Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware, Retail, Rumors, Apple, Macbook Pro, MacBook, Holidays
Rumor: New MacBooks before the holidays
If you want my professional opinion (and I'll assume you did because you came here to read it), that's all bunk. I waited months and months while Macrumors' page said "don't buy - updates soon" on the iPod, hoping against hope that I would be able to get an iPod with a touchscreen, and it was just days after I finally broke down and bought a Video iPod that Apple announced the iPhone. I have no doubts that there will be a portable update soon over at Apple (in fact, I know that someone over at our sister site Engadget is waiting until January to buy an iPhone just in case there's a new revision announced soon), but I would say that before the end of November is a little too soon.
Still, if you're planning to buy a new MacBook or Pro and can stand to wait a few weeks, you just might want to. As usual, we guarantee nothing, and personally I doubt it'll happen, but if Switch's reasoning seems sound to you, give it a week or two and just maybe you won't be left out in the cold if Apple launches new MacBooks in early winter.
Thanks, Robert!
Update: Figures. I have to wait months for a new iPod, but when I post my doubts about using the same system to predict a MacBook update, I'm way wrong. And the Pros got updated, too. Good times.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Fritz Laurel said 7:10PM on 10-30-2007
Sounds like you're splitting hairs here and are essentially agreeing on the same thing, to me.
But, whatever. I say -- whoo hoo! New Macbooks! Yeah!
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Alan said 7:10PM on 10-30-2007
Along the same lines is the Mac Buyers Guide from MacRumors: http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/
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gerrynjr said 7:10PM on 10-30-2007
Mac Pros are much more likely than macbook revisions....
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Elliot said 7:26PM on 10-30-2007
I think it's pretty telling that every year since 2002, Apple has revised it's portables in October or June. I think it's actually a no-brainer that there's a really high chance of revisions in the next couple weeks. I think Mike's rationale for doubting that it'll happen this year (he got burned one time waiting for an iPod revision) is pretty weak, but I guess we don't have to wait too long to see.
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NutMac said 7:31PM on 10-30-2007
If you ask me, November prediction is right on the money. MacBook is overdue for Santa Rosa update. MacBook Pro is mostly state-of-the-art still, but who knows. If anything, they will get a minor bump with Leopard pre-installed.
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Steve Pearson said 7:44PM on 10-30-2007
I think we'll see new Macbooks soon. I was expecting to see them on or around the Leopard release. I don't think new Macbook Pros will be out until January or February though, it would be pretty pointless for Apple to update them now in time for the holidays before they can get the Penryn processors in them.
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Jonny said 7:44PM on 10-30-2007
Maybe someone ought to do some thinking about whether an update is reasonable rather than just look at the time between updates. I agree on the Macbooks, they could use an update. The santa rosa set with the much improved integrated graphics, 64bit, would be a huge update.
Macbook Pros? What are they going to update to? New mobile processor? New graphics cards? All pretty new. There really isn't a need to update here compared to the rest of the line.
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tnkgrl said 8:59PM on 10-30-2007
Still waiting for that 11" ultra-thin, ultra-light MacBook (Pro?)... Come on Apple!
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Bobby W said 9:01PM on 10-30-2007
Don't the supply channels usually go dry soon before refreshes? I haven't heard anything like that. Maybe it's still a ways off.
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Netback said 10:51PM on 10-30-2007
So just to check, you went out and bought a video iPod days before the January Macworld when Apple announced the iPhone? I didn't knew people did that, the one thing you can always be sure of, don't buy anything days before Macworld.
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David said 11:15PM on 10-30-2007
Macbooks will be updated by the end of November. There is NO doubt about it. The real question is will it be a speed bump + new integrated graphics chipset (the drivers are in Leopard) OR will be the above PLUS a new case and more to match the look of the iMac/iPod/iPhone lineup.
For various date reasons BY far the likeliest date is Nov 6th for the launch in the month of November.
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artifex said 11:35PM on 10-30-2007
November would mean a product update right as holiday shopping goes into full swing. That would be confusing and add to holiday returns.
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Luigi193 said 11:36PM on 10-30-2007
Waited for months after the macrumors buying guide said the imac were coming...
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Paul said 12:37AM on 10-31-2007
I wouldn't expect any changes at this point before MacWorld, primarily because of the holiday buying season, which would get all out of whack with a new major introduction/refresh at this point. I would expect at least a speed bump in Jan (maybe after MacWorld if it's just a speed bump), but maybe a major new announcement at MacWorld, as we've been looking at basically the same designs for a while. A micro-notebook or a larger screen Macbook, or maybe a totally redesigned pro book wouldn't surprise me.
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Josh said 12:42AM on 10-31-2007
you can probably count on it. ;)
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Josh said 12:42AM on 10-31-2007
you can probably count on it. ;)
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Dave said 12:56AM on 10-31-2007
I agree with Mike. My (personal) opinion is that there will be no product updates at this point. I agree that we usually see something in October, but October is all but over and November seems too close to the holiday shopping. Again, just one person's opinion.
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YCH said 3:18AM on 10-31-2007
Oh great. I just bought a MacBook on Friday at the Leopard launch.
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nuna said 3:27AM on 10-31-2007
I agree with Mike.I also wasted time waiting for an iPod revision.
http://dvdtoipod.tumblr.com
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Lee said 3:59AM on 10-31-2007
Why would a macbook revision now cause returns and confusion for holiday buying? Wouldn't something new boost sales? Apple's estimates for this holiday season are astounding. Do you think Leopard and the current hardware products are enough to support their estimates? (If you don't know, they provided guidance for the next financial quarter ABOVE wall street estimates. That doesn't usually happen.)
The macBook REALLY needs to get on board with Santa Rosa. Making the bottom line macBook 64-bit with better graphics will put it in line with Apple's platform visions and definitely add power to run Leopard. And as previously stated, the new integrated graphics drivers are already in Leopard.
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