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Will Macbook update be available before back to school starts?

A

aengelbrecht

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 13, 2017
47
24
Does anybody think the Macbook processor and keyboard updates will be available before back to school in late August?

Looking for a lightweight laptop for my daughter, but don't want to get the older style keyboard (seems the Pro updates will likely make it more robust), and also a CPU upgrade may be handy.
 
I’m also in that boat. I need a MacBook in the next 4 weeks and don’t know if I should wait. I found a great deal online for 2017 model sealed brand new from someone however I’m hesitating in case a 2018 update coming out soon (like the Pro).
 
I bought a 2017 MacBook from Apple about two weeks ago and just returned it today because all the rumors are pointing to new, 2018 MacBooks coming very soon. I mean, if I'm going to spend $1000+ on a new computer, I want the latest and greatest tech from Apple. Don't you? My advice to you is wait it out and see what happens in the next 30 days. And if that's not possible, buy a refurb from the online Apple refurb store. Always a good deal out there.
 
If she has access to another computer in the interim, perhaps she can wait. Not sure where you are, but the Back To School deal ends Sept. 25 in some countries. In fact, if it were me, I'd continue to wait past Sept. too if necessary. Too many clues now pointing to an update relatively soon.

I don't expect huge spec. changes between the 2017 and 2018, but nonetheless, my guess is the 2018 i5 CPU will likely be significantly faster than the 2017 i5. I find the 2017 speeds more than adequate, but it would be nice to have say an extra 20% oomph for longevity. Plus there are rumours of a new 13" machine. If true, it may make an appearance at the same time as a 12" update.

If it were my kid, I'd probably give her my old laptop in the interim (since I have an extra), and tell her she'll get the newest model when it comes out in a few months.
 
johnparjr said:
That has never happened in the last 6 years I don't know about any further back
Click to expand...
It was further back than that. I know because it happened to me. At the time it caused some confusion because back then you had to fill out a form to get the rebate for the promotion... but right after the release of the new Macs they still only had the old form, which meant you couldn't claim it. You had to wait until the new form (which had the new Macs included) came out before you could take advantage of the deal.

Luckily they've long since dispensed with those stupid forms.
 
Last edited:
This update relies on 8th gen Core Y cpus which are expected to be released Q3 2018 and haven’t released yet.
 
AppleWarMachine said:
No, Apple has carefully planned all of their product releases...they will not release the new Macbooks until the back to school promo is over ;)
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In 2017 they updated the MacBooks and then they release the promotion (don't forget that the promotion helps drive volume so at the end it is beneficial to have more sales if overall revenues are up regardless of the discount applied)
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ondert said:
This update relies on 8th gen Core Y cpus which are expected to be released Q3 2018 and haven’t released yet.
Click to expand...

We have seen some models equipped with the intel CPUs as early as Computex 2017 in June, so hopefully by the time MacBooks start assembly, intel has deployed them for mass production.
 
Thank you for all the replies, we are probably just going to get her a MBA. Figured the MBA is a more of a proven robust choice with actual USB ports. Would have preferred the Retina display of the MB, but the concerns about how well it will hold up for a student and limited USB-C devices/connectivity (read spend more on dongles that will likely get lost by a student). I don't think the difference in size weigh between the MBA and MB will be significant in real life.

The MBA may be an older design, but seems to fit the bill better (and also with our household with 2012 15" MBP Retina, 2015 13" MBP and TB display , plus a few extra chargers with magsafe 2). Guess we have not migrated to USB-C yet .
 
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