Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Macbook Confusion

M

macbookfan32

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 4, 2010
7
0
Hey guys,

I'm a Mac newbie and I'm looking to buy a Macbook, but when I checked out the buyer's guide here, it states "not to buy" because the new models are due any day now.

But on the Apple website is states that the Macbook is "new and completely redesigned".

So what gives? Should I wait or have they already been released along with the new Macbook Pros?

Thanks!
 
Well Apple's website isn't going to say "Macbook: Old and due for a refresh" is it? :p

The Buyer's Guide tracks the time between updates and compares it to the average. Since the Macbook is 196 days from its last update compared to an average of 194, this means the Macbook is due to get refreshed soon.

So what gives? Should I wait or have they already been released along with the new Macbook Pros?
Click to expand...

Don't know. Do you need a computer now? Odds are the Macbook refresh won't be anything spectacular, especially given the marginal and long-overdue updates to the MBP.
 
macbookfan32 said:
Hey guys,

I'm a Mac newbie and I'm looking to buy a Macbook, but when I checked out the buyer's guide here, it states "not to buy" because the new models are due any day now.

But on the Apple website is states that the Macbook is "new and completely redesigned".

So what gives? Should I wait or have they already been released along with the new Macbook Pros?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Are you talking about the white Macbook?
 
Ha! I guess you're right, "old and end on the line" aren't exactly good marketing buzz words!

Yes, it's the current white Macbook on the Apple website that I'm after.

I don't need it right away, but in 1 month's time. Do you think the update will happen within that time frame?

Any speculations on what the upgrade will entail?
 
if you compare the price of the low end macbook pro to the macbook it is a lot more value for a little more money. i.e. if you buy a macbook for 999 upgrade to 4gb ram for a additional 100 bucks your only spending another 100 bucks for better battery life, supposedly better graphics card and slightly faster processor plus aluminum chassis fw and sd card reader, not really faster computer but lot more features for 100 bucks. better resale value?

when the new white macbook does comes out... if it has a 4gb ram and stays the same price well then i could see it being a tougher decision. After the last upgrade of the white macbook 10/09 vs 6/09 macbook pro I could see the macbook having a slight advantage at that point cheaper and close to the same space minus ports.
 
So since the general consensus here is that the upgrade will be minor, I think I'll be making my purchase in the few weeks regardless of the available model.

Thanks!
 
macbookfan32 said:
So since the general consensus here is that the upgrade will be minor, I think I'll be making my purchase in the few weeks regardless of the available model.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Take a look at the refurb store too. You can get a current Macbook for $849 ($150 off) and a previous generation MBP for $929 ($270 off).
Apple refurbs are excellent and have the same warranties as new machines.
 
My guess is the MB will be updated around the time when the iMac gets updated which I am guessing to be around Sept despite what the buyers guide shows. The iMac seems to get updated every 8-11-8-11 month cycles so the buyers guide is deceptive. A month ago that MB was a much better deal than the 13" MBP but now the prices are more in line with 'relative' value so I do not expect Apple to do anything for a while.

If you have a www.MicroCenter.com near your then this is a great place to buy since they have been selling new MB's for only $799 ($200 instant rebate). Anyway, I bought one from them a few weeks ago with no regrets at all. Can't beat that price. I then spend $100 on picked up 4GB of RAM (which is really didn't need) and used the 2GB from my MacBook RAM to add to my iMac to make 6GB.

If you do not have a Microcenter store near you then I second the recommendation for a refurb www.refurbme.com
 
What exactly is the deal with refurbs? Are they lemons that customers returned and then Apple repaired?

Has anyone here purchased a refurb and were happy with it?
 
Refurbs come with the same warranty as new and you can also buy Apple Care for 3 years. They might have been lemons or they might have simply been returned after a week as people may want a different model. Either way they are not longer 'new' and apple has to give them a complete check and/or repair to make them good as new. My iMac is refurb and aside from the box it is impossible to tell it is not brand new.
 
I haven't personally bought a refurb, but based on what I've read here and elsewhere, I would not hesitate to do so. I haven't heard anyone complaining about refurbs; most often I read people saying that they can't even see any signs at all of prior use. The components are re-tested and they are under warranty, so that should ease your mind a bit if you're afraid of getting a lemon.
 
Okay, I checked out the refurb Macbooks at the Apple website, but the only issue I see is that they don't offer the $100 rebate of a printer which I also need. :(
 
Yeah, you just have to weigh if the overall savings balances out losing on the printer rebate.

Did you decide whether you wanted to go with the Macbook or the Macbook Pro? Beacuse if you go with the Macbook, the Microcenter.com deal seems to be the best one out there at the moment.
 
macbookfan32 said:
Okay, I checked out the refurb Macbooks at the Apple website, but the only issue I see is that they don't offer the $100 rebate of a printer which I also need. :(
Click to expand...

According to the printer promotion small print "Configure-to-order and refurbished versions of these Apple computers qualify for this promotion." You buy the Mac and printer on the same invoice then you apply for the rebate.
 
talmy said:
According to the printer promotion small print "Configure-to-order and refurbished versions of these Apple computers qualify for this promotion." You buy the Mac and printer on the same invoice then you apply for the rebate.
Click to expand...

You're right! I just checked this out on the Apple site and it looks like that's what I'm gonna do. Thanks! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back