getting a macbook pro now

[T2urtle]

I dont really care for apple products. But my GF is in love with them... and i had a couple of questions. These little fudgers NEVER go on sale. Cant get much deals anywhere.

She wants the macbook pro 13 inch for i think 1199 or 1299. Thru apple store i can get a $100 off via student discount.

They want me to get applecare. My thoughts are these things should be solid. I hardly have issues with PC's, is this the same with apples? I can do repairs on laptops. I dont know if cracking a macbook is cake or not. I was just going to use my AMEX to get an extra 1 year warranty, on top of the orginal 1 year. 2 years should be good. I talk to guys at the store, 50% of issues is about setting up cusomters with macbooks and getting used to it. THen you have the 25% people who really dropped it or smashed it up somehow. only 25% really have issues. and those are simple fixes like new keyboard, speakers blowing.

My main concern is, is this a good buy right now. with that ipad coming out, do you guys think prices will drop soon, or a NEW launch of a better macbook is coming really soon. She was dead set on getting it yesterday, i asked her to wait a week. Go figure ipad comes out in a week.

I just dont wanna buy it and have something NEW come out 1 month after. I know that is how technology works and all but that would completely suck. I dont spend $1000+ on laptops anymore. I stick with the budget $500 ones.

Oh small question DDR2 or DDR3 laptop ram works for these right? We are getting the 2gb and most likely getting the 4gb soon.

 

[InverseOfNeo]

A refresh of the MBPs is overdue. People were expecting one in January. So who knows when the new ones will come out. There are a few threads already about this particular topic (including one started by myself).

As far as your other questions and concerns, someone else would have to answer them for you.

 

[KeithP]

To get the absolute best deal on a Apple computer wait until a new model gets released, then start looking at the refurbished section of the Apple store and wait for the old models to show up at a bigger than normal discount. Sometimes you have to wait for a few weeks after the new model is released for the old ones to show up in the refurbished section but they will eventually, be patient.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/hom...mco=OTY2ODY3Nw

As InverseOfNeo said, the general consensus is that new MacBook Pros are coming so I would wait for that.

If you want to get AppleCare, check out Amazon, they usually have it at a discount. Most people don't have problems but, of course, some people do. With Apple stuff, especially laptops, I generally like to get AppleCare.

Standard RAM should work, just get the specs right. That being said, Apple products can sometimes be finicky with RAM. I would stick with a quality vendor that has experience selling RAM for Apple hardware like Crucial, Other World Computing or TranIntl.

-KeithP

 

[KeypoX]

The chips in the macbooks are like 4 years old... the core 2 line.

They should be upgrading to the new chips soon. I think it would be insane to buy one now.

Im betting this long release of 10.6.3 has something to do with new macs. New hardware they are trying to get right, most notably vdo cards.

 

[Ka0t1x]

I found by shopping on Amazon, PowerMax.com, or some other place online you get a better deal than the Student/EDU discount, because you have to pay taxes with the Apple store.

Microcenter sometimes has special rebates, but again, taxes.

As far as repairs go, Apple care covers everything if something isn't broken from abuse this covers shipping to/from you as well as parts/labor. You'd be getting your money back from Apple Care if something trivial should come up as well. You also don't have to buy Apple Care when you buy the MBP, you can buy it up to a year from buying it (You get a free year of hardware support).