Ever since my old iBook G3 was stolen I've been planning to buy a new MacBook Pro 15-inch. The only question now is when.

According to the handy MacRumors Buying Guide they're due for an update soon. So there's a good possibility that they might get a processor bump - or maybe even a new Core Duo 2 processor - in Septmeber. However, my plan was always to order it from the States (because almost everything is cheaper in the U.S.), have it delivered to my parents and then pick it up when I meet them in North Carolina at the end of September. There's roughly a month until that happens, which gives Apple about three weeks to update the MacBook Pro assuming there aren't any major delays in shipping.

My question to you: should I just buy one now, push my luck and wait or definitely wait to buy until after they're updated given the possibility of a new processor? I know it's a gamble any way you look at it, but your collective wisdom means a lot to me.

And no, I'm not getting a MacBook for the simple reason that I do not want a glossy (read "reflective") screen. I don't care how great Apple says the colour saturation is.

Sidebar: are new Macs overrated? Apple seems to have some great deals in their refurbished Mac store.

Cheers

with all thing technology-wise, you could always wait until tomorrow.

the question is - does it do what you want today?
and of course if they dump the prices for the new model, do you go old/new model?

I've just recommended a Mac Mini for my neighbour; he wants a small-footprint computer that can live in a cupboard in his kitchen - and should be networked for his home automation system to be controlled by him using his touch-screen TFT.

If it does the job, who cares?

I would vote to hang on. The "rumour" sites seem to be quite accurate (duh).

If you're lucky, then they'll be on sale when you get to the US, as I think the products are still released there ealier than here.

(...and if the new iPod Mini's are available by then, you can bring one back for me )

=DM=

it depends what you'll be using it for, I for example wont be buying an intel mac for a while as it means I have to update all my design software to run on it and as the intel macs are relatively new not all the major programmes have upgraded to work on the new system yet - as soon as they are i'll get an intel mac and get my mate to download the software needed.

I would however recommend getting a G4 powerbook or an old G5 tower for value reasons, a G5 tower is still going to be fast, very fast unless you want a mac for lots of editing and music etc... I have a G4 powerbook and work on intensive large file designs no problem

Thanks for the quick replies everyone.

A few caveats I should mention: I'm only interested in portables, and, although I understand Nicky's point about using G4/G5 models, I can't see the point of buying a computer with a processor that will quickly become out of date. Value of course matters but is not my primary consideration.

What matters most is what your requirements are. If you do not run intensive autocad, or other CPU intensive programs, dual core won't mean anything for you. I speak from experience, I have had three dual core systems which I do use, as I tend to warp images that are a few gigabytes each. That is the scale I mean.

If you are the average user, any of Apple's current processors are more than enough.

List your most intensive app use here and we can judge if you like.

Seconded. At home I have an iMac (Lampstand base), which I reckon must be about four years old. It's fine for internet, mail, documents, basic photo manipulation, DVD's etc.

Heck, I bet my mate could even make it download the Soprano's.

=DM=

Half the time, I'm doing email, web browsing, word processing - basic stuff which I do in Mail, Safari and Office. The other half of the time, I'm designing software and web interfaces and need a computer that can handle sometimes very large files. Then I'm using OmniGraffle, PhotoShop, Fireworks and Dreamweaver.

I reckon that a Core Duo 2.0 Ghz would be fine to run all of these apps, but I'm still leaning towards waiting because the price point probably won't change that much while the performance is likely to go up significantly.

Yeah I agree with this, I'm a designer and am always working with large image files and working on large files in photoshop yet my G4 powerbook serves me perfectly well, i wouldn't say no to a new MacBook Pro but thats just because I like getting new computers etc.. but if you just need a mac for basic stuff then there's no point forking out for the fastest spec machine, a top end G4 powerbook will do the job - thats if budget is an issue, if its not then yeah go for the newest coolest shiny brand new Mac

eu.shuttle.com

Apple just updated their MacBook Pro line. Up to 39% faster sounds worth waiting for to me, but your mileage my vary. I haven't bought a new laptop yet and probably won't anytime soon, but I'm absolutely dying to get my hands on one of these. If any English Forum folks end up buying one, please submit a review! Cheers