Do the new MacBooks usually ship right after the event?

Updates to existing product lines almost always ship within a week or two of being announced.

 

from what is being said in these forums and elsewhere, there is every indication that the new Airs and MacBook Pros should be available to purchase pretty much right away, but the Retina MBPros could be a few weeks away due to panel supply restraints.

then again, Apple is full of surprises around new products announcements time so you could be in luck

 

well, you can do programming and stuff on the current model but i agree it's prudent to wait. i did want to say that if you're in the US i would check to see if your state has a tax free weekend. usually this comes along mid to late summer and can save you (or your parents) a few hundred bucks.