rMB or wait until WWDC for supposedly redesigned MBP?

[Eggtastic]

As the title says, who is holding out for the possible WWDC redesign while considering the rMB?

For my needs I could do with the rMB, but looking to get into photography (personal, not business), I think holding out to see what the MBP has to offer could be a better investment.

I have a 2011 11" MBA right now and it works fine but the battery is shot. The rMB would serve my needs well but the damn price is crazy enough to make me consider a refurb 2015.

This holdout might be pointless for someone with my needs, but perhaps with my newly acquired hobby and a possible new design that may be on par with rMB, I am debating to hold out.

Thoughts?

 

[Salty Pirate]

i'm waiting. Bet it will just be a speedbump.

The really need to introduce a usb-c 27 inch display. That would make the macbook perfect, at the desk, no issues with ports. when I am on the go or traveling, the one port is no big deal.

 

[alwaysbeincontact]

I hope to see an update but since wwdc is for developers is possible it will just be software updates and iOS.

 

[SteveJUAE]

As the title says, who is holding out for the possible WWDC redesign while considering the rMB?

For my needs I could do with the rMB, but looking to get into photography (personal, not business), I think holding out to see what the MBP has to offer could be a better investment.

I have a 2011 11" MBA right now and it works fine but the battery is shot. The rMB would serve my needs well but the damn price is crazy enough to make me consider a refurb 2015.

This holdout might be pointless for someone with my needs, but perhaps with my newly acquired hobby and a possible new design that may be on par with rMB, I am debating to hold out.

Thoughts?

If there is a new MBP I doubt it would really be a better investment given Apples pricing and it's likely on extra connectivity over the rMB which maybe things you simply do not need. An open box/refurb 2016 rMB is equally likely to give the same $ investment and is available now.

 

[Unrealmac1988]

I am waiting and hoping for a price drop of the current rMB. The new Macbook pro will prob. be around 2.000 € which is too much for me.

The current rMB is a great device but simply too expensive for what it is right now.

 

[Eggtastic]

If there is a new MBP I doubt it would really be a better investment given Apples pricing and it's likely on extra connectivity over the rMB which maybe things you simply do not need. An open box/refurb 2016 rMB is equally likely to give the same $ investment and is available now.

I agree 100%. There is just always that doubt that they will be releasing some sort of new feature or design that will catch my eye and that won't be part of the rMB lineup. I will most likely be going the refurb rMB route as you mentioned.

With that said I did see an openbox rMB from best buy on their website. It advertised as open-box excellent certified. Would that be a smart move to trust them? I would be getting their top of the line model for close to 500$ off.

 

[mtneer]

...

I have a 2011 11" MBA right now and it works fine but the battery is shot. The rMB would serve my needs well but the damn price is crazy enough to make me consider a refurb 2015.
...

Why not just get a new battery on the MBA that suits your needs fine? You've already paid off that computer and replacing the battery will obviously be cheaper than getting a brand new one now. Unless of course, you "want" a shiny new computer now...

 

[Eggtastic]

Why not just get a new battery on the MBA that suits your needs fine? You've already paid off that computer and replacing the battery will obviously be cheaper than getting a brand new one now. Unless of course, you "want" a shiny new computer now...

Good idea but I tend to upgrade every five years for computers. Also financially this purchase won't hurt me at all plus I'll make some money from the sale of the mba to put towards the rMB

 

[SteveJUAE]

I agree 100%. There is just always that doubt that they will be releasing some sort of new feature or design that will catch my eye and that won't be part of the rMB lineup. I will most likely be going the refurb rMB route as you mentioned.

With that said I did see an openbox rMB from best buy on their website. It advertised as open-box excellent certified. Would that be a smart move to trust them? I would be getting their top of the line model for close to 500$ off.

They stick by their name and you can always bump it with AppleCare
[doublepost=1463750454][/doublepost]

Good idea but I tend to upgrade every five years for computers. Also financially this purchase won't hurt me at all plus I'll make some money from the sale of the mba to put towards the rMB

My 2012 Ex top of the line 11" MBA is not even close to buying AppleCare let alone a new rMB or dongles even

 

[Eggtastic]

They stick by their name and you can always bump it with AppleCare
[doublepost=1463750454][/doublepost]
My 2012 Ex top of the line 11" MBA is not even close to buying AppleCare let alone a new rMB or dongles even

What did you mean by your second quote? That you sold your old 11" MBA and it wasn't enough to cover the apple care price? I am aware I wont be getting that much, but I will get something for it so I will take it.

 

[hardax]

I am waiting and hoping for a price drop of the current rMB. The new Macbook pro will prob. be around 2.000 € which is too much for me.

The current rMB is a great device but simply too expensive for what it is right now.

Im waiting until WWDC to see if Apple comes to their senses and brings the rMB down to a more competitive price myself although I am not optimistic.

I would think that if a redesigned/thinner MBP was coming we would have seem something leaked on the rumor mills by now? Im predicting a speed/processor bump and thats it.

 

[nutmac]

This holdout might be pointless for someone with my needs, but perhaps with my newly acquired hobby and a possible new design that may be on par with rMB, I am debating to hold out.

You may be right but WWDC is about 3 weeks away and if any, some of the retailers may start offering discount on rMB by then. So if you can wait, it's probably win-win.

i'm waiting. Bet it will just be a speedbump.

If it's just a speed bump, why didn't Apple update it earlier? I don't think the update will be as amazing as some people are hoping for (e.g., case redesign), but I think the update will be fairly significant.

 

[BenTrovato]

It's 2 weeks away... seems a bit weird to even ask the "should I wait question". If you can't wait 2 weeks then you need a laptop asap and just buy it now.

 

[Picapau21]

I think the more important questions are "why and what are you waiting for?"

If you need the most portable device then get the macbook as its just been updated. If you want a lot more power or a bigger screen then wait till WWDC.

I was debating the same thing a few weeks ago and decided that I don't need more power than the m7 (or even the m3/5) macbook as i was barely using all the processing capacity of a 6 year old core i5. Ended up buying the macbook and its the best decision I ever made. Travelled all over the US recently and was able to open it everywhere easily to watch movies and do work (MS office, email, light image processing, heavy browsing with multiple window/tabs etc spread over 5 desktops with no slow down). On top of the fact thats its so light weight the smaller screen makes it easier to open in planes and trains.

 

[boast]

Any new MBP will not be as slim, portable and fan-less like the rMB. If you want the portability, get the rMB and if you need the power get the MBP.

All of this is assuming that the MBA as an "in-between" will no longer exist. If the in-between portability/power is what you're after, I would wait to see the fate of the MBA.

 

[SteveJUAE]

What did you mean by your second quote? That you sold your old 11" MBA and it wasn't enough to cover the apple care price? I am aware I wont be getting that much, but I will get something for it so I will take it.

No simply it's worth less than $150 here (Cost 2k 4 years back) so it may as well be a paper weight I think you may fare better in the US

 

[Eggtastic]

No simply it's worth less than $150 here (Cost 2k 4 years back) so it may as well be a paper weight I think you may fare better in the US

Ouch! I am sorry that is the case for you. I'll report back if it is any better but it probably wont be haha.

 

[Queen6]

No simply it's worth less than $150 here (Cost 2k 4 years back) so it may as well be a paper weight I think you may fare better in the US

Sounds about right, in many countries Mac`s don't hold their secondary value any better than Windows OEM equivalents, in some cases worse due to the limited appeal of OS X, and sparse hardware support.

Q-6

 

[izzyfanto]

Sounds about right, in many countries Mac`s don't hold their secondary value any better than Windows OEM equivalents, in some cases worse due to the limited appeal of OS X, and sparse hardware support.

Q-6

Interesting, I didn't realize that. Among the many selling features about Apple products, is that here in the US they hold their value very well.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Interesting, I didn't realize that. Among the many selling features about Apple products, is that here in the US they hold their value very well.

Yep they are almost worthless here and in Thailand unless you can find a western expat to but one, iPhone also do not fare any better.

Many things you take as a given in the US for Apple support, stores FaceTime rapidly drop off as too people with data packages many rely on just Wifi and pre-paid scratch cards to top up credit

 

[Picapau21]

Yep they are almost worthless here and in Thailand unless you can find a western expat to but one, iPhone also do not fare any better.

Many things you take as a given in the US for Apple support, stores FaceTime rapidly drop off as too people with data packages many rely on just Wifi and pre-paid scratch cards to top up credit

After about 3-4 years they have no value.

I bought a £1900 macbook pro in 2010 in 2014 I was offered £200 for it.

I subsequently upgraded the RAM and added a new SSD and managed to get 6 years out of it before buying the the new m7. In total I spent £2400 which works out at £400/year over 6 years.

My M7 with discounts cost £1200 thus I calculated that I should expect to get at leat 3 years (£400/year) out of it before upgrading.

Equally if i sell it in 1 year i would expect to sell it for no less than £800 to break even.

What do you guys think of that calculation and how much do the rest of you think the yearly cost/depreciation of a laptop should be?

 

[izzyfanto]

After about 3-4 years they have no value.

I bought a £1900 macbook pro in 2010 in 2014 I was offered £200 for it.

I subsequently upgraded the RAM and added a new SSD and managed to get 6 years out of it before buying the the new m7. In total I spent £2400 which works out at £400/year over 6 years.

My M7 with discounts cost £1200 thus I calculated that I should expect to get at leat 3 years (£400/year) out of it before upgrading.

Equally if i sell it in 1 year i would expect to sell it for no less than £800 to break even.

What do you guys think of that calculation and how much do the rest of you think the yearly cost/depreciation of a laptop should be?

I would say the formula is changing drastically and won't be as applicable in the short future. Here's why:

1. CPU/SoC technology size reduction pace is slowing. They are already so small, the advancements in making them smaller will be less drastic. Intel killing their tick-tock cycle is directly evident of this.
2. Laptop size itself is already reaching crazy thin levels. Even thinner will require alternative materials, different breakthrough designs will need to be developed.
3. Average user requirements have now been met by the base model computing i.e the 12" MB does most everything that most everyone needs it to do all the while being extremely light, thin and with very good performance and a Retina screen. Also, a lot of people casually use technology, which is why iPads are so popular.
4. Apple laptops especially, are becoming no longer upgradable do to such tight motherboard integration and design, so when something goes wrong it'll require sending it in or buying a new one.

In short, I don't see technology advancements being great enough to give people the incentives to upgrade as much as previously. I also see current performance being everything most casual consumers need. Websites are becoming better scripted and optimized, Flash is mostly dead (hopefully all dead soon...Princess Bride ref ;-), programs are continually being lightened and refined and current CPU performance is very efficient and powerful.

 

[Eggtastic]

I think the more important questions are "why and what are you waiting for?"

If you need the most portable device then get the macbook as its just been updated. If you want a lot more power or a bigger screen then wait till WWDC.

I was debating the same thing a few weeks ago and decided that I don't need more power than the m7 (or even the m3/5) macbook as i was barely using all the processing capacity of a 6 year old core i5. Ended up buying the macbook and its the best decision I ever made. Travelled all over the US recently and was able to open it everywhere easily to watch movies and do work (MS office, email, light image processing, heavy browsing with multiple window/tabs etc spread over 5 desktops with no slow down). On top of the fact thats its so light weight the smaller screen makes it easier to open in planes and trains.

You are right. I just took a trip to Best Buy an hour ago and again the rMB impressed me A LOT with the amount of time I had with it.

My question to you: With all that usage, what was your battery life like? I know there is other threads about it but it seems everyone is getting different times.

 

[Picapau21]

You are right. I just took a trip to Best Buy an hour ago and again the rMB impressed me A LOT with the amount of time I had with it.

My question to you: With all that usage, what was your battery life like? I know there is other threads about it but it seems everyone is getting different times.

Thats a tough one as I haven't formally tested the battery. I'm easily getting a days worth of work out of it without reaching for the charger (7-8hours). In terms of video I remember watching 2 episodes of Game of Thrones (2 hours) using the Sky Player OS X app and the battery was not at 50% so probably could have got at least 5 hours+ of video out of it (medium brightness, max volume, bluetooth headphones).

Apples official figures are more optimistic than these though and currently my battery health app is giving me an estimate of 9h15m with 96% charge with only safari and email open and 50% brightness.

Also I have used a 20 gauge USB cable with a USB-C adapter to charge the laptop from a standard USB charger which is a great help if you need a bit of extra juice and don't have your charger with you (only charges in standby/lid closed).

Overall the battery is acceptable but not amazing.

Next question - "Will you need a longer battery life?". If you do than it might be worth waiting for WWDC to see what is released.

 

[kazmac]

If I was in this position, I'd wait and see if new rMBPs were released. More horse power and bang for the buck (at least we hope it will stay that way.)