MacBook Pro

So, I think I may go ahead and purchase a MacBook Pro, however I see that the current line was introduced around 1 year ago. I would prefer to buy a MacBook Pro when the line is next refreshed. What do you guys think? Should I wait for the line to be refreshed or go ahead and purchase one now; delay instant gratification or give in?!!

Do you think the line will be refreshed within the next six months, perhaps?!! Thanks in advance!!

Paulw

The Macbook Pro line was updated in Oct.

Colonel Panic

Intel's Ivy Bridge is out soon and an update to the MBP could happen potentially with a move towards the Air form factor.

If you can wait, you should. That said, they're amazing machines and the real life differences between new models are negligible.

Paulw

Colonel Panic wrote: »

Intel's Ivy Bridge is out soon and an update to the MBP could happen potentially with a move towards the Air form factor.

If you can wait, you should. That said, they're amazing machines and the real life differences between new models are negligible.

I can't see a new model being ready before May 2012. Launch of Ivy bridge would be Mar/Apr, so April/May for machines using it.

No matter what, if you wait, a new model will come along sooner or later.

Colonel Panic

Yeah, but look at his original post, he asked about a new one being out in the next 6 months. Of course there's always something new around the corner! I also said that there'd be no major issue if he wanted to buy one NOW.

Sad Professor

If it's a MacBook Pro you want then buy now. They were only updated a couple of months ago and there's no point waiting. You should only wait if you are interested in a 15-inch Air.

Thanks for the replied guys!! Still undecided however!!

Talisman

The last update in October was a minor one - the processor got a minor speed increase (2.2GHz -> 2.4GHz) and the graphics card got a later revision (e.g. Radeon HD 6750M -> Radeon HD 6770M).

The next revision will see a switch to a new chipset (Sandy Bridge -> Ivy Bridge). The new MBP release date will be determined by Intel's production capacity and the working relationship with Apple. When both are well Apple have announced new hardware immediately after Intel announced the release of a new chip - Apple were a special customer meaning they got the chips before others. That wasn't the case recently because of the Intel vs Nvidia chipset dispute so Apple had to wait in line with all other customers for the new chips. Now that Nvidia are out of the picture and all Apple computer lines are shipping with Intel chipsets, there's no reason for Apple not to become a special customer again.

It's always a waiting game if you want the new hardware. To get an indication of a likely release date keep an eye on the refurbished store - In the months before a hardware refresh Apple start dumping upgraded models of the current hardware line in there. For example, in late July 2011 the refurb store started to sell the MBP with the quad-core i7 2.3 GHz processor which was a custom order on the retail site at the time. Three months later almost to the day the hardware was refreshed, so when you start to see the 2.5GHz MBP stock piling in the refurb store you will know that there is a new hardware release in the pipe line.

Irish Refurb store URL: http://store.apple.com/ie/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

acous

My go-to site for info on the upgrade schedule is http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/. They collect rumours related to each product to save you the hassle of keeping on top of the latest info yourself.