I said it before, MB and MBP major upgrade early next year, bump for mini and iMac very soon. Apple will slide the rest of the year on what they currently have.
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Buyers Outlook for 2008-2009. Penryn iMacs Soon, Nehalem in 2009
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Seriously... a buyers guide... from MacRumors...
Taking product & purchase advice from this site is the absolute last thing any current or potential Mac user should do.
My opinion (not worth much)... just read MacRumors for entertainment.
In short: if you did wait, it'd be for nothing. You could have already been using it.
"Oooh! So, excited... Can't wait for new Macbook Pro updates!"
"What, why did the iMac get an update, they suck."
"Where's my freakin' MBP update!? Come on Apple get with it!"
... 3 months later.
"Apple! Where is my Update, I have been waiting to buy!"
"Can't wait any longer!! I heard they'll include space based brain lasers."
... finally, the update arrives.
"Pathetic update, not worth upgrading."
"What was Apple thinking, might as well have updated the Mini."
"I can buy a Dell for less."
Taking product & purchase advice from this site is the absolute last thing any current or potential Mac user should do.
My opinion (not worth much)... just read MacRumors for entertainment.
In short: if you did wait, it'd be for nothing. You could have already been using it.
"Oooh! So, excited... Can't wait for new Macbook Pro updates!"
"What, why did the iMac get an update, they suck."
"Where's my freakin' MBP update!? Come on Apple get with it!"
... 3 months later.
"Apple! Where is my Update, I have been waiting to buy!"
"Can't wait any longer!! I heard they'll include space based brain lasers."
... finally, the update arrives.
"Pathetic update, not worth upgrading."
"What was Apple thinking, might as well have updated the Mini."
"I can buy a Dell for less."
So many decisions. Go with a Montevina MBP in June or wait for the overhaul with Nehalem in a year. Waiting just means actually extending my AppleCare (which isn't so cheap but definitely necessary) and losing more resale value on my 2.4GHz MBP. Plus, if Nehalem is going to be big (and the question is...is it?) and introduce many new changes are we sure its such a good idea to try and get in on the first revision?
Maybe a 2.4 will run everything you need VERY well long after Nehalem is introduced?
Replacing RAM in your Macbook is a trivial 10 minute job, and does *not* violate your warranty! So why not do it? RAM is absurdly cheap right now, too (as long as you don't buy it from Apple ;-) .)
It's not necessarily right, but this is what Apple does:
[1] Take a hit on their margins for the first few months selling the latest technology at a good price.
[2] Recoup that money later selling old technology at the same price.
Did your ears pop and stomach get a little queasy? That's some upgrade!
As exciting as the revision in architecture may be (I just read the arstechnica article), individual users may see less of an improvement than they may expect.
That doesn't mean that some people shouldn't wait for Nehalem-based Macs. But realistically, they won't ship until Q1 2009 at the earliest. If you're really unhappy with your Mac's performance now, and you've already done things like add RAM, it's probably not worth waiting.
I don't think it's fair to say that people should only read MacRumors for entertainment, though. As release dates near, rumors tend to converge. Anyone who's contemplating buying a Mac should check here to see if there's enough chatter about a new model to warrant waiting a bit. At the very least, it always makes sense to wait until after Macworld Expo or WWDC, which is something that this site emphasizes.
Hehe exactly what I thought! That's like going from flying a teeny Cessna to an F-15 Eagle!
Im also torn between Montevina & Nehalem. However its looking like i might jump on montevina and then wait for Nehalem/Calpella before buying again.
If i had a maxed out MBP or Mac Pro i'd wait till Nehalem but i have an iMac/MacBook both consumer machines whose resale values decrease at a faster rate compared to the pro lines so i'll be selling/upgrading once/if Apple release montevina machines
Then again i might just not bother and wait till Nehalem altogether...i should have saved enough money by 2009...but i'm not a fan of holding on to older machines (except the 12" PB/iMac G4/TiBook)
If i had a maxed out MBP or Mac Pro i'd wait till Nehalem but i have an iMac/MacBook both consumer machines whose resale values decrease at a faster rate compared to the pro lines so i'll be selling/upgrading once/if Apple release montevina machines
Then again i might just not bother and wait till Nehalem altogether...i should have saved enough money by 2009...but i'm not a fan of holding on to older machines (except the 12" PB/iMac G4/TiBook)
For Mini yearners, however, they will gain Santa Rosa, meaning a 4GB RAM capacity, and x3100 graphics... Quite a jump from 3GB and GMA 950 or whatever they had.
-Clive
The Buyer's Guide has a been an important part of MacRumors for many years now.
The basic reason why the Buyer's Guide exists is to prevent someone from buying at the wrong time of the upgrade cycle. Apple updates their products in a very consistent manner. A Mac comes out at a certain price with certain features. The price and features of that particular Mac stay exactly the same throughout the lifespan of the product. So, if a customer buys on Day #1, they are getting the fastest/newest technology for the dollar. The problem, however, is that 8 months later, on the day prior to its refresh, that Mac costs the exact same money, but contains 8 month old technology.
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Personally, I like MacRumors Buyer's Guide. When I was looking to purchase a Mac Pro about a year ago as a newly converted (supposedly then) Mac user, it was the Buyer's Guide and Forums to literally guide my decision. Thanks.
Cheers!
Theres also the fact that 'current generation' computer parts don't go down in price that much over time. Take the desktop Q6600, i brought mine 8 months ago for £160inc VAT. Its currently Retailing for £150inc VAT. The P35 based motherboard i have has only dropped £15 aswell and that has had the X35 and the X45 come after it too. Its only when new stuff comes out that the old is discounted heavily to shift it fast. But then apple updates to the new so i dont see what the poblem is? Dells prices dont really change much either, but things like BTO options ae updated more frequently which makes it 'cheaper'. Your still paying the same, you just get a bigger. This dont apply to long term technology such as Blue Ray. Just look at historic similar hardware (DVD, CD etc.)
There certainly are interesting side effects. Especially for those that don't have the up to date latest. Many, including my self saved about $500 with the last update by purchasing the black 2.2 GHZ macbook for $1049.
What did we miss out on by not buying the latest? Not much! This deal was so good I could not pass it up as I was in the market for a macbook.
Those that want the latest and greatest must be willing to pay a higher price and in this case a significant increase. I thank all of you that just have to have the latest.
These minor speed bumps etc seem to be a lot more frequent than what I understand use to happen now that Apple has switched to Intel.
I have been in the tech business for 35 years plus and one things for sure you may want the latest and greatest BUT, how long after your purchase do you really still have the latest and greatest?
Just look at the price of a new car. Now drive that baby off the lot. The resale value just made a huge drop. Same analogy here.
So yes there are some interesting side effects and to me this is one of them and can be a great benefit to many, not too mention the significant $$$$ savings!
This suits me perfectly! Having just received my Penryn MBP, my next upgrade will be to a redesigned MBP with Nehalem tech. next year.
This is off the top of my head but we might see new cinema displays after the notebooks move to the Montevina platform because it will support DisplayPort. It wouldn't make sense for Apple to release cinema displays supporting DisplayPort before the notebooks can use them since that might cause more people than normal to wait for the notebooks to get Montevina.
If the iMacs are not significantly updated...
and I decide I would like to instead buy the 1st edition Al. iMac, where would I go to still get it after the new ones come out? How much of a price drop would I see on the older models? Also, can I still get the 3 year warranty through Apple on the older iMac? Thanks for the help!
and I decide I would like to instead buy the 1st edition Al. iMac, where would I go to still get it after the new ones come out? How much of a price drop would I see on the older models? Also, can I still get the 3 year warranty through Apple on the older iMac? Thanks for the help!
Good way to recap what's going on. I find myself in a pretty bad situation as I've been waiting to buy an apple notebook for over a year now, and my powerbook just isn't cutting it in college. I cannot wait until Nehalem although that's exactly what I've been trying to do for the past year or so. I will most likely end up buying at the next update provided we see graphics updates etc.
I'd also like the ability to put over 4 GB of ram in the notebook for longevity's sake.
I'd also like the ability to put over 4 GB of ram in the notebook for longevity's sake.
Rhythmac.com also has a nice buyers guide with a chart that lets you see at a glance when Apple times their releases during a given year - around holiday and education buying windows. I think this is really helpful since there are some pretty consistent patterns there, which pop out when you visualize them this way.
http://www.rhythmac.com/history/macbookpro
(although, they haven't added the recent MB upgrade to their chart!)
http://www.rhythmac.com/history/macbookpro
(although, they haven't added the recent MB upgrade to their chart!)
Forget the x3100. I'm hoping they pop in the x4500!
Though, I do realize, the way they shackle the mini, I may be dreaming they will allow this upgrade.
However, I'm holding out on buying a mini for a super media center, till they put in the x4500 (for HD content), and wireless n (stream HD over wifi instead of attaching a noisy external drive).
Won't somebody think of the international customers?
arn,
I liked your piece, but you didn't mention the effect of Apple's update cycle on international prices. While Apple has fixed price points in the US which stay the same over several years, international prices are changed according to exchange rate -- but only at times of an update.
Case in point, what you call the "minor" MacBook upgrade on 26 Feb was actually a major price drop for European* customers. Somebody who bought the MacBook on 25 Feb not only bought a bit older technology but also spent 100€ more than somebody who bought a day later.
Many Apple products in Europe* are still priced at exchange rates from 2007. And while the US$ keeps falling European* Apple customers in the know wait for more product upgrades of any kind just to obtain more fair exchange rates from Apple.
* Funnily enough, since the £ also fell 20 % against the € over the last few months, many UK prices are very low at the moment.
arn,
I liked your piece, but you didn't mention the effect of Apple's update cycle on international prices. While Apple has fixed price points in the US which stay the same over several years, international prices are changed according to exchange rate -- but only at times of an update.
Case in point, what you call the "minor" MacBook upgrade on 26 Feb was actually a major price drop for European* customers. Somebody who bought the MacBook on 25 Feb not only bought a bit older technology but also spent 100€ more than somebody who bought a day later.
Many Apple products in Europe* are still priced at exchange rates from 2007. And while the US$ keeps falling European* Apple customers in the know wait for more product upgrades of any kind just to obtain more fair exchange rates from Apple.
* Funnily enough, since the £ also fell 20 % against the € over the last few months, many UK prices are very low at the moment.
Yeah, good article arn. If you read up on Nehalem, it's going to be a big difference. At the Intel Developers Forum, people are reporting 30% increase in real world performance.
I think doing away with the Front Side Bus will be the best thing. They are supposed to start introducing quad-core processors for laptops, which is a possibility next year in the high-end MacBook Pro. YIPPIE!!! I can't wait to buy again next year!!
Even if a design change comes out this year, I'm still going to wait until next year.
I think doing away with the Front Side Bus will be the best thing. They are supposed to start introducing quad-core processors for laptops, which is a possibility next year in the high-end MacBook Pro. YIPPIE!!! I can't wait to buy again next year!!
Even if a design change comes out this year, I'm still going to wait until next year.
Buyers outlook
I've being waiting a long time for a new Mac (read Imac with better video card), almost bought a alu Imac
but kept reading that the 20inch lcd was subpar even compared to the previous version.
Don't get me wrong, I've been using and buying Macs since 1983 and I know this is heresy
but how come we see quad-core core2 processors in pc's with powerfull graphics cards (for a ridiculous price) and can't get something similar for
Macs? example:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pr...3&atab=&spviewed=&newlang=EN&logon=&langid=FR
I'd be willing to pay extra for such a machine just to have Mac software onboard.
I've being waiting a long time for a new Mac (read Imac with better video card), almost bought a alu Imac
but kept reading that the 20inch lcd was subpar even compared to the previous version.
Don't get me wrong, I've been using and buying Macs since 1983 and I know this is heresy
but how come we see quad-core core2 processors in pc's with powerfull graphics cards (for a ridiculous price) and can't get something similar for
Macs? example:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pr...3&atab=&spviewed=&newlang=EN&logon=&langid=FR
I'd be willing to pay extra for such a machine just to have Mac software onboard.
That is logical. Instead of spending <$100 to max out your RAM - you are blaming the laptop and planning on spending >$2000 to get a slight improvement.
The specs and performance difference between the MacBook and the MBP are minimal at best. The only real improvement comes from the graphics card - not the processor or RAM. And the newer MacBooks even have improved graphics - sure it's shared memory still - but it's 144 MB instead of 64 MB.
I'm a MacBook user (if you can't tell) - I had a first gen, and then upgraded back in December. And, like this article addresses, I'm not too upset that I didn't wait for this latest "Speed bump". 2.4 Ghz sounds better than 2.2 Ghz - but when the cache is smaller - it pretty well evens out.
I've never regretted getting the MB instead of the MBP, either. My boss has a MBP - I've done work on it for him (not working on the computer - but doing work using his computer). It's a great machine, and I don't deny that - but the what little difference there is between his notebook and mine does not, to me, justify doubling the cost.
To anyone considering a new Mac laptop - whether you wait or don't - the White MacBook SuperDrive is the best bang-for-the-buck ratio of all the offerings, and has been since the MacBook first came out. You get the exact same processor as the $1999 MBP - the same amount of RAM, the same optical drive, only a slightly smaller hard drive, (or you can get a bigger than MBP hard drive as a $100 upgrade), for $700 less!!! And for less than $100 online, you can order 4 GB of RAM, and install it yourself. So, for less than $200 of upgrades, (and therefore still $500 *LESS THAN* the MBP) your computer can be better than the MBP, in every way but graphics and FireWire 800 ports. And, it's more portable.
Again, not wanting to diss the MBP - if you really need graphics power, or are compelled to have to have the most expensive computer on the block - by all means, get it. But if you are looking for a great laptop and money doesn't grow on trees for you, the MacBook is the best option.
its all good
Sounds to me like evryone here is on the same page. I'm using a G4 powerbook from '03 and over the last year or so I swapped out my harddrive for a 160GB, went from 512mb to 2gb of memory, and picked up a lacie 500gb external for time machine. All in all I spent like $400 for all that gear and the result is a 03' G4 that goes toe to toe with all my friends PC laptops that they bought within a year. I stuck out over $2400 for my G4 and even when the format jumped to the intel platform I was still pleased with the superior product I bought. So I'm up to $3000 now and I'm running the newest operating system (which I know will not be updated for quite some time) and my mac still runs all the complex music applications I need right now.....That's why I spent $3000 on a laptop. 5 years ago, my PC friends were like "$2400?, you are insane" but mac gives an incredible value for the high price.
Waiting for nehalem is the kind of decision that will give you another great 5 year laptop that will probably survive the demands that sofware writers are forcing us to upgrade to for years to come. If you buy a new Mac every time they release some minor change then you don't care about any of the advice the author of the article shared-go buy a new mac now and then get another one next year.
But if you are one of us who like to squeeze every single thing you can out of $3000 then a solid and somewhat emotional "thank you" is the response to the author of this article. You felt our anxiety over this lack-luster "update" to the MBP and you gave us GREAT advice.
P.S. I am giving my old G4 powerbook to my wife and she is beside herself with joy to be getting such an awesome machine, because even the oldies are still goodies when it comes to MAC.
Sounds to me like evryone here is on the same page. I'm using a G4 powerbook from '03 and over the last year or so I swapped out my harddrive for a 160GB, went from 512mb to 2gb of memory, and picked up a lacie 500gb external for time machine. All in all I spent like $400 for all that gear and the result is a 03' G4 that goes toe to toe with all my friends PC laptops that they bought within a year. I stuck out over $2400 for my G4 and even when the format jumped to the intel platform I was still pleased with the superior product I bought. So I'm up to $3000 now and I'm running the newest operating system (which I know will not be updated for quite some time) and my mac still runs all the complex music applications I need right now.....That's why I spent $3000 on a laptop. 5 years ago, my PC friends were like "$2400?, you are insane" but mac gives an incredible value for the high price.
Waiting for nehalem is the kind of decision that will give you another great 5 year laptop that will probably survive the demands that sofware writers are forcing us to upgrade to for years to come. If you buy a new Mac every time they release some minor change then you don't care about any of the advice the author of the article shared-go buy a new mac now and then get another one next year.
But if you are one of us who like to squeeze every single thing you can out of $3000 then a solid and somewhat emotional "thank you" is the response to the author of this article. You felt our anxiety over this lack-luster "update" to the MBP and you gave us GREAT advice.
P.S. I am giving my old G4 powerbook to my wife and she is beside herself with joy to be getting such an awesome machine, because even the oldies are still goodies when it comes to MAC.