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My Secret

I purchased my first 15" MacBook Pro four to five years ago for $2500. It took me some time to save up for it even though it was a refurb. Since then, I've upgraded every year.

A macbook pro is an investment, but there are three trends to watch for:
- Resale value is high especially prior to the launch of a new model. New models are released around the same time every year.
- The base version of the new model is usually cheaper every year. Find a way to avoid tax via online shopping, and you'll be in good shape.
- Look for the newest, most expensive upgrades that Apple offers for its macbook on the online store. Find the cheapest way to perform the upgrade on your machine right before you resell it. Best examples from my past were upgrading to an SSD on a base model macbook air when cheap SSDs came out. I netted a cool $500 on eBay for an year old machine even with the cost of the SSD. Two years ago, I found a bing cashback discount of 35% on 8gb of memory and performed the upgrade prior to selling the machine. Another $300 of profit after using the machine for an year.

I take care of my macs, and my macs take care of me.
 
12 month Apple credit, perhaps on a refurb.
I purchased mine on EBay.

It is a bit of an odd query. I suppose you could ask how the forum members afford their cars or domiciles.
 
I purchased my first 15" MacBook Pro four to five years ago for $2500. It took me some time to save up for it even though it was a refurb. Since then, I've upgraded every year.

A macbook pro is an investment, but there are three trends to watch for:
- Resale value is high especially prior to the launch of a new model. New models are released around the same time every year.
- The base version of the new model is usually cheaper every year. Find a way to avoid tax via online shopping, and you'll be in good shape.
- Look for the newest, most expensive upgrades that Apple offers for its macbook on the online store. Find the cheapest way to perform the upgrade on your machine right before you resell it. Best examples from my past were upgrading to an SSD on a base model macbook air when cheap SSDs came out. I netted a cool $500 on eBay for an year old machine even with the cost of the SSD. Two years ago, I found a bing cashback discount of 35% on 8gb of memory and performed the upgrade prior to selling the machine. Another $300 of profit after using the machine for an year.

I take care of my macs, and my macs take care of me.

Excellent ideas.
 
You just have to find a way to save up. Cutting back on a few luxuries always helps. For me, it was drinks at bars and dining out. That, coupled with a 6-month 0% interest payment plan, was how I bought my MacBook Pro 13.

With AppleCare, I'm all set for the next 3 years, but I'm hoping I can stretch it out to 5 without anything breaking :)

I'm wondering why some people would wait to upgrade when they have the money for it, setting aside an imminent refresh. I have a schedule of completely upgrading my entire setup every 2-3 years (Coming up on said upgrade, just waiting for everything to sell first.) There is a notable exception of my G5 staying around for longer than usual, but I'll be seeing what happens if I can sell it. To the OP: Set aside a fixed amount, or save all you can in a short while. You can get a refurb for $200-600 less than new ones, and they still have a full warranty.
 
Not to say I dont appreciate your thread but im not sure how you really can ask. Of course Job is the answer? or am I missing something.

I have enough to buy a MBP off 1 pay day. So I did.

This

I had been thinking about it for about a year, had enough money after mortgage car payment bills etc and just went and bought it.
 
I don't understand, you must have a lot of other expenses as well.

For me, as a student working part time I can make around $700-$800 a month during the school year with little trouble and during the summer around $2,000 a month. And these are just student jobs.

So no, it's not too hard to save up. It's a lot of money, sure, but not that bad.
 
Giving this some more thought, the MBP is not such an egregious expense. The price of these machines have steadily dropped especially against inflation. The OP should not be so overly concerned.
 
I save 25% over a month or so then I sell my previous generation for the other 75%.
 
I saved $50 a month x 2 years = $1200, and sold my 2 year old white MacBook for $600, totaling $1800 and voila! new 15" i5 MBP... :D

BTW I bought it at MacMall with a great discount, no tax, cheap shipping, and great service...
 
Please don't flame me, I am just curious how all of you are able to afford the MacBook Pro. I have been saving for a couple months and am hoping to get one in 6 months or so. Am I missing something here, are there places to buy a macbook pro cheaper than Apple or Best Buy?

Please excuse my nosiness.

I work 40-50 hours a week... OH, and best buy has 18 months no interest dude. Tell them your a student, $100 off.
 
Please don't flame me, I am just curious how all of you are able to afford the MacBook Pro. I have been saving for a couple months and am hoping to get one in 6 months or so. Am I missing something here, are there places to buy a macbook pro cheaper than Apple or Best Buy?

Please excuse my nosiness.

I'm going to provide a different perspective.

I've owned three separate MacBooks - my 13" which I sold, my 15" I have now, and the MBA I have now that I bought used that I will be selling soon. IN the case of the 13", I paid cash as it wasn't that expensive, so that was moot. MBA I had some extra cash lying around and he was selling it for under $700, so I figured, why not.

My current 15" though, I essentially paid cash for half and financed the other half (for a total of nearly $2k). Why? Because for my budgeting, if I have the cash and know I don't have any future foreseeable financial obligations (I usually budget a month in advance), I'll pay cash. Otherwise, I'll finance part of it with the thought process being that I would sell what I currently have to pay off the financed portion in good order. Kind of like I'm taking out a loan from myself and paying myself back when I have the money.

I never make major purchases without selling something unless I know I've got the money to burn OR I've got proceeds from stock, or if I've cleared up some debt that frees cash. If it's over $1,000, I'll do a 50/50 - finance part, pay cash for the other part. Saving is good advice, don't get me wrong...but the problem with saving is that something always comes up to derail your saving plans if you're living on your own in an expensive city like I do. And yes, the MacBook Pro has more than paid for itself as I use it for home and work.
 
I have my 2010 MBP 13 and I don't think I will be selling it/upgrading when the new refresh comes.

I will most likely wait until a new body design is introduced until I upgrade. Who knows though, I am considering selling my MBP 13 and getting a MBP 15 with the Core i5 though.
 
Think worldwide

This always works for me (for upgrades)

1. Travel to a country without easy access to Apple Products at affordable prices.

2. Sell your used equipment cheaper than they would buy anywhere in that country

3. Use that money to upgrade. Most of the time I sell for more than a new one in the USA.

I used this 3 times including selling both of my iphones for $200 to get 2 iPhone 4 for the same price.

Of course that still leaves you with the question of how to get the first one. Well... for that you have many answers.

And before people start telling me that I'm ripping people off. Bare in mind that I'm selling much cheaper than anyone could get. For instance, in the country I travelled and sold my iPhones they were paying $600 for a used, unlocked one. I sold mine for $200. They were (very) happy and so was I. Ahh the iPhone is locked. Well, it's not that hard to unlock it.
 
My employer paid for my early 2008 17" MBP since I use it for my job. I later won a 2009 13" unibody MBP in a drawing that set me back a few hundred in income taxes. So that's free and almost free. :)

My employer upgrades every 3 years, so I should get a new MBP next Spring. Will likely go for another 17".
 
Frugality

Echoing sushi and several other posters: patience and planning are the keys. Also, don't listen to a computer industry that tells you an upgrade every year or so is necessary - save a little more, buy a slightly higher end machine and plan to hold onto it for at least 3 years (5 would be better).

I'm getting ready to buy a new laptop to replace my 2004 vintage PowerBook G4. Yes, 2004. About a year ago I started putting aside $50 of each paycheck and a bit more in weeks when I could afford it. The result: saving for the machine became a habit, a small part of my overall budget and nothing that got in the way of day-to-day life. In the meantime, I built up a small cash cushion in my bank account which would have been very useful had some unforeseen personal crisis come along.

When it comes time to buy later this summer (I have the money safely set aside now, but am limping along with the old machine hoping for a new Macbook Air) I can do so with cash, taking on no debt.

Good luck!
 
macbook pro's arent all 2500 dollars i got mine for 1800 with my student discount, sold my ipod touch and got prob another 150-200 off the price( dont remember exactly).

learn how to manage your money. if you make at least 200 a week save 150 and live off of 50 for the week. work out a plan like that or something. I'm not going to really say more because i dont know how old you are, where you live, ect. but yeah man still 1800 is a lot. just gotta save i guess
 
I just got my insanely hot, filthy rich Girlfriend to buy me one.....I'm actually using it right now to respond to this post! :D

Its the 15" Anti-Glare with 512GB SSD, 8GB of PC10600 @1333MHz(1.34GHz) upgraded RAM.... and I had some Mac fanatic tech-head buddies upgrade my integrated iSight web-cam to 3.2mp's

I'm loving it!

:apple::apple::apple::apple::apple::apple::apple:
 
Save!

I saved for a few months and bought a 13" MBP. Then I sold it cause it was too small. I spent all my money in the meantime and am currently saving up for a 17" MBP. Should have enough money within 2-3 weeks. :p

It comes at a price but. I've spent my winter break working pretty much nonstop! I'm pulling in about 5k a month. Too bad the 17" is over $3000 where I live :rolleyes:
 
I like how everyone is bashing this guy for being able to pay for a MBP in one pay check.

Lets say he paid $2000 for his Pro.
$2000*2 = $4000 a month. $4000*12= $48000 per year.

Whats to say this person gets paid every other week? That could be a week paycheck?
 
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