Apple and Macs: New products, iMacs, iWork, iLife

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Wed May 27, 2009 12:16 pm

question for all you MAC gurus...

I am about to buy my step son a Mac Book for college and I am wondering if anyone knows what the time frame is when Apple typically upgrades their hardware.

In other words, is it semi-safe for me to buy now or does Apple generally upgrade their product line in the summer? I know they don't do any major product changes during the middle of the year but I thought I recalled them doing spec upgrades to the stuff mid-year.

If I am safe until Aug. or Sept. then I have no problem buying it now for him.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed May 27, 2009 12:23 pm

Spooky wrote: If I am safe until Aug. or Sept. then I have no problem buying it now for him.

Price wise I know they usually throw some big deals before school starts. Between now and Aug I doubt they'll come up with any major upgrades so it's up to you.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Wed May 27, 2009 12:28 pm

10spro wrote:
Spooky wrote: If I am safe until Aug. or Sept. then I have no problem buying it now for him.
Price wise I know they usually throw some big deals before school starts. Between now and Aug I doubt they'll come up with any major upgrades so it's up to you.

Yeah, they are offereing a free iPod (well, a rebate) right now and I also get 10% through my company AND if I buy through Best buy I get an extra $50 gift card so it's a good time to buy for me. I just wanted to make sure tthay don't typcially upgrade the specs (HD, memory, processor) in the summer.

Thanks for the info!

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed May 27, 2009 12:34 pm

Yeah, sometimes they bump up the specs a bit but it's usually minimal and I think we're going to see the aluminum macbooks around for a while without any major upgrades outside of processor or HD bumps. I have a feeling you'll be safe for another year at least.

The only thing I wish my Aluminum 2.4 13" 4GB had was a slightly better LCD panel (like on the AIR or the PRO), but it's not unusable or anything.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed May 27, 2009 12:34 pm

I heard they just updated their white MacBook model today.

You can also check buyersguide.macrumors.com (not sure about the URL) but they track how long it's been since the last update and how long the average interval is between updates of each product line.

Yeah they will do a Back to School promo with the free iPod (or coupon towards the Touch) but that promo usually ends before they come out with new iPod models and maybe new Macs as well.

But I've heard some people getting good deals on those promos when combined with educational pricing.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Wed May 27, 2009 6:12 pm

Spooky wrote:question for all you MAC gurus...

I am about to buy my step son a Mac Book for college and I am wondering if anyone knows what the time frame is when Apple typically upgrades their hardware.

In other words, is it semi-safe for me to buy now or does Apple generally upgrade their product line in the summer? I know they don't do any major product changes during the middle of the year but I thought I recalled them doing spec upgrades to the stuff mid-year.

If I am safe until Aug. or Sept. then I have no problem buying it now for him.

I feel like I go through this every single year with Apple. To buy or not to buy, that is the question.

Seriously I doubt any upgrades will be substantially better than the current gen Macbooks. If the laptop is for school then your step son won't be feeling behind the curve with the current MBs as they are very fast. Heck I'm on an "old" MBP 2ghz Intel Core Duo (not Core 2 Duo) and its not half as quick as the newest Intel Core 2 Duo MBs.

Also I just purchase a new 17" MBP last week even though they'll likely being seeing some kind of upgrade this summer. Macrumors.com however has a big "Don't Buy! Upgrades soon!" on all the laptops. I learned a while back that waiting to buy with Apple is totally hit and miss as nobody seems to know what the heck they're doing and Apple likes it that way.

Here is MRs advice...

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#MacBook

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Wed May 27, 2009 10:34 pm

I feel that it's not the same as a PC. The mac seems to has legs for whatever reason maybe because loading your Mac doesn't install a bizillion registry and hidden files that slows it down. I don't know. I'm on the first intel iMacs and have never added more memory (I need to) and it is still a champ. Now I probably wouldn't be able to play games on it or movie edit, surf the web, iphoto, and watch a movie at the same time but it gets the job done.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed May 27, 2009 10:50 pm

If you haven't upgraded the OS, the iLife apps. or installed things like Photoshop or Final Cut, you probably don't have a big need for more RAM.

But with newer software, more RAM is a must and it's gotta be dirt cheap by now.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Thu May 28, 2009 2:23 am

wco81 wrote: But with newer software, more RAM is a must and it's gotta be dirt cheap by now.

Actually adding extra memory to the current mac lineup is pretty expensive. If I'd upgraded to 8GB of RAM over 4GB it would've added $1000. The Macbooks are probably cheaper though as I'm sure they don't go as high as 8GB.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu May 28, 2009 2:31 am

JRod said he had the original Intel iMac, which was released over 3 years ago.

LAking · Post by **LAking** » Thu May 28, 2009 11:37 am

macsomjrr wrote:
wco81 wrote: But with newer software, more RAM is a must and it's gotta be dirt cheap by now.
Actually adding extra memory to the current mac lineup is pretty expensive. If I'd upgraded to 8GB of RAM over 4GB it would've added $1000. The Macbooks are probably cheaper though as I'm sure they don't go as high as 8GB.

As long as you've got an intel mac that uses DDR2 RAM then it should be very cheap to upgrade. Although Apple will claim otherwise you don't need to buy the memory from Apple. They are using the same cheap-o RAM that every other PC manufacturer uses. Just go to Fry's or order some memory from newegg.

Apple tries to make you think that they are using some special hardware that is top of the line compared to a PC. It's the exact same stuff as Dell, HP, or IBM but they charge an arm and a leg for a RAM upgrade.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri May 29, 2009 12:04 pm

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/ ... acbook.ars

Haha...what did I say just two days ago. The only thing I wished Apple would do on the new MacBook 13's is upgrade the screen to the one they use on the Air. Someone in Cuppertino is listening to me I guess.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Fri May 29, 2009 12:29 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/ ... acbook.ars

Haha...what did I say just two days ago. The only thing I wished Apple would do on the new MacBook 13's is upgrade the screen to the one they use on the Air. Someone in Cuppertino is listening to me I guess.

Yeah I saw that and thought of your statement.

Thanks for all the info guys!

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 1:27 pm

F*CK! New 15" laotops today. Just bought one last week. I'm pretty sure Apple has some sort of exchange policy to upgrade if you bought within a week or two right?!?!?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 1:33 pm

Spooky wrote:F*CK! New 15" laotops today. Just bought one last week. I'm pretty sure Apple has some sort of exchange policy to upgrade if you bought within a week or two right?!?!?

Ouch...

And no, they don't. You will have to return it. Hopefully they will be able to help you with the restocking fee because of the new announcement. Would be pretty crappy if they didn't.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 1:35 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Spooky wrote:F*CK! New 15" laotops today. Just bought one last week. I'm pretty sure Apple has some sort of exchange policy to upgrade if you bought within a week or two right?!?!?
Ouch...

And no, they don't. You will have to return it. Hopefully they will be able to help you with the restocking fee because of the new announcement. Would be pretty crappy if they didn't.

I actually bought it at Best buy (had a large amount gift card there) so maybe that will work to my advantage. I have a good 'in' at my local BB.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:04 pm

I believe BB has a 15% restocking fee on non-defective returned computers. They usually waive that if you trade up or have a damn good excuse which sounds like you do. My advice is take it back ASAP.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:53 pm

It looks like the new 15" are a smidge faster with the improved batteries and that's about it. I bought a 17" last week and I can't say I'm disappointed. The iPhone 3GS looks awesome! June 18th here I come!

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:56 pm

macsomjrr wrote:It looks like the new 15" are a smidge faster with the improved batteries and that's about it. I bought a 17" last week and I can't say I'm disappointed. The iPhone 3GS looks awesome! June 18th here I come!

The ONLY thing I'm pissed about is the price difference. $500 less for bascially the exact same thing. I don't want to upgrade, just want the price matched.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:16 pm

Spooky wrote:
macsomjrr wrote:It looks like the new 15" are a smidge faster with the improved batteries and that's about it. I bought a 17" last week and I can't say I'm disappointed. The iPhone 3GS looks awesome! June 18th here I come!
The ONLY thing I'm pissed about is the price difference. $500 less for bascially the exact same thing. I don't want to upgrade, just want the price matched.

Well they normally price match within 14 days (the return policy).

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:42 pm

macsomjrr wrote:The iPhone 3GS looks awesome! June 18th here I come!

I've been waiting for years to jump on the iphone train and I'm ready to make the jump. I would need one for me and one for my wife. I want to get it at the AT&T store that is 1 mile from my house for convenience and to make sure I get my 22% employer discount on the service. Will I be able to get 2 on launch day or do they make you wait?

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:46 pm

I heard some mention of being able to reserve with AT&T stores or at their site.

I'd ask the local AT&T rep about it.

Ask if you can buy the phones from Apple but still activate through AT&T and get the service discount.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:20 pm

What I like about the iphone 3GS is the built in video camera, voice control and supposedly better battery life. The faster processor helps too for all the apps and games out there but the rest of the goodies you can get it through the upcoming 3.0 upgrade software, which I have to wait now until he 17th.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:24 pm

Leebo33 wrote:I've been waiting for years to jump on the iphone train and I'm ready to make the jump. I would need one for me and one for my wife. I want to get it at the AT&T store that is 1 mile from my house for convenience and to make sure I get my 22% employer discount on the service. Will I be able to get 2 on launch day or do they make you wait?

If it's anything like the update from first gen to the 3G, you're gonna wait. I doubt it will be that crazy this time though. I still wouldn't plan on getting one right away if you don't want to wait. I personally ordered my 3G from At&t and waited two weeks for it to arrive. That way I didn't have to deal with lines and crap like that.

Now I'm just waiting for the Blackberry Tour. At&t is a piece of sh*t in So. Cal.

Murph · Post by **Murph** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:41 pm

If the 3GS has a faster CPU and more RAM, can we assume there will be some newer game apps that won't work (or run extremely crappy) on the regular 3G phones?