MacBook Pro Update Due for Launch as Soon as Tomorrow?

[MacUser09]

I am also waiting to buy a new MBP, and this is just my personal opinion on a new model release date.

Now that the release of the iPad has commenced, and bearing in mind that it still has to be released in Europe and the rest of the world, it only gives Apple a short period of time before the rumoured update of the iPhone (June/July), if true.

I therefore think that we won't be seeing any new MBP models until after that.

You have to remember that Apple are masters of marketing, and maximising revenue. If they release too many products too close to one another, then sales of one will impact upon the others.

 

[JSAYER]

Just looking at prices of Base end MBP's and I was wondering why America gets all Apple products so much cheaper than other countries around the world? Does anyboy know?

 

[miscbeep]

Why ? Well first off, you somehow have to order the products so they can get in your country, so then you have shipping costs + custom taxes + VAT ( if you're in Europe especially ) + duty tax. Where I live there's 20% VAT + around 6-7% Duty Tax, add the shipping, add the customs, finally add the reseller's profit and there you have it.

 

[insular]

Why ? Well first off, you somehow have to order the products so they can get in your country, so then you have shipping costs + custom taxes + VAT ( if you're in Europe especially ) + duty tax. Where I live there's 20% VAT + around 6-7% Duty Tax, add the shipping, add the customs, finally add the reseller's profit and there you have it.

don't forget apple tax, charging more just because they can.

most of what you said is ********, as all apple products originate from china to somewhere anyway.

 

[ValSalva]

Anyone who follows Apple (even on a loose basis) over the past several years knows that APPLE WOULD NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS RELEASE TWO DIFFERENT PRODUCTS SIMULTANEOUSLY!
Let me give you a quick scenario.. If Apple were to keep it's release date of April 3rd (today) for the iPad but two weeks ago or a month ago or even within the next few weeks announce a new MBP product line-up and announce that it would be released shortly, WHAT THE **** DO ALL OF YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN TO THE SALES OF THE iPad? Are you up in the night? I, too, wish they would release a new MBP as I've decided for the first time to go with a MBP rather than [sub-par/poorly designed] Windows-based laptop by HP, Dell, Sony, Acer, etc.
But I'd put a hard amount of money on the fact that there is NO question in Steve Jobs / marketing teams minds that they'll wait for the iPad sales to escalate to a fairly healthy level before going ahead with an announcement like a new MBP.

...not bashing on any of you here because I understand the ants in the pants feeling you're having but let's be a bit realistic here.

-Cheers.

I largely agree.

However the iPad requires a real computer (independent computer) for syncing. Unless Apple wants iPad buyers to start syncing their relatively low margin iPads with sub-par/poorly designed Windows-based laptops and desktops by HP, Dell, Sony, Acer, etc. then they need to either 1) Lower prices of their current line of "New MacBook Pro Family" computers, which they'll never do, or 2) Update their MBP and Mac Pro lineups where they make larger margins.

I'd be shocked if they waited until WWDC unless they are starting a precedent of updating yearly from now on. The computer industry is mature but it moves too quickly for yearly updates.

My bet is a window in early April; not this Tuesday but possibly the next, otherwise some time in early to mid May.

 

[dscuber9000]

You have to remember that Apple are masters of marketing, and maximising revenue. If they release too many products too close to one another, then sales of one will impact upon the others.

Yeah, but I don't think Apple will try to hype up MBP revisions as much as they would a new product like the iPad or what appears to be a heavy update to the iPhone. I think Apple could very smoothly release the MBP revisions in between the iPad craze and the iPhone announcements.

 

[Eric S.]

What about the macbook pro and air, both launched in June 2009?

Those were updates only, based on a mature C2D processor. We're looking at an entirely new processor architecture with Arrandale.

 

[Deepshade]

Yyyyyyaaaaawwwwwwn

Apple is only interested in one thing, making lots of $$$$$$. As a designer who has been loyal(read slave) to the mac since the Mono SE, it's obvious Apple will do what ever they need to do to make $$$$$$$$$$. Even if this means dumping on the very users that put them in the frame to start with (halt production of everything while we launch the next big idea at Apple). OK iPad launched done, dusted. Been there, got the badge (newtoy/n) Second time lucky etc etc - fair enough - nows the time - great product - Next please!
iPad (still sounds like a sanitary product) rant over.

Rumors rant on....

ANYONE can post - 'might be' or 'might have said' and 'you never know if' and 'a tipster said' rumors till the cows come home. I could make this up a I went along!!!! you guys really take the **** out of the mac community with some of this stuff. And your advertisers need to wake a up a take a look at what they are associating themselves with - embarrassing non news gossip!! It's pretty obvious SOMETHING is going to happen AFTER the iPad launch/ Apple don't just stop?.

C'mon let have some REAL news!! - maybe the title of the site says it all - not worth a jot anymore!

Since I've visited this site its all been nothing but recycled stuff thats on the net already - serious lack of originality here!

 

[KPATT18]

Why ? Well first off, you somehow have to order the products so they can get in your country, so then you have shipping costs + custom taxes + VAT ( if you're in Europe especially ) + duty tax. Where I live there's 20% VAT + around 6-7% Duty Tax, add the shipping, add the customs, finally add the reseller's profit and there you have it.

But hey, their healthcare is free........ so they got that workin for them (sarcasm intended).

 

[nfrzn cvmn]

just venting

I am a dis-loyal PC user looking to make his first foray into the MAC world. I don't know much about apple, although I do own an I-phone. I also know to be careflul with my criticisms because some apple owners are just plain FANATICS.

In any case I need a new laptop and after 11 years and 11 PC's I want to try the new Macbook pro. But I refuse to overpay for an old machine. So like everyone else I wait.

I did go to BestBuy yesterday. There was a crowd surrounding the apple kiosk. Some were checking out the IPad but there were a whole lot more people looking at the laptops.

I think Steve should just release them already. I'm not in emergency mode yet, but if it gets to that point I will prolly go with the sony vaio and wait another 11 years before thinking about apple again.

 

[Jamuke]

@ValSalva, not every laptop that isn't designed by apple is 'Sub par' or 'poorly designed'. In fact many of the manufactures you listed release laptops that are normally to quite a high standard. Apple fanboys are some of the worst!

 

[ValSalva]

@ValSalva, not every laptop that isn't designed by apple is 'Sub par' or 'poorly designed'. In fact many of the manufactures you listed release laptops that are normally to quite a high standard. Apple fanboys are some of the worst!

I was making light of the quote of thesasquatch and probably should have more clearly indicated that.

But generally I do feel that the Mac leads in design and usability if not cutting edge specs (especially right now). I switched to Mac because of being fed up with junk from Dell and HP.

And I don't think you'd call me a fanboy if you knew just how low my opinion is of the iPad

 

[miscbeep]

don't forget apple tax, charging more just because they can.

most of what you said is ********, as all apple products originate from china to somewhere anyway.

I love when people don't read what I've written. Or you just don't know how things work where I live ( Eastern Europe ). Who cares where the products originate from ? You don't order them directly from China, do you ? Apple does, and when they get it, they send it to your location. You think resellers order from China ? Tee - hee

Ze "Apple tax" is clearly known.

 

[merc2605]

Reading all of your posts on here makes me a little bit puzzled..

DO ANY OF YOU EVEN REALIZE THAT APPLE IS LARGELY SUCCESSFUL DUE TO IT'S MARKETING TACTICS?! (and very well-developed designs obviously)

Anyone who follows Apple (even on a loose basis) over the past several years knows that APPLE WOULD NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS RELEASE TWO DIFFERENT PRODUCTS SIMULTANEOUSLY!
Let me give you a quick scenario.. If Apple were to keep it's release date of April 3rd (today) for the iPad but two weeks ago or a month ago or even within the next few weeks announce a new MBP product line-up and announce that it would be released shortly, WHAT THE **** DO ALL OF YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN TO THE SALES OF THE iPad? Are you up in the night? I, too, wish they would release a new MBP as I've decided for the first time to go with a MBP rather than [sub-par/poorly designed] Windows-based laptop by HP, Dell, Sony, Acer, etc.
But I'd put a hard amount of money on the fact that there is NO question in Steve Jobs / marketing teams minds that they'll wait for the iPad sales to escalate to a fairly healthy level before going ahead with an announcement like a new MBP.

...not bashing on any of you here because I understand the ants in the pants feeling you're having but let's be a bit realistic here.

-Cheers.

I'd like to agree with you but the customer base for MBPs and iPads is very different. I would wager that a large percentage of MBP owners won't be interested in buying the iPad, particularly those who have both an MB/MBP and iPhone. If you own both those devices I really see no point in owning the iPad, that's personally why I'm not interested in one anyway.

Also, you have to remember that Apple has built the vast majority of its success on iPod and iPhone sales, not their computer sales. I would wager that Apple expect the iPad to be just as big a seller as the iPhone and iPod. Therefore, any MBP refresh wouldn't really detract from iPad press or sales. From a pure marketing point of view I can see where you are coming from, but in this case I don't think it would detract from the iPad to release MBPs because they are vastly different products with very different target customers.

 

[Dolorian]

I would wager that a large percentage of MBP owners won't be interested in buying the iPad, particularly those who have both an MB/MBP and iPhone. If you own both those devices I really see no point in owning the iPad, that's personally why I'm not interested in one anyway.

I am currently neither an MBP or iPhone owner but I am getting the 3GS this week (awesome offer from the carrier now) and a MBP when the new models are out. Even still, I would not get an iPad as I rather get a Macbook Pro and the iPhone since both suit my needs perfectly. I wouldn't find much use for an iPad, really and would get much more out of having a MBP as my main machine hooked with an external display.

 

[LearnToSpell]

I am currently neither an MBP or iPhone owner but I am getting the 3GS this week (awesome offer from the carrier now) and a MBP when the new models are out. Even still, I would not get an iPad as I rather get a Macbook Pro and the iPhone since both suit my needs perfectly. I wouldn't find much use for an iPad, really and would get much more out of having a MBP as my main machine hooked with an external display.

I have a 3GS, but I'll probably go for a MBP as I'll be able to tether the iPhone to it.

 

[Dolorian]

I have a 3GS, but I'll probably go for a MBP as I'll be able to tether the iPhone to it.

Indeed, thats another plus.

 

[haydn!]

Just looking at prices of Base end MBP's and I was wondering why America gets all Apple products so much cheaper than other countries around the world? Does anyboy know?

They don't. Prices quoted at apple.com/store do not include sales tax, where as the prices quoted in the European, and most international stores do.

If we take the 15" base model as an example. It's $1699 in the US store. Using the common £1GBP = $1.5 USD ratio, the $1699 becomes £1132.70. Add on 17.5% VAT and you get £1330.92. The UK store price is currently £1328 for the base 15" model so effectively the MacBook is cheaper in the UK than it is some parts of the USA.

Obviously, the exact price difference will vary from time to time depending upon currency fluctuations however the £1GBP = $1.5USD is commonly used by many international businesses to set RRP for their goods.

 

[Thunderhawks]

Yyyyyyaaaaawwwwwwn

Apple is only interested in one thing, making lots of $$$$$$. As a designer who has been loyal(read slave) to the mac since the Mono SE, it's obvious Apple will do what ever they need to do to make $$$$$$$$$$. Even if this means dumping on the very users that put them in the frame to start with (halt production of everything while we launch the next big idea at Apple). OK iPad launched done, dusted. Been there, got the badge (newtoy/n) Second time lucky etc etc - fair enough - nows the time - great product - Next please!
iPad (still sounds like a sanitary product) rant over.

Rumors rant on....

ANYONE can post - 'might be' or 'might have said' and 'you never know if' and 'a tipster said' rumors till the cows come home. I could make this up a I went along!!!! you guys really take the **** out of the mac community with some of this stuff. And your advertisers need to wake a up a take a look at what they are associating themselves with - embarrassing non news gossip!! It's pretty obvious SOMETHING is going to happen AFTER the iPad launch/ Apple don't just stop?.

C'mon let have some REAL news!! - maybe the title of the site says it all - not worth a jot anymore!

Since I've visited this site its all been nothing but recycled stuff thats on the net already - serious lack of originality here!

Since when is making $$$ a bad business decision and dumps on Apple users?

They need all the money they can get , so they can invest in and advance their business and not fall behind.

Buying a chip design firm, most likely also Intrinsic, hire the "brain" of portable computer applications, ad companies etc. all costs money.

APPLE likes to stay as independent of anybody's systems as much as possible. See FLASH, which they will IMO kill.

They release products when they deem them ready.

Game changers with ipod , iphone laptops etc. and people are crying that there is an Apple tax?

Having had Mac's since 1984, I can honestly say they have had a lot of clunkers in there and took turns left and right.

It was good that Jobs got fired. It made him realize what he set out to do and was not doing.

Now he (and the team he has surrounded himself with) is on an incredible tear.

Wait what happens once the North Carolina facility is up.

Don't buy Apple, it's a free country.

For everybody wanting to decide when Apple is do what, fill out a job application and start running the place

 

[clpz89]

@ValSalva, not every laptop that isn't designed by apple is 'Sub par' or 'poorly designed'. In fact many of the manufactures you listed release laptops that are normally to quite a high standard. Apple fanboys are some of the worst!

This is not Twitter.. "@" symbol is not necessary. You are provided with a "quote" button at the bottom of what a person posts so you can respond directly to their post. Sorry just had to get that off of my chest!

 

[haricks]

In fact, apple must do something. Soon.

Look at this. Im looking for 15"MPB in NY and...

$1999 15"MPB

$1699 15"MPB

Only 1 Store, there are no MPB in NYC, critical situation, the update must come soon.

Well, i come to USA on late June (im from Brazil) and i want to buy a 15"MPB, because its VERY overpriced in Brazil.

Just for example:
U$1999 MPB in USA
the same one in Brazil cost: U$3600

You cant say "its very expensive" in USA hehehehe, you dont see brazilian prices yet.

twitter@djrodrigoc

 

[DeepCobalt]

Just looking at prices of Base end MBP's and I was wondering why America gets all Apple products so much cheaper than other countries around the world? Does anyboy know?

It's called TAX. First, the US price is shown pre-tax. Hence, most of us are paying US Price + 5 -10% extra. Second, many countries abroad have value-added-taxes, duties, and other fees which are INCLUDED in Apple's pricing. Some of these are 20%+. Thus, (1) US prices are generally understated, and (2) go blame your individual countries' governments for prohibitive levels of VAT and other duties.

 

[juandixon109]

launching iPad before MBP makes perfect sense. itunes runs ******** than ever on windows and the last ipad update was no exception.

i love my new ipad and even more reason for me to want to get a mac and mac runned itunes. bravo apple bravo...

 

[kmaute]

I'd like to agree with you but the customer base for MBPs and iPads is very different. I would wager that a large percentage of MBP owners won't be interested in buying the iPad, particularly those who have both an MB/MBP and iPhone. If you own both those devices I really see no point in owning the iPad, that's personally why I'm not interested in one anyway.

Also, you have to remember that Apple has built the vast majority of its success on iPod and iPhone sales, not their computer sales. I would wager that Apple expect the iPad to be just as big a seller as the iPhone and iPod. Therefore, any MBP refresh wouldn't really detract from iPad press or sales. From a pure marketing point of view I can see where you are coming from, but in this case I don't think it would detract from the iPad to release MBPs because they are vastly different products with very different target customers.

Let us remember the last instance similar to the one we find ourselves in. In 2007, Apple released the SR MBP in a silent bump in the week prior to WWDC and the subsequent launch of the iPhone. We did not see another update to a Mac until August 7th, when the Al iMacs were released alongside iLife/iWork 2008.

Obviously, something is different. Apple is waiting for something; I do not believe that they'll wait until WWDC. It would make sense to release MBPs in the next 2-3 weeks alongside MPs. However, we know nothing...

 

[rajbonham]

Let us remember the last instance similar to the one we find ourselves in. In 2007, Apple released the SR MBP in a silent bump in the week prior to WWDC and the subsequent launch of the iPhone. We did not see another update to a Mac until August 7th, when the Al iMacs were released alongside iLife/iWork 2008.

Obviously, something is different. Apple is waiting for something; I do not believe that they'll wait until WWDC. It would make sense to release MBPs in the next 2-3 weeks alongside MPs. However, we know nothing...

So you see them releasing the MacBook Pros along with the Mac Pros at the same time? It makes sense to me, but I was just wondering...