<p>Ok so I'm waiting for apple to update their macbook line before I buy a laptop for my freshman year, but I'm going to school in 3 weeks. My state is having a sales-tax free holiday the weekend before I leave, so should I just wait until then (when I will only have about 4 days to get used to my computer) or just buy it now? If I do wait, does anyone think macbooks will be updated by the 16/17th of August? And, finally, if they are updated, do I run any risk of my computer being out-of-stock?</p>
<p>Rumor:</a> Next MacBooks Might Not Use Intel Chipsets | Maximum PC</p>
<p>just buy it</p>
<p>Apple is constantly updating. Chances are that if you don't buy one right when it's released, you'll always be right before some new update. It is always speculation with Apple, but rumors are the update will take place in September. It's really a decision only you should make.</p>
<p>They are very secretive, and no one knows about the next release until the day it happens. I say buy one now with the education discount, and get the free iPod.</p>
<p>if apple comes out a new product within 2 weeks of your purchase. return it and get a new one.</p>
<p>I agree with everything said and I just want to add that it would seem logical for Apple to hold off on updates until after the student discount is over otherwise people like us would be getting some good deals. Macrumors.com claims that a tablet notbook might be the September uopdate and I'm not crazy about that. I am dissapointed that the new Intel chip is not being used although Core 2 Duo is still going strong with only a few select models comming out by some companies that have the new chip.</p>
<p>Get it now. Or at least, don't wait any longer than mid-August when you go to school. </p>
<p>There are two realistic scenarios in my opinion: first is that they update the MB line in mid-August with Intel's Montevino platform... at best you see marginal increases in performance; the second is that they are redesigning the MB line with new chipsets/casing/trackpad/whatever and it probably won't come out until September, at best. I think if it were the latter, Apple would hold a media event promoting it (which they announce at least 2-3 weeks in advance). </p>
<p>I guess what I'm saying is: the only probable update that might occur in the timeframe you have for getting a new computer (i.e. before school) would be a mild boost in performance and nothing fancy like a new case or chipset... so you might as well get it now and enjoy it for the last three weeks of summer.</p>
<p>about the returning the macbook to buy the newer one... would that affect the rebates for the free ipod and printer if you bought the ipod and printer on the previous purchase?</p>
<p>if it's within 2 weeks, all you have to do is pay the restocking fee.(10%)</p>
<p>At this point, i'm not expecting anything new until september. :p</p>
<p>the restocking fee for the mac or the whole purchase? 10% is alot considering its about $100, but i guess the most important thing is getting the rebate. haha i'm new to all this computer buying stuff sorry.</p>
<p>Buy it now, Update won't come till September. Macbooks are always updated after the Back to school promo to clear off their stock.</p>
<p>wait for it! use the school computers for a couple of weeks if you don't own a laptop already. i've read in many places that macbooks were going to be updated completely (appearance and tech specs) on the last week of september the latest-that's what i'm waiting for. i don't care about a free ipod touch since i already have a 30g ipod and my music is way, way more than 8gbs--ipods are going to be updated at the same time too!</p>
<p>I would wait until September. Your workload won't be too heavy and if you can be patient, Apple usually releases new products around this time. Last year, the iPod Touch was introduced. </p>
<p>I have a first generation Macbook...the one released May 2006 so I'm hoping the product refresh will bring redesigned Macbooks and Macbook Pros. The latter is what I'll be buying, if true.</p>
<p>Well, you've probably already made your decision, considering this is a couple weeks after your initial post. However: depending on your personal and educational needs, the current macbooks are probably plenty of computer for most school related needs; the back to school incentives are really good right now; every computer is 'obsolete' pretty much the minute you buy it - unless you think the new update is going to do something you can't live without, you can wait forever waiting for the next update; if you buy it early enough it will give you time to figure it out and get familiar with the new system, transfer whatever info you want to transfer, etc.</p>
<p>there is an apple event scheduled for september 9th, according to the rumors from various mac websites. i would at least wait for that and see what they have to offer.</p>
<p>If you like the metallic look of the macpro, you might want to wait. Rumor has it that the new macbooks's will look similar to the mac air---silver alluminum casing and more rounded. </p>
<p>Personally, I'm not crazy about silver metallic keyboards and casing. I have nothing against them. I just prefer the black or white look. If you buy through the educational apple shop, you can still get a great deal. I ordered a second macbook recently and it should arrive today. I got the "free" iPod touch. Well, the 8 g iPod touch is free with the rebate or you can upgrade to the 16 g iPod touch and with the rebate it will only cost you $100 (rather then $399). I'm giving the iPod touch as a Christmas present. If you need a printer, you also basically get that for free with a $100 rebate. And, the Apple Care service plan is also discounted. In my opinion, it's not worth waiting. I'd rather have buy something that's been around a little while and the kinks have been worked out.</p>
<p>I would not buy a Mac anything with an nVidia card until nVidia and/or Apple comes out and states that the nVidia graphics chip issue has been resolved. It's like buying a ticking time bomb. If you normally get AppleCare, then I guess it's not that much of an issue unless you mind losing your machine for a week.</p>
<p>BCEagle91, You are definitely correct but the MacBook doesn't have nVidia. That's what is good about it. Stay away from the MacBook Pro because of nVidia but the regular MacBook is great.</p>
<p>Update: I just got through talking to Dell about the nVidia issue I had with a new xps 1330. They came and replaced the everything but with another nVidia so I'm pretty sure the problem will occur again over time. I asked if they could come back and replace it with the Intel integrated video but they said they can't do that because it's a downgradeand configured differently. Then I asked if it burns up again, will they replace the part with a corrected nVidia without the defect. He said the nVidia insists that it's not their problem but a problem with the Bios. So, in effect, the answer is no. </p>
<p>Son will leave the Dell home. He'll take my 6 week old macbook (without nVidia). I bought myself another macbook (without nVidia) to replace the one I'm giving him.</p>
<p>There was discussion about Mac Pros, MacBook Pros and MacBooks above. I know Apple's models fairly well.</p>
<p>On the Dell, my guess is that the XPS1330 has integrated video built in but the wiring isn't there for it. On the MacBook Pro failures, the video ID is Intel Integrated instead of nVidia.</p>
<p>Our son will be using his MacBook Pro but I'll leave him with my XPS 1330 so he'll have a backup machine handy. I just have to program the fingerprint reader for him.</p>
<p>And it comes with an ATI video card.</p>
<p>My complaint on the Ferrari is that they use AMD mobile processors with a pretty dated architecture. But at least your screen won't go blank on you within 2 years.</p>