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tkmd · May 23, 2008, 09:34 AM

In lieu of the up coming macworld, my sister needs to pick up a notebook and is considering a MB. I get the feeling that this MW is going to be about the iphone, but I'm not entirely sure and I dont want her first mac experience to be somewhat regretful. I thought I would ask the professionals here about your thoughts, considering that MW is a week or two away....

Thanks

OnTheKeys · May 23, 2008, 09:37 AM

This is a good website for this:

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

davidbk1 · May 23, 2008, 10:33 AM

FWIW: I'm ready to upgrade my 5 year old PB and I'll be holding off for WWDC. It's just a couple weeks away, well worth the wait in my opinion. If no announcements are made, then I'm not sure what I'll do.

tkmd · May 23, 2008, 10:38 AM

I thought maybe the MB will get LED lighting and multitouch. Being a mac fan since Jobs return, I think that it wont happen. He's pushing this iphone to hard.

MacosNerd · May 23, 2008, 10:42 AM

Being that WWDC is so close, I'd say its safest to hold off any major Apple purchases until then.

mduell · May 23, 2008, 12:46 PM

I don't expect an update until the second half of the year... but it could be a major one. The last bump was very very minor.

TribeLeader · May 24, 2008, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by davidbk1

FWIW: I'm ready to upgrade my 5 year old PB and I'll be holding off for WWDC. It's just a couple weeks away, well worth the wait in my opinion. If no announcements are made, then I'm not sure what I'll do.

I'm in the same boat. I'm planning to wait, too.

The thing that made my decision hard is that I could've used the education discount. But since I'm graduating in a couple hours, time is running out!

I'm not desperate to upgrade, and I'm willing to wait a few/several months, especially if the next version is possibly going to be a significant bump.

Krusty · Jun 1, 2008, 05:34 PM

I don't know where you guys live, but there are a lot of states (including mine) that have a tax free holidays the first week of August. I plan to buy something by that time: either a new MacBook if they have been updated with compelling advantages over the current line (e.g. LED screen or actual graphics card as an option) OR a refurbed 2.2 or 2.4 white if there is no significant change.

bbales · Jun 4, 2008, 08:46 AM

My daughter is going to college in the fall, and we're getting her a MacBook. First we were waiting for the back to school special, and then I said, we may as well just wait until after the conference.

So -- may not be anything, but at this point it's so close, she's fine with waiting. (Even while she's chomping at the bit to get that computer!)

Several of her friends got their MCs right after graduation -- if they'd have just waited a week or so they could have had a free ipod.

sartor · Jun 4, 2008, 12:47 PM

Homer:
"Mmmmm Free iPod... " ;-)

buckaroo2008 · Jun 10, 2008, 12:33 AM

i too am wondering about the right time to buy a macbook. i will be heading to college in the fall and would like to have a little time to get a grip on my new computer before i head off to school (this will be my first mac). can you please tell me when wwdc is. also how long the free ipod promotion will be lasting. thanks

Nodnarb · Jun 10, 2008, 07:04 AM

WWDC is this week--- Jobs' speech was yesterday.

Get the macbook w/ the free iPod now, and learn to use it over the summer.

mduell · Jun 10, 2008, 12:42 PM

We're about 3 months from the average MacBook replacement cycle... I'd say buy now and take or eBay the free iTouch.

bbales · Jun 11, 2008, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by mduell

We're about 3 months from the average MacBook replacement cycle... I'd say buy now and take or eBay the free iTouch.

My daughter and I are discussing this -- I knew it was early, but were hoping for updating Macbooks this week. She'll go to college in the fall, so we waited for the offer, and then for this week.

Now I guess we're going to wait until August, just to see. We don't want to go too far into August, b/c she would like to get it all set up before heading for school. But as she said, while it would be nice to have now, she can just use mine (thanks!) and see what develops. I know iMacs were released early in August last year (I have one), so we're loosing using that timing.

mduell · Jun 11, 2008, 06:34 PM

A MacBook upgrade before the usual cycle is very unlikely. The new chipset is delayed, so the MBP can't move to it until July (more likely August based on Apple's history), so the MB won't be upgraded until after the back to school rush (perhaps Sept, more likely Oct/Nov).

bbales · Jun 12, 2008, 01:27 PM

I was thinking you are correct, Mduell. We may just go ahead and get it in the near future. Then she can get it all set up and use it this summer.

steve666 · Jun 12, 2008, 11:54 PM

Why on earth doesnt Apple make a Macbook with a bigger screen!?
I would buy one right now if it had a 15 inch screen. Apple is the only company without a reasonably priced decent sized screen. Heck, the old iBook came in 14"

Beweglich · Jun 13, 2008, 01:28 AM

I have this funny feeling there will be no upgrades until after the iPod promotion ends. They use that not only to get students to buy macbooks but also to clear out stock to start selling a new model. So no new macbooks till Oct probably!

MacosNerd · Jun 13, 2008, 06:11 AM

Since WWDC didn't offer any upgrades to any Mac line, I'd say that its as safe as its ever going to be to buy one.

If the computer is for school, though I'd still wait so the purchase is closer to the actual beginning of the session.

mduell · Jun 13, 2008, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by MacosNerd

Since WWDC didn't offer any upgrades to any Mac line, I'd say that its as safe as its ever going to be to buy one.

Was anyone realistically expecting any?

@pplejaxkz · Jun 13, 2008, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

Was anyone realistically expecting any?

I know I wasn't.

----------------
I think it's an ok time to purchase a Macbook. They have fairly decent specs and a great student discount.

Homer:
"Mmmmm Free iPod... " ;-)

Also another perk if you were to purchase now.

kenna · Jun 13, 2008, 02:53 PM

I bought a BlackBook today, can't say I think i'm going to live to regret it either, look at my thread as there is plenty of good advice there also.

I think an update will be post September and thats fine with me, I like the current design and prefer something that has ironed most of its fixable problems out rather than get something new with faults anyways.

New designs are always great though.

Can't wait to be a Mac owner, hopefully be delivered in the next week

@pplejaxkz · Jun 14, 2008, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by kenna

I bought a BlackBook today, can't say I think i'm going to live to regret it either, look at my thread as there is plenty of good advice there also.

I think an update will be post September and thats fine with me, I like the current design and prefer something that has ironed most of its fixable problems out rather than get something new with faults anyways.

New designs are always great though.

Can't wait to be a Mac owner, hopefully be delivered in the next week

Welcome to the Apple family! I know it can be hard playing the "waiting game."

bbales · Jun 14, 2008, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by @pplejaxkz

I know I wasn't.

----------------
I think it's an ok time to purchase a Macbook. They have fairly decent specs and a great student discount.

Also another perk if you were to purchase now.

I'm using an original mini. I'm claiming the iPod, believe me!
We may order tomorrow.

JoeDubbs · Jun 14, 2008, 08:24 PM

I just purchased a black Macbook as well Friday night. I'm really looking forward to it, my current iBook has treated me well for the past 3 years - I got it my sophomore year in college - yea it was an iBook G4 so I'm looking forward to the boost in performance all around.

@pplejaxkz · Jun 15, 2008, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by JoeDubbs

I just purchased a black Macbook as well Friday night. I'm really looking forward to it, my current iBook has treated me well for the past 3 years - I got it my sophomore year in college - yea it was an iBook G4 so I'm looking forward to the boost in performance all around.

Glad to hear, I am excited for you!

I'm using an original mini. I'm claiming the iPod, believe me!
We may order tomorrow.

*cough* ORDER *cough*

kenna · Jun 15, 2008, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by @pplejaxkz

Welcome to the Apple family! I know it can be hard playing the "waiting game."

Thanks!! Its been so long waiting and waiting and waiting to purchase, been over a year!! haha but i'm glad i've made this decision now, I think its come at the right time and with everyones advice on here I believe i've made a good decision, or the best decision possible ,without hindsight, ofcourse.

So it's a question of fingers crossed and hopefully all will be okay with my MacBook!!

Have you been happy with all your Apple products??? Must say my first Gen Nano has never had any problems and I use it regularly. Impressive.

bbales · Jun 15, 2008, 05:59 PM

We just ordered the black book. I wanted to get the white, as it IS $200 cheaper. But my daughter wanted the bigger hard drive (mostly she just really wanted the black) and she DID get awarded a hefty scholarship, so I relented. She's pretty darn excited. and so am I.

steve666 · Jun 15, 2008, 11:11 PM

I keep praying Apple comes out with a macbook with a larger screen. I dont understand why they insist on only offering a 13 inch screen. If they made a 14 or 15 incher for a couple hundred bucks more I'd be all over it like white on rice.

Simon · Jun 16, 2008, 02:12 AM

Originally Posted by steve666

I keep praying Apple comes out with a macbook with a larger screen. I dont understand why they insist on only offering a 13 inch screen. If they made a 14 or 15 incher for a couple hundred bucks more I'd be all over it like white on rice.

Then get a refurb 15". At $1699 it's just $200 more expensive than a BlackBook.

steve666 · Jun 16, 2008, 09:42 AM

But $400 more than a white macbook. At 1700 with tax and applecare its well over 2 grand.
It would be nice to know what Apple has in store for the macbook. Wish they would come out with the new version soon.
I have to also consider the iMac-its reasonably priced but I got used to using a laptop as my main computer so I would still prefer it over the iMac.

Simon · Jun 16, 2008, 01:57 PM

Tax and AppleCare apply to both.

Originally Posted by steve666

If they made a 14 or 15 incher for a couple hundred bucks more I'd be all over it like white on rice.

They do.

The refurb 15" is just $400 ("a couple hundred") more expensive than even the white MB and it offers so much more than just the larger screen. A while ago they even had low-end 15" refurbs for $1499. Now if $1499 is not close enough to a 15" MB for you, you might as well leave Apple, because it aint getting any better than that.

steve666 · Jun 16, 2008, 08:54 PM

I checked the refurbs and the cheapest I saw was $1699.

Simon · Jun 17, 2008, 02:03 AM

Keep checking. A while back they had $1499 2.2 GHz 15" MBPs. That was the last generation's entry level model. At that price ist was a great deal - especially for people looking for a "MB with a larger screen".

steve666 · Jun 17, 2008, 09:49 AM

Will do

elvis2000 · Jun 19, 2008, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by steve666

Will do

Check regularly / often. I just bought a previous gen black Macbook 2.2 for $1049. It appeared, then disappreared, in minutes. Same for the sub-$1500 MBP's. They don't last long, but come back often.

steve666 · Jun 19, 2008, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by elvis2000

Check regularly / often. I just bought a previous gen black Macbook 2.2 for $1049. It appeared, then disappreared, in minutes. Same for the sub-$1500 MBP's. They don't last long, but come back often.

OK, I will check back. I may end up waiting for the next generation macbooks to see what they are like. I downloaded the songs last night from itunes and I am going to burn them onto a CD so the iPod can really wait for now.