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TEDNATION · Feb 27, 2008, 09:24 PM

If you just bought a mac before the upgrade read this through the end...

After a long debate on when would be the best time to buy a mac, I finally took the plunge three weeks ago figuring there wouldn't be any updates in the near future. Low and behold, they come out with the new upgrades just yesterday. Reading this in the news made me furial! I started doing some research and found out about the 14 day return policy and 10% restocking fee. I bought the middle of the road macbook, and now for the same price I could have a 40G larger hard drive, double the memory, and a better processor. Needless to say I left work pretty pissed...if only I'd waited right?

But wait, there is hope! After moping around and looking up news about the upgrade, some people were mad since they just made a purchase and other people were getting even more mad saying they should expect it, technology is ever changing. Well none of this made me feel any better. Until finally, I came across a post by a Mark Kruckenberg a couple years ago saying shortly after buying a macbook pro, the same computer was discounted $500. He called and was granted a $500 credit!

SO, thinking it was a long shot, I finally called up apple, gave them my order number, and they said I had two options:
1) I could return my laptop (even tho it was 1 week past the 14 day return policy) and pay the restocking fee of 10% and then buy a new laptop.
2) I could be given $150 store credit.

Both of these options made me feel a lot better about the whole situation; now I'm just trying to figure out which one to do...spend another $120 plus shipping on a better computer or get $150 in apple store credit that I would have no need for...suggestions?

Post Script - The main reason for this post is so that those who just purchased their macs before the upgrade can breathe a sigh of relief as this is a bit of a consolation...

mduell · Feb 27, 2008, 10:32 PM

Keep what you have... you found it to be an equitable exchange for goods for cash when you bought it, and a new model coming out a few weeks later doesn't change that.

People like you annoy me, claiming they've been somehow slighted because a company dare drop a price or improve a spec some time after they purchased a product.

TEDNATION · Feb 27, 2008, 10:49 PM

I claimed I was slighted? News to me. I was merely venting my frustration about the update coming so soon after I had made the purchase. Obviously SOMEONE has to be the last one to purchase a product right before it is updated, I was just hoping it wasn't me.

Post - Still cant believe Apple pulled a fast one on me like that...

Post post - kidding

Xarthan · Feb 28, 2008, 12:02 AM

heh seems like the iphone price drop all over again.

If you want the new models return it, otherwise if you're happy with urs then take the 150

icruise · Feb 28, 2008, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by mduell

People like you annoy me.

I think you may want to reread your post. Did you intend it to sound that confrontational? I don't see anything in what the original poster said to indicate that he was blaming Apple -- just that he was upset that he bought a computer just before the line was refreshed. That is understandable, especially since most people (myself included) were not expecting a MacBook refresh so soon.

As for what he should do, there's really nothing in the new MacBooks that makes it worth paying a restocking fee to get them, so I would definitely take the store credit.

Simon · Feb 28, 2008, 03:04 AM

Originally Posted by TEDNATION

After a long debate on when would be the best time to buy a mac, I finally took the plunge three weeks ago figuring there wouldn't be any updates in the near future.

Well that was a very bad call. I and many others here would have been able to tell you that MBP updates were imminent.

I'm surprised Apple budged at all. I would have reminded you of the 14 day period and wished you a nice day.

icruise · Feb 28, 2008, 03:21 AM

He didn't buy a MacBook Pro, though. He bought a MacBook, and I think the MacBook update came as a surprise to most.

mduell · Feb 28, 2008, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by TEDNATION

I claimed I was slighted? News to me. I was merely venting my frustration about the update coming so soon after I had made the purchase. Obviously SOMEONE has to be the last one to purchase a product right before it is updated, I was just hoping it wasn't me.

I interpreted your whiny three paragraph diatribe about being "pretty pissed" that the line was updated as feeling slighted.

Feel bad about the purchase if you must, but don't whine about it.

ort888 · Feb 28, 2008, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by TEDNATION

Reading this in the news made me furial!

Super furial?

msuper69 · Feb 28, 2008, 02:27 PM

I always purchase a new Mac just after the latest models are intro'd. That's the only way to stay ahead of the update curve and even then it's just a matter of months before another round of updates.

But you can always keep waiting for the next update. That way you never have to spend any money and you won't "get burned". Of course, you'll never get a new Mac either.

Christopera · Feb 28, 2008, 02:37 PM

The nature of the industry is one that promotes the constant evolution and revolution of computer hardware and software. Do your research, hope you are lucky, or be satisfied with what you own. If you choose a computer that fits your needs you will most likely be happy with it even if it isn't state of the art.

ort888 · Feb 28, 2008, 03:05 PM

Seriously. I always wait until new models are released. That's the only time I buy.

If you pay close attention to the cycles, Apple is actually somewhat predictable.

Mac Buyer's Guide: Know When to Buy Your Mac, iPod or iPhone

This page is pretty useful in keeping track of when to buy.

phoenix78 · Feb 29, 2008, 06:53 AM

Reading around here or on another mac site that has a 'buyers guide' is a good way to keep in touch with release rumours.

Even this update is a tough one because there is gonna be another bigger update to intel's processor line. I was about to purchase now but happened to read some of the new info that came out. I can wait so i will...

If its just a few months of waiting for a revision then you should wait... it aint that long to wait for something you will have for at least a few years (3..4 yrs?). Paying full price for something that you know will be outdated very soon is just silly.

the MB update was a surprise... but if you can get the new one then do so. It implements the SSE4 instruction set so yeah it has a benefit... plus it has the new trackpad.

msuper69 · Feb 29, 2008, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by phoenix78

Reading around here or on another mac site that has a 'buyers guide' is a good way to keep in touch with release rumours.

...
the MB update was a surprise... but if you can get the new one then do so. It implements the SSE4 instruction set so yeah it has a benefit... plus it has the new trackpad.

Umm, the MB does not have the new trackpad if you are referring to multi-touch.

Zeeb · Feb 29, 2008, 04:49 PM

Whenever you are thinking of updating any apple hardware you should check out macrumors.com and click on the buyers guide. You'll find a list of Apple hardware, when the last update was for each product, and the average time between updates. The site give a suggestion to buy or wait based upon this information and I've found it very useful. Now, its not perfect and won't give you the *exact* date that a piece of hardware will be released(in fact you can wait for several weeks past the average refresh rate) -- but at least gives you enough info to determine whether or not a refresh is imminent.

JoshuaZ · Feb 29, 2008, 09:47 PM

I think most 'average' consumers don't really care or notice when new stuff is introduced by Apple. If you're a 'nerd' or 'geek' when it comes to computers I guess it matters for you then. In that case you should follow the rumor sites and online info before buying. But really, this latest update isn't all that super totally awesome, so I really can't see there being too much complaining.

Eriamjh · Mar 2, 2008, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by ort888

Super furial?

C'Mon! He's being serial!!

(I was thinking the same thing!)

TEDNATION · Mar 5, 2008, 05:25 PM

hahaha...nice catch

Big Mac · 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

I think most 'average' consumers don't really care or notice when new stuff is introduced by Apple. If you're a 'nerd' or 'geek' when it comes to computers I guess it matters for you then. In that case you should follow the rumor sites and online info before buying. But really, this latest update isn't all that super totally awesome, so I really can't see there being too much complaining.

Even non tech types don't like to feel like they unwittingly bought old merchandise. The lesson is, pay attention to the Mac Rumors' Buyer's Guide and even then be prepared for unexpected updates or prolonged waits (as in the case of this MacBook revision and the Mac Pro revision, respectively).