Should I hold off on buying a new macbook?

Ok so I am thinking about buying a new macbook for college (starting fall 2009), and I wanted to get it now, just because my current computer is running out of space and it's just starting to run poorly. But the main thing is, I don't want to buy a new one now, only to have an updated version come out between now and August. The reason I ask is because I don't really need the macbook now, I just want it, and I can easily hold off on buying it if there was an update planned. Are there any rumors/news of a new refresh for the current aluminum macbooks? I tried searching, and I'm just running into year old news articles. Thanks for any help!

An updated one WILL come out between now and August. Historically, the Macbooks get updates in the Spring (around April/May) and the Fall (around October/November).

The new Macbook line just came out mid-October, so they were very recently updated. Since Apple has revamped the looks of the entire line, don't expect a major update come next Spring, but rather only a speed bump. There's really no reason to hold off for the update unless you absolutely need that extra 1-2% increase in performance.

Oh, so its basically a matter of speed? Is there any news on the OS? I forgot where I read it (or if it was even related to this), but someone was saying how the refresh of the macbooks would bring about a new OS. I may be mistaken though.

Snow Leopard. There isn't a confirmed release date on that yet. If you can wait, then wait. If you can't then just get it now. If you keep waiting you will never get one.

Snow Leopard is said to be out sometime next year. No need to wait for that. It's mostly Base OS improvements and if you want it just purchase it later for $129. That has been the price for each new version of OSX for years now and I bet it will be the same this time.

madshadow said:

Oh, so its basically a matter of speed? Is there any news on the OS? I forgot where I read it (or if it was even related to this), but someone was saying how the refresh of the macbooks would bring about a new OS. I may be mistaken though.

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Snow Leopard is slated to be released next year, but there's no guarantee of when, could be before, could be after the update.

Hm. Thanks for all of the responses! I think other things I need to look into are just the "back to school" offers, and just if owning a computer for 10 months before school, or buying one just before school will be better or not. Hmmm.

Edit:
Sorry for the questions :X, but do you see any aesthetic changes being made? For example, the ipod touch was given the volume control and external speakers when it was refreshed, can you see the macbook getting anything like this by the next refresh? (matte version of screen perhaps?)

Usually the first refresh only upgrades performance (processor speed) of the computers. If that is not a concern of yours than get this version (It is awesome) and enjoy it for the 10 months before school and while in school. If you want to have the best of the best when it comes to speed and can manage to wait 10 months, then wait. I personally could not wait 10 months for a machine this cool. Everyone that sees it, wants it. I say GO GET IT!

madshadow said:

Hm. Thanks for all of the responses! I think other things I need to look into are just the "back to school" offers, and just if owning a computer for 10 months before school, or buying one just before school will be better or not. Hmmm.

Edit:
Sorry for the questions :X, but do you see any aesthetic changes being made? For example, the ipod touch was given the volume control and external speakers when it was refreshed, can you see the macbook getting anything like this by the next refresh? (matte version of screen perhaps?)

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I don't know if they will make a matte screen version unless somehow it's biodegradable or recyclable.

I still want my quadcore MB/P >_>"

The regular Macbooks won't see a matte screen since they've never had it before and Apple has no reason to provide it now or in the future. We might see a matte screen on the Macbook Pro, but there's no guarantee.

Since the day the Macbook was launched, there were only speed updates (the transition from Core Duo to Core 2 Duo was certainly a speed update). The Macbook Pros got LED backlighting about a year before the major refresh that took place in October. So there's no reason for you to believe that the Spring update will be anything other than a speed bump.

Personally, I prefer the glossy glass screen on my Macbook. It's a lot easier to clean, and, surprisingly, I don't have any issues with glare, even with my back to a window in full sunlight.

First post, but I have to start somewhere right?

I too am in the EXACT same boat as you my friend. Going to school in the fall 2009, but will be going all out on a MBP. 2.8GHz processor, 320GB hard drive at 7200 rpm, yadda yadda. Basically as good as she gets. Cost is less important as long as I have the powerhouse I need......to go. Laptop is my only choice, and MBP has the power.

Just dont like seeing an update come out all fresh and hot, right after I purchase the present model. I do believe its a winner though, the aluminum MB and MBP are definately high-tech. Snow leopard is also not a huge concern, as I will be able to buy and install it whenever they decide to release it.

Option A: Take the plunge. Buy the **** thing and be happy.
Option B: Hold off. W...a...i...t.... for a small revision and THEN buy.

Soon as I get my funds I'll just purchase right then.

Regards, Logan.

Intel just announced that new processors
running standard 2.66 to 3.06 ghz based on Nehalem will be be available spring 2009. It is very likely that apple will adopt these processors for the 15 inch macbook pros.

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^

NOO >_<"""" I want a quad core CPU. T_T""""

The weird thing is, I don't even know much about speed or anything dealing with the hardware. For me, I'm just afraid of buying it before I need it, then a few months later, it will no longer be "the best you can buy". And I'm not entirely sure what I need yet either. I'm judging based on the fall 2008 supply list, which says "You will need atleast 2 Ghz processor, 2 gb of ram, CD read/write (although DVD is reccomended)". So I'm not considering the MBP. Now its all a matter of what difference

Intel just announced that new processors
running standard 2.66 to 3.06 ghz based on Nehalem will be be available spring 2009. It is very likely that apple will adopt these processors for the 15 inch macbook pros.

Click to expand...

will make.

I just don't get the hatred I see all over about the glossy screens. One author in MacWorld this month ranted about how Apple switched to all glossy screens, and thus he would never buy one. I have one on my Macbook and have no problems with it whatsoever.

Anyway, I bought a second C2D 2.0 Ghz Macbook when they had their first refresh up from the first gen and I'm still thrilled with its performance and utility. The Macbook has been refreshed, what, four times now? First with speed increases, memory capacity, LED screens, and now that whole aluminum mono-case with backlit keys. Am I upset about this? Heck no, my Macbook is the best notebook computer I have ever owned. In fact it's the ONLY notebook computer I have ever owned. All my other machines were either desktops or employer supplied Windows laptops (which, when they lay you off and escort you from the building it's *yoink* better hope you have your own computer. Which I do, a better computer than that piece of crap you issued me you heartless jerks.)

The mantra for years has been if you are going to wait until a better machine comes along you'll never buy one. It's been that way for the entire 25 years I've been in the computer business, and it hasn't changed today.

So basically..... Buy it.

Don't wait for whatever the future brings unless you know you'll buy it right when it comes down the pipeline. Don't keep waiting on this and that, because you heard it may be coming, yadda yadda.

It's an excellent machine no matter how you look at it. Ill be buying the minute my "toy" savings account crosses the 3k threshold. Can't wait!

wait. You know how many things are going to change in 10 months of computing?! TONS!
put your heart in peace and wait a little.
and STUDY!

miu said:

wait. You know how many things are going to change in 10 months of computing?! TONS!
put your heart in peace and wait a little.
and STUDY!

Click to expand...

And then ten months after that a whole lot more will change, and then it'll change again ten months after that. It's a vicious cycle, and in today's day and age where hardware speeds aren't increasing at an exponential rate, just buy the machine when you need it. The one that's coming out in a year won't be that much different from the one you just bought. Look at my Macbook. It's only slightly underpowered compared to the ones that just came out, and mine is about two years old.

As someone that built a new personal computer about every 9 months for many years, have to agree with Kash. During the 90's and early part of this decade, things were doubling in speed every 12 months at a minimum. Back then, if there was word on a new processor or video card coming out in the next couple of months, they were typically worth waiting for, only because you could expect a doubling in speed compared to the one you bought last year.

Upgrading today really offers diminishing returns from what was happening in the industry during that time. There will always be something newer and better. But, for the last 4-5 yrs, the only thing of real note has been the change from the P4's to the C2D's.

My now 2 year old MBP as an example - a 2.33 Ghz with 256 MB video. The latest and greatest MBP's only at 2.4 & 256 or the 2.53 with 512. Still have 2GB RAM in mine and have only replaced the hard drive with a 7200 RPM drive. A friend that has the 2.4 with memory upgraded to 4GB, we ran an Xbench test. My 2 year old machine beat his Base score by 10 points. His processor beat up on mine a little and my video card and hard drive beat up his.

This really points to the fact that today, the time to buy a computer, is when you need it. If you don't need it, then wait. If you want it, got to have it now, not a big deal, and you'll not be left that far behind and you get to start enjoying that new toy now. Don't worry, be happy.