<p>I'll be a freshman in the fall and I want to buy a MacBook Pro for college. But I've heard that the MacBook Pro platform is going to be majorly updated later this year. </p>
<p>So before I take the plunge and buy a Macbook (which is expensive, even with the student discounts), should I wait until a new version comes out, maybe in the fall, and make do with what I have? </p>
<p>I have an HP Netbook that is slightly more powerful than your average Netbook (I can run windows 7 pro/photoshop/InDesign on it, but YouTube videos throw it for a loop) and an iPad.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Yes, wait until Apple refreshes the MBP lineup.
The Macbook Pros should be refreshed in the next coming months.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask.</p>
<p>When is the refreshment going to occur? In the summer?</p>
<p>Well nobody knows when the refresh will actually happen except for the people working at Apple, but if you read the rumors and speculations, you will find out that a refresh will occur in the next coming months. It will become more specific as we get closer to launch. I’d also like to add that Apple has a track record of refreshing their lineups on Tuesday in the middle of the month. We’re looking at an April - June timeframe.</p>
<p>Ivy Bridge comes out in the next few weeks so expect many laptop companies to start announcing their new upgraded starting then.</p>
<p>If you’re not starting until the fall, it makes sense to wait until the fall. They are releasing an update to the operating system this summer too (Mountain Lion), and in September they usually have a special deal whereby you can buy a Mac and get a credit towards purchasing a new iPod. Not to mention that your school may offer a discount - my school offers a $100 Apple discount on the computer, plus I got a discount on my AppleCare too, so that altogether my MBP + 3 years of AppleCare cost me about $1300.</p>
<p>juillet - </p>
<p>You’re in regards to Apple releasing Mountain Lion soon, but last year Apple offered a $100 App Store (iTunes) gift card as opposed to a $200 credit on an iPod. Also the discount the schools offer is the same as the one Apple offers all year round as well as the $100 credit towards the purchase of a printer. </p>
<p>Oh and Apple does discount from $50-300 for students, depending on which machine you’re buying.</p>
<p>There’s always going to be something newer and better on the horizon. However, with that in mind, always wait to buy a computer; things get outdated so fast that waiting until you actually need to make a purchase is almost always the right thing to do.</p>
<p>Great, thanks all! I’ve seen some updates that say that a new 13-inch MacBook pro will be released in June, so I’ll likely only have to wait until then.</p>