MacBook future gazers


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Finally going to make the switch to Apple and settled on the 13" MacBook Pro. Taking a peak through the historical updates / revisions of this product and it seems to happen twice yearly. 

 

Do more experienced Apple watchers think it's a fair assumption that an update to the current version should be pending and that it would be best to wait and watch over the next month or two before jumping in?  (My understanding is that they typically keep the prices the same and just update the hardware).

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBook_Pro#3rd_generation_.28Retina.29

Release date June 11, 2012[62][63] October 23, 2012[73] February 13, 2013[80] October 22, 2013

 

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No, buy what you need now and enjoy. Don't expect a refresh of the MacBook Pro until late this year. They were just refreshed a few months ago. If this question was asked during the late summer, then I would say wait.

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The old style MBP (with DVD drive) hasn't been updated since June 2012 and will probably never be updated again. 

 

The 13" Retina MBP was updated in October. They generally get updated about every 8 months, but since the last update was a big CPU change (Haswell), the next update will probably just be a very minor speed bump (like 2.4Ghz->2.5Ghz). The next big update shouldn't be until Intel releases their Broadwell mobile chips in late 2014 or early 2015.

 

You should also keep an eye on Apple's refurbished stock for your region. Apple certified refurbished is a great way to save some money while getting a good-as-new product with their full warranty:

 

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro/13

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The refurb deals are great but as student I can get c. 15% of the MacBook Pro Retinas in any case... so it actually works out a similar price for a new vs refurb as I do not believe I can get the student discount on refurbs.

 

Some mixed comments then. My quick look at the history suggests a c. 6month cycle so a change this spring. I would hate to buy now and find out I could have got a new version in a month, even if it's just a 0.1ghz bump - I'm weird like that!

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As another poster said, the spring update will most likely be a minor bump in CPU speed. It could also bring lower prices on the current models in the refurb section. 

 

You are correct, you can't get the student discount on refurbs. 

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The major trend for the Macbook Pro line has been 8 months for the last couple of years, with every other update just being a very minor speed bump as Intel and the GPU manufacturers release minor part revisions:

 

Feb 2011 - Update to Intel Sandy Bridge with Thunderbolt

Oct 2011 - Sandy Bridge speed bump

Jun 2012 - Update to Intel Ivy Bridge, Retina 15" introduced (13" model was delayed until October because of screen production issues)

Feb 2013 - Ivy Bridge speed bump

Oct 2013 - Update to Intel Haswell 

Jun 2014 - ? Haswell speed bump

Feb 2015 - ? Broadwell

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