So as we move into the week that the Mac Book Pro should arrive, it will almost certainly be the week that the new Mac Book Pro is announced, as that pretty much always happens to me! Naturally I was aware of the speculation when I placed the order and I was pretty confident that I wouldn’t regret it.
Why? Well firstly the anticipated speed bump. I haven’t gone for the fastest and biggest of the current range so why would I miss the fact that they now make it even faster? Second the anticipated multi-touch. Sounds cool, no doubt will be great but as I anticipate using the MBP the majority of the time with a mouse, and have bought it solely for work I am not sure that I would have use for the multi touch gimmick?
If they announce it before mine arrives will I cancel the order? I like to think not, and I really hope not as it would go against what I am trying to achieve which is to only buy things that I have a 100% justifiable need for.
What would you guys do? What do you reckon will happen? What do you think the new MBP will include?
About five or six weeks after I bought my iBook, they upgraded the processor speed to 600MHz. That hurt. Not only that, I seem to recall that they also upped the size of the HD from 10GB, though I wasn’t so bothered about that at the time. I don’t think there was much of a rumour mill at that time. Certainly, the rumour scene was nothing like it is today.
Now, I would assess the rumours, make my own judgement and then probably wait anyway. I’ve never been in the position where I absolutely had to have a new machine, so I can afford to be patient. (Like a lot of people, I expected Apple to announce a new iMac last MacWorld. While it took them until something like August, I waited – I wasn’t going to get bitten again!)
If I was in your position, I’d probably wait what I currently anticipate will be a comparatively brief wait…
I can’t see any thing special being announced for the new MBPs. The multitouch trackpad, is not very exciting, as Chris said using the system with a mouse defeats the purpose. They already have LED lighted screens (and I can say they are very very nice!). They could bump the memory limit, or put in a large hd, but they are easy enough upgrades to do by yourself. So personally I can’t see major changes being announced that would warrant the wait.
Knowing the luck Chris has though, they will probably turn into touch screen machines weighing only 1 pound at the 17″, and have 12h or battery life 🙂
Dude, you should have waited until Tuesday! Everyone knows you don’t buy a soon to be rev’d machine on a Monday 🙂
Looks like you know what you’re doing anyway – expect a bigger touch trackpad, new Penryn based faster processor and a new keyboard just like the Air.
As Mac says my luck hasn’t been great:
– Bought my first Mac, a 17″ PowerBook and the day I got it Apple announced the deal with Intel.
– The day that my MacBook arrived they announced a speed bump and hard drive increase.
Now on one hand I could cancel the order and wait. On the other hand I specifically want a more powerful and bigger Mac for the times when I travel through work, and as I have a trip scheduled for next week I wouldn’t get the new one in time for that, so it would sort of reduce the overall benefit of getting a new one.
I am going with 2GB RAM initially, and if I need to I will add another 2GB but I can’t see how I would ever require morethan that on a ‘second’ machine. I went with the 160GB hard drive as I wont be putting much on and I have a 200GB Porche USB small travel external in case I want to take extra content.
So it comes down to a multitouch trackpad, but overall I see as a gimmick and not a particularly productive enhancement ……..
Now that opens up a while different post subject which I will do at some stage! Are the small changes that Apple keep announcing really worth the hype and the cost of upgrading?
🙂 I bought it on the 9th Feb. You know Apple – site says 3-5 days delivery, the guy that I deal with that sorts me a good price says he would fast track it for me, so 9 days later I have a delivery date that is still 3 days away!!!!
I’d wait until the announcement is made then get the new one. That way you’ll have it the maximum amount of time until it is revised. Remember too that to you the trackpad thing is a gimmick but when you come to sell it, that feature may help you to get more for it
The resale point is a valid one I admit.
That siad I have very little intention of selling this for a very long time. I am all for using things until they really don’t fulfill a purpose anymore.
I will write in detail on this, but I am growing fed up with always been tempted into changing things out too quickly. I get angry with myself and resentful of (in this case) Apple!!! I think that we are all in danger of blindly following the ‘must have the latest’ brigade rather than pragmatically retainingwhat we have if it still does the job.
I know I am not alone on this, but I am not saying any of you are like this either. It is sort of the way that I have been, and the way I no longer want to be.
You could call it growing up (eventually) I guess 🙂
That said …….. I did hold off when I did order it as at the time the rumors where flying etc but that was the iPhone 16GB ‘news’
I have a 1st Gen 17″ MacBook Pro which I originally bought as I thought I’d be able to video edit “on the go” but in the 20 months I’ve had it, I’ve actually used it for that once.
I use it as a “remote terminal” to my main desktop machine and just for browsing. emails etc when away or just in from of the TV. The 17″ screen is great but it’s just too big, too heavy and too hot to use as a general purpose laptop.
When the Air came out, if it had been a couple of hundred pounds cheaper, it would have been an impulse buy but the high cost made me defer. Then the possibility of the new MacBook Pro made me wait.
I’ve seen several revisions of the MBP come out, speed bumps and new screens etc, but I’ve been quite happy to wait for a major upgrade before being tempted, so I’m not sure if we do jump at the first change (unless money is no object!)
The dilemma for me now is do I sell the MBP to finance a new purchase? I hate getting rid of old machines 🙂
I am sure there are a lot of wise heads out there 🙂
But looking at the general response to new announcements and at how many 3-6 month old Macs you can get on eBay etc I am not sure that everyone is as wise 🙂
I never really found the 17″ PowerBook too big or heavy. Hot maybe!!! I can’t see me using it for anything other than business trips (which are getting more and more again :-() and a bit of surfing and IM in front of the TV in the evening.
I totally know where you are at with keeping hold of old machines!!! I have a Sony Vaio desktop and a Notebook that I never turn on, and Sands is just about to inherit the MacBook, much to her bemusement as to why she needs it!!!
Now what she is really going to be surprised with is when she gets my iPhone!!! If Apple launch a 3G one I will upgrade. If they don’t I will dump mine for something that actually makes work trips easier rather than harder.
This is quite amusing… 🙂
In case you don’t know who the author is, there’s a short bio of him here…
That is very funny indeed, and so true!!!!!
So looks like the Mulitouch is going to stay unique to the MBA according toApple if MacRumors are true.
And the new intel chips aren’t due until at least June this year.
🙂
@Gary
Loved that Air thing. Poor Guy, too easily had his head turned!
I just bought a 15″ MBP, after making a firm decision to hold out until MWSF08 expecting upgraded pro machines to be announced then. When they weren’t, I went ahead and bought one anyway knowing full well there will probably be an upgrade soon anyway…no regrets. It’s a super machine, and having come up from a PowerBook there is a real performance benefit that I can enjoy right now…
Of course, now I suffer gadget-lust over a Mac Pro/Air combo…I had a play about with the Air in London last weekend and it is very cool.
But back on topic – if they announce a new MBP and the “new” is significant, then absolutely I would cancel my order or may even pay restocking to get the new version. No point in paying full price for last-gen hardware.
I’m looking to get a MBP in the next week or two and I would hate to get one then find out it is obsolete within a week. I sure wish the updated MBPs would just come out already so I can get one!
Even if they don’t bring out a completely new MBP, the price of the lower spec models usually drops if they bump up; the speed of the one at the top of the range.
First up, congrats John 🙂
Second, any MBP you buy now wont be obsolete for a very long time 🙂 In my experience the vast majority of ‘minor’ tweaks that they are likley to make (extra RAM capacity, CPU etc) are in reality only going to benefit the really ‘pro’ user i.e. not the majority so we shouldn’t get carried away ….
Really what can they improve that is significant?
– Mulitouch, nope they have confirmed that is for the MBA only
– Larger, nope 17″ is about as big as you can go
– Slimmer, nope they reduced the size when they went from PB to MBP, and they have the MBA ‘range’ for that now
– Faster, sure when intel release the chips, and really who will actually ‘really’ benefit from it
So I reckon it is safe to buy one now 🙂
Good points Chris. I really don’t care about the multitouch (i don’t like touchpads at all) and the 17 is what I’m going to get. The only real thing I suppose now that I think about it that I might miss would be an upgraded CPU.
Well only you know that 🙂 As you can currentky get it with 2.6GHz I reckon that would be plenty enough for the vast majority of people ….. depends how ‘heavy’ a user you are.
I went for the 2.4 myself as I have a somewhat narrow and specific use for the MBP and wont be multi tasking that much at all. At home I have loads of stuff on the go all the time so if it was my main Mac I would have gone for 2.6GHz, and may even have been tempted to wait but I haven’t and I am relaxed about it.
Now if only the damn thing would turn up ……….
I will use mine for web development work mostly, with some photoshop usage thrown in. I know I can get by with a 2.6, but if I can get more I will. I’m also going to opt for the 4gig of ram even though it is a pretty expensive upgrade. I’ve bought many a laptop that I then regretted not getting something or other upgraded, and in this case the cost is just so much that I want to pay for it once, ya know?
@Webmogul
You must be made out of money, if you are going to get the $700 memory upgrade from apple. This 4G kit consisting of 2x2gb sticks retails from 129-150 everywhere else. Should get the least amount of ram. You will have to remove the existing ram completely when upgrading to 4gb, but at least you can sell that on ebay, essentially lowering the cost of the upgrade.
I hadn’t researched to see if the ram they use was common or some proprietary format, being that this is my first macbook. If it common ram sticks then I have no problem changing them myself. I take it the MBP has a nice little access door for the ram like other laptops?
Yep, swapping it out is really really easy!!! Remove the battery, undo a few screws and hey presto – loads of money saved.
There are loads of sites toy buy RAM from. If you want suggestions just shout, and if you want to double check any RAM you are planning on buying just shout as well.
And ……… enjoy the first Mac 🙂
Any recommendations would be great. I’ve used a mac at work for a while and just love it for dev work. Then I go home and toy with my cheap little dell and it just isn’t the same.
When this opportunity came up I told my wife the first thing I’m getting is a new mac laptop. To my surprise her reply was “hmm… can I get one too?”. All I can say is I married a good one 🙂
Personally I visit http://www.kingston.com. They have a great search for finding out which memory you need. Just specify the brand and model of the system. I bet others will give you different sites.
wow, just tried that kingston link and it said the kit was between 120 and 140 bucks. You weren’t kidding Mac!
I still don’t understand why apple is charging so much for the ram. For the money you save you can easily add another monitor to the mix.
Also like Chris said upgrade is really really simple.
No kidding. I do plan on getting a new monitor to go with the laptop, but it will come a month or so later. I really, really want to get a nice 30incher as I know the MBP will power it. It will probably be a dell, who actually makes really good monitors, as they are many hundreds less expensive than the apple is. at a minimum I’ll get a 24inch
@Webmogul – Another RAM supplier you could try would be Crucial. They have both their Memory Advisorâ„¢ tool (aka a wizard) and a comparatively new Mac System Scanner tool to help you to identify the specific components you require.
The peeps on the Macrumours forum recommend Crucial RAM in Europe. I’m going to swap out my 2Gb for 4Gb soon as I have Aperture 2 on the way and it likes memory apparently.
Snap!
Told you Webmogul… total flurry of answers… aren’t you glad you asked? 🙂
@Mac Sokulski – yes I am! thanks everyone!
Now since we all did save you about $500 … I think a little compensation is in order 🙂 …. just kidding… enjoy your shiny new lappy.
According to those nice folks at Google, Crucial’s UK headquarters (and main distribution centre) is less than 5 miles from my flat (apartment). Once or twice in years gone by, I was able to drive over and collect at the reception desk, rather than waiting for delivery next day. However, they’ve currently discontinued that “service”, so I fell out with them, on principle. However, after a couple of weeks went by, and I couldn’t find an alternative supplier I was happy with (inc price), I ended up going back to them. 🙁
That issue aside, I’ve not had any problems with them or their RAM.
@Gary – that has made me laugh!!! The number of times I have taken a stand on ‘principle’ and had it back fire on me 🙂 Problem is I am really stubborn and wont back down!!!
@Webmogul – you are welcome. Now don’t go dumping us when you get tha MBP, we want to know how you get on with it!!!! And ……. what you getting your wife? My wife has managed to get a iMac and a MacBook out of me ….
The difference is that I used to happily recommend them to colleagues (I do IT support at one of the Glasgow universities, so am in a position to influence people). I’m much, much less likely to do that now – and I told them that, in no uncertain terms, during our short dialogue.
I won’t go anywhere!
Not sure what to get her. Her only mac experience has been an iMac at her previous job, but she liked it.
she has a 15inch dell right now (much like mine) so I don’t think I can get her a 13inch MB without some complaining. So it would probably be a 15inch MBP, an she would probably balk at the price. She would probably be happy with a used one however so I might go that route.
However I already promised her new carpet in the house, so that will have to happen before she gets a new laptop 🙂
I can sense a MacBook Air in the air 🙂
So the MBP has arrived, and very shiny it looks! So far I have managed to unpack it, and Moreno has sat on it to check it out – he much prefers the size of the MBP to the MB for his kip.
Probably wont get round to setting it up until the weekend as have a load of stuff I must finish, and setting up Sands ACD takes priority, especially as Mac has tempted with the 4GB RAM!!! That is what comes of IM’ing someone when the doorbell rings with the delivery. Hadn’t even unboxed it and he made me change my plans …………….
looking forward to reading all about it.Oh and I,m sure you,ll chat with Tim on the subject too
So far so good 🙂
I did mention it when chatting with Tim! Hope to do more next week after I have had the chance to test drive it in the UK!
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well, it looks like the new MBP got the multitouch, but even better it got an upgrade in the graphic department and the new CPUs. Woohoo! I should be getting my sometime next week.
The graphics is a pretty good improvement it has to be said, and not one that people really speculated upon.
You go get that order placed 🙂
I’d set aside a wedge to buy a Contax 645 camera for sale on ebay. I didn’t win the auction 🙁 Maybe I’ll blow it on a MBP instead to cheer myself up 🙂
[quote comment=””]I’d set aside a wedge to buy a Contax 645 camera for sale on ebay. I didn’t win the auction 🙁 Maybe I’ll blow it on a MBP instead to cheer myself up :-)[/quote]
Now that sounds like a short term ‘feel good’ injection that I reckon you could quickly regret?
I’ve been putting of buying a replacement for my G4 PB 12″ for ages. My other mac is a G5 iMac so it’s about time I got with the intel thing. (I’d rather have a medium format camera though)
I went to look at the new MBP at the weekend but decided to wait. There are some hefty discounts on the previous models now. Waitrose have the 2.4 gig 15″ for £1199 which I have to admit is tempting…