Everytime I want to get a new MacBook Pro, I have to wait...

[BlockEight88]

I am in need of a MacBook pro, a refresh is right around the corner, and of course this time, its MAJOR! Back in 2010, I needed a new laptop because my Toshiba decided one Saturday morning, it just didn't want to turn on any more. I researched the macbook pros and was going to buy one of them. I asked for some advice, and everyone told me new Arrandale macbook pros were due out anytime. Well this was December, and it wasn't until the morning of April 13 that they updated them. I didn't get mine until the first week of May. Yes it was worth it, however, I find this absolutely ridiculous Apple plans on refreshing the Pro line of notebooks NOW, with school just starting.

That is my only reason for needing one so badly. I am a senior in college, and need a laptop. I was eyeing the Macbook Air, but passed on that, as I wasn't a fan of the screen.

So why does Apple always do this? Now, if they do refresh the Pros sometime this month, we won't be able to take advantage of the back-to-school promotion, which gave us $100 in apps. Absolutely pathetic. And whatever happened to buy a mac, get a free iPod touch!!???

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Strangely enough, not all people want the newest and latest and can live just fine with a 2012 Mac, thus the promo works at least for those people.

Then there is also a small group of people who research a product before buying it, and in that group, there is an even smaller group caring about Haswell and what it brings to the table (better battery life and integrated graphics processor (IGP)).

And then there is Apple, not caring that much about small groups, only about what they want to do, thus September is the iPhone and iPad and iPod month, and OCTOBER is that Mac month.

 

[Krazy Bill]

So why does Apple always do this?

Perhaps they depend on that school market to help deplete old stock before bringing in the new? I have nothing to back this up though.

If this is true then I do my part. All of my macs (for family, kids, wife) were bought without any regard to new model introduction dates/rumors. And nobody has complained yet.

 

[macgeek18]

I just bought my Mid 2012 13" MBP and couldn't be happier. I was debating waiting on Haswell but the chance of the 13" with an optical drive being eliminated was too great for me to wait. This MBP is still the most powerful and newest machine I've ever owned.

 

[BlockEight88]

Main reason for waiting on Haswell is because of the Intel HD Graphics 5000. I don't know why Apple thought it was cute to eliminate the dedicated GPU on the 13" MBP. If the current RMBP had a dedicated GPU, I probably would buy now.

The Haswell Intel Graphics 5000 is a major upgrade from the 4000.

 

[darnovo]

is haswell expected this month?

 

[BlockEight88]

is haswell expected this month?

Not likely until October. Apple's concentration is the iPhone 5S this month. However, I hope they update everything on the 10th. All their products need updating, with the exception of the MBA.

 

[NT1440]

You got a MBP in 2010, and you need one to replace it already? What exactly are you doing that an SSD and enough RAM wouldn't suffice? I imagine it's something graphics intensive.

 

[BlockEight88]

You got a MBP in 2010, and you need one to replace it already? What exactly are you doing that an SSD and enough RAM wouldn't suffice? I imagine it's something graphics intensive.

I sold my 2010 MBP earlier this year. I actually regret doing so. I picked up one of the 2012 iMacs, which I love. It's great and very powerful, however my new job on campus requires a notebook. The iPad 3 (new iPad blah blah blah) isn't cutting it anymore.

I do not really do anything graphic intensive, but if spending a lot on a machine, I'd like to future proof it. The current MBP w/ retina would suite me just fine. I just would feel foolish considering a refresh is so close.

 

[comics addict]

Main reason for waiting on Haswell is because of the Intel HD Graphics 5000. I don't know why Apple thought it was cute to eliminate the dedicated GPU on the 13" MBP. If the current RMBP had a dedicated GPU, I probably would buy now.

The Haswell Intel Graphics 5000 is a major upgrade from the 4000.

As far as I know the 13 inch Mac have never had a dedicated GPU.

 

[NT1440]

I sold my 2010 MBP earlier this year. I actually regret doing so. I picked up one of the 2012 iMacs, which I love. It's great and very powerful, however my new job on campus requires a notebook. The iPad 3 (new iPad blah blah blah) isn't cutting it anymore.

I do not really do anything graphic intensive, but if spending a lot on a machine, I'd like to future proof it. The current MBP w/ retina would suite me just fine. I just would feel foolish considering a refresh is so close.

Well you're spot on regarding the rMBP, given the pixels that thing is pushing I'd hold on of at least one more gpu upgrade before I'd be comfortable holding onto one for another 5 years (current MBP is a 2009 model).

 

[Krazy Bill]

As far as I know the 13 inch Mac have never had a dedicated GPU.

Sure it did. Back "in the day".

 

[johnnylarue]

Well you're spot on regarding the rMBP, given the pixels that thing is pushing I'd hold on of at least one more gpu upgrade before I'd be comfortable holding onto one for another 5 years (current MBP is a 2009 model).

Hasn't it been established 1000 times over that any perceived graphical struggles exhibited by the rMBP are software-based and not the result of underpowered GPUs? Are the nerds not in agreement on this matter?

 

[NT1440]

Hasn't it been established 1000 times over that any perceived graphical struggles exhibited by the rMBP are software-based and not the result of underpowered GPUs? Are the nerds not in agreement on this matter?

And there is something wrong with wanting enough headroom to allow for holding onto the machine 5+ years...why?

I didn't say it couldn't deliver, I'm saying as graphics continue to become better and better the gen 1 rMBP is going to top out faster in terms of lifespan than gen 2, same difference between the current iPad and the gen3.

 

[bkribbs]

Hasn't it been established 1000 times over that any perceived graphical struggles exhibited by the rMBP are software-based and not the result of underpowered GPUs? Are the nerds not in agreement on this matter?

Nope. My rMBP now lags since thermal paste was reapplied I believe.

Flawless but hot before, now cool and laggy.

 

[offgray]

Nope. My rMBP now lags since thermal paste was reapplied I believe.

Flawless but hot before, now cool and laggy.

How could reapplication of thermal paste have possibly made your rMBP slower? only way I see it affecting your rMBP is if it wasn't done correctly

If your post was meant to be sarcastic, sarcasm doesn't translate well over text-based communication.

 

[bkribbs]

How could reapplication of thermal paste have possibly made your rMBP slower? only way I see it affecting your rMBP is if it wasn't done correctly

If your post was meant to be sarcastic, sarcasm doesn't translate well over text-based communication.

All I can tell you is that it did. I'm an upcoming computer engineer so I'm not stupid.

There have been cases where reapplication has helped so its reasonable that a case or two it may hurt (in terms of lag)

I never claimed it was a good application though- my assumption is that it wasn't. I'm going to attempt to get them to reapply it properly.

 

[BlockEight88]

Sure it did. Back "in the day".

They definitely did. Maybe it was last year's model that I'm thinking about?

 

[johnnylarue]

And there is something wrong with wanting enough headroom to allow for holding onto the machine 5+ years...why?

I didn't say it couldn't deliver, I'm saying as graphics continue to become better and better the gen 1 rMBP is going to top out faster in terms of lifespan than gen 2, same difference between the current iPad and the gen3.

Not at all. And the PBG4 and MPB I've owned over the past decade have both been bulletproof and relatively long-lasting. The PB was good for 6 years, and my 2010 MBP was still chugging along nicely at 3+ when it was stolen. Neither could be considered a 3D graphics powerhouse by any stretch, at any point in their life cycle.

I guess I don't see how buying a 2013 rMBP should be any different, and it seemed like you were implying the latter was already hobbled by its ultra-high resolution.

 

[comics addict]

Sure it did. Back "in the day".

Like back in the day when integrated GPU weren't as efficient?

 

[BlockEight88]

Like back in the day when integrated GPU weren't as efficient?

I still think that was a bad choice eliminating the dedicated GPUs. I can understand the MBA having integrated graphics, but the MacBook Pro line is the top of the line.

 

[Krazy Bill]

Like back in the day when integrated GPU weren't as efficient?

Well, err... yes. If you say so.

I'm just correcting somebody who doesn't remember there ever being a dGPU in the 13" MBP.

 

[Miller93]

is haswell expected this month?

The refresh is pretty suttle. I would expect Apple to announce refreshed Macbooks at the beginnning of their Sept. 10 event. Yes its an iPhone event but Apple cant afford to delay its release much longer.

 

[BlockEight88]

The refresh is pretty suttle. I would expect Apple to announce refreshed Macbooks at the beginnning of their Sept. 10 event. Yes its an iPhone event but Apple cant afford to delay its release much longer.

The Sep 10th event is unlikely that they'll update the MacBook Pros. I'd say October is more likely, giving their past history with Mac updates in that month. To be on the safe side, I will wait til the 10th at least.

 

[offgray]

All I can tell you is that it did. I'm an upcoming computer engineer so I'm not stupid.

There have been cases where reapplication has helped so its reasonable that a case or two it may hurt (in terms of lag)

I never claimed it was a good application though- my assumption is that it wasn't. I'm going to attempt to get them to reapply it properly.

Your assumption wasn't implied in your post and considering how many face palm inducing posts I've seen over a bunch of forums including MR like a guy asking if he can upgrade his current MBP from an i5 processor to an i7 processor at the same time saying that he needed the upgrade because he was going to be in a computer science program... Well. Let's just say my faith in humanity isn't exactly at a high point right now lol.

I apologize then if you feel that I implied you were stupid.