Well, not really crazy, but the update is most likely around the corner. Why not wait 2 weeks and see if anything is coming up?
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Is it crazy to buy 2016 MacBook Pro right now?
- Thread starter ahostmadsen
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That's a tough one..
If they make notable improvements and/or modifications and the prices move (or specs move down the price tiers) it definitely puts the original 2016's in a tough spot in terms of value
There's always a new computer around the corner...and a new car and super-tech toaster.
Then there's today. I'm really enjoying my 13" and 15" touch bar models along with my fast car and dazzling toaster.
Sometimes I use them all at once.
R.
Then there's today. I'm really enjoying my 13" and 15" touch bar models along with my fast car and dazzling toaster.
Sometimes I use them all at once.
R.
Yeah, but if you have the option to wait and see what they announce in just a few weeks time, it's a prudent move. Any changes they make will at the minimum likely mean better deals on 2016 models, so it's a win win.
This is not the usual "buy now or wait for 8-16 months" type of thing.
There was mentions that Apple tried to get more battery capacity in the 2016 models but time constraints meant they were not able to get the technology ready
If that is true and does happen to materialize in the refresh, you may be looking at a much bigger battery life jump than just Kabylake efficiency.
I agree with all of this. But add to the list: - Fix whatever was broken/acting funky with the previous generation of this laptop. That's what successive generations of products do: upgrade components and address all the nagging bugs with the previous generation. So if you haven't purchased a new MacBook Pro yet, definitely keep your hard-earned cash in your wallet and wait for the Kaby Lake version. It will probably be a worthwhile upgrade!
Q: Is it crazy to buy <item> right now?
A: if you need it buy it. If you don't need it, don't buy it yet. If you WANT it, then sure. Decide how bad you want it NOW vs the rumours. Do your industry research on component suppliers to know what is coming down the pipe.
There is always something better on the horizon.
Agreed, theres always something better coming right around the corner. That's just how it works.
It definitely isn't crazy to buy one right now. If you want one, go ahead.
It's not like it will be any major update like the 2015>2016 MBP lineup update.
i would def wait, while the saying if you need it buy it now is true, its also massively ignorant and too general to apply to case by case situation.
in this case, with the fact that new laptop that is aimed to improve many significant con of the 2016 model. specifically the battery, i would definitely wait.
in this case, with the fact that new laptop that is aimed to improve many significant con of the 2016 model. specifically the battery, i would definitely wait.
I'm not a hobbyist and these aren't used for basic stuff. I'm what you'd call a "power user" and these machines make me money. So waiting for some little upgrades is not worth a nickel to me. If a BIG upgrade comes and it's something that helps my workflow, then I'll upgrade.
Example: I'm a photographer and the tMBP was a sizable improvement over my 2015 15" Retina. I lost very little making the upgrade and it comes off the taxes anyway.
Buy what YOU need WHEN you need it. If you're waiting for UNKNOWN upgrades, then you probably don't need this level of laptop anyway.
R.
To some people the nickel is worth waiting a couple weeks to find out either way.
Then you can buy a spec bummed model if the changes are worth it or an existing model likely for less money than right now.
Different strokes for different folks
Is it crazy? No.
I use my 15" touchbar at work for doing audio and video production most days. I'm not fretting over the coming refresh since there's not much chance it will have a measurable difference in what I have now. There's nothing I can't do with the 2016 that the 2017 will let me do.
Now...the new Mac Pro...that's a different story.
I use my 15" touchbar at work for doing audio and video production most days. I'm not fretting over the coming refresh since there's not much chance it will have a measurable difference in what I have now. There's nothing I can't do with the 2016 that the 2017 will let me do.
Now...the new Mac Pro...that's a different story.
To be fair, year-to-year refreshes and spec bumps are almost never something that fit in that description you just laid out.
It's all about component refinement and polish, possibly more SKUs and options to choose from and also possibly lower pricing for a given amount of performance and features.
In short - value and refinement
Maybe not crazy, but stupid. You can probably find better deals on the 2016 model if new ones are release next month. So by waiting a couple of weeks you could save some money and/or get a better computer. I was about to get the current 2016 model but I'm definitely waiting now.
I'm usually in the "If you need it now, buy it" category, but this particular refresh may be different. It could be a mere spec bump or as others have speculated we may see lower prices, improved battery life, or some other tweaks to the current 2016 line. Plus, whatever the refresh brings, we should see lower prices on the current line up (either refurbished or discounts on new machines). I think this is one time where it would pay to wait.
My new 2016 Macbook Pro just arrived today. Considering that I do in fact want the new 2017 update, do I have the option to start using the 2016 now then return/exchange when the 2017 is released? Or should I just return now and wait?
Edit: (I now know the return policy is 14 days, not 30)
Edit: (I now know the return policy is 14 days, not 30)
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Make some money on some projects off it over the next 12 days, then return it on the 14th day.
Oh, I have it
Would not buy a modern Apple product without it, honestly.
Totally agree - The super sealed nature of all these things now basically mandates it unless you sell it before 12 months every time.
True, but its also true that new models often have early adopter bugs and/or production issues.
So really, even if the new model comes out tomorrow, with better spec, i'd still suggest perhaps holding off a few months whilst the early production bugs and firmware/driver issues are sorted out.
So, if you're thinking new model in 3 months, then you add the "hold off a few months to let others hit the bugs first", you're talking 6 months.
6 months is ~15% of the warranty period (and thus, my projected life) on a new machine. 6 months you've been doing without the computer.
Put it this way:
battery life is the big thing that may change. MAY change.
CPU performance will be within 5-10%
screen will likely be same
GPU performance will be same
Do you want to give up 3-6 months (based on my above assertions - 3 months being it is released tomorrow, 6 months is based on say september release, YMMV) for a potential 5-10% performance improvement and risk of early adopter bugs/hardware issues?
I'd say its crazy to wait at the moment - if you NEED something. or even if your current machine works but is annoying you during daily use.
But yeah. YMMV. Buy what you want, when you want. There is ALWAYS something better. But most of the time it is incremental, these days it is very rare to get more than 5-10% performance bumps.
I think we disagree on what these new models likely mean.
I'm expecting a slight refinement to existing issues with keyboard (possibly even not mentioned by Apple, but talk to store employees - They are getting lots of issues there and have been for months) and simply spec bumps and price adjustments.
I don't expect anything that would reintroduce a new waiting period of "ironing out bugs". I look at this as just an extension of all the time they've had to do that since October 2016.