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

My MBP Purchasing Delimma...

What should I do?

  • Otption A: Wait

    Votes: 51 58.0%

  • Option B: Buy one now

    Votes: 37 42.0%
  • Total voters
    88
Anything you buy Today you can use it Today, also you can resell it Tomorrow...

I would do it like this: get a MacBook Pro now, maybe a refurbished one to save some money, then sell it and go for the latest and greatest.
________
box vaporizer
 
Last edited:
I suggest you wait for the update. You should still have a couple of months to play with it before classes start, and you might get a free iPod if you buy during the annual back-to-school event.
 
Interesting question. I would suggest waiting in your situation. That said, I think people here are thinking the next update will be more than it will really be. Lets look at a few things:

1. Montevina is a CHIPSET, that is, basically, a motherboard, NOT a processor. When Montevina comes out, the processor will still be PENRYN, the same processor in the current MBPs. The next new processor is NEHELEM ("Centrino 2"), which in my understanding is not due until 2009.

2. The only thing performance wise Montevina will change is the front side bus (FSB) speed. And while that is a difference, its not a huge one. There *may* be faster Penryn's out by then too, but all in all, I don't expect the CPU speed of the June MBPs to be that much above the current ones.

3. Speculation about video cards is just that - speculation. Right now, the 8600M GT is pretty much the best card you can find in a 15" notebook. The faster cards are found only in 8lb lug-a-book gaming laptops, because they draw too much power and put out too much heat. Whether this will change a lot by June is anyone's guess, but I'd tend to think not, unless Nvidia's release schedule shows something I don't know about. We may get an 8700M in June or something, but I don't expect a major GPU upgrade. Plus, knowing Apple, there is always the POSSIBILITY they will switch to ATI or something and we could end up with a card that is, for gaming applications, WORSE than the 8600M. That happened with the last iMac update, so its definitely not unheard of.

4. With the changed chipset, I would think a new case is likely in June. This is good if you don't like or are tired of the current case. But, at the same time, having the last of a line is not a bad thing always. The case AND the santa rosa platform in general is extremely fine tuned at this point.

One thing that is for sure though, whatever is released in June (IF anything is released) will likely be faster than the current MBPs.. probably not by a lot, but likely faster. If this computer needs to last you through college, I'd probably lean towards waiting, since you don't really need it now.
 
If you want a MacBook Pro, I'd get one now. The good thing about Macs is that they don't depreciate in value as much as PC's due, so you could always sell it if you want to upgrade again.
 
Wait to see what is released this summer. Plus you can take advantage of the back to school specials.

Of course, you can always purchase a MBP today. They are wonderful computers. And you would have the benefit of using it now instead of waiting.

Who knows if any updates will be made over the summer. That's pure speculation at this point.

As for gaming, you MBP may not be the best solution for you. You might want to look at a MBP and then later get a cheap gaming PC.
 
Ok, so here's where I'm at right now. What will likely happen is this:


Either I will:

A) Get tempted and buy the current one. If that happens, then I can always eBay it in about a year to get the next model. Seems like a good enough plan to me.

or

B) If I can withstand the temptation, then yes, I'll wait and see what montevina brings.

So... there ya go.
 
If they do decide to update them this June (which I'm waiting for), do you think there's a chance for the free after- rebate iPod Nano this summer? What about if they don't?
 
Ryuukumori said:
If they do decide to update them this June (which I'm waiting for), do you think there's a chance for the free after- rebate iPod Nano this summer? What about if they don't?
Click to expand...

I see no reason why not, but it's not a factor for me. I'm perfectly happy with my 16 gig iPod Touch :)
 
I have a similar dilemma

Well so I have a couple questions to ask for everyone's opinion. I have a similar dilemma.

background: I'm 17 and will be getting a Macbook Pro as a graduation/birthday/own funds present. I plan on using it for a good 4 years through college. Now to my 2 questions:

1. How big of a step is 256 graphics to 512. If I want to game, is it really worth $500, because that's practically the only difference. I'm not going to be a hardcore gamer, but I'd like to be able to buy a game 3 years down the line and still play it, not necessarily on best graphics, but at least not running slugishly. I'll probably run Halo 2, battlefield 2142, half life 2, maybe crisis (about as high end of a game I'd ever run), etc. Is 512 really worth the extra $500 if I'm not a hardcore gamer?

2. Now or Montevina? Should i get one in a month when I can, or wait for this summer to get the Montevina update. I've heard the speeds not going to be much better and I know the processor will still be penryn, just a platform change. But does anyone see a new graphics card like say the 8800M being in it? or will it probably just be a 8600/8700 again. I thought about waiting too, to see what the probably eminent redesign will be. I LOVE the current design, but what if they make it thinner and add a magnetic latch??? However, the current design has almost all the bugs worked out, whereas a new design will have kinks to work out... So its a hard decision. Any input from you guys would be awesome. thanks. As of now, I'm leaning towards buying one in a month.
 
I'll likely just get one now, and then sell it when Nahelem hits sometime in '09
 
i am in exactly the same situation!! im at uni just started and i desperately need a computer <correction: desperately WANT a computer>. im studying graphic design and multimedia and i want a MBP but im not sure if i should get the more expensive version of the 15inch or not??? i dont really understand what the "NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 512MB" means - whether its worth the extra $600??? because i dont really play computer games sooo...hmmm... would it play much of a role when utalising the adobe creative suite - would it effect the graphics???? so confused!!
also i didnt even realise thers a newer different version comin out!! gahhh decisions decisions <i want it nowwww!>
 
mandy88 said:
i am in exactly the same situation!! im at uni just started and i desperately need a computer <correction: desperately WANT a computer>. im studying graphic design and multimedia and i want a MBP but im not sure if i should get the more expensive version of the 15inch or not??? i dont really understand what the "NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 512MB" means - whether its worth the extra $600??? because i dont really play computer games sooo...hmmm... would it play much of a role when utalising the adobe creative suite - would it effect the graphics???? so confused!!
also i didnt even realise thers a newer different version comin out!! gahhh decisions decisions <i want it nowwww!>
Click to expand...

The base model will do for you, I doubt you'll really need that extra vRAM. (heck, I don't even need it- I just want it for my games :))
 
i say buy one now ecause montevina isn't going to be a huge update. every intel update adds 5% or more
 
WAAAAAAIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTT! :apple:

Once that glorious day arrive you will have no regrets sporting a new graphics card with 512mb vram with a 256-bit bandwidth card instead of the 128 bit (right now) and 800mhz RAM with a 1066 Ghz Front side bus! you will look at all the previous mbp's with the mere 800mhz and laugh with its 667mhz RAM modules.
 
jjahshik32 said:
WAAAAAAIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTT! :apple:

Once that glorious day arrive you will have no regrets sporting a new graphics card with 512mb vram with a 256-bit bandwidth card instead of the 128 bit (right now) and 800mhz RAM with a 1066 Ghz Front side bus! you will look at all the previous mbp's with the mere 800mhz and laugh with its 667mhz RAM modules.
Click to expand...

Yep, it'll be that nice, fast, super buggy rev A product that everyone loves! Seriously though, I think I'd like to get one now and see what sort of problems folks encounter with the next-gen MBP's.
 
Blast this is a hard decision for me:

A. I could get the current MBP in a month by my birthday and have it to use ALL summer! I still love the current design.

B. Wait for the next model. What if I don't like the new design. But maybe it'll be better looking? But I don't really want an air styled design. I like the curved rectangle look of the MBPs and MBs. However, regardless of how amazing the new design may look, what about all the issues there could be. The last thing I want to do is be fixing my computer all the time in college.

I really don't think I personally will notice a performance update with Montevina and I don't think the specs will change much. People keep saying it will be thinner, but here's why I disagree:

1. Mac laptops already have heating issues. Make the thing any smaller and it'll overheat (BAD!).
2. The nvidia 8600M is about the best that can fit and the 8800M is larger and creates more heat. Apple needs to future proof itself. If they get too ahead of themselves and make every thing super thin, there will be no room for extra features. Its better to have more space for extra features, than make an already very thin laptop thinner. Honestly, anyone who thinks 1" is too thick needs to take a shopping trip through the PC isle and compare.
3. if they make it thinner, it may resemble the Air's style (all curvy and such). While the air looks amazing, on a larger laptop, all the weird curves make not look right and may make the computer look too complicated and I associate Apple's design with simple. Simple usually is better. What is it I hate about the look of every PC laptop? All the stuff. Too many designs, to busy, and too clunky. I love that when you close a MB or MBP the whole thing is symetric and smooth. Also I'd rather have a solid laptop than one that resembles a wedge from the side (slopes from 1" to .5" or something)

But its a hard decision. I don't want to buy now then see the new one and wish I'd waited. Yet if the new is nothing special, I'll wish I'd bought already.
 
I figure I should just get one now, for fear of the montevina MBP's having "revision A" syndrome. Also, if I get one now, then I can sell it when Nahelem is introduced- quad core MBP's FTW!

Convincing my parents isn't as easy as I thought it would be though. They're very reluctant :p
 
JWest said:
I figure I should just get one now, for fear of the montevina MBP's having "revision A" syndrome. Also, if I get one now, then I can sell it when Nahelem is introduced- quad core MBP's FTW!

Convincing my parents isn't as easy as I thought it would be though. They're very reluctant :p
Click to expand...

Well if they're reluctant and its already almost April, then I'd wait.
1. June is WAY closer. It just seems far off.
2. You can STILL get the current model then, probably a good $100-$200 cheaper.
3. It only makes sense if you NEED it now (dying computer, etc.)

I'm getting one as well and in my impatience tried to justify getting one now and I couldn't. It just makes sense to wait. I can still get the current model and I'm convinced the "revision A" won't be a big deal. Why? Because the Macbook Air seems to be doing fine and its the most recent redesign, implying Apple's learned from previous mistakes. Also the most MBP mistakes came with the first Intel issues. I'm pretty sure apple's ironed out the Intel switch bugs by now.

Bottom line, no matter how you try, it just doesn't make sense to buy now. Don't buy one then see something amazing and wish you'd just waited 2 more months. Yes Nahelem will be nice, but selling a Montevina MBP will be worth much more than the current one even though 3 months is close. People will see this on your ebay page:

Year old MBP.

OR

Last generation MBP.


As a buyer I'd find more comfort in buying the last generation rather than 2 generations ago.

Basically wait unless your current computer is breathing its last. You won't be disappointed! ;) I've never been sorry for waiting, but I have for jumping the gun!
 
I know this wasn't one of the options, but I will throw it out there anyway, and hopefully not make this process even more difficult for you... If I were you, I would wait until the updates are released, and then buy the previous version (what is current now). The money you save can go towards all the other overwhelming expenses you'll be facing at school, and perhaps something else you may have your eye on (3G iPhone?).

You already know the current gen. MBP will do everything you want it to do, and when future updates come along you'll have something to trade up with, and can then get something even better than the mont. chipset, or a speed boost, or more stability pending any issues this upcoming model may have with new design or not. This option saves you the most money, and gets you an awesome system with just a bit of patience involved. Besides, it's great to have something to look forward to. ;)
 
Nah, I'm not going to wait and THEN buy a refurb model. If I wait, then Im buying the latest and greatest. It just seems so far off...
I know I should wait, so I ought to do all in my power to control myself. My opinion on whether or not I should wait seems to vary from day to day though.
 
dammit i voted the wrong one. you should wait if you could. i couldn't but couldn't be more pleased
 
Ok, so my parents are willing to let me get it early (provided I do an insane amount of work), which makes it all the more tempting. I wish I was a more patient person... it's so tempting to just buy it now!
 
I voted for wait. But I would suggest ordering one at least a month before you leave for college. This way you will be sure to get it and get used to it.
 
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