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Saving for a long time. I haven't spent a penny since I started saving months ago either. I honestly wish I could settle for the tiny screen of a 13" Macbook because I would have had my computer forever ago, but I just can't. ):
 
It's an investment

I'm an IT consultant specializing in Information Security. My laptop IS my job.

No one else supplies them to me or supports any problems I might have it it fails. So, I buy the beefiest MBP that isn't silly. (That means is will have a longer lifespan of usefulness - cpu speed, memory, etc.) I, get Apple Care. (It makes my repair plan 3 years.) At the end of three years, I buy a new one.

By then, the device may be a little "behind" in features and performance and might be a little worn (I do tend to take pretty good care of my devices even though they travel almost every day and every where.) Having a device that would render me "unemployed" for multiple days should it fail without a reasonable service plan would cost me about half the cost of the MBP. Over three years, the program works FOR ME. It might not apply to the casual user.

Beyond that, the questions need to be: Do you really NEED a MacBook PRO? or would a MacBook do just fine? For my work, the Pro is almost required. Do you NEED the latest model? Or would a more reasonably priced used or refurb of a previous model do just fine? To be honest, I'm looking at most of what I do and my 2.4C2D/4/500 is still doing really well at almost 3 years old.

mac-10
 
I had about $1000 before I wanted a MacBook Pro. Then I wanted one so I put my debit card away, hoping I would not waste money with it.

About 3 months later, I now have $3000 from my job. I ordered a new 15" MBP i7 along with a 32GB WiFi iPad.

I am in highschool.
 
Graduated high school, then went to college after which I received a job as a Petroleum Engineer. Moral of the story is put forth the effort and you can get whatever you want.
 
Some may tell me I'm foolish but I sell my current one whenever a new one comes out. Of course it depends on how much you can sell the machine for and what the new one will cost but shouldn't be much of a loss.

For example I sold my 2009MBP for $850, the 2010MBP cost me $1050. Cost of use for 9-10 months was only $200, I get another year of a warranty and a bump in specs.
 
I live in Humboldt county. Weed pays for all my toys ! Hope your cool. Pretty sweet. Once ya got a Mac ya never go back.......
 
I begged my wife to let me get my 27'' i7. Plus it counted as my 30th bday present. And we both work :)
 
I keep the mindset for what I wanna get, then just try to avoid other spending so I can just keep for that goal. Keep the money in a debit account so I dont have to go to the Apple store with over a grand in my back pocket and done :D. That's what I did for my Mac mini. Although saving for a MacBook Pro for next year might be a little more difficult since now I have a car and I'm out of my part time job now cus of being in a cast (ice skating accident :( )
 
1) Decide if you -really- want it.

2) Work

3) Save $500 more than you need.

4) Decide again if you really want to watch your bank account drop for a shiny piece of metal.

5) By from Amazon so you don't have to pay tax (YMMV).

That is all.
 
Although I have not read this offensive thread very carefully, I haven't seen where anybody has said in so many words that how we afford our MBPs, or anything else for that matter, is nobody's business but ours. So I will say it: Mind your own business!
 
It's called work. Not all of us are teens on this forum. I get paid very generously for my hard work. Technically I could afford one with a single week invoice. Mine is 2 years old now though because I don't need a new one.
 
I used my US federal Income Tax refund to pay for it plus a little extra i had saved up. Granted, I lived off a $1 a day food budget for a month but I'm in college so I deemed the macbook pro more crucial to my school work than "real food" lol not to mention I have a part time job.
 
Curious, how do all of you afford your MBP?

The same way I could afford a car and the cost of running it, pay the utility bills, feed, clothe and entertain the family, make charitable payments etc... any further questions?
 
Although I have not read this offensive thread very carefully, I haven't seen where anybody has said in so many words that how we afford our MBPs, or anything else for that matter, is nobody's business but ours. So I will say it: Mind your own business!

And the reason you had to post this would be what??? I don't get silly twits like you who post responses that aren't helpful or even remotely interesting.

Yes, I realize my question was nosy but no one is forcing you to answer it. And what precisely did you find so offensive about it? I didn't ask for specifics, like your income history. So next time read more carefully and if you dislike the question, don't answer it, you over inflated unmitigated ass!
 
And to everyone else, thank you for the replies. I am going to reconsider if I need the pro vs a MacBook. I will also be looking into a refurb, thank you very much for your answers and advice. Much appreciated.
 
Language Language Language... show some respect here.


You should added a "Sir" to end of that rant. We like to keep the forums polite, eh? :)

My sincere apologies, sir. I don't normally go on rants and should keep those rude thoughts to myself.
 
I payed $2243.57 Cash.

I used my job to get said cash.

I paid cash because I don't like monthly payments.

Oh and I'm 19, so do use the "only old people can afford them" approach. ;)
 
I bought my 2010 13" MBP with my bonus from work. Bonus was about $2k. I had some left over to spend on other stuff too.
 
Feeling a bit silly about posting how I got mine, but as a "graduating university/getting accepted to an MSc program at the LSE" gift from my parents. Hey, if the rents offer to buy you a new laptop, can't really turn that down can you?? :eek:
 
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