If the MB refresh might actually be in November...

[Ryuukumori]

Hm, a 7200RPM sounds good for the recording. Thanks.

I have heard from some people too that a 15" screen is better for recording as well. Maybe it will be a plus if I had a better screen on the MBP (since the MB has washed out blacks). Or maybe that doesn't matter.

I'm in this loophole. I can do many things really. I can buy the MB refurbished with a printer... or buy in the summer new with an EDU discount, iPod, and printer (selling the iPod), buying the MBP refurbished, that new with the iPod + printer. So many choices...

What's best? Will the MBP last longer for me? And aren't the MBP speakers better too? Those have speaker holes, while the MB is underneath the keyboard...

 

[Brien]

I don't think you'll be getting a notebook update in November. At times, Apple has been very slow at updating their machines even after a new processor has been released, and other manufacturers such as Dell, HP, and Sony have implemented it already.

Secondly, we'll probably see a speed bump before then, if that makes you happy. The Al Macbooks were released in October of last year, and I don't think Apple would go 13 months without an update of their best-selling laptop (and probably their best selling computer).

A speed bump is likely by June. Intel will be releasing bumped chips, can't remember the exact date/specs, but it's likely that would be a good timeframe to expect a refresh.

 

[aethelbert]

I'm in this loophole. I can do many things really. I can buy the MB refurbished with a printer... or buy in the summer new with an EDU discount, iPod, and printer (selling the iPod), buying the MBP refurbished, that new with the iPod + printer. So many choices...

It seems that you have some confusion over the rebate programs. The iPod and printer promotions do not go with refurbished hardware.

 

[Ryuukumori]

It seems that you have some confusion over the rebate programs. The iPod and printer promotions do not go with refurbished hardware.

I understand the iPod promo does not qualify for refurbs, but the printer sure does.

I think I am going to purchase a new MBP next refresh, with Snow Leopard, and the free iPod to sell, printer to keep, and the edu discount. It saves a shave of $$ instead of refurbs.

However, my choice to buy the MBP is IF it's better for music projects. Can I expect better with FW 800, larger screen (and better contrast), and apparently larger speakers? Is that enough to justify it's large price tag? Or is the MB a much cheaper deal, and can handle enough?

Seriously, this is the ONLY obstacle I face between a $400 decision.

 

[aethelbert]

I understand the iPod promo does not qualify for refurbs, but the printer sure does.

Oh, seems that's nice to note. In the past, it wouldn't let me do that. Per the program's terms, you are indeed correct.

However, my choice to buy the MBP is IF it's better for music projects. Can I expect better with FW 800, larger screen (and better contrast), and apparently larger speakers? Is that enough to justify it's large price tag? Or is the MB a much cheaper deal, and can handle enough?

Unless your hardware can use FW800, I don't think that it will be significantly better for music projects. The screen is, indeed, of better quality but it doesn't seem to me that it would be of much importance in that arena. The speakers, while better than some notebooks, are still not that great and you'd want another set anyway for that sort of work. Of course it's nice to have more screen area to work with, but it's a matter of personal preference and value to you.

 

[Ryuukumori]

Oh, seems that's nice to note. In the past, it wouldn't let me do that. Per the program's terms, you are indeed correct.


Unless your hardware can use FW800, I don't think that it will be significantly better for music projects. The screen is, indeed, of better quality but it doesn't seem to me that it would be of much importance in that arena. The speakers, while better than some notebooks, are still not that great and you'd want another set anyway for that sort of work. Of course it's nice to have more screen area to work with, but it's a matter of personal preference and value to you.

Hmm, well I really think USB will be okay... I don't even have any hardware that uses FW 800! XD

With that in mind, the MB would be more appealing to the price. I think it'll be just fine. Isn't the portability also a plus? That MUST be a factor walking across the campus alot.

 

[Hoopdy]

They definitely won't be refreshed by Nov. Unibody only came out about 6 months ago. The only think I can think they may change before then is the tweaks that come with Snow Leopard.

Don't wait...buy, buy, buy!

I just bought my Macbook and I love it.

 

[cathyy]

Nehalem most likey won't be coming to Apple's mobile line mainly due to heat and power issues. The next bump will probably be Westmere in 2010.

 

[Ryuukumori]

I think the MBP is simply overkill and a big price tag. I really think I am overestimating the power I need for a laptop, and only a laptop. I can get more power simply building a custom PC (which I don't mind using Windows at all, really. I wanna try OSX for a change!)

The portability will be nice. I don't mind the screen and graphics all too much, as long as I have Apple's reliability behind my back!

 

[iboost79]

I'd say refresh around June of this year.

 

[Ryuukumori]

I sure hope so! June would be perfect.

 

[Darkroom]

i'm sure there will be a refresh before november. the same thing was happening last spring when i was waiting for the iMac to be refreshed: apple seemed to delay the refresh by a few months and loaded the refurb store with iMacs. those deals in the refurb store now on macbooks look pretty good, so i'm thinking they're trying to unload a bunch of refurbs before updating. they just lowered the price of the UMB 2.4 by $100 last week in the refurb store, which tells me there probably will not be a refresh for at least another month. of course this is just as assumption.

 

[Boston Fan]

Don't go to school without your MacBook in hand. The negatives of dealing with school without a computer for two months will not be offset by a November refresh.

 

[Ryuukumori]

Yeah, for sure. I need a computer for every second or grades might slip.

After some research, in my dorm (which I already enrolled to with a buddy of mine last week), every hour of class is 2-4 hours of homework.

 

[PaperMacWriter]

What if you get hit by a bus tomorrow and die?

no need to hold out all the way till november, just buy it, I doubt the changes will be groundbreaking anyways.

This is immeadeatly what I thought of when I read your comment. Why such a negitave veiw?

As to my advice, I am at this point waiting for a refresh as this is the first model of a complete rebuild. I have heard that there are a whole flock of problems with them, as there were with the Air. I expect that there will be minimal stat bumps, but you'll have a much smoother machine. I might be totally off though
SG

 

[Darkroom]

As to my advice, I am at this point waiting for a refresh as this is the first model of a complete rebuild. I have heard that there are a whole flock of problems with them, as there were with the [FONT="Arial Narrow"]Air[/FONT]. I expect that there will be minimal stat bumps, but you'll have a much smoother machine. I might be totally off though:p
SG :apple:[/QUOTE]

i assumed the same thing about the iMac that was released last spring, but the problems (mostly with the screen) were still present in the new refresh. the same type of threads on here about screen problems just exploded again, saying pretty much the same thing they said with the previous release. i suspect we'll see more similar threads with loose battery tops and slanted keys when the new macbook refresh hits. it's the nature of computers and mass production - some have problems and some don't. thankfully apple care is (usually) merciful, and it's difficult to go wrong with the 14 day return policy.

so i bought a refurb. $300 off the high end refurbished macbook was too much to ignore. it should arrive in the next few hours.

 

[fireman13]

I went through five years of college without a computer. I had to get up at 5 am to get to the library on campus to type my paper. I managed to graduate with honors......I think you will be fine.

 

[PracticalMac]

That's true. lol

I am still going to wait until after WWDC just in case things change. Otherwise, other insight?

I expect a new MB by November, maybe earlier.

It is already 5~6 months old, upgrades will come out soon.

At least a speed bump, if not including FW800

 

[iMacmatician]

A speed bump is likely by June. Intel will be releasing bumped chips, can't remember the exact date/specs, but it's likely that would be a good timeframe to expect a refresh.

I heard late May (although I believe the LV CPUs have already been bumped).

 

[PaperMacWriter]

I expect a new MB by November, maybe earlier.

It is already 5~6 months old, upgrades will come out soon.

At least a speed bump, if not including FW800

I think that an update id due soon, but I am almost positve it wont have FW. They only just excluded it from the MacBook, and I don't think FW 800 or 400 will ever return to it. Maybe in a few years with 3200 or 6400, but not 400 or 800.

i assumed the same thing about the iMac that was released last spring, but the problems (mostly with the screen) were still present in the new refresh. the same type of threads on here about screen problems just exploded again, saying pretty much the same thing they said with the previous release. i suspect we'll see more similar threads with loose battery tops and slanted keys when the new macbook refresh hits. it's the nature of computers and mass production - some have problems and some don't. thankfully apple care is (usually) merciful, and it's difficult to go wrong with the 14 day return policy.

so i bought a refurb. $300 off the high end refurbished macbook was too much to ignore. it should arrive in the next few hours.

I had no idea that there where problems with the iMac screen... I have a 24" 1.4GHz iMac from 2007, after their new look, and it has no issues. I also preform maintenance on my brothers schools iMac 20" 2.4GHz from 2008. That had a buzzing sound issue related to the brightness, but the genius bar said that it was still under the claimed max sound, so its fine. Is that what you were talking about?
SG

 

[bchreng]

Thing is... I toured the campus a couple times already, both with school activity going on... and all the computer labs were filled. It is hard to find one without having your own.

Maybe I shouldn't worry, and WWDC will bring minor speed bumps, and Nehalem to be possessed by MBPs only for now. I see that a possibility.

I will be doing either Aerospace Engineering or Oceanography. Those two I assume require computers of your own.

Coming from someone who's studied Electrical Engineering, unless you intend on spending even more money towards purchasing a valid Windows license to install via Bootcamp, you should really consider buying a PC instead. The systems design programs we had to use for our labs were Windows only. The same is likely going to be true for the systems design and CAD -type programs that you're going to be using while studying Aerospace Engineering. I'd recommend flipping through your general catalog, figuring out what classes you're required to take and browse through their respective syllabuses online to find out what sort of system you're going to need.

On a similar note, collaborate work projects and papers tend to work out more smoothly if you're using MS Office, as that's what the majority of the students and staff tend to use. MS usually has a promotion every now and again for the Windows version of their Office suite for $60 for students. Whether you decide to go with a Mac and Bootcamp or a PC, you should also consider purchasing the PC version of Office and save some money.

 

[darngooddesign]

Unless your hardware can use FW800, I don't think that it will be significantly better for music projects. The screen is, indeed, of better quality but it doesn't seem to me that it would be of much importance in that arena. The speakers, while better than some notebooks, are still not that great and you'd want another set anyway for that sort of work. Of course it's nice to have more screen area to work with, but it's a matter of personal preference and value to you.

The screen is better in that you can fit more track information on the screen with the higher res screen.