Apple pricing strategy on "outdated" MacBook Pro

[sanlynn36]

I am about to buy a MacBook Pro 15.4" retina. Probably the 16 GB Ram, 2.8 GHz, 1 TB flash storage.

Am new to macs but am finally ready to bury my HP laptop that has been nothing but trouble since day one. I am retired, not a tech person, do mostly photo editing as a volunteer webmaster for a non-profit, no to little gaming, lots of surfing and shopping online. I would like this to be the last computer I purchase so I don't want to outgrow it. Probably have between 70,000 - 100,000 images on my HP, most of which I'll want to transfer and envision doing a lot more photography/editing as I get deeper into retirement.

From what I can understand, I have no need to wait for the two new chips coming up. But, what has the pricing policy been? Can we expect the older macbooks to drop in price as the new chips are introduced? Or is it likely the new ones may be introduced at a lower cost to meet marketplace competition?

Any thoughts?

Sanlynn

ps please don't be too harsh if I've misstated the technology. As I said, I am not a tech person.

 

[gngan]

I am about to buy a MacBook Pro 15.4" retina. Probably the 16 GB Ram, 2.8 GHz, 1 TB flash storage.

Am new to macs but am finally ready to bury my HP laptop that has been nothing but trouble since day one. I am retired, not a tech person, do mostly photo editing as a volunteer webmaster for a non-profit, no to little gaming, lots of surfing and shopping online. I would like this to be the last computer I purchase so I don't want to outgrow it. Probably have between 70,000 - 100,000 images on my HP, most of which I'll want to transfer and envision doing a lot more photography/editing as I get deeper into retirement.

From what I can understand, I have no need to wait for the two new chips coming up. But, what has the pricing policy been? Can we expect the older macbooks to drop in price as the new chips are introduced? Or is it likely the new ones may be introduced at a lower cost to meet marketplace competition?

Any thoughts?

Sanlynn

ps please don't be too harsh if I've misstated the technology. As I said, I am not a tech person.

No PC will last forever and you will always outgrown a PC. Your concern would be using the latest photo editing software (PS, LR, etc). Retina is able to handle these now but years later, newer software will always require latest technology. Do you really need 1TB flash drive? You can save money for getting a 256gb/512gb then use the saved money to get an external hard disk.

Regarding the price for 'outdated' model, I don't recall Apple giving discount for 'outdated' model. Your best bet is to wait for the new model to be release and get a refurbish.

 

[Essenar]

I am about to buy a MacBook Pro 15.4" retina. Probably the 16 GB Ram, 2.8 GHz, 1 TB flash storage.

Am new to macs but am finally ready to bury my HP laptop that has been nothing but trouble since day one. I am retired, not a tech person, do mostly photo editing as a volunteer webmaster for a non-profit, no to little gaming, lots of surfing and shopping online. I would like this to be the last computer I purchase so I don't want to outgrow it. Probably have between 70,000 - 100,000 images on my HP, most of which I'll want to transfer and envision doing a lot more photography/editing as I get deeper into retirement.

From what I can understand, I have no need to wait for the two new chips coming up. But, what has the pricing policy been? Can we expect the older macbooks to drop in price as the new chips are introduced? Or is it likely the new ones may be introduced at a lower cost to meet marketplace competition?

Any thoughts?

Sanlynn

ps please don't be too harsh if I've misstated the technology. As I said, I am not a tech person.

1) They're not refreshing the 15" line so you'd be digging for fool's gold by waiting for the release in order to pick one up. And they've already more or less cut down manufacturing of the 13" line so any remaining 13" with Haswell chips will be few and far between.

2) If you want to get a good deal on a 15", here's what you do:
2.a] Go to your local post office, "Excuse me, I need a mover's packet. The website had issues with my card." Before you leave, make sure the Best Buy Coupon inside is valid up to April, 2015. They have old ones.
2.b] Find someone with an .edu email address and ask them to sign up for Best Buy's education coupons. Should be easy to find someone, but if not, try to buy one with Paypal or something like that. It's good for $50 off.

Using these combinations of items, you can pick up a brand new 15.4"/16GB/512 for $2,249.99 - $224.8 - $50 = $1975.19 before tax. (No tax if you shop right)
Also, check out gift card websites and try to buy Best Buy gift cards at 90%, effectively giving you a 15" for $1975.19 - $197.52 = $1,777.67. Be careful where you buy BBY gift cards! Some sites are very illegitimate. Make sure it's a trusted source.

Sources:
BBY 15" on sale for $2,249.99
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-m...lver/6238524.p?id=1218721407735&skuId=6238524

"Yes, mover's coupon works on MacBooks" I've also used it on my 13":
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1826539/

Best Buy College Deals:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/global/college-student-deals/pcmcat276200050000.c?id=pcmcat276200050000

Try Ebay for Best Buy coupons or Craigslist (+ meet at store). This last step takes time and finesse but if you can pull it off, you'd be getting a 15" MBP 16/512/750M for $722.32 off! This price is 28.8% cheaper than MSRP and makes it around $20 cheaper than a fully built 13", except it's a fully built 15". That's as good as it can get and you won't find a better deal on a new one unless someone buys it and gets really dumb with how much they charge for it second hand.

 

[matreya]

If you want to save some money on your MBP purchase, do what I did, and order a Refurbished model. You can usually save enough money to cover getting 3 years service coverage with AppleCare.

 

[jlc1978]

Using these combinations of items, you can pick up a brand new 15.4"/16GB/512 for $2,249.99 - $224.8 - $50 = $1975.19 before tax.

Don't forget get BB Credit card and join their point s program to get about %50 or so back in coupons you can use to buy something else.

 

[capathy21]

I am about to buy a MacBook Pro 15.4" retina. Probably the 16 GB Ram, 2.8 GHz, 1 TB flash storage.

Am new to macs but am finally ready to bury my HP laptop that has been nothing but trouble since day one. I am retired, not a tech person, do mostly photo editing as a volunteer webmaster for a non-profit, no to little gaming, lots of surfing and shopping online. I would like this to be the last computer I purchase so I don't want to outgrow it. Probably have between 70,000 - 100,000 images on my HP, most of which I'll want to transfer and envision doing a lot more photography/editing as I get deeper into retirement.

From what I can understand, I have no need to wait for the two new chips coming up. But, what has the pricing policy been? Can we expect the older macbooks to drop in price as the new chips are introduced? Or is it likely the new ones may be introduced at a lower cost to meet marketplace competition?

Any thoughts?

Sanlynn

ps please don't be too harsh if I've misstated the technology. As I said, I am not a tech person.

Definitely order a refurbished model from Apple's website. Most of the refurbished models are basically brand new except they come in a white box instead of retail packaging. It will allow you to save several hundred dollars, and still get a machine with a warranty and the option to purchase Apple Care.

 

[Jeff R]

Yup, just go for refurbished at the Apple Store. $3,199 + tax is a lot of money for a brand new maxed out MacBook Pro Retina!

 

[JHUFrank]

I agree with a refurbished. And I think that is where Apple dumps excess inventory and sometimes discounts it pretty good. I got my rMBP for 1599, its a 13 inch, with the 512SSD and 16gigs of ram. The closest thing I see out there for 1599 right now only has 8 gigs of ram for a late 2013.

 

[sanlynn36]

Thanks

Thank you all for your advice.

I did look at Apple's refurbished models and discovered that for $70 more I could get a slightly upgraded model that is "new, factory sealed" from a reliable (100% positive feedback with about 500 transactions) seller on ebay.

I should receive it by end of next week, so we will see...hopefully, no buyer's remorse.

 

[maflynn]

People complain about apple's pricing strategy all the time, but they don't change. The current models don't get cheaper as they reach the point of being replaced. This is why the consumer has to be educated of when to buy.

 

[matreya]

I bought a refurb 15" rMBP a few days ago and I'm very happy thus far.

I would never ever buy a computer off eBay, regardless of the supposed reputation they may have. I'd rather get a machine that Apple guarantees and I can get full AppleCare on.