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

Should I buy a 13" MBP now or wait a year?

AreYouIn?

AreYouIn?

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 9, 2009
683
138
I've had a white macbook since fall of 2007. It is still great but I've got an itch for a new MBP. So mine right now is running tiger, has 1gb ram, 160gb hard drive, and 2.0ghz processor. As long as I have a good internet connection it runs super fast. But if airport is going in and out all of my applications lag, not just web browsers.

If it was only me using my computer I could get by just fine with it for another couple of years probably. But it just so happens to be the only computer in my house newer than 1994 (and the only one that will go online), other than an Acer laptop which takes 20min to startup and gets viruses super easy. So my parents use my laptop as well. Which gets annoying. My mother will be going back to school in the fall and needs a computer.

So really my question is: Is the current version of the 13"MBP worth buying, or should I wait until next year?

Fall I will be starting my senior year of college and then I am off to graduate school (for psychology so lots of papers) the next year. Also should I buy iWork or use microsoft office? Which my friend has a copy of.

Yea I know lots of rambling but I am torn about waiting or buying now. I have student loan money just sitting in my bank account begging me to spend it on a MBP. :D
 
For the average user the current 13" MBP is more than enough. Papers, music, movies, internet... all of that you can probably do on your current whitebook. I don't think waiting a year would add significantly to the value you get out of your machine in terms of usability.

As for iWork vs. Office there are a lot of threads. If you're at all worried about compatibility, get Office.
 
Sounds like a computer crises in the home to tell you the truth. Get a new macbook and enjoy. Dump the old on Mom.

AreYouIn? said:
Also should I buy iWork or use microsoft office? Which my friend has a copy of.
Click to expand...

Using your friends copy is theft, lots of regular people work very hard to write that software for salaries to pay for their kids to go to college. So pony up the $125 for your software licenses please. OR, use an open source tool like OpenOffice.
 
mac8867 said:
Sounds like a computer crises in the home to tell you the truth. Get a new macbook and enjoy. Dump the old on Mom.



Using your friends copy is theft, lots of regular people work very hard to write that software for salaries to pay for their kids to go to college. So pony up the $125 for your software licenses please. OR, use an open source tool like OpenOffice.
Click to expand...

My friend did pay for it. I think it is one of those ones you can install on a certain number of computers they only have 2 in their house. I don't know at least that's what she said. If not I will be getting $41 iwork.
 
I would, in the interim, upgrade the memory in your current MB, and upgrade to at least Leopard (I notice a performance increase with SL). I think you'll find some new life in your existing machine, it should even last you until you finish college if you just need for papers and internet. Then, search craigslist for a cheap Windows XP Machine. I see complete systems all the time for $100 or less. Put AVG antivirus on it, and reclaim your MB. With your current machine I see no hurry in buying another one if you don't need it.

Now, if money is no object, and you just have an itch, the 13" MBP is a fantastic machine. You'll experience a better screen, faster processor, longer battery life, among a few advantages. You have to decide of those are worth $1100+ at this point in time.
 
Another question: I know WWDC is coming up in June. I don't expect there to be an update to the macbook pros since they just were, but what about software? A new iwork version maybe? Probably not a new OS. I would hate to buy iWork now and a new version come out later this year.

If I do purchase a new computer now would it be worth waiting until after WWDC? Any rumors?
 
AreYouIn? said:
Another question: I know WWDC is coming up in June. I don't expect there to be an update to the macbook pros since they just were, but what about software? A new iwork version maybe? Probably not a new OS. I would hate to buy iWork now and a new version come out later this year.

If I do purchase a new computer now would it be worth waiting until after WWDC? Any rumors?
Click to expand...

It's only a month, so unless it is essential, you may as well wait to see what happens. Also, Office 2011 for Mac is likely to come out towards the end of the year so you may want to wait for that?
 
Ash9414 said:
It's only a month, so unless it is essential, you may as well wait to see what happens. Also, Office 2011 for Mac is likely to come out towards the end of the year so you may want to wait for that?
Click to expand...

I could care less about what version of office I have. All of the computers at the college I go to are running xp with office 2003.
 
No new MBPs in a month, not going to happen, just updated.

Sounds like your current MB just needs another couple gigs of ram and a larger 7200 RPM drive.

Would give it a huge speed boost.
 
Macbooks have a really good resale value. If you can get a good price, now is a good time to upgrade. If you can't, then just use it up. It should definitely last another year, and you should still be able to do fairly well on sale.
 
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