Are new MacBooks likely soon?
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From: Peter on 4 Apr 2010 08:27 Is it in May that apple release new hardware? My wife is looking for a new laptop and it's either the Air or MacBook, but there is no problem hanging on for a month or so if it is likely to get a better spec/price, is it on the books or likely? -- Peter
From: Chris Ridd on 4 Apr 2010 09:12 On 2010-04-04 13:27:39 +0100, Peter said: > Is it in May that apple release new hardware? My wife is looking for a > new laptop and it's either the Air or MacBook, but there is no problem > hanging on for a month or so if it is likely to get a better spec/price, > is it on the books or likely? Apple don't release stuff in any particular month. However it *is* likely they'll release upgraded laptops, maybe soon. The only reasonable constant is that they will come out on a Tuesday, so don't go ordering anything on a Monday :-) Also don't forget Apple's refurb store is a good way of getting a better spec machine for a given price. The store's contents are always changing, so keep checking back. (Search the Apple Store front page for "refurb".) -- Chris
From: David Empson on 4 Apr 2010 09:15 Peter <peter(a)nil.invalid> wrote: > Is it in May that apple release new hardware? Since the introduction of the first iMac, Apple have released new Mac models in any month except December. There isn't anything special about particular months for new Macs. Here are the releases since the introduction of Intel Macs, broken down by model: MacBook: May 2006, Nov 2006, May 2007, Nov 2007, Feb 2008, Oct 2008, Jan 2009, May 2009, Oct 2009. Longest gap is 8 months, typically 6 months. We're up to seven months since the last model, so the MacBook is likely to be refreshed shortly. 15" MacBook Pro: Feb 2006, May 2006 (minor tweak), Oct 2006, Jun 2007, Feb 2008, Oct 2008, Jun 2009. New models are typically released every 8 months, which means the new models are well overdue (should have been February). New processors already available, probable issues with graphics chipsets due to Intel vs NVIDIA battle is the most likely delaying factor. 17" MacBook Pro: usually same as 15" model, except the original release was delayed until Apr 2006, and the Oct 2008 model was a temporary placeholder which was replaced in Jan 2009. 13" MacBook Pro: same as 15" model so far (Jun 2009 is only model, unless you count the Oct 2008 aluminium MacBook). MacBook Air: Jan 2008, Oct 2008, Jun 2009. Not enough data for a clear pattern, but 8 or 9 months is suggested update frequency, which makes a new model overdue. Depends on availability of new low power processor from Intel. iMac: Jan 2006, Jul 2006 (added a cheaper model), Sep 2006, Aug 2007, Apr 2008, Mar 2009, Oct 2009. Highly variable, up to a year between new models. Probably not due for an update for a while yet, but might get a refresh with new processors in sync with the MacBook Pro or a month later. Mac Mini: Feb 2006, Sep 2006, Aug 2007, Mar 2009, Oct 2009. Usually released in sync with iMac but an update in Apr 2008 was missed. Probably not due for an update for a while yet, but likley to be updated in sync with the next iMac. Mac Pro: Aug 2006, Apr 2007 (added 8-core model), Jan 2008, Mar 2009. New releases driven by Intel processor availability. Latest processors have just been released, so new models are imminent. Xserve: Nov 2006, Jan 2008, Apr 2009. Usually in sync with the Mac Pro or a month later. The first model was late. > My wife is looking for a new laptop and it's either the Air or MacBook, > but there is no problem hanging on for a month or so if it is likely to > get a better spec/price, is it on the books or likely? MacBook Pro: extremely likely. MacBook: probable. MacBook Air: possible. -- David Empson dempson(a)actrix.gen.nz
From: Peter on 4 Apr 2010 13:42 In article <81rhhpF6hoU1(a)mid.individual.net>, Chris Ridd <chrisridd(a)mac.com> wrote: > On 2010-04-04 13:27:39 +0100, Peter said: > > > Is it in May that apple release new hardware? My wife is looking for a > > new laptop and it's either the Air or MacBook, but there is no problem > > hanging on for a month or so if it is likely to get a better spec/price, > > is it on the books or likely? > > Apple don't release stuff in any particular month. However it *is* > likely they'll release upgraded laptops, maybe soon. The only > reasonable constant is that they will come out on a Tuesday, so don't > go ordering anything on a Monday :-) I'll make sure it's on a Wednesday, to get maximum usage before the next new offering ;-) > > Also don't forget Apple's refurb store is a good way of getting a > better spec machine for a given price. The store's contents are always > changing, so keep checking back. (Search the Apple Store front page for > "refurb".) I do look at the refurb store, but usually prefer John Lewis's 2 year G'tee. -- Peter
From: Peter on 4 Apr 2010 13:42
In article <1jgga8l.b7nqd3d1dhimN%dempson(a)actrix.gen.nz>, dempson(a)actrix.gen.nz (David Empson) wrote: > Peter <peter(a)nil.invalid> wrote: > > > Is it in May that apple release new hardware? > > Since the introduction of the first iMac, Apple have released new Mac > models in any month except December. There isn't anything special about > particular months for new Macs. > > Here are the releases since the introduction of Intel Macs, broken down > by model: > > MacBook: May 2006, Nov 2006, May 2007, Nov 2007, Feb 2008, Oct 2008, Jan > 2009, May 2009, Oct 2009. Longest gap is 8 months, typically 6 months. > We're up to seven months since the last model, so the MacBook is likely > to be refreshed shortly. > > MacBook Air: Jan 2008, Oct 2008, Jun 2009. Not enough data for a clear > pattern, but 8 or 9 months is suggested update frequency, which makes a > new model overdue. Depends on availability of new low power processor > from Intel. > > > My wife is looking for a new laptop and it's either the Air or MacBook, > > but there is no problem hanging on for a month or so if it is likely to > > get a better spec/price, is it on the books or likely? > > MacBook Pro: extremely likely. MacBook: probable. MacBook Air: possible. Thanks for the synopsis, I think we will hang on for a while and see if anything happens with the MacBook and MacBook Air. Thanks again. -- Peter |