<p>I'm a high school senior and I was thinking of getting a laptop for christmas. I know I want a macbook. I'm wondering if I should wait until graduation or even late next summer to get a computer? I know they just released Leopard. Would they come out with a new macbook before next fall? Decisions, decisions.</p>
<p>Waiting until you know where you're going to college is smart. Your college may have recommended specs for speed and memory, and may also have an arrangement with Apple (since a Mac is what you want - other discounts may be available too) to offer discounts. </p>
<p>Also, laptops almost always go on sale in August. Sometimes other promotions are offered too - free printers and free iPods, for example. </p>
<p>Delayed gratification is tough - but in this case it's worth it.</p>
<p>Alright. Thanks.</p>
<p>Yea I think you should wait till the summer right before college.</p>
<p>Another wait vote. If you're going to need the laptop around late July or early August, it's a waste. Colleges often get great discounts (maybe not pricewise, but 3yr onsite warranties) and others offer promotions before (the previously mentioned "Buy a Mac, Get an iPod".</p>
<p>Informally, I've noticed that Dell has the best discounts:
A) After Thanksgiving until Christmas
B) Days leading up to graduation
C) Days leading up to "Back to School" in August</p>
<p>I'd wait, any savings you'd get now via coupons would be outweighed by falling prices and specials in the summer.</p>
<p>Also, when you enroll, you'll likely be availible for academic pricing at Apple, Dell, and/or Lenovo.</p>
<p>Finally, if you're going to get a Dell, don't get the cheapest notebook and shop in all four shops- even on a day to day basis, prices fluncuate and you'll never know what is cheapest for the same components. And if you end up buying a laptop in the business section, just put "Last name Consulting LLC" and it always goes through.</p>
<p>I would wait, unless your computer's falling apart and you need a replacement right away.</p>
<p>IMO, If you are going to attend fall'08, waiting is sensible. Whatver updated system you buy today at a 'reduced' price (as a black friday deal or a christmas deal), you will get the same system for same price after 6 months. Prices for computers and accessories decrease very fast and in 6 months you would probably see a lower price (than today's deal price). Ofcourse at that time (when you are intending to buy) you would see newer technology and you may be tempted to buy that one, and thus pay a 'higher' price. </p>
<p>Keep a note of today's latest configuration that you 'want' to buy, wait for 6 months and buy the same configuration. Compare the price!</p>
<p>that's my 2 cents!</p>
<p>Well, I want a mac, and I don't think their prices ever change..
I wanted a computer because our family computer is TERRIBLE. But I think I'll wait it out. I don't need a computer for anything fancy at this point.</p>
<p>It depends on what you're going to use the computer for. If it's just 'standard stuff' like web browsing, e-mail, writing papers and such then it won't matter if a newer computer comes out... it won't do those basic tasks any faster.</p>
<p>
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I don't think their prices ever change..
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Untrue, Mac prices fluctuate the same way PC prices do. But usually, they will retain similar prices for newer versions of the same product.</p>
<p>Since you're buying a macbook, you should wait until after Macworld in January - They will probably be releasing a new model. But that's just from the standpoint of when the best time to buy a MacBook would be in general.</p>
<p>If they do release a new model, buy a few months AFTER Macworld. The first generation always has the most lemons.</p>
<p>wouldn't it be cheaper to buy it on ebay...anyone...</p>
<p>For the PC users on the forum, you may or may not know about the 'waiting game.' See, Macbook and macbook pros always start at 1000 and 1800 respectively (education discount). When an update occurs, usually you get a better processor, but almost everything else is exactly the same, including the price. A company like Dell makes more drastic changes and constantly lowers their pricepoint to be attractive to consumers. Apple on the other hand has the advantage of being the 'alternative to vista' and they can charge whatever they want and still sell a ton of computers. </p>
<p>There are many rumor forums and the general consensus is to wait if you can, but if you need the computer, just buy it. The next update will probably not happen until January of 2009. In that update, it is rumored to be a new case design, but that is only a rumor. Macbooks and macbook pros are currently more then the average college student needs so I think you should just buy the computer now, or wait till summer and get a free ipod, wait no longer :).</p>
<p>Umm, so why not wait, just in case there is an update? Apple updated their iMacs today with higher specs for the same price point. I'd rather wait and get the better hardware, if the only difference is waiting until right before the year starts.</p>
<p>
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wouldn't it be cheaper to buy it on ebay...anyone...
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That's probably not a good idea, unless it's from an official computer reseller. Otherwise, you won't get a warranty/service plan.</p>