Buying Macbook Pro Predicament

[elementg12]

So, I'm gonna be starting fall semester of college at the end of August and I need a new laptop because my last one just broke and I'm gonna get a Macbook Pro 13'', however as the new one will probably be coming out sometime in September around the same price or even the exact price of the last ones I don't know what to do. I need the laptop for school so I can't really hold out to get one but I really would hate to buy the 2015 one and then a few weeks later have the new one come out. I wouldn't feel that bad about buying the 2015 if I knew the 2016 was gonna be more but i think its gonna be the same price. So I'll basically be buying an old machine a few weeks before the new one comes out for the same price. So I wanted to know if Apple has some policy for this, like if I get the 2015 and the new one comes out can I exchanged it outside of the 14 day return policy, let's say a month, or since the 2015 will drop price after the new one will they give me some money back?

 

[jerryk]

So, I'm gonna be starting fall semester of college at the end of August and I need a new laptop because my last one just broke and I'm gonna get a Macbook Pro 13'', however as the new one will probably be coming out sometime in September around the same price or even the exact price of the last ones I don't know what to do.

Right now there are sales on the 13" rMBP. Do some searching and can probably get one of those for $200 or more off.
My guess is the new 13 rMBP base model will be back at the old price, but will have a 256 GB SSD.

 

[Dennison]

If you absolutely need a laptop for the first couple weeks of school, buy a 2015 MacBook Pro. I would recommend you wait for the keynote announcement though. I think anyone can get by in school just temporarily with an iPhone, a notepad and pencil. An iPad would definitely help. If word processing and other apps are needed I'm sure you can utilize your school's computer lab while you wait for the next keynote.

And IF they announce new MacBook Pros in the September keynote, then you're in luck and you'll have the launch day to look forward to probably soon after. If you didn't wait and bought a 2015 model, return it within 14 days of the time you purchased it and you'll get all of your money back.

If you really really need a laptop for school and can't wait, the trick is all in the timing. So what day does school start exactly? And where is it in regard to the possible keynote day? Keep the 14 day return period, and the possible wait for launch day after the keynote in mind. Also the fact that we have no idea what Apple's plans are, and whether or not they'll be releasing new MacBooks this September.

 

[elementg12]

Thanks guys, I have a programming class and a lab for that so I'll probably need the laptop in class for that. I'll most likely end up having to get the MBP mid August then if anything gets announce ill return it within the 14 days. Good thing is I plan on ordering it from the education store so I'll get little discount plus a free pair of Beats Solo 2. I'm just disappointed cause Apple hasn't announce the release date and it's messing me up. They should make some sort of policy that if their new product comes out a month within purchase you can exchange it. I think I'm just gonna get 256gb 13'' with 2.7 i5 and 16gb ram. The i7 probably isn't worth the extra $270. Also I'm gonna try to keep all my school stuff on the an external hdd so I don't waste space. In the future I may upgrade to the 480gb ssd Macsales offers for around $400.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

So, I'm gonna be starting fall semester of college at the end of August and I need a new laptop because my last one just broke and I'm gonna get a Macbook Pro 13'', however as the new one will probably be coming out sometime in September around the same price or even the exact price of the last ones I don't know what to do. I need the laptop for school so I can't really hold out to get one but I really would hate to buy the 2015 one and then a few weeks later have the new one come out. I wouldn't feel that bad about buying the 2015 if I knew the 2016 was gonna be more but i think its gonna be the same price. So I'll basically be buying an old machine a few weeks before the new one comes out for the same price. So I wanted to know if Apple has some policy for this, like if I get the 2015 and the new one comes out can I exchanged it outside of the 14 day return policy, let's say a month, or since the 2015 will drop price after the new one will they give me some money back?

Apple do this deliberately they sell off their old stock to students with education deals etc. It's a great piece of business strategy.

You will have 14 days and they have been known to be lenient on this but no guarantees it will be a risk.

There are lots of deals on the 2015 rMBP's so you should not be paying full price for one you should be able to get at least $200 off if not $300.

 

[jerryk]

Thanks guys, I have a programming class and a lab for that so I'll probably need the laptop in class for that. I'll most likely end up having to get the MBP mid August then if anything gets announce ill return it within the 14 days. Good thing is I plan on ordering it from the education store so I'll get little discount plus a free pair of Beats Solo 2. I'm just disappointed cause Apple hasn't announce the release date and it's messing me up. They should make some sort of policy that if their new product comes out a month within purchase you can exchange it. I think I'm just gonna get 256gb 13'' with 2.7 i5 and 16gb ram. The i7 probably isn't worth the extra $270. Also I'm gonna try to keep all my school stuff on the an external hdd so I don't waste space. In the future I may upgrade to the 480gb ssd Macsales offers for around $400.

Why 16 GB? Are you planning on doing something that requires that much memory (running VMs, large simulations)?

Also, do some reading up on the Macsales SSDs. Their speeds seem pretty slow compared to the standard SSDs.

My choice would to get the system now with the larger drive and run all your current school work on the internal drive. As you need space you can ship old course work off to the external drive or cloud storage.

 

[friedkimchi]

Just get the current 13". It's not worth the stress. Sure the new one will have X and Y minus Z features, but it won't magically make your laptop worthless...

If there is a redesign, I'd wait it out for the rev B so that any hardware kinks are addressed.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I'm gonna be starting fall semester of college at the end of August and I need a new laptop because my last one just broke and I'm gonna get a Macbook Pro 13'', however as the new one will probably be coming out sometime in September"

No one knows WHEN the new MacBook Pro's are going to be introduced.
They may be announced sooner.
They may actually -ship- a bit later.

What is the "last possible date" that you need to buy before going to school?
That should become YOUR "target buying date".

In the time between now and your target date, you have some powerful investigatin' to do.
You should come to a decision as to which of the -current- MacBooks you would buy, if you had to buy "right now".
Then.... put that decision into your pocket, and .... WAIT.

Wait until just after the new MacBooks are announced (not necessarily "shipping", just "announced").
Make a quick evaluation as to which of the NEW models interests you the most.

Now, you are prepared as you approach your target buying date.
If that date arrives, and the new models aren't yet shipping, buy the older model you decided on.
If they -are- shipping, you can either "buy new" or "buy old" at closeout pricing.

 

[elementg12]

Why 16 GB? Are you planning on doing something that requires that much memory (running VMs, large simulations)?

Also, do some reading up on the Macsales SSDs. Their speeds seem pretty slow compared to the standard SSDs.

My choice would to get the system now with the larger drive and run all your current school work on the internal drive. As you need space you can ship old course work off to the external drive or cloud storage.

The 512gb rMBP is over $1900 with tax, I'm not paying that. 256gb is good enough, big files that I don't use often will be on the external hdd or my desktop that I'll keep at my house. I won't be storing things forever on the laptop so a bigger hdd than 256 is not necessary. As for memory I will be using VMs and multitasking so that is more beneficial to me that hdd space.

I think I decided to get the current rMBP, the main thing about the 2016 rumors that had me intrigued was the oled bar. The rumors about only having usb-c kinda worries me because I just don't want to have a bunch of adaptors on me. Also, getting rid of the the sd card reader, I know these are rumors but I think Apple may actually do these things. The current rMBP will at the very least last me until I finish college so it should be good. All the discussions I've been having got me to a conclusion thankfully. Thanks Guys

 

[elementg12]

Just wanted to update you guys if you wanted to know. I just bought a 15'' rMBP from an eBay store for $1600 brand new, it has the factory 1-year warranty and everything.

 

[friedkimchi]

Just wanted to update you guys if you wanted to know. I just bought a 15'' rMBP from an eBay store for $1600 brand new, it has the factory 1-year warranty and everything.

Enjoy your laptop and handle the screen with care!