Now we're into 2013, is it worth buying a 2012 MBP?

NattyE · Jan 2, 2013, 04:43 PM

It will be my first Apple computer, I just don't want to buy one if a new one is just around the corner...

GGJstudios · Jan 2, 2013, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NattyE

It will be my first Apple computer, I just don't want to buy one if a new one is just around the corner...

I recommend you buy what you need, when you need it. It's a pointless effort to chase the "next update", since you don't know for certain what it will include or when it will be, and there will always be a "next update" coming, no matter when you buy.

Scepticalscribe · Jan 2, 2013, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GGJstudios

I recommend you buy what you need, when you need it. It's a pointless effort to chase the "next update", since you don't know for certain what it will include or when it will be, and there will always be a "next update" coming, no matter when you buy.

Exactly.

If you need a computer, buy it - and buy the best you can afford at that time, something which will serve to fill your computing needs and possibly, also serve to future-proof it, to some extent. If, however, you merely want a computer, that's different, and you can afford to wait.

However, to try to second guess what the 'the next update' will bring is counter-productive and will probably just frustrate you. This is because the nature of technological evolution means that there is always going to be a 'nest update' which will make whatever computer you have seem outdated, irrespective of when you bought it.

jfriedman8 · Jan 2, 2013, 05:22 PM

Definitely buy if you need. You can always go refurb too.

old-wiz · Jan 2, 2013, 06:49 PM

there is always another generation of chips coming....
Latest speculation for Intel on Haswell is Q2/Q3 2013. It could be may, it could be october.

If the current one fits your needs and you need/want one buy one.

isephmusic · Jan 2, 2013, 11:31 PM

i bought my 15 inch 2 months ago and i dont see it being outdated anytime soon im getitng so much use out of this baby i freaking love it it serves me so well all this time im wondering how i had windows for so damn long

elpmas · Jan 3, 2013, 12:51 AM

Honestly, I don't see it being refreshed for another 5 to 6 months...so if you can wait that long, go for it. If not, buy one that will suit you until then, then sell it off to buy a new one. Losing out a few bucks, but it's worth it if you need it.

NattyE · Jan 3, 2013, 06:21 AM

Wow that was a fairly uniform response! Thanks guys

I spoke with my Uncle last night who develops for Apple and he reckons the next "upgrade" will be incremental with big changes coming in 2014. So I think I will buy one with no regrets knowing this.

Thanks for your help

iPhysicist · Jan 3, 2013, 06:42 AM

... with one expectation. Never ever try to future proof an electronic device by upgrades you do not need (processor bump and biggest ssd). Its simply not worth the money.

Fed · Jan 3, 2013, 08:49 AM

Assuming you're after the non-Retina model, I'd say buy now. If anything, an update will bring a slightly better GFX card and processor bump. For most people, the difference will be negligible. Speaking as someone with a 13" MBP from 2012, after putting in an SSD and some more RAM - the thing is literally flying. And that's with just two cores. Imagine what it would be like with 4...

old-wiz · Jan 3, 2013, 09:05 AM

I'm guessing that by 2014 all the Macbooks will be retina. Maybe even SSD only.

paulrbeers · Jan 3, 2013, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fed

Assuming you're after the non-Retina model, I'd say buy now. .

...because there may not be another Non-Retina model after the 2013 update.

designs216 · Jan 3, 2013, 10:17 AM

I just bought the classic refurb and have been very pleased with it. If you can wait, then the prices of the refurbs may drop a bit more after the refresh. If you need it now, it is an awesome machine -- buy it with no regrets.

NattyE · Jan 3, 2013, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fed

Assuming you're after the non-Retina model, I'd say buy now. If anything, an update will bring a slightly better GFX card and processor bump. For most people, the difference will be negligible. Speaking as someone with a 13" MBP from 2012, after putting in an SSD and some more RAM - the thing is literally flying. And that's with just two cores. Imagine what it would be like with 4...

Yer I was thinking I might put some extra RAM in it after a little while and it is the non-Retina model I am after, I can't do without a disc drive just yet

Quote:

Originally Posted by designs216

I just bought the classic refurb and have been very pleased with it. If you can wait, then the prices of the refurbs may drop a bit more after the refresh. If you need it now, it is an awesome machine -- buy it with no regrets.

I will have educational discount when I start my new job (I hope) as I will be doing a master degree part time so refurbs aren't too much of an issue to get the price down.

MagicWok · Jan 3, 2013, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iPhysicist

... with one expectation. Never ever try to future proof an electronic device by upgrades you do not need (processor bump and biggest ssd). Its simply not worth the money.

Hmm not sure I'd agree on that. For desktops, maybe, as parts are user serviceable. It of course depends on the type of upgrade on offer and what a person needs the computer for.

Laptops (ignoring the newer Retina MBP's) have two thing that's soldered on, the CPU and Graphics Card. The memory and hard disk are generally user-serviceable and much cheaper to upgrade post purchase and can expand with time.

I bought the best CPU and Graphics combination I could for my MBP in 2009, and upgraded the memory and HDD along the way myself and it's still running like a champ. The Retina MBP's complicate matters, being that basically nothing is -easily- upgradable.

dacreativeguy · Jan 3, 2013, 02:43 PM

Try to buy an Apple refurb. If you get the same 2012 model for a cheaper price, it will lessen the blow of the inevitable new models.

Jan 2, 2013, 04:43 PM	#1
NattyE macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2012	Now we're into 2013, is it worth buying a 2012 MBP? It will be my first Apple computer, I just don't want to buy one if a new one is just around the corner...
	0

Jan 2, 2013, 05:22 PM	#4
jfriedman8 macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2008	Definitely buy if you need. You can always go refurb too. __________________ 2012 Mac Mini; i7 2TB HDD 8GB 2012 MacBook Pro Retina 15" 2.3 i7 256GB 8GB 2012 MacBook Air 13" i5 128GB 4GB iPad Mini: 32 GB Black - iPhone 5: 32GB Black
	0

Jan 3, 2013, 12:51 AM	#7
elpmas macrumors 68000 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Where the fresh snow don't go.	Honestly, I don't see it being refreshed for another 5 to 6 months...so if you can wait that long, go for it. If not, buy one that will suit you until then, then sell it off to buy a new one. Losing out a few bucks, but it's worth it if you need it. __________________ 13" Macbook Pro '10 27" iMac i5 TV3 iPhone 5 32gb
	1

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Jan 2, 2013, 06:49 PM	#5
old-wiz macrumors 603 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Suburban Boston Ma	there is always another generation of chips coming.... Latest speculation for Intel on Haswell is Q2/Q3 2013. It could be may, it could be october. If the current one fits your needs and you need/want one buy one.
	0

Jan 2, 2013, 11:31 PM	#6
isephmusic macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2012	i bought my 15 inch 2 months ago and i dont see it being outdated anytime soon im getitng so much use out of this baby i freaking love it it serves me so well all this time im wondering how i had windows for so damn long
	0

Jan 3, 2013, 06:21 AM	#8
NattyE Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2012	Wow that was a fairly uniform response! Thanks guys I spoke with my Uncle last night who develops for Apple and he reckons the next "upgrade" will be incremental with big changes coming in 2014. So I think I will buy one with no regrets knowing this. Thanks for your help
	0

Jan 3, 2013, 06:42 AM	#9
iPhysicist macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Dresden	... with one expectation. Never ever try to future proof an electronic device by upgrades you do not need (processor bump and biggest ssd). Its simply not worth the money.
	0

Jan 3, 2013, 08:49 AM	#10
Fed macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Cheshire, England	Assuming you're after the non-Retina model, I'd say buy now. If anything, an update will bring a slightly better GFX card and processor bump. For most people, the difference will be negligible. Speaking as someone with a 13" MBP from 2012, after putting in an SSD and some more RAM - the thing is literally flying. And that's with just two cores. Imagine what it would be like with 4...
	0

Jan 3, 2013, 09:05 AM	#11
old-wiz macrumors 603 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Suburban Boston Ma	I'm guessing that by 2014 all the Macbooks will be retina. Maybe even SSD only.
	0

Jan 3, 2013, 10:17 AM	#13
designs216 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: On the way to M-83	I just bought the classic refurb and have been very pleased with it. If you can wait, then the prices of the refurbs may drop a bit more after the refresh. If you need it now, it is an awesome machine -- buy it with no regrets.
	0

Jan 3, 2013, 02:43 PM	#16
dacreativeguy macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2007	Try to buy an Apple refurb. If you get the same 2012 model for a cheaper price, it will lessen the blow of the inevitable new models.
	0