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Should I buy the new MBP or wait for snow leopard?

S

shizzie

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 24, 2009
10
0
Title says it all; I'm planning on getting a new MBP 15' for school next semester (this will also be my first Mac), but some of my friends are telling me I should wait, as snow leopard will be released soon.
What would you guys suggest?
 
If by next semester, you the fall, then you're more likely to see machines shipping with Snow Leopard pre-installed. Unless you really need the new laptop by a date certain, I'd wait. Right now that's my plan.
 
If you don't need the computer now, it'll be better to wait; who knows you may pick up a free iPod or something during the summer.
 
Wait, as come September Apple will have the Back To School promotion, so you can pick up a free iPod or whatever it is they'll be giving away this time.

And by then, Snow Leopard should be out, and there is a rumour the 15" MacBook Pro might see an update at WWDC in June and get an OLED screen.
 
If I were you, I'd get a new MBP right now. It's going to be your first Mac, so you may need some time to get used to the new OS and apps. Also, if Snow Leopard is like other major updates, upgrading from Leopard should be easy and straightforward. I bought a MB just before Leopard was released, and I don't regret it. It's up to you, though.
 
Ya like stated before either buy now this instant because anything from now until the release of mobile Nehalem chips will not be worth the wait IMO.

If you don't need it till this fall, then you can either choose to buy around september and get a free iPod or wait till november/december(ish) when we may see a pretty significant update to Nehalem based processors.
 
I don't really need the laptop immediately, although I am talking some online classes this summer before I go to my university, I have another pc I could do them on.
If I was to buy one now, how much would it cost to update to snow leopard when it comes out? That’s my only major concern.
 
shizzie said:
I don't really need the laptop immediately, although I am talking some online classes this summer before I go to my university, I have another pc I could do them on.
If I was to buy one now, how much would it cost to update to snow leopard when it comes out? That’s my only major concern.
Click to expand...

As a student, you can pick it up at a huge discount ($10-20) or free depending on your school's deal with apple.

Normally, the retail price is 129$. Student discount i think would drop it down to 69$ at certain apple store. Check with your school's book store they should let you know.

As for buying. I suggest waiting til last min, you never know what can come out in the next 6 months, plus the Apple's usual Education sale coming soon.
 
I would not just wait for Snow Leopard. We haven't heard any recent rumors about release date. It could be October or November for all we know.

I would wait based on the latest rumors for a June MBP update. It could be really worth the wait, as I would assume the new MBP will have the new battery. In my opinion, any speed bump updates would be minor, but nearly doubling the battery life would be big news. A lot of people have bought the 17" MBP just for the extended battery power.

Definitely worth the wait, definitely. I would be shocked if the next 15" MBPs and MBAs don't have the new battery tech. It's a real advantage to buy the high end MBP over MB. Maybe even the MB would get it???

Anyone out there think the next MBP update does not include new battery tech?
 
If you need a computer and can't hold off, get one now. You have options to resell and upgrade later. You might be best thinking about hardware, rather than OS - current MBPs will run Snow Leopard fine so you could just upgrade. However,there is potential for a serious improvement due to the move from Penryn to Nehalem - we're waiting on Clarksfield announcements and Arrandale announcements - one summer time, one autumn. Apple will be lkely providing more optimal hardware soon - 3.0 BT to interact with the future iPhone, for example, better graphics capability for GCD etc.
 
I guess I'll wait, I dont really need one till i go back to my university anyway. I just hope this money doesnt burn a hole in my pocket before then >.>.
 
I would get it now if I needed it and then just upgrade when snow leopard comes out. :)
 
Remember, first versions of an OS typically have lots of issues anyway. I got Leopard the weekend it came out, and there were a few headaches being an early adopter. Being 10.5.6 now, it's a much more mature OS and 3rd party vendors have had plenty of time to update by now. So you might not even want SL right when it first comes out (I think I'll probably wait for reviews and at least a .3 or so update).
 
packgrad2000 said:
So you might not even want SL right when it first comes out (I think I'll probably wait for reviews and at least a .3 or so update).
Click to expand...

That's what I would like to do but temptation and excitement will probably get to me and I'll probably end up being a early adopter again.
 
Scottsdale said:
In my opinion, any speed bump updates would be minor, but nearly doubling the battery life would be big news. A lot of people have bought the 17" MBP just for the extended battery power.
Click to expand...
I'm also thinking a significant HDD bump and new GPUs.
 
Could OLED and Nehalem be a possibility for MBP at the WWDC, or do you think these would be completely out of the question?

The last keynote in January did say, quote, "the best was yet to come".
 
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