I wait until the end of the summer to the powerbook or does it really not matter? Any new technology coming out in the next couple of months or does apple have back to school packages? Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks

[cambro]

As always, you should wait until you really need a new machine before jumping in.

If you aren't going to have a real need for a PB this summer, wait. Your money will go further in the fall. If you would like to do some work on the machine this summer, then don't wait, especially if you find a good deal.

[Kesey]

Apple does usually run a back to school promotion. Last year they had a Bundle - Mac/iPod($50 I think)/Printer (Free after rebate).

I purchased a Powerbook with the edu discount ebay'd the iPod I paid $50 for (since I already had one) as well as the free printer.

If you don't need it until next semester, I'd wait for back to school time. If you can't wait, you may pay a little more (Apple's prices do not change drastically), but nothing major will happen in the 12" line between now and September if that is your main concern.

[Switched2Mac]

I highly doubt you will see the G5 in any PowerBooks anytime soon.

Therefore, it comes down to 2 choices:

1. Wait until the week before you have to go back to school to purchase.
2. Purchase now.

Pros for #1:

- you can get the latest Powerbook available, assuming there is a speedbump soon.
- gives you more time to look for deals or rethink your decision (i.e. maybe get a iMac instead)

Cons for #1:

- you will have less time to familiarize yourself with OS X and the PowerBook before school starts.
- any problems might force you to return it for repair just when you need it the most.
- at best, a minor G4 speedbump for the PowerBooks coming up, is it worth waiting? Only you can decide.
- waiting sucks.

Pros for #2:

- you will have more time to master OS X and the Powerbook before school starts
- you will have more time to sell your gateway before school starts

Cons for #2:

- you will miss any speedbumps in the PowerBook line between now and school.


Your decision. And you may be an OS X/Mac veteran, in which case, you can ignore some of the bullets above.

Let us know what you decide!

[Tomster]

Wait until the last minute! Reason? Apple usually has some incredible back to school specials! I think the last one was $200 off an iPod +free printer(after rebate) + double ram for $40. I don't know how, but my cousin got them to toss in Applecare for free too.