Tips on buying a newly released Macbook immediately?

[Emergo]

Hey guys, I plan to make the upcoming 12" macbook my first mac computer ever. Hopefully it does release or else im gonna try to find last year's 12" at a really discounted deal. Anyway, can you guys give me tips on how to go about buying a new macbook the first day it comes out? I dont want to have to find it being sold out for months. Would i have to pay more than i have to if i want it first? Does pre order cost extra? Or is it simple and i just walk in an apple store and theyll have it ready for me to purchase? Geez hopefully i wont have to camp outside a store or anything like that.

Much appreciated.

 

[SSD-GUY]

Well by looking at last year's launch, the rMB was announced in March, but was "available" in stores a month later. However as most people on here will tell you, it wasn't until around June where the rMB was readily available for people to walk into a store and purchase one.

If there is an update tomorrow, then supply availability is anyone's guess. Apple could state that the rMB would be available a month from now, if not, then like other releases, it should be in stores a few days later, and on the online store almost immediately.

 

[Dydegu]

I can't speak from personal experience, but I've heard on numerous occasions that the Apple Store app is the way to go to get your hands on a new product as soon as it comes out.

 

[Emergo]

I can't speak from personal experience, but I've heard on numerous occasions that the Apple Store app is the way to go to get your hands on a new product as soon as it comes out.

I dont have an iphone currently. But if i did, the moment of announcement is when i should open up that app? What time is the apple event tomorrow?

 

[boltjames]

I dont have an iphone currently. But if i did, the moment of announcement is when i should open up that app? What time is the apple event tomorrow?

With the exception of some minor products, Apple only makes new product announcements at these keynotes, they physically release the products 3-4 weeks later.

Since you're looking for the 12" and since there are no rumors that they are being announced or even discussed at the keynote, if I were you I'd go into a store today and buy one or you'll be waiting quite a long time to jump in. And if you do the research, you'll find that if in the outside chance the 12" does get an upgrade it is going to be so slight you wouldn't really know the difference.

BJ

 

[Emergo]

With the exception of some minor products, Apple only makes new product announcements at these keynotes, they physically release the products 3-4 weeks later.

Since you're looking for the 12" and since there are no rumors that they are being announced or even discussed at the keynote, if I were you I'd go into a store today and buy one or you'll be waiting quite a long time to jump in. And if you do the research, you'll find that if in the outside chance the 12" does get an upgrade it is going to be so slight you wouldn't really know the difference.

BJ

What do you mean by ill be waiting a long time to jump in? For the 2015 12" ? If theres no upgrade? Why? Wont they just already have stock of it?

 

[Gav2k]

I had mine close to launch by ordering the moment that it went live on the Apple Store. I had to wait as I picked the 1.3/512 model. People ordering the base 1.1/256 had there's a lot sooner.

If however apple manage to push to the stores for launch then you'll be stuck with the base model primarilary.

 

[duervo]

There's not going to be any backlog of any refresh purchase attempts, if there is a refresh. It's usually new products that have a backlog, mainly because Apple tends to be a little conservative in their predictions of the possible demand (ie: Apple Watch, first iPad.) There also might be a slight chance of backlog for a product redesign, but those have usually been with products that involved a significant change in a major component of the redesign (ie: retina display manufacturing yields when they first came out.)

"IF" there is a refresh of the rMB tomorrow, it won't be a redesign, and it won't be a new product announcement, so I don't think there will be any problem sourcing one on day of release. Personally, I think they'll stick a Skylake processor in it quietly sometime before WWDC, with little to no fanfare. All the hoopla will most likely be on this site. The rest of the world (Apple included) will go about their lives like it's just a normal day.

 

[boltjames]

What do you mean by ill be waiting a long time to jump in? For the 2015 12" ? If theres no upgrade? Why? Wont they just already have stock of it?

You'll potentially be waiting a long time for a 2016. There are no hot rumors that it's being updated next week, the Pro is the one expected. The 2015 RMB's will be available.

BJ

 

[deeddawg]

The rest of the world (Apple included) will go about their lives like it's just a normal day.

... and that is so very true for so many of the things MacRumor folks get all in a tizzy over.

 

[Emergo]

Sigh.. im committed to waiting for the refresh of the 12" even if it doesnt come until June. Many say that if it was just a tiny bit upgraded, it would be the perfect machine. Ive just got to have discipline.

 

[deeddawg]

Sigh.. im committed to waiting for the refresh of the 12" even if it doesnt come until June.

Just to play Devil's Advocate: Why?

What specifically about the current generation models does not fulfill the need you have that has you looking at it?

I ask because your comment sounds suspiciously close to the common chasing-the-next-generation mixed up with letting-perfect-be-the-enemy-of-good.

Just food for thought. I write this in the context of being able to buy a 2015 model at a substantial discount vs MSRP; 35% in the case of the 1.2/512 model I just bought. While I can easily return it if Apple announces something stupendous, if the upgrade is merely cpu / battery related it won't be worth a nearly $600 price difference to me. Of course if you're somewhere that the 2015 models are not discounted substantially, then it certainly makes sense to wait until after today's keynote; at which point the question becomes whether the value of whatever you think the new version will have outweighs to cost of not having one for that period of time.

 

[applesith]

It's 99% likely to update today. Apple stores ran out of supply. I called several around NYC yesterday and they had little to none in stock. Plus the best buy sale.

A refresh should not be nearly as scarce as the initial launch from last year. That was the first time they started shipping a new assembly. They are just updating the logic board this time. There may be a slight delay, but nothing like last year.

 

[deeddawg]

Interestingly, BestBuy is showing availability for shipping the 1.2/512 configurations but the 1.1/256 configs seem to be just limited to in-store stock.

A logic board update, such as a processor change, would likely have already been in production for some period of time since it doesn't typically require retooling and it makes more sense to start filling the pipeline with new product in the days/weeks leading up to the announcement. I'd anticipate a very quick switch to new models at retail if that is what happens. A cpu change is a very minor update in terms of production line changes; very different thing from ramping a new production line and all the equipment/personnel/training complications that can arise.

 

[Eggtastic]

Just to play Devil's Advocate: Why?

What specifically about the current generation models does not fulfill the need you have that has you looking at it?

I ask because your comment sounds suspiciously close to the common chasing-the-next-generation mixed up with letting-perfect-be-the-enemy-of-good.

Just food for thought. I write this in the context of being able to buy a 2015 model at a substantial discount vs MSRP; 35% in the case of the 1.2/512 model I just bought. While I can easily return it if Apple announces something stupendous, if the upgrade is merely cpu / battery related it won't be worth a nearly $600 price difference to me. Of course if you're somewhere that the 2015 models are not discounted substantially, then it certainly makes sense to wait until after today's keynote; at which point the question becomes whether the value of whatever you think the new version will have outweighs to cost of not having one for that period of time.

I am on the fence as you are correct with this statement. I would rather have the most updated version, but you can't beat that $300 off price.

 

[Buerkletucson]

I am on the fence as you are correct with this statement. I would rather have the most updated version, but you can't beat that $300 off price.

$300 over an average (3) years of ownership makes it only an $8 up-charge per month for a new model.
Assuming new release is priced the same....if lowered it's even a better deal.
I plan on keeping mine longer than that.

I'm waiting....

 

[Emergo]

Just to play Devil's Advocate: Why?

What specifically about the current generation models does not fulfill the need you have that has you looking at it?

I ask because your comment sounds suspiciously close to the common chasing-the-next-generation mixed up with letting-perfect-be-the-enemy-of-good.

Just food for thought. I write this in the context of being able to buy a 2015 model at a substantial discount vs MSRP; 35% in the case of the 1.2/512 model I just bought. While I can easily return it if Apple announces something stupendous, if the upgrade is merely cpu / battery related it won't be worth a nearly $600 price difference to me. Of course if you're somewhere that the 2015 models are not discounted substantially, then it certainly makes sense to wait until after today's keynote; at which point the question becomes whether the value of whatever you think the new version will have outweighs to cost of not having one for that period of time.

Because if this new model has more than 1 port. Your $600 difference isnt really $600, but more like $500 with all the adaptors you have to buy.

Thats my first thought, didnt really think too hard on it lol i may be wrong.

But also, i dont think i can find a 35% off like you. Maybe a 10% off thats refurbished, but not new.

 

[SSD-GUY]

Because if this new model has more than 1 port. Your $600 difference isnt really $600, but more like $500 with all the adaptors you have to buy.

Thats my first thought, didnt really think too hard on it lol i may be wrong.

But also, i dont think i can find a 35% off like you. Maybe a 10% off thats refurbished, but not new.

Don't think there's going to be another USB-C port as there is no room for it on the other side where the headphone jack is. Unless they remove the headphone jack for a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. But that would be seriously annoying IMO.

 

[Emergo]

Don't think there's going to be another USB-C port as there is no room for it on the other side where the headphone jack is. Unless they remove the headphone jack for a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. But that would be seriously annoying IMO.

Oh well that sucks..

Moving onto my next excuse..

Tiny improvements like shorter load speeds and ability to open more tabs?

I have nothing else at the moment lol

 

[Jayderek]

Unless they remove the headphone jack for a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. But that would be seriously annoying IMO.

They're not going to remove the headphone jack until they've had a lot of time to explain WHY they're doing so. This won't happen until the September announcement of the new phones.
[doublepost=1458572354][/doublepost]

Oh well that sucks..

Moving onto my next excuse..

Tiny improvements like shorter load speeds and ability to open more tabs?

I have nothing else at the moment lol

LOL - Skylake isn't going to suddenly make the processor on these feel like the MacBook Pro models. This BB deal is really hard to beat, but we're only talking about waiting a few hours just to see. Good luck!

 

[SSD-GUY]

Oh well that sucks..

Moving onto my next excuse..

Tiny improvements like shorter load speeds and ability to open more tabs?

I have nothing else at the moment lol

This will pretty much be an update to skylake IMO. We will see maybe an extra hour battery life whilst doing certain tasks, slightly better speeds etc, the GPU improvements may warrant some nice FPS improvements, but tbh even if it is 50% better GPU, if you're getting 20FPS in a game, it's only going up to 30 FPS. My point being that the rMBs weak GPU performance isn't going to be amazing even with Skylake.

My advice, if you can get a nice deal now where you save a few hundred pounds then snap it up, hopefully it also has the option of allowing you to return it within 7/14 days so you can upgrade to skylake if you really want to after the keynote.

 

[noobinator]

The RMB 12 will most likely never get more ports. That would be going backwards. At some point it will be wireless charging only and bluetooth headphones. That's when this forum gets really fun!

You want to hook anything up? Too bad! This is a portability monster.

 

[deeddawg]

$300 over an average (3) years of ownership makes it only an $8 up-charge per month for a new model.
Assuming new release is priced the same....if lowered it's even a better deal.
I plan on keeping mine longer than that.

You certainly have a valid viewpoint, don't misunderstand my position.

Unless they change price, for me it was nearly a $600 difference after tax between MSRP and a BestBuy openbox with 10% discount coupon. Amortized out that's about $17 per month for a three year lifetime. This is on a 1.2/512 version.
A lot of this depends on an individual's needs. I'm replacing a 2011 macbook air (1.7i5), and this is a secondary portable computer. I don't need heavy compute power for this, and I've never had to wait on the 2011 MBA. An additional bit of compute speed really won't add any value for *my* usage.

Yet who knows, we'll see what they announce. I might change my mind; I have several days to return my rMB and get my money back if the new version seems worth the price difference.

Because if this new model has more than 1 port. Your $600 difference isnt really $600, but more like $500 with all the adaptors you have to buy.

An additional port wouldn't much change my thoughts; about the only things I ever plugged into my MBA were the power adapter, camera SD cards when travelling, and the occasional USB item. Solved for $5 and $7.

But also, i dont think i can find a 35% off like you. Maybe a 10% off thats refurbished, but not new.

If it's an Apple refurb it's effectively new. I've bought several refurbs from Apple and never have had a problem; they've all been indistinguishable from brand new. Still, for only 10% difference I'd likely go with the new version.