16” MacBook Pro 24/2 buy now or wait?

[musicmachine]

Buy now or wait until back to school promotion for free AirPods? Worried price is going to go up. $179 off app3 is what I was initially waiting on plus education discount. But since Microsoft and Samsung just raised prices I’m thinking about going ahead now just in case Apple does the same.

 

[steve217]

The question is: will the AirPods cost more than the price increase of the MBP?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Ya rolls the dice, ya takes yer chances.

 

[musicmachine]

Considering the $280 increase in the 1TB S11 Ultra, while the 512GB model only saw an $80 hike, it might be an ideal time to make a purchase. However, if Apple only raises the price by $100, it might be prudent to wait. It seems that the higher-tier storage options are experiencing substantial price increases, and the 2TB option would be particularly hard hit if they do. Since I already own the app2, I don’t think it’s worth the risk just to get the app3. I could get by with the 1TB, but I’m trying to future-proof myself for the next 5-7 years with the 2TB. I guess I’m seeking some validation. Talk me into it or out of it.

 

[Biro]

I could get by with the 1TB, but I’m trying to future-proof myself for the next 5-7 years with the 2TB. I guess I’m seeking some validation. Talk me into it or out of it.

That’s pretty much where I am. I’m about to pull the trigger on a 16-inch MacBook Pro. I could go for a standard build with 18-core M5 Pro chip, 48 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. I’m sure I could get by with that. But, like you, I’m now thinking in terms of 5-7 years before replacement rather than 3-5 years. So, for $600 more, I can buy the same MBP with 64 GB of RAM and 2 TB of storage. On a purchase that already passes the $3000 mark, that’s not that much more money. But, on the other hand, it’s always just a few hundred dollars more with Apple, isn’t it? 😉

EDIT: I went to the Apple store today. It turns out the 64GB/2TB build that I was thinking about would take at least a month to get. I had a long, friendly conversation with three employees about whether it was worth waiting for the device. All three, who seemed to know what they were talking about and understand what I was seeking, thought I would be overpaying for specs I’m am not likely to use. They all see the 48GB/1TB build as a 7-year-plus machine. So that’s the one I walked out of the store with. BTW, I have a Mac Studio with a 1 TB SSD. It has more than 10-thousand photos on it - and another 10-thousand songs… plus documents. I haven’t even written over 256 GB on the SSD yet. It was time to stop imagining I need much more than I really do. Hope this helps with the OP’s decision.

 

[StrollerEd]

One downside of investing in a long-term machine is that the itch to upgrade does not go away .... 😉

PS I've finally persuaded myself that I don't need, & therefore should not want, a 16in M5 MacBook Pro, as my current 'future-proof' 16in M1Max 32GB 1TB, which I bought in October 2021, is still more than sufficient, although with occasional frustration on storage and 82% battery health (after > 1,000 cycles). A new battery and I think I'll manage to put balm on the itch but know it will return at the next launch.

 

[musicmachine]

Sure glad I upgraded before price hike. Would have cost me $400 more if I waited. 😳