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Buy 15" rMBP now or wait until July?

sarakn

sarakn

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 8, 2013
765
46
Hi All,
I've always used a PC and ready to step into the mac world. All the systems I've had have been Dells and I currently have a Dell studio XPS desktop and my XPS 16 laptop is about 3 years old. The laptop is not terrible, but it could be quite slow at times and it's starting to look its age. The metal banding on the frame came loose and I need a butterfly clip to hold it in place. :) This laptop has an intel core 2 duo proc @ 2.8 and 8gb ram and runs windows 7 ultimate.

While I don't play a lot of games, I'm an IT consultant and use resource heavy applications. I also travel weekly and I need something lighter because this beast I currently own is killing my shoulder.

Initially, I read so much about the haswell processor and thought to wait until June/July to purchase, but then is that really wise? What does this new processor even offer that would be worth waiting for?


I was thinking of the 15" rMBP with 16gb RAM, 768 gb storage and 2.8 i7 quad core. I could get the 2.7 which is about $200 less, but at this point with the price being $3200, does that $200 really matter? :rolleyes:
Since I need windows for most clients, I would have to use bootcamp, VMware, or parallels (not sure what's better).

I also need to extra room for movies and such and since I won't have a chance to upgrade, might as well max it out and cry later.

What do you guys suggest - buy now or wait?
 
Last edited:
sarakn

sarakn

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 8, 2013
765
46
It looks like weight will not be a bonus as I just weighed my laptop and it's weighs the same as the mbp - 6.5lbs. oh well.
 
Arnezie

Arnezie

macrumors 65816
Oct 10, 2011
1,317
115
If you have the cash now buy one. If you don't have cash then save up enoufgh to buy it in June
 
sarakn

sarakn

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 8, 2013
765
46
I have the cash now, but wondering if feature-wise, I should buy now or wait.
 
Arnezie

Arnezie

macrumors 65816
Oct 10, 2011
1,317
115
sarakn said:
I have the cash now, but wondering if feature-wise, I should buy now or wait.
Click to expand...

As with most apple products I don't think the next model is going to be mind blowing , some improvements but it isn't going to throw the earth off its axis. I just got mine in December and let me tell you with 16gb of ram this thing will be great for many years, FAST:cool:
 
sarakn

sarakn

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 8, 2013
765
46
Thanks :)

Do you think it's worth getting the 2.8GHz Quad-core proc over the 2.7? It's about $200 more. If the difference is noticeable, I might as well get it and future proof my machine.
 
SilentLoner

SilentLoner

macrumors 65816
Dec 29, 2007
1,065
6
sarakn said:
Thanks :)

Do you think it's worth getting the 2.8GHz Quad-core proc over the 2.7? It's about $200 more. If the difference is noticeable, I might as well get it and future proof my machine.
Click to expand...

Is the 2.7 not quad core?
 
adjeff8

adjeff8

macrumors 6502
Nov 18, 2012
466
4
sarakn said:
Hi All,
I've always used a PC and ready to step into the mac world. All the systems I've had have been Dells and I currently have a Dell studio XPS desktop and my XPS 16 laptop is about 3 years old. The laptop is not terrible, but it could be quite slow at times and it's starting to look its age. The metal banding on the frame came loose and I need a butterfly clip to hold it in place. :) This laptop has an intel core 2 duo proc @ 2.8 and 8gb ram and runs windows 7 ultimate.

While I don't play a lot of games, I'm an IT consultant and use resource heavy applications. I also travel weekly and I need something lighter because this beast I currently own is killing my shoulder.

Initially, I read so much about the haswell processor and thought to wait until June/July to purchase, but then is that really wise? What does this new processor even offer that would be worth waiting for?


I was thinking of the 15" rMBP with 16gb RAM, 768 gb storage and 2.8 i7 quad core. I could get the 2.7 which is about $200 less, but at this point with the price being $3200, does that $200 really matter? :rolleyes:
Since I need windows for most clients, I would have to use bootcamp, VMware, or parallels (not sure what's better).

I also need to extra room for movies and such and since I won't have a chance to upgrade, might as well max it out and cry later.

What do you guys suggest - buy now or wait?
Click to expand...

Here's the thing. The Haswell may or may not be groundbreaking, although I THINK the 50% bump in the GPU will help with the retina performance, but the reason I'm waiting, Haswell or not, is I just won't buy a first generation technology device that is $2,600. And first generation Apple products are notorious, although I think the same is true with the others. Wait buddy, it'll be worth the wait with some bugs worked out, Haswell, the new Wifi technology and perhaps a small drop in the price.
 
CBJammin103

CBJammin103

macrumors regular
Jun 6, 2007
233
56
Louisiana, United States
I know that most people in the "wait for Haswell" camp don't want to hear this, but I have a strong feeling it won't be June or July but more like September or October.

The spec bump this month strengthens that intuition.
 
E

Essenar

macrumors 6502a
Oct 24, 2008
553
186
CBJammin103 said:
I know that most people in the "wait for Haswell" camp don't want to hear this, but I have a strong feeling it won't be June or July but more like September or October.

The spec bump this month strengthens that intuition.
Click to expand...

This.

Don't expect Haswell MacBooks until later this year. Quarter 3 at the earliest, most likely 4.
 
D

divinny

macrumors newbie
Feb 16, 2013
2
0
Well I would recommend you to buy the latest apple products, so wait till july.

I disappointed that my macbook pro 15" 2009 is now very laggy.... (aging very fast) It was an awesome machine back then.
 
T

TheRdungeon

macrumors 6502a
Jul 21, 2011
545
93
divinny said:
Well I would recommend you to buy the latest apple products, so wait till july.

I disappointed that my macbook pro 15" 2009 is now very laggy.... (aging very fast) It was an awesome machine back then.
Click to expand...

You most probably need more RAM is all
 
V

Veradun

macrumors member
Jan 19, 2013
42
0
Sydney, Australia
divinny said:
Well I would recommend you to buy the latest apple products, so wait till july.

I disappointed that my macbook pro 15" 2009 is now very laggy.... (aging very fast) It was an awesome machine back then.
Click to expand...

I doubt the Haswell refresh for the MacBook Pro line will come in July. Take my opinion with a grain of salt, though.

To the OP: The latest, right now, is the early 2013 refresh. If you need the computer now, get it. Further down the track, when Haswell is introduced to the MBP line, your early 2013 rMBP will still be one hell of a computer. Technology moves fast and innovation is never cutting edge for long, but it should cater adequately to your needs for years to come. But if you can afford to wait, and it feels right to you, then wait. What, though, do you feel you need from the next update that the current generation does not have?

For your specs - you could skimp on the processor and go for the base 2.4GHz, with 16GB RAM (you'll need it for the uses you described) and a 512GB SSD. Sure a few hundred dollars relative to the price paid for the laptop is pocket change, but if you look at it by itself, it's $200+ that you could be spending on decent external storage and other accessories. I personally wouldn't store my movie library on my laptop, but to each their own :D

Whichever configuration you go for, you're not going to regret it. The 15" Retina MBP is in a league of its own.
 
maflynn

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,489
43,414
I'd say if you can wait then you may be better served but if you are in more of a immediate need then by all means get one now and enjoy it for the 4+ months :)
 
B

Bambooisland

macrumors newbie
Nov 11, 2009
23
0
Bangkok
There is always a new model around the corner. My advice buy it use it and replace it if you have the feeling it is time to buy a new one. Just what i am doing.
 
sarakn

sarakn

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 8, 2013
765
46
I really don't really need one right now - I have a laptop that still works, and the major problem is cosmetic: the piece of metal that surrounds the laptop came loose and I have to use a butterfly clip to keep it down. LOL
I'm not going to pay even $75 to get it fixed.

I really need to take it one day at a time and try to avoid an impulse buy.

I think it'll totally suck if I hold off for a few months, laptop finally gets damaged or something, I buy the mac and the new one comes out a couple months later. just my luck, right?
 
johnnnw

johnnnw

macrumors 65816
Feb 7, 2013
1,214
21
I'd buy it now, knowing Apple it will just be a small upgrade anyway. Not worth the wait.
 
adjeff8

adjeff8

macrumors 6502
Nov 18, 2012
466
4
CBJammin103 said:
I know that most people in the "wait for Haswell" camp don't want to hear this, but I have a strong feeling it won't be June or July but more like September or October.

The spec bump this month strengthens that intuition.
Click to expand...

You're right. I don't want to hear that. But I am committed. And that .1bump with no price drop just steeled my resolve. Besides, you could be wrong. They may have just given it a Nothing Spec bump because they want to get as many as they can out the door, as the new ones are coming

----------
johnnnw said:
I'd buy it now, knowing Apple it will just be a small upgrade anyway. Not worth the wait.
Click to expand...

Fine. I give up. Get the half baked 1st generation now. You probably don't need a GPU that is more geared to handle the power hungry retina display anyways
 
M

maxosx

macrumors 68020
Dec 13, 2012
2,385
1
Southern California
Waiting for a second generation model is a very smart idea. Forget the specs, it's all the little mistakes they correct and improvements that Apple makes the second time around that are priceless.
 
F

Freyqq

macrumors 601
Dec 13, 2004
4,038
181
maxosx said:
Waiting for a second generation model is a very smart idea. Forget the specs, it's all the little mistakes they correct and improvements that Apple makes the second time around that are priceless.
Click to expand...

This. That's the only reason i'm personally waiting. The specs on the current revision are fine. But, every rev A thing apple makes usually has some glaring issue that is fixed in rev B. This time, it's probably the glued in battery or the image retention issues that'll get ironed out in the next version.
 
K

KPOM

macrumors P6
Oct 23, 2010
18,031
7,872
sarakn said:
It looks like weight will not be a bonus as I just weighed my laptop and it's weighs the same as the mbp - 6.5lbs. oh well.
Click to expand...

:confused: The 15" rMBP weighs 4.5 lbs. The 13" weighs 3.6 lbs.

That said, to your original question, it might not be a bad idea to wait. Haswell will bring a significant improvement to battery life. It will also improve graphics performance (particularly if you are looking at the 13", which uses the Intel integrated graphics only).

----------
johnnnw said:
I'd buy it now, knowing Apple it will just be a small upgrade anyway. Not worth the wait.
Click to expand...

Given that the form factor is 7 months old, you are right that they won't be making radical changes. That said, Haswell itself is a pretty big deal. To use a car analogy, the 2012/early 2013 is like a car with a 200hp gas engine that gets 25mpg. If you know an otherwise identical car with 220hp that gets 40mpg is just 6 months away and will be the same price, or less, would you wait?

----------
sarakn said:
I think it'll totally suck if I hold off for a few months, laptop finally gets damaged or something, I buy the mac and the new one comes out a couple months later. just my luck, right?
Click to expand...

The mobile Haswell chips are due out in June, which implies a July release date for the next MacBook Pro line. That's exactly what happened in 2011 when the Sandy Bridge chips came out.
 
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