Update must be close....

[ZZ Bottom]

1) You cannot order custom computers from the Apple Store, only buy the standard channel configurations they stock;
2) Apple Stores only sell the 15" 2.3GHz model with a high-resolution [anti-glare] display;
3) Just because they can't order a standard channel part, doesn't mean an update—could be many factors from back-ordered on production to simply Apple decided a specific configuration wasn't selling well so they're not stocking it in stores.

1) you just making this up?? Yes you can order a custom config from a store. I used to work for one and placed several custom config orders for customers.

And to the bozo that posted above me, you don't have a clue whether the 13" will finally get a higher resolution bump or option this time. The possibilitity is worth waiting. Quit posting like a child who's upset that his new toy isn't the coolest around anymore. No one is saying the current ones are ****. Clearly you have no buying sense because if you did you wouldn't be spouting the garbage you are. Perhaps we're not all as impulsively stupid as you are.

 

[iManiac]

1) You cannot order custom computers from the Apple Store, only buy the standard channel configurations they stock;
2) Apple Stores only sell the 15" 2.3GHz model with a high-resolution [anti-glare] display;
3) Just because they can't order a standard channel part, doesn't mean an update—could be many factors from back-ordered on production to simply Apple decided a specific configuration wasn't selling well so they're not stocking it in stores.

1) This is not true.

3) Isn't it more likely, considering the body of evidence, that they are updating the line? I don't think it is a coincidence that these shortages come right after the availability of sped up Sandy Bridge by Intel. Apple knows that going 1 year 3 months with the initial Sandy Bridge version (if they didn't make any changes until Ivy Bridge) would be a bit much and they may think they have to update at some point if they want to stay competitive on the pro end. It could be due to component shortages, but I would bet that it isn't.

 

[ZZ Bottom]

1) This is not true.

3) Isn't it more likely, considering the body of evidence, that they are updating the line? I don't think it is a coincidence that these shortages come right after the availability of sped up Sandy Bridge by Intel. Apple knows that going 1 year 3 months with the initial Sandy Bridge version (if they didn't make any changes until Ivy Bridge) would be a bit much and they may think they have to update at some point if they want to stay competitive on the pro end. It could be due to component shortages, but I would bet that it isn't.

The problem is that you're arguing with people that can't wrap their heads around simple economic concepts. They are so adamant that apple will leave the MBP unchanged for more than a year based on what? Ignorance. No amount of refuted arguments are going to stop the crusade of "buy now" crap.

 

[Stetrain]

Hi, Macbook newbie here.

I'm planning on buying a MacBook Pro and am wondering if the spec bump will assuredly increase the price? It's gonna be my birthday/Christmas/grad combined present but I'd feel totally bad if I asked my parents for even more than the 1200 base price.

Kinda want to know if I should get my hopes up or just prepare to buy a refurbished...

Going refurbished is a great way to go, if you have any issues with it you still have a one year warranty and you can still buy AppleCare on top of that, just like a new model. I bought a refurbished aluminum macbook over two years ago and it's still going strong.

If the MBPs do get updated the refurbished current-gen units might even drop in price.

 

[n8236]

No way another MBP update is already due. The last one was released 8 months ago...

 

[xpcker]

why on earth would you know this page, post on the forums and dont see the buyers guide before buying a mbp

 

[Jazojas12]

I think it's funny how anyone who agreed and said there will be an update soon had their reply voted up and anyone who said no had it voted down.

For the last three updates to the 13" MBP, I have been right about the release timeframe 1-2 weeks before the update. I sell then buy every refresh. Obviously I make more money if I sell before the refresh.
I could be wrong on this one and they may release it tomorrow or tomorrow after that or tomorrow after that but I don't believe so. We are more likely to see it around Dec/Jan timeframe. I'm not basing my prediction on stock count, hardware releases, etc.. This is how I think of it:

November 24th is Thanksgiving, the next day is "Black Friday."
People generally spend money that day because of sales at retail stores. I doubt Apple will release within 2 weeks around this day. Not before because people will be saving their extra cash for sales, and not after because they spent it. Since the iPhone is in the media right now, Apple is happy. Apple likes to stay in the news if you haven't noticed. So that pretty much eliminates a before 11-25 launch in my opinion. Fast forward to 2 weeks after 11-25, people just got a paycheck from work and may buy a new MBP. So earliest update I see is 12-9. Doubt they would release any closer to Christmas. So 12-25 comes around and people have money to spend, if there is no update by then people will probably go buy a current MBP between 12-26 to 12-31 at the latest. Wait 2-3 weeks because Apple isn't going to release that soon after a major holiday because they don't want a ton of returns. So that puts us around mid-January..perfect timing for all the students going back to school from Winter break.

In conclusion, in my opinion the earliest we can expect an update is beginning of December. If that passes and no update, earliest will be the middle of January.

I'm waiting a week or two after I start seeing Best Buy adding new SKUs, tons of rumors from tech websites and the usual stuff before I pull the plug on this one. Say these things started happening tomorrow I can admit I speculated wrong but to think there will be a refresh only because of low stock is foolish. There can be a lot of reasons it is low. Take a step back and look at it from Apple's economic stand point; do you really think they pick random days and don't allow little leaks here and there? It builds hype and these plans work. Every new thing the introduce sells better than any before. I mean look, there are already talks about the iPhone 5 right after an update. There is a reason for everything that happens.

On a side note, I can't tell you what will be on the next one and no one here that can, will tell you. I doubt they will have a redesign though..again think about it. The current style of MBPs are selling better than ever. Why fix something that isn't broken?
Same thing I told my friends who said the new iPhone would be completely different. When it did come out they were mad that it wasn't a redesign and said no one would buy it. Yup..it's sold more than ever. And the new MBP will still sell if there isn't a redesign.

 

[Mojo1]

If an update really is in the works it is an excellent opportunity to purchase a previous generation MBP at a significant discount.

I snagged a 13" MBP at more than 20% of the MSRP via the Amazon Kindle Special Offers deal that expired several weeks ago. I hope to get a similar deal on a 13" MBP for my wife.

If you don't need the Latest and Greatest you can save a lot of money. Particularly good deals can be found at college bookstores that sell Macs. I have saved over 40% on brand new Macs in university bookstores. My current 24" iMac retailed for $2000 but I paid only $1099 and it included $149 off any iPod. Sweet!

 

[iManiac]

I think it's funny how anyone who agreed and said there will be an update soon had their reply voted up and anyone who said no had it voted down.

For the last three updates to the 13" MBP, I have been right about the release timeframe 1-2 weeks before the update. I sell then buy every refresh. Obviously I make more money if I sell before the refresh.
I could be wrong on this one and they may release it tomorrow or tomorrow after that or tomorrow after that but I don't believe so. We are more likely to see it around Dec/Jan timeframe. I'm not basing my prediction on stock count, hardware releases, etc.. This is how I think of it:

November 24th is Thanksgiving, the next day is "Black Friday."
People generally spend money that day because of sales at retail stores. I doubt Apple will release within 2 weeks around this day. Not before because people will be saving their extra cash for sales, and not after because they spent it. Since the iPhone is in the media right now, Apple is happy. Apple likes to stay in the news if you haven't noticed. So that pretty much eliminates a before 11-25 launch in my opinion. Fast forward to 2 weeks after 11-25, people just got a paycheck from work and may buy a new MBP. So earliest update I see is 12-9. Doubt they would release any closer to Christmas. So 12-25 comes around and people have money to spend, if there is no update by then people will probably go buy a current MBP between 12-26 to 12-31 at the latest. Wait 2-3 weeks because Apple isn't going to release that soon after a major holiday because they don't want a ton of returns. So that puts us around mid-January..perfect timing for all the students going back to school from Winter break.

In conclusion, in my opinion the earliest we can expect an update is beginning of December. If that passes and no update, earliest will be the middle of January.

I'm waiting a week or two after I start seeing Best Buy adding new SKUs, tons of rumors from tech websites and the usual stuff before I pull the plug on this one. Say these things started happening tomorrow I can admit I speculated wrong but to think there will be a refresh only because of low stock is foolish. There can be a lot of reasons it is low. Take a step back and look at it from Apple's economic stand point; do you really think they pick random days and don't allow little leaks here and there? It builds hype and these plans work. Every new thing the introduce sells better than any before. I mean look, there are already talks about the iPhone 5 right after an update. There is a reason for everything that happens.

On a side note, I can't tell you what will be on the next one and no one here that can, will tell you. I doubt they will have a redesign though..again think about it. The current style of MBPs are selling better than ever. Why fix something that isn't broken?

You may be right, but what do you think of the opening post?

"I went to my local Apple store to order a 15" with the high res display. They said they can't place the order. None are in-stock and not being replenished. Watch the site for the next couple weeks and come back in when you see an update."

By the way, I don't share your confidence in Best Buy SKU's as they seem to me to always be placeholders and driven by rumour, not inside information. We agree they will update once more before Ivy Bridge...but the question is when.

 

[some idiot]

November 24th is Thanksgiving, the next day is "Black Friday."
People generally spend money that day because of sales at retail stores. I doubt Apple will release within 2 weeks around this day. Not before because people will be saving their extra cash for sales, and not after because they spent it.

Isn't that exactly why you'd release around that time? If someone's in laptop shopping mode, they're either going to look for the best BF deal or potentially be drawn away by the latest & greatest. It would make sense for Apple to offer their newest MBPs before people have seen the BF deals so they don't have to compete. Apple's not looking to pick up the scraps after everybody's bought their BF laptops, they're wanting to jump the line and steal those customers.

 

[harcosparky]

I don't know that you can order 'custom configurations' at the Apple Store but you can buy 'custom configurations' at the Apple Store if they stock them

Some Apple Stores do stock non-standard configurations.

I bought a 17" MBP with CPU Upgrade and Anti-Glare Screen from the Apple Store ... it was stocked there and not an order.

 

[ZZ Bottom]

I think it's funny how anyone who agreed and said there will be an update soon had their reply voted up and anyone who said no had it voted down.

For the last three updates to the 13" MBP, I have been right about the release timeframe 1-2 weeks before the update. I sell then buy every refresh. Obviously I make more money if I sell before the refresh.
I could be wrong on this one and they may release it tomorrow or tomorrow after that or tomorrow after that but I don't believe so. We are more likely to see it around Dec/Jan timeframe. I'm not basing my prediction on stock count, hardware releases, etc.. This is how I think of it:

November 24th is Thanksgiving, the next day is "Black Friday."
People generally spend money that day because of sales at retail stores. I doubt Apple will release within 2 weeks around this day. Not before because people will be saving their extra cash for sales, and not after because they spent it. Since the iPhone is in the media right now, Apple is happy. Apple likes to stay in the news if you haven't noticed. So that pretty much eliminates a before 11-25 launch in my opinion. Fast forward to 2 weeks after 11-25, people just got a paycheck from work and may buy a new MBP. So earliest update I see is 12-9. Doubt they would release any closer to Christmas. So 12-25 comes around and people have money to spend, if there is no update by then people will probably go buy a current MBP between 12-26 to 12-31 at the latest. Wait 2-3 weeks because Apple isn't going to release that soon after a major holiday because they don't want a ton of returns. So that puts us around mid-January..perfect timing for all the students going back to school from Winter break.

In conclusion, in my opinion the earliest we can expect an update is beginning of December. If that passes and no update, earliest will be the middle of January.

I'm waiting a week or two after I start seeing Best Buy adding new SKUs, tons of rumors from tech websites and the usual stuff before I pull the plug on this one. Say these things started happening tomorrow I can admit I speculated wrong but to think there will be a refresh only because of low stock is foolish. There can be a lot of reasons it is low. Take a step back and look at it from Apple's economic stand point; do you really think they pick random days and don't allow little leaks here and there? It builds hype and these plans work. Every new thing the introduce sells better than any before. I mean look, there are already talks about the iPhone 5 right after an update. There is a reason for everything that happens.

On a side note, I can't tell you what will be on the next one and no one here that can, will tell you. I doubt they will have a redesign though..again think about it. The current style of MBPs are selling better than ever. Why fix something that isn't broken?
Same thing I told my friends who said the new iPhone would be completely different. When it did come out they were mad that it wasn't a redesign and said no one would buy it. Yup..it's sold more than ever. And the new MBP will still sell if there isn't a redesign.

Why not read the whole thread before posting such a long response?

What's your explanation for Amazon being OOS on all 15" and 17" models? They didn't even go OOS when they had that crazy 20% off promotion. I used to work for an Apple authorized reseller and we dealt with the same inability to order custom configurations every time there was an impending update. Some took longer than others, but the refreshes always occurred nonetheless.

It's easy to spot those that currently own an Early 2011 Model because they are the first to spout garbage about knowing there won't be an update. December-January???? REALY??? Do some research about Apple's history of releasing such products during that time. They never release within a return period of any heavy buying period; i.e. Black Friday, Dec 20-24, etc...

Next time before professing your expertise on the subject, trying doing a little research.

 

[harcosparky]

Isn't that exactly why you'd release around that time? If someone's in laptop shopping mode, they're either going to look for the best BF deal or potentially be drawn away by the latest & greatest. It would make sense for Apple to offer their newest MBPs before people have seen the BF deals so they don't have to compete. Apple's not looking to pick up the scraps after everybody's bought their BF laptops, they're wanting to jump the line and steal those customers.

First of all .... the BF laptop deals that people stand in line for and fight for are the $899 laptops that are being sold for $399. They are called " door busters " because of the insanely high discount.

Second of all .... when did you ever see Apple discount something down to the level of a BF " doorbuster "

Third of all .... Apple notebook buyers who know Apple's Holiday sales policies won't be standing in line all night long.

I do not see Apple eyeing Black Friday as an opportunity such as you might think.

You can get Apple's Black Friday deals all year long ... if you qualify for the Education Discount!

 

[ZZ Bottom]

I do not see Apple eyeing Black Friday as an opportunity such as you might think.

You can get Apple's Black Friday deals all year long ... if you qualify for the Education Discount!

Just to second this for those that obviously are new to Apple products on BF. They're BF prices are always the same price that education discount offers all year; and the two can't be stacked either. Your only chance of a crazy discount is through a third party reseller like Amazon or Macmall, but even those don't compare to the type of discounts on PCs on BF.

 

[iManiac]

I don't know that you can order 'custom configurations' at the Apple Store but you can buy 'custom configurations' at the Apple Store if they stock them

Some Apple Stores do stock non-standard configurations.

I bought a 17" MBP with CPU Upgrade and Anti-Glare Screen from the Apple Store ... it was stocked there and not an order.

I think you can usually order a model if they usually carry the BTO configuration and run out of stock temporarily. I am not sure it is official or if they just put it aside for you.

How do you like your MBP? That is the same system I am looking to get. I am coming from a 2007 MBP so I hope it will be a good upgrade.

 

[some idiot]

First of all .... the BF laptop deals that people stand in line for and fight for are the $899 laptops that are being sold for $399. They are called " door busters " because of the insanely high discount.

Second of all .... when did you ever see Apple discount something down to the level of a BF " doorbuster "

Third of all .... Apple notebook buyers who know Apple's Holiday sales policies won't be standing in line all night long.

I do not see Apple eyeing Black Friday as an opportunity such as you might think.

You can get Apple's Black Friday deals all year long ... if you qualify for the Education Discount!

Glad you took the time to read my post... I didn't mention Apple pricing, it has to do with timing.

The idea being that people may buy laptops over BF (not all deals are doorbusters in-store, you know..) and that would cut in to Apple's potential customer base.

The goal would be to release your product BEFORE people have the chance to buy your competitors' product. If someone just bought a MacBook, they're not going Black Friday shopping for a laptop. If someone just bought a Black Friday laptop, they're not going shopping for the new MacBook.

 

[harcosparky]

Glad you took the time to read my post... I didn't mention Apple pricing, it has to do with timing.

The idea being that people may buy laptops over BF (not all deals are doorbusters in-store, you know..) and that would cut in to Apple's potential customer base.

The goal would be to release your product BEFORE people have the chance to buy your competitors' product. If someone just bought a MacBook, they're not going Black Friday shopping for a laptop. If someone just bought a Black Friday laptop, they're not going shopping for the new MacBook.

Black Friday is all about PRICING !

That's why people put off shopping until Black Friday ... for the PRICING.

 

[some idiot]

Black Friday is all about PRICING !

That's why people put off shopping until Black Friday ... for the PRICING.

I understand this.

again, the point is that Apple should give people the option to buy their latest MBP refresh BEFORE everyone jumps on Black Friday deals. Who's going to buy the latest MBP if they just got a killer deal on Black Friday? This is why Apple should update their line BEFORE people have the chance to see the Black Friday deals...

this is why I said people will EITHER buy the latest & greatest (MBP) OR will be tempted by the cheapest price (Black Friday). If Apple times it right, the biggest temptation will be the latest & greatest, before the Black Friday deals even exist.

think about it. I'm thinking about buying a MBP right now. What if there's some killer BF deal on a top of the line Lenovo on Black Friday that outspecs the MBP for $100 less? If I haven't already been tempted into buying the MBP, it looks like I'm going to be a Lenovo customer..

once again, why would Apple want to release their latest product right AFTER everyone just bought new laptops on sale on Black Friday? who would buy it?

 

[AMDGAMER]

I noticed Amazon stock of MBPRO decrease and now basically a couple options. Amazon always has them in stock, so clearly SOME update is coming, how big, I don't know...seems like something minimal like new processor etc. I would expect it soon or hope so anyway

 

[ZZ Bottom]

I noticed Amazon stock of MBPRO decrease and now basically a couple options. Amazon always has them in stock, so clearly SOME update is coming, how big, I don't know...seems like something minimal like new processor etc. I would expect it soon or hope so anyway

Has been said several times; but I'm glad someone else is paying attention. Instead we got pointless arguments about BF deals. Apple is 100% predictable on BF. Drop it.

Fingers crossed for Tuesday.

 

[warvanov]

After taking at look at the Buyer's Guide page here, it looks like Apple hasn't released any major or minor updates to any of their product lines in either November or December, and only very occasionally in January, in at least the last five years. Also, the release schedule of the MBP over the last five years has been 8-10 months pretty consistently. While past releases aren't a perfect indicator of future ones, it would make sense for Apple to release an update (however minor) to the MBPs sometime this month rather than waiting until February. This, coupled with the apparent product constraints at multiple outlets, indicates pretty clearly that we'll be seeing new MBPs within the next two weeks.

Black Friday deals and Ivy Bridge are both irrelevant at this point and speculating and arguing about them doesn't diminish the likelihood of new MBPs by the end of this month.

 

[bobcan]

Re: Updates..

I am 'guessing out loud' that Christmas is closer than any MAJOR MBP Updates.. Unless the New CEO isn't in-step with Apple's past history..

I would expect minor tweaks at best.. as always, BUY What You Need When You Need It.. use it and LIKE it..

 

[saberahul]

While an updated may be soon, it doesn't seem it will be a major one. I do not have any information on this from my sources so it's merely my personal opinion - hence I could be entirely wrong.

 

[SmoothJ]

IMHO, Apple will do a minor bump soon. I know Apple doesn't really care about the competition (Samsung Series 7), but they don't want to be left behind either.

What will they upgrade? Possibly just the processor - nothing else. Don't get me wrong, it would be nice to upgrade the resolution of the 13, but I think that will happen this time around.

 

[Jazojas12]

You may be right, but what do you think of the opening post?

"I went to my local Apple store to order a 15" with the high res display. They said they can't place the order. None are in-stock and not being replenished. Watch the site for the next couple weeks and come back in when you see an update."

By the way, I don't share your confidence in Best Buy SKU's as they seem to me to always be placeholders and driven by rumour, not inside information. We agree they will update once more before Ivy Bridge...but the question is when.

It could mean something, it may just be a result of some problem. I will agree with watch the site. If we start seeing tons of rumors, there is a good chance the update will be soon. Apple is predictable to an extent, but they do things randomly every now and again.

I don't have a lot of confidence in BBY SKUs but that coupled with other rumors can mean something.

Isn't that exactly why you'd release around that time? If someone's in laptop shopping mode, they're either going to look for the best BF deal or potentially be drawn away by the latest & greatest. It would make sense for Apple to offer their newest MBPs before people have seen the BF deals so they don't have to compete. Apple's not looking to pick up the scraps after everybody's bought their BF laptops, they're wanting to jump the line and steal those customers.

Generally people who are buying laptops on Black Friday are not buying them for what they are or what they do, just the price they pay. None of these laptops will be competing with Macs. If someone is considering buying a $1k+ MBP then decides they are going to pick up a $300 laptop instead..they probably weren't going to be a committed customer.

Why not read the whole thread before posting such a long response?

What's your explanation for Amazon being OOS on all 15" and 17" models? They didn't even go OOS when they had that crazy 20% off promotion. I used to work for an Apple authorized reseller and we dealt with the same inability to order custom configurations every time there was an impending update. Some took longer than others, but the refreshes always occurred nonetheless.

It's easy to spot those that currently own an Early 2011 Model because they are the first to spout garbage about knowing there won't be an update. December-January???? REALY??? Do some research about Apple's history of releasing such products during that time. They never release within a return period of any heavy buying period; i.e. Black Friday, Dec 20-24, etc...

Next time before professing your expertise on the subject, trying doing a little research.

What makes you think I didn't read the thread? Was it my comment referring to every previous post being voted up/down?
I don't have an explanation for Amazon or any other retailer being out of stock. I'd expect if they were having a huge promotion, they would know a lot would sell and have a larger inventory before hand. If they only had a few in stock, that's almost a bait and switch tactic. I think it's too early at this point to say since retailers are OOS it means an update is coming. There could be a many different problems causing it. If this is the case for weeks and weeks that's a different story (I don't know how long Amazon has been out because I have no need to check stock counts on something I already own).
I do own a 2011 and I do hope there's an update soon. I upgrade every update so if my computer is about to be old..it makes no difference to me, I will have the latest thing. Let me change a few words around.. It's easy to spot those that don't currently own an Early 2011 Model because they are the first to spout garbage about knowing there will be an update.
It goes both ways.
History doesn't mean everything, look at the iPhones sporadic updates.
Which is why I said, "Apple isn't going to release that soon after a major holiday because they don't want a ton of returns."

At no point did I say I'm an expert and multiple times I said it was an opinion and I may be completely wrong, this isn't a dick measuring contest.

as always, BUY What You Need When You Need It.. use it and LIKE it..

This^


If you keep waiting for the newest and best thing...you'll be waiting forever. Just tell yourself tomorrow or the next Tuesday or the one after that will be the release day. I'll be sitting here on my current one till better rumors are out there.