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wait i just looked at US, uk, spain, canada, france and germany and italy and ALL have the current mbp and mba on there refurbished list, 3 out of them only have mbp and mba on their refurb store and almost all of them only had the current versions of the mbp with all the different typs of configerations

Until yesterday, they didn't have any of the stock 13" models. However, yesterday they added two stock 13" MBP models, and they appear to have all the other models except the entry level 15" MBP. Perhaps this is a final push to clear out some old stock before Tuesday??

Also, to add my $0.02 worth to the discussion re: Apple's Hardware/Prices/"Apple Tax". My biggest beef with Apple is that they do not update their prices between product updates. I've been burned twice by this, the first being my very first Mac, a 17" PowerBook in January 2005, and again a few months ago when I bought a 24" iMac just over a month before they released the updated iMacs.

Both times they added fairly significant upgrades, other than just bumped specs. Both times, the new updated products came in cheaper for the same "model line". I bought the entry-level 24" iMac, and the 27" iMac that came out later was $300 cheaper (in Canada). So, not only was I out-spec'ed, I also paid more for it. 5 years ago, Apple didn't give a hoot about what had happened to me, but oddly enough, this last time Apple Customer Care did make an effort to satisfy me. It is odd because this last time, well over a month had passed from when I had purchased it to the updates, but 5 years ago it was only about 3 weeks. For those of you who may wonder, I got a free 1 TB Time Capsule for my troubles, which I turned around and sold to recuperate part of my loss.

So, from my examples, the ultimate problem I find is the lack of pricing updates. I had purchased a Mac near the end of the product's line. These prices were the exact same price as when that product had first come out. Perhaps Apple has bumped prices in the past without bumping specs, but I can't remember this ever happening in the past. On the day they are released, the prices are "competitive", with the obvious Apple tax which many people are still willing to pay. However, as time goes on from the launch date, those computers become cheaper to make. By the end of the product line, the so-called Apple tax has increased significantly. For the unfortunate soul who purchases a Mac and opens it the day before a new product update, they are likely completely out of luck. All of a sudden Apple releases a new product with better specs, and often at a cheaper price. So you have lost value in both having an older model, but also having paid more for that same "model".

If Apple were to reduce their prices say once a month or something, I (and I assume many others) would have much less difficulty purchasing Macs. Their prices would also seem much more competitive through the product's line. If the current MBP models were reduced in price by a few hundred dollars than what they are now, I would have no difficulty buying one right on the spot. Now, I have a deadline of buying a MBP by the end of the month, so if they update them by then I will likely have no choice. But, if I knew that the newer models wouldn't be over-spec'ed and under-priced, I wouldn't feel like I was making a foolish purchase.

Anyway, I think I've said enough, especially for my first MR post. I sure hope the new MBPs come out Tuesday...
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220696

Asus 16", i720QM, 4gb Ram, Radeon HD 5730 1GB for $1100US

Taking into consideration conversion and shipping that would probably run me up to $1300 - $1400AU. Someone even mentioned that for another $80US you can get a battery that doubles its life (3-4hours)

This is the dilemma, with the new MBP's coming out i dont even know if apple will be matching these specs. Even worse if they do the price is probably going to be double. Really wouldnt mind paying $400-600 premium to get the Mac version but double! Having a long hard think about my next purchase :(

Obviously I can't guarantee anything, but I would expect all or at least 15"+ MBPs to have i5/i7. Something tells me the i720QM would only be an upgrade option for 15", maybe standard for 17"? Otherwise, you should expect the regular update: better hardware, same/cheaper price. So, the 15" entry-level MBP could be price the same but with an i5 in it, bigger HD, etc.
 
So, from my examples, the ultimate problem I find is the lack of pricing updates. I had purchased a Mac near the end of the product's line. These prices were the exact same price as when that product had first come out. Perhaps Apple has bumped prices in the past without bumping specs, but I can't remember this ever happening in the past. On the day they are released, the prices are "competitive", with the obvious Apple tax which many people are still willing to pay. However, as time goes on from the launch date, those computers become cheaper to make. By the end of the product line, the so-called Apple tax has increased significantly. For the unfortunate soul who purchases a Mac and opens it the day before a new product update, they are likely completely out of luck. All of a sudden Apple releases a new product with better specs, and often at a cheaper price. So you have lost value in both having an older model, but also having paid more for that same "model".

If Apple were to reduce their prices say once a month or something, I (and I assume many others) would have much less difficulty purchasing Macs. Their prices would also seem much more competitive through the product's line. If the current MBP models were reduced in price by a few hundred dollars than what they are now, I would have no difficulty buying one right on the spot. Now, I have a deadline of buying a MBP by the end of the month, so if they update them by then I will likely have no choice. But, if I knew that the newer models wouldn't be over-spec'ed and under-priced, I wouldn't feel like I was making a foolish purchase.

Anyway, I think I've said enough, especially for my first MR post. I sure hope the new MBPs come out Tuesday...[/QUOTE]



I agree!
 
So, from my examples, the ultimate problem I find is the lack of pricing updates. I had purchased a Mac near the end of the product's line. These prices were the exact same price as when that product had first come out. Perhaps Apple has bumped prices in the past without bumping specs, but I can't remember this ever happening in the past. On the day they are released, the prices are "competitive", with the obvious Apple tax which many people are still willing to pay. However, as time goes on from the launch date, those computers become cheaper to make. By the end of the product line, the so-called Apple tax has increased significantly. For the unfortunate soul who purchases a Mac and opens it the day before a new product update, they are likely completely out of luck. All of a sudden Apple releases a new product with better specs, and often at a cheaper price. So you have lost value in both having an older model, but also having paid more for that same "model".

If Apple were to reduce their prices say once a month or something, I (and I assume many others) would have much less difficulty purchasing Macs. Their prices would also seem much more competitive through the product's line. If the current MBP models were reduced in price by a few hundred dollars than what they are now, I would have no difficulty buying one right on the spot. Now, I have a deadline of buying a MBP by the end of the month, so if they update them by then I will likely have no choice. But, if I knew that the newer models wouldn't be over-spec'ed and under-priced, I wouldn't feel like I was making a foolish purchase.

Anyway, I think I've said enough, especially for my first MR post. I sure hope the new MBPs come out Tuesday...



I agree![/QUOTE]

Apple has a return Policy for those unlucky people.
 
Originally Posted by medic965
Okay. Here's the thing. My dad bought the XPS 16 just a few weeks ago (the one with 45nm processors) and i got a white macbook for $799 * an AMAZING Deal*

Funny thing is, his bluetooth broke in a week and he is already having problems with lojack. Furthermore, since you've never owned a mac, let me tell you that my $799 white macbook outperforms his $2500 dell... The Mac OS is so rock solid that it does really really well, even on Core 2 duo and 2 Gigs of ram. it does surprisingly well.

If you look at hardware only, the mac seems overpriced, but if you look at the total cost of a PC (from extra software that is junk - Moviemaker... etc.) that you will have to replace with something better. (like Pinnacle - which, while its a good program is so crash prone it gave my dad's laptop the BSOD (and its like $200 software) compared to iMovie - which comes free with any mac, and all the other super good reliable software that comes with mac... and you look up the price of reliable windows equivalents (there really arent any "equivalents" but the best u can have under windows) then, you pay about teh same but the macs are resistant to viruses, dont crash, and perform better on the same OR even on LESSER hardware.

A very good professor of mine said, we have all the hardware we need... its the software that lacks in intelligent design. He then made a joke about this being the reason he was an :apple: user -- because their software is intelligently designed. This is the reason microsoft couldnt enter the tablet spectrum as well - i DONT want crashy, buggy windows on a tablet. The only reason they didnt put windows on a phone.. cuz the hardware couldnt handle it...

Anyways, bac to my story, my dad ended up returning the dell, and he bought my white (current gen) Macbook and is now using iMovie to edit the 12 or so gigs of HD video that he has. and he is happy because it doesnt bluescreen... its rock solid, and he told me in about 2 days that his next one will be a mac and that he will replace our desktop with an iMac.

Thanks for the info. This is what I have been looking for. I am really hoping that this tuesday is the magic day. I have no trouble waiting until tuesday.
 
new thought

since we are way past the average days til updating the macbook pro...

im thinking that apple is just trying to package them as we speak! you know create a large stock pile ready to ship out to..er..well everywhere!.

maybe there are just trying to milk out every last current MBP and then when they hit a number where they feel its ok to give a discount on...BAM NEW MACBOOK PROS!

again if you look at refurbished macs, all they have is big old 17inch!
i tried configuring a mac on macmall..and it said to call...never did that before!

HOPEFULLY ITS TUESDAY!! you know when they take down the red for valentine
 
I was at my local Apple Retail store today (biggest one in the city). They wouldn't give a specific inventory number but said they had plenty of everything in stock. Make of that what you will. I think a Tuesday release is too soon.
 
I was at my local Apple Retail store today (biggest one in the city). They wouldn't give a specific inventory number but said they had plenty of everything in stock. Make of that what you will. I think a Tuesday release is too soon.

Why too soon? C2D is way outdated, and it's past its product cycle by weeks. If anything, it's already late.
 
I am really wondering what graphics solution Apple is planning for the 13" MBP when the refresh comes. Is the new Intel integrated on the i5 better than the 9400M?
 
I am really wondering what graphics solution Apple is planning for the 13" MBP when the refresh comes. Is the new Intel integrated on the i5 better than the 9400M?


No it's done terrible on benchmark tests compared to integrated nvidia chips. If they put the intel integrated graphics in the new line I will buy the old line instead. The processor power won't equate to the loss in graphics.
 
No it's done terrible on benchmark tests compared to integrated nvidia chips. If they put the intel integrated graphics in the new line I will buy the old line instead. The processor power won't equate to the loss in graphics.

ATi Discrete > nVidia Discrete, they wont be able to put the 9400M chipset in with iX series anyway.
 
No it's done terrible on benchmark tests compared to integrated nvidia chips. If they put the intel integrated graphics in the new line I will buy the old line instead. The processor power won't equate to the loss in graphics.

If they go integrated Intel in the 13 MBP, I will also want the old MBP. Wonder how much it will drop in price once the new model is sitting side by side. I am a Mosaic rep in a Best Buy in Charlotte and we have several of the current MBP's in stock, both 15 and 13". 900 and it will be a steal!
 
That indeed is the problem with Windows.

It is like buying an American-made car. If you are lucky you will have no problems, but you will hear about many others who do. Mac Os is like a German-made car - you know it is going to work.

That is a horrible analogy. Why would you pick a German-made car when it comes to reliability? Yes for handling and driving experience, but definitely not for reliability.


Depending on the survey (sometimes MINI or Porsche sneaks into the top 10) reliability goes like this (notwithstanding the recent Toyota troubles):

Japan/Japan/Japan/Japan/Japan/Japan/Japan/Korea/Japan/Korea
 
Not an event, but there is an Apple Store opening on Tuesday in Newcastle, UK.

Ok, thanks, that's interesting.

I was wondering if perhaps Apple would announce something at the GSMA. Reasoning being that Macbook Pros have had a weakness for several years: lack of integrated HSDPA. Since the iPad launch, it's clear that HSDPA is to the fore with the 3G version of the iPad featuring the plastic chunk out of the case to allow the radio waves in to the machine. I'm thinking that Apple could announce the HSDPA versions of the Macbook Pro there.

Interestingly, or not depending on your point of view, Apple lovie Stephen Fry will be presenting: http://www.mobileworldcongress.com/index.htm

Cheers,

jahman
 
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