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Apple Introduces New MacBook Upgrade Program for Business Partners

jeffmetanna said:
FYI, when you actually go through the application process from CIT Bank (linked from this article), it says the minimum amount financed is $10,000. Also, you'd likely need to have a TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) meaning you'd need to be incorporated.
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Tins/eins can be requested by anyone on the irs website.
 
Are you essentially financing this, where you would own the MacBook at the end? Or is it a lease where you would turn in your MacBook at X number of years for the latest model and just keep paying the same monthly rate? And does this show up on your credit as a loan?
 
coolerkid said:
Are you essentially financing this, where you would own the MacBook at the end? Or is it a lease where you would turn in your MacBook at X number of years for the latest model and just keep paying the same monthly rate? And does this show up on your credit as a loan?
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assuming its like the iphone upgrade program, you are financing it, with the option to upgrade (trade in) after a certain amount of time or continue to pay it off
 
webkit said:
Two years ago, a 16" MacBook Pro started at $2,399 which would be $72/month under this program. If we assume the device is worth at least $1,000 (?) wholesale/trade today, the company would've ended up having spent $1,399 net or $58/month. The balance is interest and other costs of $336. $336 interest on a 2 year $2,399 loan is about 13% APR.
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Actually makes it a great deal if it means you can upgrade as often as you want after every 90 days. Can't see any details anywhere though.
 
adamjackson said:
Usually when I mention the $350 a month, people scoff and say "That's $4200 a year. you're insane!" but in my annual 'cost to be a fanboy' post, it's a LOT more to buy everything new from Apple. there are still people out there who like me want to have apple's latest stuff and while it no longer makes economical or really performance gains sense to upgrade every year, the urge is very strong for me and I usually end up giving in. In 2021, I've purchased
1. AirPods Max
3. AirPods gen 3
3. MBP 13"
4. MBP 16"
5. iPad Pro 13" + keyboard
6. iPhone 13 Max 1TB
7....trying hard not to upgrade my series 5 to a series 7 Apple Watch and need to just buy one already

and so in my world, $350 a month every month with 12 month upgrades would be amazing and I'd totally do it.

Here's a link to my annual post - https://adamchandler.me/blog/2021/11/08/the-cost-of-apple-fanboyism-in-2021/
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What on earth is wrong with you? Why are you still rocking such an old Apple Watch? What are you, a broke loser or something? ;)
 
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The main reason I buy Macs with higher-end configurations is because I want them to last 6-7 years. If there was a yearly upgrade program, or even bi-yearly, I'd probably get a lower-end, or at most a mid-range model, especially because Apple Silicon is already so fast! Apple, please come out with a consumer-oriented upgrade program for Macs!

My wife and I technically own a small business, although it's just the two of us. Doubt we would qualify, but I kind of want to check, lol. I could get her an Air and myself the 14" MacBook Pro. Probably the only thing I would upgrade is the RAM and SSD.
 
adamjackson said:
Usually when I mention the $350 a month, people scoff and say "That's $4200 a year. you're insane!" but in my annual 'cost to be a fanboy' post, it's a LOT more to buy everything new from Apple. there are still people out there who like me want to have apple's latest stuff and while it no longer makes economical or really performance gains sense to upgrade every year, the urge is very strong for me and I usually end up giving in. In 2021, I've purchased
1. AirPods Max
3. AirPods gen 3
3. MBP 13"
4. MBP 16"
5. iPad Pro 13" + keyboard
6. iPhone 13 Max 1TB
7....trying hard not to upgrade my series 5 to a series 7 Apple Watch and need to just buy one already

and so in my world, $350 a month every month with 12 month upgrades would be amazing and I'd totally do it.

Here's a link to my annual post - https://adamchandler.me/blog/2021/11/08/the-cost-of-apple-fanboyism-in-2021/
Click to expand...
Ha. I love this. Your fanboy budget appears alive and well. That's a solid 2021. ?
 
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macduke said:
The main reason I buy Macs with higher-end configurations is because I want them to last 6-7 years. If there was a yearly upgrade program, or even bi-yearly, I'd probably get a lower-end, or at most a mid-range model, especially because Apple Silicon is already so fast! Apple, please come out with a consumer-oriented upgrade program for Macs!

My wife and I technically own a small business, although it's just the two of us. Doubt we would qualify, but I kind of want to check, lol. I could get her an Air and myself the 14" MacBook Pro. Probably the only thing I would upgrade is the RAM and SSD.
Click to expand...
Why would you still do this? Overspend for "upgrade proofing"? PC technology peaked a long time back so you don't see massive demands from apps weighing down the computing power after a few years anymore. You see the efficiency improvements in the chips, new features, or less aged SSDs and batteries as contributing to the performance gains over that 6-7 year span you're noting.

Buying what you need and upgrading it when needed will save you a lot and let you upgrade more freely, when the time is right.
 
webkit said:
Two years ago, a 16" MacBook Pro started at $2,399 which would be $72/month under this program. If we assume the device is worth at least $1,000 (?) wholesale/trade today, the company would've ended up having spent $1,399 net or $58/month. The balance is interest and other costs of $336. $336 interest on a 2 year $2,399 loan is about 13% APR.
Click to expand...
That's assuming you are upgrading every 2 years. The program lets you upgrade much more often at 90 days.
 
LogicalApex said:
Why would you still do this? Overspend for "upgrade proofing"? PC technology peaked a long time back so you don't see massive demands from apps weighing down the computing power after a few years anymore. You see the efficiency improvements in the chips, new features, or less aged SSDs and batteries as contributing to the performance gains over that 6-7 year span you're noting.

Buying what you need and upgrading it when needed will save you a lot and let you upgrade more freely, when the time is right.
Click to expand...
I disagree. There are quite a few apps that I've seen stuttering or uses more than 100% CPU on an entry 2015 MBP yet runs smoothly on a 2015 15 inch MBP that has a better CPU and more RAM. I've replaced the battery on both and SSD wear isn't that extreme on either. I'd say the MPB can run for another couple of years at least as my work machine. Sometimes it's more about software optimization than actual lack of power. A lot of developers don't test on older systems anymore and there are memory leaks and other bugs. A higher specced machine can often brute force through that.
 
adamjackson said:
Usually when I mention the $350 a month, people scoff and say "That's $4200 a year. you're insane!" but in my annual 'cost to be a fanboy' post, it's a LOT more to buy everything new from Apple. there are still people out there who like me want to have apple's latest stuff and while it no longer makes economical or really performance gains sense to upgrade every year, the urge is very strong for me and I usually end up giving in. In 2021, I've purchased
1. AirPods Max
3. AirPods gen 3
3. MBP 13"
4. MBP 16"
5. iPad Pro 13" + keyboard
6. iPhone 13 Max 1TB
7....trying hard not to upgrade my series 5 to a series 7 Apple Watch and need to just buy one already

and so in my world, $350 a month every month with 12 month upgrades would be amazing and I'd totally do it.

Here's a link to my annual post - https://adamchandler.me/blog/2021/11/08/the-cost-of-apple-fanboyism-in-2021/
Click to expand...
Damn, that is some solid stuff. Not at all how I role, but I appreciate the way you lay it out and how you think about it.
 
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sideshowuniqueuser said:
Actually makes it a great deal if it means you can upgrade as often as you want after every 90 days. Can't see any details anywhere though.
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szw-mapple fan said:
That's assuming you are upgrading every 2 years. The program lets you upgrade much more often at 90 days.
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I assume the as little as 90 days is for upgrades IF a new model is released during that 90 days. Anyone know the details?
 
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ITMacRN said:
Per the article:
A Mac Upgrade Program is not offered publicly to regular customers, and it's important to note that customers less often upgrade their Mac computers, so a program in that regard may make less sense.
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The article specifically mention small business so it is NOT coming to customer in the near future, hence the “when it will come” question as situation can change and decision made today can be changed in the future.
 
laurim said:
I wonder how small is too small? I’m an incorporated freelancer in a computer-intensive field (design and operate large resolution content for live events) so want to upgrade my Macs often.
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I’m in the exact same boat. Same industry. Also a graphics/playback op.
 
szw-mapple fan said:
I disagree. There are quite a few apps that I've seen stuttering or uses more than 100% CPU on an entry 2015 MBP yet runs smoothly on a 2015 15 inch MBP that has a better CPU and more RAM. I've replaced the battery on both and SSD wear isn't that extreme on either. I'd say the MPB can run for another couple of years at least as my work machine. Sometimes it's more about software optimization than actual lack of power. A lot of developers don't test on older systems anymore and there are memory leaks and other bugs. A higher specced machine can often brute force through that.
Click to expand...

A 2015 MBP is 6 years old at this point. Almost 7. If you are talking about an app from 2015 I would hope you’d buy the specs you needed for the tasks you were performing. If you are talking about 2021 apps in your workflow performing better now that the 7 year old machine top end power has it keeping up with the weakest 2021 offerings.

I would still say buying top end in 2015 to get here was a flawed choice. A 2021 machine is more than just a faster CPU. SSD performance has dramatically increased. So has power efficiency so you can actually take a laptop with you. Etc.

Buying the specs you need will result in a faster upgrade cycle, but bring with it other very real gains that holding onto tech too long will lock you out of while not actually saving you money in the grand scheme of things.
 
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