Help buying a mac

[cembros]

Ok so I just got a new job so I would lme to get a new computer. I currently own 2 1/2 year old Dell laptop but would like to get a MacBook pro ( girlfriend has a MacBook and I fell in love). Problem is I don't want to pay 1100-1500$ on a computer only to have a new updated version released in a couple of months. I was looking at the base model 13 inch pro. Does anyone know when the new ones are going to be released, should I just go ahead and pull the trigger. I'll be working in sales so it's not like I'll use the computer for graphic design or anything. Any input appreciated.

[Lord_Stewie]

I am an owner of Macs. I could tell you this it doesn't matter which Mac you buy. Once you get the computer it will last for quite a long time without having to worry of about 85% of windows based computers.

So in short, satisfaction is guaranteed if you buy a new one.

[buckshot]

check out the refurbished section at apple.com i just bought my mac mini there. you'll save a few hundred getting something there.

[DJ Manyak]

Originally Posted by Lord_Stewie

I am an owner of Macs. I could tell you this it doesn't matter which Mac you buy. Once you get the computer it will last for quite a long time without having to worry of about 85% of windows based computers.

So in short, satisfaction is guaranteed if you buy a new one.

sounds like pc bashing to me

i own both and you have no freedom with macs

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by computergeek

sounds like pc bashing to me

i own both and you have no freedom with macs

Its not about bashing.

Well maybe it is.

Not a single good experience came out of windows based computers for me. Macs had been very reliable to me and with less issues.

[Beefbowl]

I guess it depends on what you plan on doing with the Macbook. The multi-touch trackpad alone makes me a happy Mac owner

[cembros]

I'm just worried that there will be a new one released soon, don't want buyers remorse

[mikejet]

Ask at the Apple store, they should be able to match your budget to your needs and ease your concerns.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by Lord_Stewie

I am an owner of Macs. I could tell you this it doesn't matter which Mac you buy. Once you get the computer it will last for quite a long time without having to worry of about 85% of windows based computers.

So in short, satisfaction is guaranteed if you buy a new one.

I agree...My Macbook Pro was the best investment I ever made. The quality is so over the top. So they're already released a new version of the Macbook Pro? It hasn't even been a year yet lol. I'm looking forward to ditching my Windows desktop for a Mac Pro.

[toef]

Originally Posted by cembros

I'm just worried that there will be a new one released soon, don't want buyers remorse

Apple keeps a tight lip about when they plan on releasing new models, so if the Apple Store employees even knew (they don't), they wouldn't say.

Your best bet is to just try to get a good deal on a model you're happy with. That way, even if a new model comes out soon, you won't feel bad, because you got such a good deal on the one you own.

And the new models are never leaps and bounds above the last ones. They'll just have a slightly faster processor (though probably not noticeable), and maybe a few more GB of HD space. But it's nothing to really be concerned over.

The only concern might be if you buy a computer right before iLife and/or iWork are updated, in which case you'll get the old versions. But for people who buy Macs close to the release of those new programs, Apple usually offers a pretty inexpensive upgrade.

Just to get an idea...

iLife 09 -- released January '09
iLife 10 -- will it even exist?

iWork 09 -- released September '09
iWork 10 -- no idea

[hoogoosedmoose41]

Originally Posted by cembros

Ok so I just got a new job so I would lme to get a new computer. I currently own 2 1/2 year old Dell laptop but would like to get a Mac Book pro ( girlfriend has a Mac Book and I fell in love). Problem is I don't want to pay 1100-1500$ on a computer only to have a new updated version released in a couple of months. I was looking at the base model 13 inch pro. Does anyone know when the new ones are going to be released, should I just go ahead and pull the trigger. I'll be working in sales so it's not like I'll use the computer for graphic design or anything. Any input appreciated.

don't mean to discourage you but if your laptop is only 2.5 yrs old why not wait a while to see if the new job works out first? if it doesn't or you lose the job for whatever reason you will be stuck with the payments.

[brettallica]

If it's possible, wait until you absolutely must make that upgrade, or until the quad core MacBook Pro comes out. No one knows "officially" if or when it's coming, but it's got to be soon, considering the way things go technology-wise and all the speculation about it.

I'm in a similar boat as you, except my laptop is older; it's a four year-old iBook (last of the G4 processors). It's barely chugging along, but I'm going to run that thing into the ground if I have to.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by brettallica

If it's possible, wait until you absolutely must make that upgrade, or until the quad core MacBook Pro comes out. No one knows "officially" if or when it's coming, but it's got to be soon, considering the way things go technology-wise and all the speculation about it.

I'm in a similar boat as you, except my laptop is older; it's a four year-old iBook (last of the G4 processors). It's barely chugging along, but I'm going to run that thing into the ground if I have to.

You are so obsessed with this dual core MBP. I'm getting scared.

[brettallica]

Originally Posted by Hammie

You are so obsessed with this dual core MBP. I'm getting scared.

I know, dude. I know.

My obsession severalfold:

1. My laptop, which is THE computer in the house (with the exception of our two Dell HTPCs), has seen more than its fair share of usage in its four-plus years of life. I simply need a new computer. We had a PC as part of a sweet KVM setup with another Apple desktop at one time, so my laptop wasn't getting used as much, but we discarded all evidence of a desk at our house in favor of more living room space; so since then my iBook has really seen a lot of use. My wife is almost strictly PC-literate, although to her credit she has done well to learn the Mac OS. She basically used only our IBM when we had our desk. Since the Great Brettallica Desk Purge of 2008, the laptop has just been used to death -- almost literally. You should have seen me working with multiple apps open last night. It was BAD. I thought I was at a pinwheel parade.
2. I can't run a lot of the apps that require Intel chips, to say nothing of the fact that simple OS core proucts like the new Safari run like crap on my rig.
3. My other ventures are requiring more and more computer usage, and as such it's further pushing the usage limits of my old G4.
4. I will not get "burned" "again" (using those words lightly, mind you) by the Apple Curse of Obsolescence like I did with this computer. I bought mine literally just a few months before everything was Intel dual-core minimum! If I recall correctly, the Intel chips started at 1.8GHz x 2 (I could be slightly off with that, but it's about right). My G4 is a 1.4GHz, so basically my rig was worthless less than a half a year after I bought it. I definitely won't play that again. That's why I'm not buying until I see a spec sheet that shows four cores.

[Show spoiler]Bonus bullet point: I haven't bought any expensive toys in a long time, so I'm getting an itchy spending trigger.

[Brandon]

Originally Posted by cembros

Ok so I just got a new job so I would lme to get a new computer. I currently own 2 1/2 year old Dell laptop but would like to get a MacBook pro ( girlfriend has a MacBook and I fell in love). Problem is I don't want to pay 1100-1500$ on a computer only to have a new updated version released in a couple of months. I was looking at the base model 13 inch pro. Does anyone know when the new ones are going to be released, should I just go ahead and pull the trigger. I'll be working in sales so it's not like I'll use the computer for graphic design or anything. Any input appreciated.

Unless you REALLY need it right away, I would wait just a few more weeks to see if they are coming out with new ones. I am waiting on getting my new MBP too. This site is handy in showing when the most recent updates were and on what schedule the next update is due to come out:

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by brettallica

I know, dude. I know.

My obsession severalfold:

1. My laptop, which is THE computer in the house (with the exception of our two Dell HTPCs), has seen more than its fair share of usage in its four-plus years of life. I simply need a new computer. We had a PC as part of a sweet KVM setup with another Apple desktop at one time, so my laptop wasn't getting used as much, but we discarded all evidence of a desk at our house in favor of more living room space; so since then my iBook has really seen a lot of use. My wife is almost strictly PC-literate, although to her credit she has done well to learn the Mac OS. She basically used only our IBM when we had our desk. Since the Great Brettallica Desk Purge of 2008, the laptop has just been used to death -- almost literally. You should have seen me working with multiple apps open last night. It was BAD. I thought I was at a pinwheel parade.
2. I can't run a lot of the apps that require Intel chips, to say nothing of the fact that simple OS core proucts like the new Safari run like crap on my rig.
3. My other ventures are requiring more and more computer usage, and as such it's further pushing the usage limits of my old G4.
4. I will not get "burned" "again" (using those words lightly, mind you) by the Apple Curse of Obsolescence like I did with this computer. I bought mine literally just a few months before everything was Intel dual-core minimum! If I recall correctly, the Intel chips started at 1.8GHz x 2 (I could be slightly off with that, but it's about right). My G4 is a 1.4GHz, so basically my rig was worthless less than a half a year after I bought it. I definitely won't play that again. That's why I'm not buying until I see a spec sheet that shows four cores.

[Show spoiler]Bonus bullet point: I haven't bought any expensive toys in a long time, so I'm getting an itchy spending trigger.

We have all PC's and one Mac Mini in our house. I would love to upgrade the kids desktop to a 27" iMac but my wife would rather see me in a new Mac. I don't really NEED a new laptop, my current Dell is only about a year old, but I'mm addicted to the Mac OS on the Mac Mini.

I bought the Mac Mini as an iTunes server/hub, but I've been using it more and more during the day (I'm using it right now, since I'm still working. (Doing an after hours video conference testing over a new OC3. )

I would have no problem moving to an all Mac house. I think my wife would be the biggest learning curve in the house. The again, she may surprise me.

I just bought her a new Dell XPS for her gaming. So, she is not interested into getting anything new for herself.

[cembros]

Originally Posted by Brandon

Unless you REALLY need it right away, I would wait just a few more weeks to see if they are coming out with new ones. I am waiting on getting my new MBP too. This site is handy in showing when the most recent updates were and on what schedule the next update is due to come out:

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

well i just went to sign all the papers and it looks like they may buy me a laptop so I can defiently wait.

[xtop]

since you're not looking to spend loads of money, look into used. i've bought my ibook and macbook off of ebay, been plenty happy with both purchases

[supersix4]

My advice buy from a place like macmall or microcenter where when the new models come out they give big time discounts on the last gen ones (which recently haven't been much different)